Local moving companies in Columbia

  1. Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  2. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  3. Smooth Move: 4.72 out of 5 stars
  4. Reign Moving Solutions: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  5. Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
, https://x.com/BBMoving1
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Good communication
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Poor packing quality
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Moving with Ballantyne & Beyond lands at the top for professionalism and attentive staff. In 185 feedback sources, 83.8% of customer input is positive. Polite team members, efficient timelines, and careful handling stand out, with many customers mentioning prompt response, accurate estimates, and extra help from movers. Many highlight stress-free moving days and furniture treated with care, which sets them above most competitors. On the other hand, some customers faced damaged items, issues with how belongings were packed, or communication lapses, especially during complex moves. Compared to other movers, Ballantyne & Beyond delivers higher-than-average professionalism and careful service, but some moves have resulted in costly item mishaps and unmet service expectations.
Get a Quote (803) 547-1800

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
https://www.facebook.com/twomenandatruckcolumbiasc/, https://twitter.com/TwoMenColumbia/
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Friendly and approachable staff
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Unexpected charges
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Dependable service and professionalism stand out in feedback for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. After analyzing 256 reviews, a remarkable 86.7% of input praised efficient, careful movers who handle belongings thoughtfully and display a positive attitude. Fast service, courteous staff, and respect for customer property routinely put this company ahead of competitors. Clients often highlighted seamless communication and the crews’ on-time arrival, underscoring their reliability. Negative remarks, making up 11.7% of feedback, centered on property damage, additional unexpected fees, and rare breakdowns in communication. Some reviewers cited items arriving damaged or incomplete responses to damage claims. A very small number (1.6%) posted neutral feedback, usually noting mixed communication or unclear pricing. This company receives more enthusiastic recommendations and repeat business than many moving providers, thanks to organized, efficient service and respectful teams. The rare complaints about broken belongings and disputed charges align with frustrations customers have encountered with other movers, but appear far less often here, helping TWO MEN AND A TRUCK earn trust with those seeking a reliable moving partner.
Get a Quote (803) 310-7445

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
https://www.facebook.com/Smooth-Move-1555136268059713/, https://twitter.com/SmoothMoveRH
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Lack of communication
  • Inaccurate estimates
Review Analysis
Rave reviews set Smooth Move apart. Of 255 pieces of customer feedback, 97% rated their experience positively, a rare feat in the moving industry. Customers consistently highlight Smooth Move’s efficient service, polite and professional staff, careful handling of items, speedy relocations, and helpful movers. Many praise the crews for going out of their way to protect belongings and make the process stress-free, even in complex or emotional situations. Negative feedback centers on isolated complaints about damage to items, communication delays, or inaccurate estimates. When compared to other companies, Smooth Move stands out for reliability, responsiveness, and respect for property. Their reputation for thorough care and pleasant experiences makes them a top pick for those seeking movers who value client trust and seamless service.
Get a Quote (803) 366-6683

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
https://www.facebook.com/GentlemenMoversSC/, https://twitter.com/gentlemenmover3?lang=en
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Affordable rates
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Unexpected charges
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Gentlemen Movers Inc. earns high marks for efficiency and professionalism, standing out with 72% positive feedback from 161 reviews. Customers consistently praise the team's effective service, politeness, careful handling of belongings, speed, and affordable prices. Many appreciate how the staff alleviates the usual stress of moving. Still, nearly 28% of input highlights problems like damaged items, unexpected extra charges, and hard-to-reach management. Experiences with item protection and clear communication fall short for some, leading to frustration over unaddressed complaints. In comparison with other companies, Gentlemen Movers rates highly for staff professionalism and affordability but lags in reliability when damage claims or billing inaccuracies arise. Most people are happy with the company, but those considering more delicate moves or strict budgets should be attentive to potential risks.
Get a Quote (803) 782-0063

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

Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbia to St. Louis movetoggle

The cost of Columbia movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Columbia to St. Louis might cost just $1,309 for a one-bedroom, but up to $8,211 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Columbia, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $677 and $1,629, though you'll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Columbia to St. Louis

Moving from Columbia to St. Louis comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Average rent cost $1,447 $1,250
Average home value $220,612 $171,463
Average income (per capita) $64,683 $66,090
Cost of living (single person) $1,956 $2,589
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,274 $6,573
Unemployment rate 5.2% 6.3%
Sales tax 8.0% 9.68%
State income tax 7.0% 4.8%
  • Rent prices in St. Louis are 14% 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 St. Louis.
    Home prices in St. Louis are 22.3% lower than in Columbia.
  • You’re likely to make a higher income living in St. Louis, where incomes are, on average, 2.2% higher than in Columbia. Major employers in St. Louis include BJC HealthCare, Walmart, and Washington University.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Louis, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Louis is 32.4% higher than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If you're moving your family to St. Louis, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in St. Louis is 53.8% higher than in Columbia.
  • The unemployment rate in St. Louis is 21.15% higher than in Columbia.
  • Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in St. Louis, since its sales taxes are 21.00% higher than what you are paying in Columbia.
  • One perk of moving to St. Louis is paying less in state income taxes, which are 31.43% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,970.86 in St. Louis to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. St. Louis

St. Louis Columbia
Population 293,310 136,632
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 5
Walkability score 66 35
Bike friendliness score 58 35
Crime Index 69.65 3.0
Safety Index 30.35 48.39
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • The population of St. Louis is about 115% 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.
  • St. Louis offers better access to buses and trains than Columbia, based on public transportation ratings. St. Louis has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbia. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in St. Louis means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbia. St. Louis is considered more walkable than Columbia, with a score of 66 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Columbia. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, St. Louis 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. St. Louis has a bike-friendliness score of 58 out of 100, while Columbia is rated as 35 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in St. Louis 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 69.65 in St. Louis, it is 3.0 in Columbia. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in St. Louis. With a crime index of 30.35, St. Louis ranks lower in overall safety than Columbia, whose index is 48.39. 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 St. Louis isn't as good as it is in Columbia, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. St. Louis has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Columbia is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. St. Louis move

  • Weather: St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
  • 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: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Missouri, visit the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: While Missouri 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 St. Louis 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. Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in St. Louis

Now that you've chosen Chess Capital of the World as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Louis to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Central West End
  • Downtown
  • Lafayette Square
  • Shaw
  • Soulard

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Hi-Pointe
  • The Hill
  • Lindenwood Park
  • Shaw
  • Skinker DeBaliviere

Things to do in St. Louis

Now that you've made the move to Missouri it's the perfect time to explore St. Louis From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: St. Louis features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the City Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, The Magic House, Saint Louis Science Center, and Missouri History Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park, and Lone Elk Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB), St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis City SC (MLS), or St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Columbia to St. Louis?

Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Columbia to St. Louis You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Columbia.

When is the cheapest time to move from Columbia to St. Louis?

Because spring and fall moves from Columbia to St. Louis 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 Columbia to St. Louis take?

The 748-mile journey from Columbia, SC to St. Louis, MO, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Columbia offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in St. Louis.

Helpful moving resources