($510+) St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH, runs anywhere from $525 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,032 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 697 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,695, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,032 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,041 - $3,493, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $525 - $1,400.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,290 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. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Moving options from St. Paul to Cincinnati fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,290 - $6,106 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 697-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 697-mile route from St. Paul to Cincinnati, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,695 - $4,403 | $1,041 - $1,924 | $525 - $993 | $994 - $1,784 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,290 - $6,106 | $1,363 - $2,800 | $578 - $1,226 | $1,135 - $2,089 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,000 - $9,032 | $1,750 - $3,493 | $679 - $1,400 | $1,414 - $2,935 |
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. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
For the 697-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, full-service movers cost between $1,695 and $9,032. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $289 - $1,928 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in St. Paul generally start around $243 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,695 - $4,403
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,290 - $6,106
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,000 - $9,032
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. Paul to Cincinnati.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of St. Paul 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 packing100% of local movers | $482 - $4,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $193 - $1,157/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,314 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $964 - $2,892 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,410 - $9,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $722 - $1,372 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $964 - $2,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $771 - $3,374 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $289 - $1,446 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $627 - $1,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,374+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Cincinnati?
All three below meet the standards set by the Ohio Association of Movers, the group most Ohio movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in St. Paul, MN. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, cost between $1,041 and $3,493. 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. Paul runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,041 - $1,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,363 - $2,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,750 - $3,493
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 $675 in St. Paul, MN. 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 $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $145 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 Minnesota 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 $1,041. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,363 - $2,800, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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. Paul 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. Paul:
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Renting a moving truck for the 697-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, costs between $525 and $1,400, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $214 - $244
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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. Paul to Cincinnati based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $525 - $993
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $578 - $1,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $679 - $1,400
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Paul to Cincinnati starts at $525 - $1,400, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($214 - $244) , overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in St. Paul, Minnesota, usually costs about $675 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 697-mile drive falls between $214 and $244, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $289 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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. Paul, MN 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. Paul, Minnesota, 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 $1,135 and $2,089.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $994 - $1,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,135 - $2,089
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,414 - $2,935
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $72 - $145 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about five hours typically runs $675.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Cincinnati?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Paul to Cincinnati. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Cincinnati, OH
St. Paul and Cincinnati land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in St. Paul and 88 in Cincinnati, and rent tracks closely too ($1,350/mo vs. $1,450/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (60 vs 49) and safety scores (49.14 vs 49.53) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Cincinnati, OH to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Ohio, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Minnesota alone has 49 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 697-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,695 for a studio to $9,032 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 697-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,041 - $3,493. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $525 - $1,400, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,290 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Paul, MN 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. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/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. Paul, MN 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. Paul, MN 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 $578 - $1,226. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
