Fact Checked by:
Best overall value
The best local movers for Columbus to San Diego moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Columbus that also handles long-distance moves to San Diego. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 29 local movers in Columbus who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Columbus to San Diego.
- MVM Moving & Storage: 4.92 out of 5 stars
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 4.78 out of 5 stars
- Integrity Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Black Tie Moving: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 156647
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1444491
Alternate Names: MVM Columbus , MVM Columbus Incorporated.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00136562
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1237577
Alternate Names: Leaders Moving , Leaders Moving & Storage Co. , L.E.A.D.E.R.S Moving & Storage Co. , Leaders Moving And Storage Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00151315
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1343775
Alternate Names: Integrity Moving, LLC , Integrity Moving , Columbus Piano Moving , Integrity Moving & Mobile Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 604141
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2407712
Alternate Names: Black Tie Moving Columbus LLC , Black Tie Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 11470
Years in Business: 143
DOT #: 1222904
Alternate Names: E E Ward Moving & Storage Co LLC , E.E.Ward Moving & Storage Co., LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Columbus to San Diego?
The average hourly rate for movers in Ohio is $153. Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,339 – $5,181 | $1,180 – $3,080 | $1,303 – $2,325 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,474 – $7,782 | $2,273 – $4,611 | $1,411 – $2,855 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,790 – $12,221 | $3,002 – $5,819 | $1,783 – $3,393 |
Cost to hire movers from Columbus to San Diego
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Columbus to San Diego will cost between $1,339 and $5,181. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Columbus to Columbus will range from $3,474 to $7,782, and a large move from Columbus to San Diego will cost from $6,790 to $12,221.
Cost of moving containers from Columbus to San Diego
If you’re moving from Columbus to San Diego, expect to pay between $1,180 and $3,080 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,273 up to $4,611. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,002 and $5,819. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Ohio.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Columbus to San Diego
Renting a moving truck from Columbus to San Diego is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $1,303 and $2,325. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,411 and $2,855. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $1,783 up to $3,393 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Columbus to San Diego
The cost of Columbus movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,564, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $11,543.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbus, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,303–$3,353) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Columbus to San Diego
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – San Diego runs about 20% higher for singles and 6% higher for families than Columbus.
Singles spend around $3,346 in Columbus versus $2,784 in Columbus; families pay $7,719 compared with $7,249.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Columbus | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,567 | $2,704 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,957 | $4,914 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $1,003,444 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $72,963 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,784 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,249 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 6.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 13.3% |
- Rent is estimated to be 100% higher in San Diego compared to Columbus; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 320% greater in San Diego than in Columbus.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 12% higher in San Diego than in Columbus, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 20% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to San Diego, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 6% greater than in Columbus.
- In San Diego, the unemployment rate is approximately 16% higher than in Columbus, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes show little difference between San Diego and Columbus (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
- Income taxes are 280% higher in California than in Ohio, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Columbus and San Diego:
| Living Expense | Columbus | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $263.89 | $277.55 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $66.79 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.21 | $5.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.98 | $4.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $21.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $46.25 | $65.68 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Columbus than in San Diego, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Columbus than in San Diego.
- Eggs are less expensive in Columbus than in San Diego.
- Bread costs less in Columbus than in San Diego.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Columbus than in San Diego.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Columbus than in San Diego.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Columbus than in San Diego.
How life is different in Columbus vs. San Diego
| Columbus | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 905,748 | 1,386,932 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 53 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 43 |
| Crime index | 49.65 | 39.83 |
| Safety index | 50.35 | 60.17 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- San Diego’s population is about 53% greater than Columbus.
- San Diego’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Columbus’s score of 5.
- San Diego is more walkable than Columbus with a score of 53 out of 100 vs Columbus’s 41 out of 100.
- San Diego has a bike-friendliness score of 43 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Columbus, which has a score of 48.
- San Diego’s crime rate is lower than Columbus with a score of 39.83 compared to Columbus’s 49.65. This means that San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65%.
- San Diego is considered to be safer than Columbus with a safety index of 60.17 vs Columbus’s 50.35.
- Air quality in San Diego is Moderate, and in Columbus it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Columbus to San Diego move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California doesn’t require moving permits, but it’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- 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 San Diego. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items’ full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in San Diego
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to America’s Finest City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Hillcrest
- North Park
- Ocean Beach
- Pacific Beach
Best neighborhoods for families
- Carmel Valley
- Del Mar Heights
- Loma Portal
- Rancho Bernardo
- Rancho Penasquitos
Things to do in San Diego
Once you’re settled into your new home in California, it’s time to get out and discover what San Diego has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout San Diego, such as the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and San Diego Air & Space Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, La Jolla Shores Park, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an San Diego Padres (MLB)San Diego Gulls (AHL)San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to San Diego?
The best time to move from Columbus to San Diego is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbus.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to San Diego?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Columbus to San Diego, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Columbus to San Diego take?
Moving from Columbus, OH to San Diego, covers 2,225 miles and usually takes six to 17 days. Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If you’re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Diego.
Which movers in Columbus give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 2 movers here honor AAA discounts. 4 movers give special rates to military members. 6 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Columbus?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 16 movers in Columbus advertise piano moving expertise. 11 movers in Columbus provide antique moving services. State totals show 59 piano movers and 37 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
Columbus moving services
Popular Ohio routes
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
