$1,508 Movers From California to Ohio

The cost to move from California to Ohio averages from $1,753 to $9,005 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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.

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

Moving from California to Ohio resources

Moving 2,407 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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

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

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving 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 $1,508 - $6,058 $1,539 - $3,714 $1,509 - $3,133
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,186 - $9,005 $2,656 - $5,291 $1,753 - $3,549
4+ bedrooms $8,344 - $14,341 $3,799 - $7,407 $2,237 - $4,662
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,407 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

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 $1,508 to $6,058. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to OH will range from $4,186 to $9,005, and a large move from California to Ohio will cost from $8,344 to $14,341.

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

Moving containers from California to Ohio will cost you $1,539 to $3,714 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,656 to $5,291. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,799 to $7,407. 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; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,509 to $3,133. A larger move will cost $1,753 to $3,549, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Ohio costs from $2,237 to $4,662.

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 $1,586 $825
Average home cost $746,055 $216,115
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $66,990
Cost of Living Index 100 94
Unemployment rate 4.8% 3.6%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 7.23%
State Income Tax 13.3% 3.99%
  • Rent is about 48% less expensive in Ohio than in California.
  • Home prices are about 71.0% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • The average income is about 27.1% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Cost of living is 6.0% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 25.0%.
  • Sales taxes are 16.71% lower in Ohio than in California.
  • Income taxes are 70.00% lower in Ohio than in California.

How is life different in Ohio from California?

Ohio California
Population 11,756,058 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 53-45 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 84ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 20ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 40" 22"
Annual Snow 28" 7"
Crime Index 21.82 27.88
  • 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 40 inches of annual rainfall in Ohio vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Ohio, it snows about 28 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Ohio has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 21.82.

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 vs 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, these are the 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

Considerations for moving 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Maison Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780
(800) 832-5950
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
8362 Galena Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95828
(916) 596-9374

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

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 about moving from California to Ohio

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.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Ohio