($1,280) Movers From Columbia, SC to Mobile, AL

What to know before moving from Columbia to Mobile

Moving from Columbia to Mobile means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Columbia than in Mobile, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Columbia compares to Mobile so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Mobile are 10% lower than in Columbia, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Mobile.
  Home prices in Mobile are 15.6% lower than in Columbia.
• Income in Mobile is 4.2% lower than in Columbia, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Mobile include Infirmary Health, Austal, and City of Mobile.
• The cost of living for a single person in Mobile is 6.7% lower than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Mobile is 4.0% lower than in Columbia.
• The unemployment rate in Mobile is 19.23% higher than in Columbia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Mobile, since the city’s sales taxes in Mobile are 25.00% higher than in Columbia.
• One perk of moving to Mobile is paying less in state income taxes, which are 28.57% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,799.08 in Mobile to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Mobile

• Mobile's population is about 37% greater than Columbia.
• Mobile's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Columbia's higher score of 5.
• Mobile and Columbia are similarily walkable.
• Both Mobile and Columbia have the same bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, meaning Mobile is about as safe for cyclists as Columbia. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
• Mobile's crime rate is higher than Columbia with a score of 64.95 compared to Columbia's 3.0. This means that Mobile neighborhoods are safer than 64.95% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0%.
• Mobile is considered to be less safe than Columbia with a score of 35.05 vs Columbia's 48.39.
• Air quality in Mobile is good, and in Columbia it's good.

Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. Mobile move

• Weather: October, April and November are the most pleasant months in Mobile, so consider this in your plans in moving to Mobile City. Mobile City experiences extreme heat on summer and rainy days on winter.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Alabama, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Alabama doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Mobile without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Mobile

With your sights set on "Port City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Mobile.

Helpful moving resources