Best overall value
Local moving companies in Columbia
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Smooth Move: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Reign Moving Solutions: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Poor packing quality
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 9784-A
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 2557751
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 9494-C
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Inaccurate estimates
Company Info
State license #: 9823
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2823802
Alternate Names: Go Smooth Move, LLC, Carolina Movers, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Affordable rates
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 9756
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 1442337
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Columbia to Lancaster
What to know before moving from Columbia to Lancaster
Moving from Columbia to Lancaster comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Lancaster is generally more expensive than Columbia, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Columbia | Lancaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,447 | $2,600 |
| Average home value | $220,612 | $473,053 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,683 | $74,723 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,956 | $2,540 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,274 | $5,562 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 15.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Lancaster, since prices are typically 80% higher than in Columbia.
- The home prices in Lancaster are 114.4% higher than in Columbia, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Youโre likely to make a higher income living in Lancaster, where incomes are, on average, 15.5% higher than in Columbia. Major employers in Lancaster include Antelope Valley Hospital, Antelope Valley Union High School District, and Lancaster School District.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Lancaster, since the cost of living for a single person in Lancaster is 29.9% higher than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Lancaster, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Lancaster is 30.1% higher than in Columbia.
- The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 200.00% higher than in Columbia.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Lancaster, since its sales taxes are 28.13% higher than what you are paying in Columbia.
- State income taxes in Lancaster are 90.00% higher than in Columbia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,895.71 in Lancaster to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.
How life is different in Columbia vs. Lancaster
| Lancaster | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 173,516 | 136,632 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 0 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 29 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 40 | 35 |
| Crime Index | 45.5 | 3.0 |
| Safety Index | 54.5 | 48.39 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Lancaster is about 27% greater than Columbia, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Lancaster without a car might be more difficult than in Columbia. Lancaster has a public transportation score of 0 out of 10, whereas Columbia is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Lancaster neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Columbia. Based on its score of 29 out of 100, Lancaster isn't as walkable as Columbia, which has a score of 35 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.
- If cycling is your thing, Lancaster is considered more bike-friendly than Columbia in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Lancaster has a bike-friendliness score of 40 out of 100, while Columbia is rated as 35 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Lancaster is higher than in Columbia, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 45.5 in Lancaster, it is 3.0 in Columbia. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Lancaster than in Columbia, based on Lancaster's safety index of 54.5 versus 48.39 for Columbia. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Lancaster and Columbia 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 Columbia vs. Lancaster move
- Weather: If you're looking to move to Lancaster, consider doing this on the months of May, October and April. Summers are hot and nearly rainless while winter could be mildly cold.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a โT Numberโ issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in California, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Lancaster Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Opt for Released Value Protection โ a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Lancaster
Now that you've decided to make the move to , these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Lancaster.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Lancaster
- Central Lancaster
- East Lancaster
- College Terrace
- Skytower Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Quartz Hill
- West Lancaster
- Rancho Vista
- Brentwood
- El Dorado
Things to do in Lancaster
Now that you've made the move to California it's the perfect time to explore Lancaster From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Lancaster is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Lancaster Museum of Art & History, Western Hotel Museum, and Boyle Heights History Studios & Tours.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Apollo Community Regional Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Lancaster?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbia to Lancaster are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Columbia. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbia to Lancaster?
Because most people are moving from Columbia to Lancaster in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Columbia to Lancaster take?
Moving from Columbia, SC to Lancaster, CA covers 2,370 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days Need to move faster? Some Columbia movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Lancaster.
