How Much Do Columbus, OH Movers Cost?
Quick answer: Hiring movers in Columbus typically runs $145 per hour. On average, a full move will cost you between $538 and $4,791. If you're planning a move out of Ohio, check out our options for long-distance movers in Columbus—the cost will vary based on the destination.
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Average cost of local movers in Columbus, OH
Hiring a full-service Columbus mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Columbus move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Columbus based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $538 | $203 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $741 | $203 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,187 | $284 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $2,723 | $398 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $3,121 | $398 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $4,791 | $557 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Columbus movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $203 per hour for two movers to $557 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher total cost.
Overall, hiring local Columbus movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Columbus move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Columbus, OH
Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Columbus.
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Triple 7 Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- MVM Moving & Storage: 5 out of 5 stars
- Integrity Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (29%)
- Lack of communication (26%)
- Unexpected charges (24%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving, Bellhops, Inc., Bellhops
Bellhop Moving, serving Columbus, OH since 2012, specializes in local residential moves and has garnered a strong reputation for its professionalism. Compared to other local movers, Bellhop stands out with a commendable average rating of 4.7 from over 350 Google reviews, though its Yelp profile shows a slightly mixed reception with a 3.5 average from 36 reviews. Offering comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, Bellhop caters to various moving needs while accepting credit cards for convenience. Despite their excellent Google ratings, potential clients should note the required deposit and the company's C+ Better Business Bureau rating.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Careful handling (31%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (38%)
- Unexpected charges (31%)
- Damage to items (31%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 4
DOT #: 1812376
Alternate Names: Triple 7 Movers, MidWestern Movers, LLC, MidWestern Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (33%)
- Professional and polite staff (29%)
- Good communication (27%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
- Unexpected charges (16%)
- Damage to items (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 156647
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1444491
Alternate Names: MVM Columbus, MVM Columbus Incorporated.
MVM Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in Hilliard, OH since 2007. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they clearly prioritize customer satisfaction. Unlike many nearby movers, MVM offers comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling of fragile items, ensuring a smooth and stress-free moving experience. Additionally, they can expertly move pianos, pool tables, and antiques, making them ideal for those with valuable or delicate items. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, setting them apart for convenience and reliability.
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
- Efficient service (41%)
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Good communication (36%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (17%)
- Unexpected charges (15%)
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
Integrity Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Columbus, OH, since 2006. While some nearby moving companies struggle to maintain high customer satisfaction, Integrity Moving & Storage shines with an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and an impressive 4.8 on Google My Business. Their A+ Better Business Bureau rating speaks to their commitment to quality and reliability. Beyond just moving services, they offer packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, art, and antiques, providing a comprehensive solution for any local move. Accepting credit cards and requiring no deposit further enhances their customer-friendly approach.
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
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Careful handling (26%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
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
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage has been serving the Grove City, OH area since 1882, making it one of the oldest and most experienced local moving companies. With an impressive average rating of 4.8 from 288 Google reviews and a solid Yelp rating of 4.1 from 28 reviews, along with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, they are widely regarded as a reputable choice. In addition to local residential moving, they offer a range of services including long-distance moves, office relocations, and specialty moving services for items like pianos and antiques. E.E. Ward stands out from the competition with its comprehensive packing and crating services, no required deposit, and full valuation insurance coverage.
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
Visit our best movers in Columbus page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Columbus, consider one of Columbus's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby Ohio cities
Average cost to hire interstate movers in Columbus, OH
Since the cost of moving out of Columbus depends so much on where you're moving, we've included some example costs below to give you a better idea of pricing. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Columbus or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Columbus
The cost to move a studio apartment or one-bedroom home out of state from Columbus depends on the moving method you choose, how much stuff you have, and how far you're moving.
Take a look at some example costs to move a one-bedroom cross-country:
- Columbus to New York City: $1,991–$4,214
- Columbus to Los Angeles: $3,184–$6,496
- Columbus to Chicago: $1,594–$3,838
- Columbus to Houston: $2,793–$5,709
- Columbus to Phoenix: $2,965–$5,946
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Columbus
As with any move, the cost to relocate a two- or three-bedroom from Columbus can vary widely based on move size, distance, and time of year.
Here is a look at some two- and three-bedroom move costs out of Columbus:
- Columbus to New York City: $2,666–$5,490
- Columbus to Los Angeles: $4,532–$7,705
- Columbus to Chicago: $2,235–$5,045
- Columbus to Houston: $3,352–$7,191
- Columbus to Phoenix: $4,005–$7,562
Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from Columbus
The cost to move a four-bedroom or larger home out of Ohio will be significantly higher than for one- or two-bedroom houses, since a bigger house typically means more items. Movers calculate long-distance moves, in part, based on the total estimated volume and weight of your household belongings.
While moving costs can vary, take a look at these cost ranges for moving four or more bedrooms out of Columbus:
- Columbus to New York City: $4,773–$8,340
- Columbus to Los Angeles: $8,426–$13,243
- Columbus to Chicago: $3,342–$7,068
- Columbus to Houston: $5,643–$9,420
- Columbus to Phoenix: $7,245–$11,753
Best interstate moving companies in Columbus, OH
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Columbus should cost, it's time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Average cost of moving containers in Columbus, OH
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Columbus. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Columbus move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Columbus can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Columbus based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Columbus, OH
The best Columbus moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in Columbus, OH
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Columbus will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Columbus ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Columbus rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.69–$0.79 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Columbus, OH
The best moving truck rentals in Columbus provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Columbus, OH
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Columbus is an hourly rate of $73 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $145.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Columbus.
Best labor-only moving companies in Columbus
The best Columbus labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
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Factors that affect the cost of movers in Columbus, OH
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Columbus, OH, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). The City of Columbus does not require a parking permit for your home but you should still check with any rules from your building or HOA to ensure a smooth move. You may also double check with the city that you have everything you need for move day.
- Check state licensing laws. 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.
- Invest in moving 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.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move to Columbus?
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Columbus for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Columbus to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $2,797 - $6,645 | $1,661 - $3,065 | $666 - $1,389 |
| Omaha | $2,829 - $6,782 | $1,566 - $3,338 | $686 - $1,450 |
| Seattle | $4,512 - $9,703 | $2,726 - $5,999 | $1,817 - $3,604 |
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