Quick answer: Expect to pay $547–$6,071 for a move from Pittsburgh to Columbia, with most moves taking one to six days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 538 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Pittsburgh guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
When you’ve got 9 interstate movers to choose from like you do in Pittsburgh, the search for the right one can quickly become overwhelming. And that’s after you decide whether to hand the job over to a full-service team or keep more control — and save a little money — with a DIY approach.
We’ve already done the hard work for you. Each Pittsburgh mover was reviewed for services offered, pricing, and overall value, with customer experiences drawn from online reviews. From there, we narrowed the field to the best long-distance movers in Pittsburgh, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Best professional movers from Pittsburgh to Columbia
Making the trip from Pittsburgh to Columbia is easier when you hire a full-service moving company to handle every stage of the relocation. From packing and loading to delivery and unpacking, they manage the process so you can focus on the bigger picture.
We’ve put together a list of the best full-service movers for this route to help you make the move with ease.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Pittsburgh?
How we chose the best moving companies for your PA to SC move
Find trusted moving companies for your Pittsburgh to Columbia journey
Organizing a move from Pittsburgh to Columbia can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Pittsburgh known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Pittsburgh to Columbia.
- South Hills Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Don Farr Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Gardner Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Miracle Movers: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 94
DOT #: 98045
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 8922932
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 345157
Alternate Names: Exclusive Services, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 00121505
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00108945
Years in Business: 103
DOT #: 947009
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 8922412
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 2461529
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
How much does it cost to move from Pittsburgh to Columbia?
Pittsburgh movers charge $75 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,373 - $3,972 | $851 - $2,110 | $555 - $961 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,363 - $6,071 | $1,613 - $3,093 | $547 - $1,151 |
4+ bedrooms | $4,497 - $9,469 | $2,128 - $3,714 | $731 - $1,388 |
Cost to hire movers from Pennsylvania to South Carolina
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,373 and $3,972. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,363 to $6,071 for the trip from PA to SC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $4,497 and $9,469.
Cost of moving containers from Pennsylvania to South Carolina
Moving containers from Pennsylvania to South Carolina will cost you $851 to $2,110 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,613 to $3,093. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,128 to $3,714. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Pennsylvania.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Pennsylvania to South Carolina
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $555 and $961. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $547 and $1,151. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $731 up to $1,388 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Pittsburgh to Columbia move
What to know before moving from Pittsburgh to Columbia
For many households, Columbia means lower monthly costs than Pittsburgh — roughly 8% for singles and 15% for families.
That’s about $1,956 per month for singles and $4,274 for families in Columbia, compared with $2,129 and $5,011 in Pittsburgh.
See the side-by-side details below:
- Rent prices in Columbia are 4% lower than in Pittsburgh, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- Home prices are the same in Columbia and Pittsburgh.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 19.1% higher than in Pittsburgh. Major employers in Columbia include Pure Fishing, LexiCode, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Columbia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 8.1% lower than in Pittsburgh.
- A move to Columbia can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 14.7% less than what it costs in Pittsburgh.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 26.76% lower than in Pittsburgh.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Columbia, since its sales taxes are 14.29% higher than what you are paying in Pittsburgh.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 128.01% higher than in Pittsburgh.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Pittsburgh with Columbia.
Pittsburgh | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $263.34 | $148.09 |
Cell phone plan | $53.44 | $54.77 |
Dozen eggs | $4.62 | $3.46 |
Loaf of bread | $4.03 | $2.65 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20 | $16 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $60 | $60 |
Gym membership | $43.33 | $40 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
- Eggs cost more in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
- The cost of a mid-range dinner for two is about the same in both cities.
- Gym memberships cost more in Pittsburgh than in Columbia.
How life is different in Pittsburgh vs. Columbia
Columbia | Pittsburgh | |
---|---|---|
Population | 136,632 | 303,255 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 8 |
Walkability score | 35 | 62 |
Bike friendliness score | 35 | 55 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 37.74 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 62.26 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 55% less than Pittsburgh.
- Getting around Columbia without a car might be more difficult than in Pittsburgh. Columbia has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Pittsburgh is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Columbia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Pittsburgh. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Columbia isn't as walkable as Pittsburgh, which has a score of 62 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Columbia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Pittsburgh. While Pittsburgh has a bike-friendliness score of 55 out of 100, Columbia earned a 35. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Columbia has a lower crime rate than Pittsburgh based on scores of 3.0 and Pittsburgh's 37.74, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Columbia. With a crime index of 48.39, Columbia ranks lower in overall safety than Pittsburgh, whose index is 62.26. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Columbia and Pittsburgh is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Pittsburgh vs. Columbia move
- Weather: If you're considering to move to Columbia, SC, better to consider during October, April and May to make sure weather will be pleasant.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Columbia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Columbia
Ready to relocate to Soda City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Columbia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cayce
- Seven Oaks
- Forest Acres
- Lexington
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families
- Irmo
- Lexington
- Seven Oaks
- Cayce
- Oak Grove
Things to do in Columbia
After getting comfortable in your new South Carolina home, it's time to see what Columbia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Columbia, such as the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, EdVenture Children's Museum, and South Carolina Military Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, Saluda Shoals Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Finlay Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh to Columbia?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Pittsburgh to Columbia. You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Pittsburgh.
When is the cheapest time to move from Pittsburgh to Columbia?
Because spring and fall moves from Pittsburgh to Columbia are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Pittsburgh to Columbia take?
The 538-mile journey from Pittsburgh, PA to Columbia, SC, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Pittsburgh offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Columbia.
Do movers in Pittsburgh offer any discounts?
Many do — and the types of discounts available can help you cut costs.
Because offers change, confirm details with your mover to make sure you’re getting the most out of available deals.
How many movers in Pittsburgh can handle specialty items for my move to Columbia?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Pittsburgh, 8 movers can handle pianos. 6 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of PA, there are 76 piano movers and 55 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2173 and 1398 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.