($1,180+) Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Moving from Columbus, OH, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,146 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,962 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,865 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,541, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,962 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,651 - $5,431, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,146 - $3,309.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, OH, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,490 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Moving options from Columbus to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,490 - $7,602 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 1,865-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,865-mile route from Columbus to Tempe, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,541 - $5,370 $1,651 - $2,974 $1,146 - $2,098 $1,429 - $2,785
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,490 - $7,602 $2,094 - $4,461 $1,166 - $2,548 $1,626 - $3,467
4+ bedrooms $6,508 - $11,962 $2,891 - $5,431 $1,580 - $3,309 $2,358 - $4,436

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Hiring full-service movers from Columbus, Ohio, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $2,541 and $11,962. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,865-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $299 - $1,996, 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 Columbus and Tempe. For a rough baseline, movers based in Columbus tend to start around $325 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 Columbus to Tempe:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,541 - $5,370
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,490 - $7,602
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,508 - $11,962

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 Columbus to Tempe.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio to Arizona. 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 Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Columbus movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tempe, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$499 - $4,990
Storage in transitNew place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All American Moving and Storage$200 - $1,198/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$299 - $2,395
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$998 - $2,994
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,495 - $9,980
Car shippingSecond vehicle$748 - $1,420
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items37% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: MVM Moving & Storage$998 - $2,495
PianoAny piano type53% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All American Moving and Storage$798 - $3,493
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling23% of local movers$299 - $1,497
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: E.E. Ward Moving & Storage$649 - $1,996
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$299 - $14,970+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$299 - $3,493+

What are the best full-service movers from Columbus to Tempe?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Columbus, OH. 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 Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Moving containers from Columbus, Ohio, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,651 and $5,431. 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 Columbus runs about $65/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Tempe:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,651 - $2,974
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,094 - $4,461
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,891 - $5,431

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 $699 in Columbus, OH. 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 $75 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $150 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 Tempe, AZ, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Ohio to Arizona 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 $1,651. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,094 - $4,461, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Columbus to Tempe?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
  • EkoMovers (4.3/5), 16 years in business
  • Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Renting a moving truck for the 1,865-mile move from Columbus, Ohio, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $1,146 and $3,309, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $592 - $677
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Columbus daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Columbus to Tempe based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,146 - $2,098
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,166 - $2,548
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,309

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,146 - $3,309 does not include fuel ($592 - $677) , lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Columbus to Tempe typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $592 - $677 for the 1,865-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 Columbus, Ohio, for about 5 hours typically costs around $699.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 1,865-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $150 per night, adding $299 - $449 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $50 and $299.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus to Tempe?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Columbus, Ohio, to Tempe, Arizona, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,626 and $3,467.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Tempe:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,429 - $2,785
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,626 - $3,467
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,358 - $4,436

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $75 - $150 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Columbus, Ohio, for about five hours typically runs $699.

What are the best freight companies from Columbus to Tempe?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. THE Sygma Network (4.5/5 stars): THE Sygma Network 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Columbus, OH vs Tempe, AZ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Columbus on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Columbus, OH Tempe, AZ
Cost of living index91113
Average rent$1,441/mo$1,834/mo
Median home value$233,368$421,086
Average income$65,327/yr$77,643/yr
Unemployment rate5.7%5.4%
State income taxUp to 3.5%Up to 2.5%
Walkability score41/10054/100
Safety index50.35/10057.64/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Arizona, 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 103 movers licensed in Ohio, useful context for sizing up this 1,865-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Columbus, OH, to Tempe, AZ, 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 $2,541 - $11,962 on the 1,865-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,651 - $5,431, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,146 - $3,309. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,490 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.

FAQs: Moving from Columbus, OH, to Tempe, AZ

What is the best time of year to move from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?

Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($592 - $677), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $150/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Tempe?

Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 41 and 48 in Columbus. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ?

Costs on this route range from around $2,541 to $11,962, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,541 and $11,962, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 53% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 37% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.