Quick answer: The cost to move from Columbia to Charlotte ranges from $130 to $3,530 and the journey will take approximately one to two days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 93-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charlotte to Columbia guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Columbia to Charlotte
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Columbia to Charlotte can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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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How we chose the best moving companies for your SC to NC move
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
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
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 #: 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
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
How much does it cost to move from Columbia to Charlotte?
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 | $565 - $2,533 | $513 - $1,291 | $112 - $179 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,177 - $3,530 | $975 - $1,812 | $130 - $216 |
4+ bedrooms | $1,621 - $4,563 | $1,220 - $2,149 | $144 - $230 |
Cost to hire movers from South Carolina to North Carolina
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from South Carolina to North Carolina typically costs between $565 and $2,533. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $1,177 and $3,530 when moving from SC to NC. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from South Carolina to North Carolina, you’re looking at costs ranging from $1,621 up to $4,563.
Cost of moving containers from South Carolina to North Carolina
If you're moving from South Carolina to North Carolina, expect to pay between $513 and $1,291 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $975 up to $1,812. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,220 and $2,149. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from South Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from South Carolina to North Carolina
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 $112 to $179. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $130 to $216, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Carolina to North Carolina costs around $144 to $230.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that influence moving costs from Columbia to Charlotte
What to know before moving from Columbia to Charlotte
Moving from Columbia to Charlotte comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Charlotte 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 | Charlotte | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,447 | $1,790 |
Average home value | $220,612 | $391,658 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,683 | $64,814 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,956 | $3,158 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,274 | $8,325 |
Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 3.3% |
Sales tax | 8.0% | 7.25% |
State income tax | 7.0% | 4.5% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Charlotte, since prices are typically 24% higher than in Columbia.
- The home prices in Charlotte are 77.5% higher than in Columbia, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income is the same in Charlotte and Columbia.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Charlotte, since the cost of living for a single person in Charlotte is 61.5% higher than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Charlotte, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Charlotte is 94.8% higher than in Columbia.
- The unemployment rate in Charlotte is 36.54% lower than in Columbia.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Charlotte, since the city's sales taxes in Charlotte are 9.38% lower than in Columbia.
- One perk of moving to Charlotte is paying less in state income taxes, which are 35.71% lower than in Columbia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,843.56 in Charlotte to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.
How life is different in Columbia vs. Charlotte
Charlotte | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 874,579 | 136,632 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 26 | 35 |
Bike friendliness score | 31 | 35 |
Crime Index | 46.52 | 3.0 |
Safety Index | 53.48 | 48.39 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of Charlotte is about 540% 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.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Charlotte will be about the same as it currently is in Columbia. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Charlotte neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Columbia. Based on its score of 26 out of 100, Charlotte 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.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Charlotte, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Columbia. While Columbia has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, Charlotte earned a 31. 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.
- The crime rate in Charlotte 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 46.52 in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte than in Columbia, based on Charlotte's safety index of 53.48 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 Charlotte 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. Charlotte 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. Charlotte move
- Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
- 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in North Carolina, 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 Charlotte Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Charlotte
With your sights set on Queen City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Charlotte.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Belmont
- Dilworth
- Elizabeth
- First Ward
- Freedom Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Ballantyne East
- Providence Plantation
- Marvin
- Hembstead
- Tega Cay
Things to do in Charlotte
After getting comfortable in your new North Carolina home, it's time to see what Charlotte 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 Charlotte, such as the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Billy Graham Library, Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum, and Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Arequipa Park, Baxter Street Park, Fourth Ward Park, and Frazier 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 Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte FC, or Charlotte Checkers game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Charlotte?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Columbia to Charlotte. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Columbia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbia to Charlotte?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Columbia to Charlotte moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Columbia to Charlotte take?
Covering 93 miles, the move from Columbia, SC to Charlotte, NC typically takes one to two days. Some Columbia movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Charlotte can help bridge the gap.