Quick answer: Expect to pay $1,747–$9,362 for a move from Columbia to San Diego, with most moves taking seven to 18 days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 2,353 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Columbia guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
From South Carolina to California, your interstate move will have a lot of moving parts — starting with which company to hire. Columbia has 5 options for interstate moves, and each one comes with different strengths and specialties. Deciding which is right for you can be a challenge in itself.
After comparing service packages, pricing details, and real feedback from customer reviews, we were able to pinpoint the best long-distance movers in Columbia for every moving option.
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Columbia to San Diego
Making the trip from Columbia to San Diego 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 Columbia?
How we chose the best moving companies for your SC to CA move
Local movers servicing Columbia to San Diego moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Columbia that also provides long-distance services to San Diego can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in Columbia who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Columbia to San Diego.
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- JEGA Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Smooth Move: 4.66 out of 5 stars
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
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
Company Info
State license #: 2021239
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3583359
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 9873
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
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
How much does it cost to move from Columbia to San Diego?
Columbia movers charge $256 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 | $1,587 - $6,289 | $1,607 - $3,833 | $1,630 - $3,345 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,287 - $9,362 | $2,855 - $5,685 | $1,747 - $3,829 |
4+ bedrooms | $7,736 - $14,478 | $4,080 - $7,951 | $2,161 - $4,743 |
Cost to hire movers from South Carolina to California
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from South Carolina to California, you can expect prices to land between $1,587 and $6,289. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $4,287 to $9,362 for the trip from SC to CA. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $7,736 and $14,478.
Cost of moving containers from South Carolina to California
Moving containers from South Carolina to California will cost you $1,607 to $3,833 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,855 to $5,685. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,080 to $7,951. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from South Carolina to California
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,630 to $3,345. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,747 to $3,829, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Carolina to California costs around $2,161 to $4,743.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors influencing moving costs from Columbia to San Diego
What to know before moving from Columbia to San Diego
Monthly costs run higher in San Diego than in Columbia — roughly 71% more for singles and 81% more for families.
Singles spend $3,346 vs. $1,956, and families $7,719 vs. $4,274.
Use the comparison below to plan your budget with confidence:
- You may want to budget more for rent in San Diego, since prices are typically 99% higher than in Columbia.
- The home prices in San Diego are 354.8% higher than in Columbia, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in San Diego, where incomes are, on average, 12.8% higher than in Columbia. Major employers in San Diego include United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 71.1% higher than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to San Diego, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 80.6% higher than in Columbia.
- The unemployment rate in San Diego is 26.92% higher than in Columbia.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Diego, since the city's sales taxes in San Diego are 3.13% lower than in Columbia.
- State income taxes in San Diego are 90.00% higher than in Columbia.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Columbia and San Diego:
Columbia | San Diego | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $148.09 | $277.55 |
Cell phone plan | $54.77 | $66.79 |
Dozen eggs | $3.46 | $5.26 |
Loaf of bread | $2.65 | $4.5 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16 | $21 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $60 | $100 |
Gym membership | $40 | $65.68 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Columbia than in San Diego, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Columbia than in San Diego.
- Eggs are less expensive in Columbia than in San Diego.
- Bread costs less in Columbia than in San Diego.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Columbia than in San Diego.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Columbia than in San Diego.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Columbia than in San Diego.
How life is different in Columbia vs. San Diego
San Diego | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,386,932 | 136,632 |
Transportation Score | 6 | 5 |
Walkability score | 53 | 35 |
Bike friendliness score | 43 | 35 |
Crime Index | 39.83 | 3.0 |
Safety Index | 60.17 | 48.39 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- San Diego's population is about 915% greater than Columbia.
- San Diego's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Columbia's lower score of 5.
- San Diego is more walkable than Columbia with a score of 53 out of 100 vs Columbia's 35 out of 100.
- With a score of 43 out of 100, San Diego is more bike-friendly than Columbia, which has a score of 35 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- San Diego's crime rate is higher than Columbia with a score of 39.83 compared to Columbia's 3.0. This means that San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0%.
- San Diego is considered to be safer than Columbia with a safety index of 60.17 vs Columbia's 48.39.
- Air quality in San Diego is moderate, and in Columbia it's good.
Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. San Diego move
- Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
- 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 regulations—some 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 “T Number” 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 San Diego 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 – 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 San Diego
Now that you've decided to make the move to America's Finest City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Hillcrest
- North Park
- Ocean Beach
- Pacific Beach
Best neighborhoods for families
- Carmel Valley
- Del Mar Heights
- Loma Portal
- Rancho Bernardo
- Rancho Penasquitos
Things to do in San Diego
Now that you've made the move to California it's the perfect time to explore San Diego From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in San Diego include museums and art centers like the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, La Jolla Shores Park, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an San Diego Padres (MLB), San Diego Gulls (AHL), or San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbia to San Diego?
The best time to move from Columbia to San Diego is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbia to San Diego?
With many people choosing to move from Columbia to San Diego in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Columbia to San Diego take?
The 2,353-mile move from Columbia, SC, to San Diego, CA, takes seven to 18 days. Some Columbia movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in San Diego.
Are there special savings available from movers in Columbia?
Several movers here offer discounted rates that can help lower your total moving costs.
These offers can vary widely, so it’s best to verify details with the mover before booking.
Which movers in Columbia offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 5 movers in Columbia have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 2 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across SC, there are 32 piano movers and 17 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2173 and 1398.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.