Quick answer: For a 355-mile move from Charleston to Columbia, expect to spend around $427–$5,552 and one to four days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Charleston guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
There are 4 interstate moving companies in Charleston, so figuring out which one is best for your move from Charleston, WV, 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 Charleston companies to only the best long-distance movers in Charleston, no matter what type of move you’re planning.
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Labor only
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Best professional movers from Charleston to Columbia
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Charleston to Columbia, full-service movers are the answer. They manage every step so you can keep your attention on the big decisions and the excitement of the move.
Here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you from Charleston to Columbia without the headaches.
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 Charleston?
How we chose the best moving companies for your WV to SC move
Find trusted moving companies for your Charleston to Columbia journey
Organizing a move from Charleston to Columbia can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Charleston known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Charleston to Columbia.
- Central Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Dunbar Transfer: 3.96 out of 5 stars
- Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems: 4.24 out of 5 stars
- Evans Van & Storage: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Positive Moves: 3.76 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 076235
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 1186580
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 587135
Alternate Names: Future Enterprises Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 070851
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Fragile-only packing
How much does it cost to move from Charleston to Columbia?
Charleston movers charge $141 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 | $1,126 - $3,610 | $741 - $1,671 | $400 - $689 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,102 - $5,552 | $1,343 - $2,514 | $427 - $826 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,143 - $7,666 | $1,743 - $3,075 | $513 - $988 |
Cost to hire movers from West Virginia to South Carolina
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from West Virginia to South Carolina will cost between $1,126 and $3,610. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from WV to SC will range from $2,102 to $5,552, and a large move from West Virginia to South Carolina will cost from $3,143 to $7,666.
Cost of moving containers from West Virginia to South Carolina
If you're relocating from West Virginia to South Carolina, you'll typically spend between $741 and $1,671 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,343 up to $2,514. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $1,743 and $3,075. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from West Virginia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from West Virginia to South Carolina
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $400 and $689 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $427 to $826. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $513 to $988.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Columbia
What to know before moving from Charleston to Columbia
Monthly costs run higher in Columbia than in Charleston — roughly 26% more for singles and 11% more for families.
Singles spend $1,956 vs. $1,549, and families $4,274 vs. $3,862.
Use the comparison below to plan your budget with confidence:
- You may want to budget more for rent in Columbia, since prices are typically 65% higher than in Charleston.
- The home prices in Columbia are 43.6% higher than in Charleston, 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 Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 9.0% higher than in Charleston. Major employers in Columbia include Pure Fishing, LexiCode, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Columbia, since the cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 26.3% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Columbia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 10.7% higher than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 16.13% lower than in Charleston.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Columbia, since its sales taxes are 14.29% higher than what you are paying in Charleston.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 7.69% higher than in Charleston.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Charleston and Columbia:
Charleston | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $128.95 | $148.09 |
Cell phone plan | $45.33 | $54.77 |
Dozen eggs | $3.26 | $3.46 |
Loaf of bread | $2.2 | $2.65 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15 | $16 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $50 | $60 |
Gym membership | $31 | $40 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charleston than in Columbia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Columbia.
- Eggs are less expensive in Charleston than in Columbia.
- Bread costs less in Charleston than in Columbia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Charleston than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Charleston than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Charleston than in Columbia.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Columbia
Columbia | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 136,632 | 48,018 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 2 |
Walkability score | 35 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 35 | 28 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 53.94 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 46.06 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Columbia is about 185% greater than Charleston, 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.
- Columbia offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Columbia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- You'll find Columbia to be about as walkable as Charleston. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 35 and 33 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, Columbia is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Columbia has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
- Columbia has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 3.0 and Charleston's 53.94, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- Columbia is generally as safe as Charleston, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Columbia and Charleston 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 Charleston 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
Ready to relocate to Soda City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Columbia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Irmo
- Lexington
- West Columbia
- St. Andrews
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families
- Lexington
- Seven Oaks
- Chapin
- Cayce
- Oak Grove
Things to do in Columbia
After getting comfortable in your new South Carolina home, it's time to see what Columbia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Columbia include museums and art centers like 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 — 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 Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Columbia?
The best time to move from Charleston to Columbia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Columbia?
With many people choosing to move from Charleston to Columbia 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 Charleston to Columbia take?
The 355-mile move from Charleston, WV, to Columbia, SC, takes one to four days. Some Charleston movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbia.
Which movers in Charleston offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 3 movers in Charleston have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 2 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across WV, there are 5 piano movers and 4 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 1919 and 1190.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.