Top-rated local movers that handle Ontario to Grand Rapids moves
When planning a move from Ontario to Grand Rapids, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 86 local movers in Ontario who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Ontario to Grand Rapids.
- Big Deahl’s Movers: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Golden Eagle Moving, LLC: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- VIP Transport, Inc.: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Sterling Van Lines: 4.64 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0191969
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 3295324
Alternate Names: People Trusted Company Group
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191570
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 77949
Alternate Names: Golden Eagle Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0137029
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 125563
Alternate Names: Mayflower Transit , VIP Transport East, Inc , VIP Transport – United Van Lines , VIP Transport – Mayflower Transit , United Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc , Meathead Movers Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0189566
Years in Business: 33
DOT #: 568254
Alternate Names: Sterling Van Lines, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Ontario to Grand Rapids?
Movers in California charge $128 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,225 – $5,181 | $1,221 – $2,820 | $1,193 – $2,349 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,254 – $7,290 | $2,151 – $4,221 | $1,266 – $2,823 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,490 – $11,408 | $2,950 – $5,707 | $1,679 – $3,426 |
Cost to hire movers from Ontario to Grand Rapids
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Ontario to Grand Rapids, you can expect to spend between $1,225 and $5,181. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,254 to $7,290 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Ontario to Grand Rapids typically runs between $6,490 and $11,408.
Cost of moving containers from Ontario to Grand Rapids
When moving from Ontario to Grand Rapids, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,221 and $2,820. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,151 to $4,221. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $2,950 up to $5,707. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Ontario to Grand Rapids
Renting a moving truck in Ontario is usually your cheapest option to get to Grand Rapids. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,193 and $2,349. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,266 and $2,823. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,679 and $3,426.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Ontario to Grand Rapids
The cost of Ontario movers will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,487, but larger homes can run up to $10,308.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Ontario.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,193–$3,218) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
What to know before moving from Ontario to Grand Rapids
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Grand Rapids runs about 116% higher for singles and 24% higher for families than Ontario.
Singles spend around $5,333 in Ontario versus $2,473 in Ontario; families pay $7,160 compared with $5,793.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Ontario | Grand Rapids | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $3,200 |
| Average home value | $668,089 | $328,256 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,908 | $63,299 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,473 | $5,333 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,793 | $7,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 4.3% |
| Sales tax | 8.75% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.25% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 37% lower in Grand Rapids than in Ontario, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 51% lower in Grand Rapids than in Ontario.
- It’s important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 12% less in Grand Rapids than in Ontario.
- Plan for higher expenses in Grand Rapids, since the cost of living for a single person is 116% more than in Ontario. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Grand Rapids, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Grand Rapids is 24% more than it is in Ontario.
- Grand Rapids experiences an unemployment rate that is about 38% lower than that of Ontario. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 31% lower in Grand Rapids than in Ontario. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Grand Rapids can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 68% lower in Michigan compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Ontario with Grand Rapids:
| Living Expense | Ontario | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $226.85 | $118.12 |
| Cell phone plan | $43.00 | $45.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.45 | $3.25 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.59 | $3.46 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $65.00 | $67.50 |
| Gym membership | $100.00 | $33.99 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- Eggs cost more in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- Bread is more expensive in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
- Gym memberships cost more in Ontario than in Grand Rapids.
How life is different in Ontario vs. Grand Rapids
| Ontario | Grand Rapids | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,265 | 198,893 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 56 |
| Bike friendliness score | 46 | 52 |
| Crime index | 50.25 | 44.23 |
| Safety index | 49.75 | 55.77 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Grand Rapids’s population is about 13% greater than Ontario.
- Grand Rapids’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Ontario’s score of 5.
- Grand Rapids is more walkable than Ontario with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Ontario’s 48 out of 100.
- With a score of 52 out of 100, Grand Rapids is more bike-friendly than Ontario, which has a score of 46 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Grand Rapids’s crime rate is lower than Ontario with a score of 44.23 compared to Ontario’s 50.25. This means that Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Ontario neighborhoods are safer than 50.25%.
- Grand Rapids is considered to be safer than Ontario with a safety index of 55.77 vs Ontario’s 49.75.
- Air quality in Grand Rapids is Good, and in Ontario it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Ontario to Grand Rapids move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving company’s license by visiting the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Michigan doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Grand Rapids smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items’ full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Grand Rapids
Now that you’ve chosen GR as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Fulton Heights
- Heritage Hill
- South Hill
- Heartside-Downtown
- East Hills
- Midtown
- Belknap Lookout
Best neighborhoods for families
- Eastgate
- Ottawa Hills
- Eastown
- Fulton Heights
- South East End
- North East Citizens Action
- Millbrook
- East Hills
- Belknap Lookout
- Heritage Hill
Things to do in Grand Rapids
After getting comfortable in your new Michigan home, it’s time to see what Grand Rapids is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Grand Rapids offers cultural landmarks like the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and Grand Rapids Art Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Grand Rapids?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Ontario to Grand Rapids are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Ontario are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Ontario to Grand Rapids?
Because spring and fall moves from Ontario to Grand Rapids are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you’re looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Ontario to Grand Rapids take?
A move of 2,143 miles from Ontario, CA to Grand Rapids, generally takes six to 17 days. Movers in Ontario sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Grand Rapids is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Ontario?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Ontario offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 67 movers in Ontario have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 53 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 297 piano movers and 227 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,303 and 1,466.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
Helpful moving resources
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