($329+) St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Cincinnati, OH, runs anywhere from $357 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,687 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 349 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,083, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,687 or more.
- Moving containers run $914 - $2,944, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $357 - $878.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Cincinnati, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,799 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Moving options from St. Louis to Cincinnati fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,799 - $4,667 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 349 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 349-mile route from St. Louis to Cincinnati, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,083 - $3,657, container $914 - $1,635, rental truck $357 - $638, freight trailer $847 - $1,399.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,799 - $4,667, container $1,158 - $2,272, rental truck $376 - $763, freight trailer $982 - $1,693.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $2,604 - $6,687, container $1,546 - $2,944, rental truck $480 - $878, freight trailer $1,262 - $2,377.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Cincinnati, Ohio, costs between $1,083 and $6,687. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 349-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $257 - $1,712, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between St. Louis and Cincinnati. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $3,657
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,799 - $4,667
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,604 - $6,687
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Louis to Cincinnati.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Cincinnati, 79% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing93% of local movers | $428 - $4,280 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $171 - $1,027/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $257 - $2,054 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $856 - $2,568 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,140 - $8,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $641 - $1,218 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $856 - $2,140 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $685 - $2,996 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $257 - $1,284 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $556 - $1,712 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $257 - $12,840+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $257 - $2,996+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Cincinnati?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Cincinnati with a local mover averages $1,870 - $4,853. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in St. Louis, MO can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 263 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Cincinnati, Ohio, cost between $914 and $2,944. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $914 - $1,635
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,272
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,546 - $2,944
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $599 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $64 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $128 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Cincinnati, OH, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Ohio move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $914. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,158 - $2,272, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Cincinnati?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Louis to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
A rental truck for this 349-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Cincinnati, Ohio, costs between $357 and $878. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $95 - $109
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Louis to Cincinnati based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $357 - $638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $376 - $763
- 4+ bedrooms: $480 - $878
Pro tip: The base rate of $357 - $878 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Louis to Cincinnati. Fuel ($95 - $109) , lodging at around $128/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $95 - $109 for the 349-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $599.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 349-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $128 per night, adding $257 - $385 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $43 and $257.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Cincinnati?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from St. Louis, Missouri, to Cincinnati, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $982 and $1,693.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $847 - $1,399
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $982 - $1,693
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,262 - $2,377
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $599.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $64 and $128 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Cincinnati?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Cincinnati fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Cincinnati, OH
Good news for your budget: Cincinnati isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Louis. Cost of living index runs 88 there against 84 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 66/100 and 30.35/100 here versus 49/100 and 49.53/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Cincinnati, OH to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Ohio, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 54 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 349-mile move.
Our take
A move from St. Louis, MO, to Cincinnati, OH, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,083 - $6,687 on the 349-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $914 - $2,944, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $357 - $878. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,799 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Cincinnati tend to point to ample economic opportunity and low cost of living, though unpredictable weather and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Kroger and First Student.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Cincinnati, OH
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Cincinnati run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati?
For families, Hyde Park, Mount Adams, and Mount Lookout are worth a look in Cincinnati. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central Business District, Clifton, and Columbia-Tusculum tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Cincinnati, OH?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $376 - $763. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
