($1,239) Moving From California to Ohio

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Ohio ranges from $1,502 to $8,099 and takes seven-eighteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Ohio separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Ohio to California guide.

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The best California to Ohio movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Ohio is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Ohio:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
(209) 551-7772
Grizzly Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121
(844) 474-9959

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from California to Ohio?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Ohio for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,239 - $5,132 $1,371 - $3,115 $1,360 - $2,684
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,732 - $8,099 $2,228 - $4,960 $1,502 - $3,164
4+ bedrooms $7,290 - $12,529 $3,096 - $6,799 $1,842 - $3,996

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,404 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to OH

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Ohio will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Ohio?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Ohio will cost between $1,239 and $5,132. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to OH will range from $3,732 to $8,099, and a large move from California to Ohio will cost from $7,290 to $12,529.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Ohio?

Moving containers from California to Ohio will cost you $1,371 to $3,115 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,228 to $4,960. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,096 to $6,799. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

How much is a moving truck from California to Ohio?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,360 to $2,684. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,502 to $3,164, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Ohio costs from $1,842 to $3,996.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from California to Ohio a good idea?

If you’re moving to Ohio from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: California vs. Ohio

California Ohio
Average rent cost $1,856 $945
Average home cost $771,057 $230,798
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $66,990
Cost of Living Index 134 94
Unemployment rate 5.4% 3.6%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 7.23%
State Income Tax 13.3% 3.5%
  • Rent is about 49% less expensive in Ohio than in California.
  • Home prices are about 70% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • The average income is about 27% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Cost of living is 30% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 33%.
  • Sales taxes are 17% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Income taxes are 74% lower in Ohio than in California.

How does life in Ohio differ from California?

Ohio California
Population 11,785,935 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 55-45 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 84ºF 87ºF
Winter low 20ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 40" 22"
Annual snow 28" 7"
Crime index 20.76 28.43
  • The population of Ohio is approximately 70% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Ohio voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ohio is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ohio reaches the temperature of 20ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about forty inches of annual rainfall in Ohio versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Ohio, it snows about twenty-eight inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
  • Ohio has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 20.76.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Ohio

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Ohio side by side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Ohio
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
Pleasant weather Low cost of living
Abundant recreational options Bountiful recreational opportunities
High quality of life Famously delicious beer
Fresh and healthy foods Amazing food

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Ohio

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Ohio.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Ohio
High cost of living Low happiness
Heavy tax burdens Limited diversity
Natural disasters Political division
Terrible traffic Harsh weather
Strange laws Weird laws

What to know before your move to Ohio

  • Weather: Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State Licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Ohio

While you’re in Ohio, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort
  • Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Hocking Hills State Park
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
  • Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
  • Toledo Museum of Art
  • Fountain Square
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  • Wright Memorial – Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
  • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • Ohio State Reformatory
  • West Side Market
  • American Sign Museum
  • A Christmas Story House
  • German Village
  • Greater Cleveland Aquarium

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to Ohio?

The cheapest way to move from California to Ohio is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Ohio?

The main reasons people are moving from California to Ohio are the amazing upsides of living in Ohio such as ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in California or Ohio?

It is generally cheaper to live in Ohio than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Ohio, with average rent about 49% less and home prices 70.1% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Ohio, most notably income taxes, which are more than 70% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Ohio?

You should make approximately $30,986 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $772 per month for an individual and $2,060 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Ohio you live For example, larger cities like Akron and Alliance will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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