Moving from Rochester to Columbus (Movers from $1,072)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from Rochester to Columbus costs $496 to $5,069 and takes 1-4 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 394-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Rochester will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbus to Rochester guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

How much does it cost to move from Rochester to Columbus?

Rochester movers charge $216 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from Rochester to Columbus

The cost of Rochester movers will depend on:

• Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Rochester to Columbus can be as low as $1,072 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,270.
• Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Rochester, so moving companies will likely charge more.
• Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $417 to $1,084. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Rochester to Columbus?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Rochester to Columbus will cost between $1,072 to $3,396. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,945 to $5,069, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Rochester to Columbus will cost from $3,085 to $7,912.

How much are moving container companies from Rochester to Columbus?

Moving containers from Rochester to Columbus will cost you $756 to $1,811 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,453 to $2,699. A larger home will cost $1,907 to $3,303.

How much is a moving truck from Rochester to Columbus?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $417 to $765. A larger move will cost $496 to $1,001, and a four-bedroom move from Rochester to Columbus costs from $563 to $1,178. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Rochester to Columbus moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Rochester to Columbus is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Rochester to Columbus.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from Rochester to Columbus

Cost of living: Rochester vs Columbus

• Rent prices in Columbus are 16% higher than in Rochester.
• Home prices in Columbus are 17.6% higher than in Rochester.
• Income is the same in Columbus and Rochester.
• The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 59.8% lower than in Rochester.
• The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 34.4% lower than in Rochester.
• The unemployment rate in Columbus is 41.84% lower than in Rochester.
• Sales taxes in Columbus are 6.25% lower than in Rochester.
• State income taxes in Columbus are 63.39% lower than in Rochester.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,207.12 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Rochester.

How is life different in Rochester compared to Columbus?

• Columbus's population is about 329% greater than Rochester.
• Columbus's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Rochester's lower score of 6.
• Columbus is less walkable than Rochester with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Rochester's 61 out of 100.
• Columbus is less bike-friendly than Rochester with a score of 48 out of 100 vs Rochester's 60.
• Columbus's crime rate is lower than Rochester with a score of 37.49 compared to Rochester's 37.54. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 37.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Rochester neighborhoods are safer than 37.54%.
• Columbus is considered to be safer than Rochester with a safety index of 56.58 vs Rochester's 36.66.
• Air quality in Columbus is good, and in Rochester it's good.

Considerations for moving to Columbus

• Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you move..
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Columbus. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Rochester movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Interior Moving Services Inc	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	157 La Grange Ave, Rochester, NY, 14613 (585) 288-8000
Sheridan Brothers Moving	Get A Quote	4.66 overall rating	2436 Innovation Way BLDG 10, Rochester, NY, 14607 (585) 254-9000
Corrigan Moving Systems	Get A Quote	4.66 overall rating	150 Jarley Rd, Rochester, NY, 14623 (585) 647-9030

Visit our best long distance movers in Rochester page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Columbus

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arch City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbus.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Downtown
• Short North
• Victorian Village
• Clintonville
• Grandview Heights
• Ashville
• Dublin

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Bexley
• Clintonville
• Gahanna
• Hilliard
• Upper Arlington

What to do in Columbus

These are some of the best things to do in your new Ohio home.

• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Easton Town Center
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
• North Market Farmer's Market
• Scioto Mile
• German Village
• Ohio Stadium
• Ohio Theater
• Otherworld
• Columbus Museum of Art
• Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum
• Nationwide Arena
• Ohio State University
• Huntington Park
• Shadowbox Live

Get your sports on!

• Columbus Crew (MLS)
• Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
• Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
• Columbus Clippers (AAAE)

Helpful moving resources