($1,027+) Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $1,027 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,960 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,862 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 $2,398, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,960 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,527 - $5,176, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,027 - $3,121.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,230 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH
Moving options from Tempe to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,230 - $6,965 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 65% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,862 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,862-mile route from Tempe to Columbus, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,398 - $5,023 | $1,527 - $3,005 | $1,027 - $2,164 | $1,307 - $2,679 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,230 - $6,965 | $1,975 - $4,168 | $1,123 - $2,427 | $1,533 - $3,078 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,843 - $10,960 | $2,647 - $5,176 | $1,490 - $3,121 | $2,118 - $4,529 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,862-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Columbus, Ohio, with prices running from $2,398 - $10,960. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $313 - $2,084 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Tempe and Columbus are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Tempe movers tend to run around $200 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,398 - $5,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,230 - $6,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,843 - $10,960
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 Tempe to Columbus.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbus, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $521 - $5,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $208 - $1,250/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $313 - $2,501 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,042 - $3,126 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,605 - $10,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $780 - $1,483 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,042 - $2,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $834 - $3,647 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $313 - $1,563 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $677 - $2,084 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $313 - $15,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $313 - $3,647+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Columbus?
Look for Ohio Association of Movers membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Ohio beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Tempe, AZ. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $1,527 and $5,176. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Columbus. If you go over that window, storage in Tempe adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,527 - $3,005
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,975 - $4,168
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,647 - $5,176
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Tempe, AZ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $729, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $156 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tempe, AZ, and Columbus, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $1,527. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,975 - $4,168.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to Columbus?
- 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Columbus, OH
Plan on $1,027 - $3,121 for a rental moving truck on the 1,862-mile route from Tempe, Arizona, to Columbus, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $617 - $706
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tempe daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Tempe to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $2,164
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,123 - $2,427
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,490 - $3,121
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,027 - $3,121 when pricing out a rental truck from Tempe to Columbus. Fuel alone runs $617 - $706, and overnight lodging ($156/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $729.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $617 - $706 for the 1,862-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $63 and $339, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $156 per night for hotel stops on the 1,862-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $313 - $469.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Columbus?
- 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 Tempe, AZ to Columbus, 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 Tempe, Arizona, to Columbus, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,533 and $3,078.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,307 - $2,679
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,533 - $3,078
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,118 - $4,529
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $78 and $156.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $729.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Columbus?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Columbus 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: Tempe, AZ vs Columbus, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Columbus, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 91 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $1,441/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $233,368 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $65,327/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 50.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Columbus, OH to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona 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. Arizona alone has 242 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,862-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Tempe, AZ, to Columbus, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,398 for a studio to $10,960 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,862-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,527 - $5,176. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,027 - $3,121, 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 $3,230 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 Columbus tend to point to low cost of living and delicious food, though bad drivers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Ohio State University and The State of Ohio.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Columbus, OH
Is Columbus a safe place to live?
Columbus has a safety index of 50.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.65, compared to 57.64 and 42.36 in Tempe. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Columbus?
Columbus has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 54 and 75 in Tempe. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Columbus?
For families, Bexley, Clintonville, and Gahanna are worth a look in Columbus. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Short North, and Victorian Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
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.
What do local movers charge in Tempe?
Local movers based in Tempe typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Columbus run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.