Quick answer: A typical 2,868-mile move from Olympia to Columbia runs $1,896–$9,987 and takes seven to 21 days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Olympia guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
There are 25 interstate moving companies in Olympia, so figuring out which one is best for your move from Olympia, WA, to Columbia, SC, can feel overwhelming. You’ll also need to decide whether to hire professional full-service movers or take a more DIY approach.
Not to worry — we’ve made the process easier for you. We compared each mover by key factors like service options and cost, and analyzed customer feedback in online reviews. Using our research, we have narrowed the list of Olympia companies to only the best long-distance movers in Olympia, no matter what type of move you’re planning.
Professional
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Rental truck
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Labor only
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Best professional movers from Olympia to Columbia
A full-service mover can make your interstate relocation from Olympia to Columbia far less complicated. From wrapping and packing your belongings to transporting them safely, these companies cover the entire process so you can spend your time on what matters most.
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 Olympia?
How we chose the best moving companies for your WA to SC move
Local moving companies servicing Olympia to Columbia moves
When planning a move from Olympia to Columbia, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Olympia who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Olympia to Columbia.
- All Ready Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Mountain Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Move Northwest: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- A & E Relocation Services: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2083124
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 2083124
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 121
DOT #: 586615
Alternate Names: Olympic Moving & Storage, Olympic Moving & Storage II, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 885643
Years in Business: 62
DOT #: 885643
Alternate Names: Mountain Trucking Co Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 2256609
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2256609
Alternate Names: Northwest Movers, LLC, Bekins Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 42425
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2575653
Alternate Names: CONRAD MOVING & STORAGE, EADS TRANSFER, Pacific Relocation Services Of Washington, LLC, A and E Relocation Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
How much does it cost to move from Olympia to Columbia?
Olympia movers charge $133 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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,788 - $7,613 | $1,558 - $4,247 | $1,803 - $3,567 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,025 - $9,987 | $2,934 - $5,717 | $1,896 - $4,247 |
4+ bedrooms | $9,261 - $16,925 | $3,972 - $8,625 | $2,347 - $5,314 |
Cost to hire movers from Washington to South Carolina
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Washington to South Carolina, you can expect to spend between $1,788 and $7,613. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $5,025 to $9,987 on the same route (WA to SC). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Washington to South Carolina typically runs between $9,261 and $16,925.
Cost of moving containers from Washington to South Carolina
If you're relocating from Washington to South Carolina, you'll typically spend between $1,558 and $4,247 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,934 up to $5,717. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,972 and $8,625. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Washington.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Washington to South Carolina
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $1,803 and $3,567. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,896 and $4,247. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $2,347 up to $5,314 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that influence moving costs from Olympia to Columbia
What to know before moving from Olympia to Columbia
Budget-wise, Columbia tends to come out ahead — about 21% lower for singles and 21% lower for families than Olympia.
One person’s costs run $1,956 in Columbia vs. $2,473 in Olympia; for a family of four, think $4,274 vs. $5,391.
Scan the comparison below to see where you’ll save most:
- Rent prices in Columbia are 24% lower than in Olympia, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Columbia.
Home prices in Columbia are 56.6% lower than in Olympia. - Income in Columbia is 2.7% lower than in Olympia, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Columbia — including Pure Fishing, LexiCode, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Columbia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 20.9% lower than in Olympia.
- A move to Columbia can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 20.7% less than what it costs in Olympia.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 7.14% lower than in Olympia.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Columbia, since the city's sales taxes in Columbia are 14.89% lower than in Olympia.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 7.00% higher than in Olympia.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Olympia and Columbia, from monthly bills to routine purchases.
Olympia | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $152.8 | $148.09 |
Cell phone plan | $58.64 | $54.77 |
Dozen eggs | $4.3 | $3.46 |
Loaf of bread | $3.94 | $2.65 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20 | $16 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $70 | $60 |
Gym membership | $58.33 | $40 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Olympia than in Columbia.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Olympia than in Columbia.
- Eggs cost more in Olympia than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Olympia than in Columbia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Olympia than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Olympia than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships cost more in Olympia than in Columbia.
How life is different in Olympia vs. Columbia
Columbia | Olympia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 136,632 | 55,605 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 35 | 39 |
Bike friendliness score | 35 | 59 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 27.95 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 62.25 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Columbia is about 146% greater than Olympia, 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 Columbia will be about the same as it currently is in Olympia. 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.
- Columbia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Olympia. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Columbia isn't as walkable as Olympia, which has a score of 39 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 Columbia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Olympia. While Olympia has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, Columbia earned a 35. 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.
- Columbia has a lower crime rate than Olympia based on scores of 3.0 and Olympia's 27.95, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Columbia. With a crime index of 48.39, Columbia ranks lower in overall safety than Olympia, whose index is 62.25. 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 Columbia and Olympia 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 Olympia vs. Columbia move
- Weather: If you're considering to move to Columbia, SC, better to consider during October, April and May to make sure weather will be pleasant.
- 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: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in South 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 Columbia Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Columbia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Soda City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cayce
- Seven Oaks
- Irmo
- St. Andrews
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families
- Irmo
- Lexington
- Blythewood
- Chapin
- Oak Grove
Things to do in Columbia
Once you're settled into your new home in South Carolina, it's time to get out and discover what Columbia has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Columbia, such as the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, EdVenture Children's Museum, and South Carolina Military Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, Saluda Shoals Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Finlay 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 Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Olympia to Columbia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Olympia to Columbia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Olympia. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Olympia to Columbia?
Because most people are moving from Olympia to Columbia 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 Olympia to Columbia take?
Moving from Olympia, WA to Columbia, SC covers 2,868 miles and usually takes seven to 21 days Need to move faster? Some Olympia movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Columbia.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Olympia?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Are piano and antique moving services available in Olympia?
Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Olympia, 25 movers can manage piano relocations. 18 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Washington has 67 piano movers and 42 antique movers, while nationwide there are 1901 and 1176 respectively.
Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.