($1,242) Movers From Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH

Quick answer: A move from Los Angeles to Columbus costs $1,256–$6,786 and takes six to seventeen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,241-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Los Angeles to Columbus is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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  • Certified crews
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbus to Los Angeles guide.

The best Los Angeles to Columbus full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Los Angeles to go to Columbus can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Los Angeles to Columbus.

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 customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963
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
At A Glance
  • 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

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Los Angeles to Columbus?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Columbus will cost between $1,242 to $5,145. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,319 to $6,786, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Los Angeles to Columbus will cost from $5,980 to $11,223.

The best moving containers for your Los Angeles to Columbus move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Los Angeles to Columbus. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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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Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

How much are moving container companies from Los Angeles to Columbus?

Moving containers from Los Angeles to Columbus will cost you $1,231 to $3,056 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,045 to $4,358. A larger home will cost $2,865 to $5,901.

The best moving truck rentals for your Los Angeles to Columbus move

If you want to save even more money on your Los Angeles to Columbus move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

Best Availability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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Check prices (800) 468-4285
Best Value Rental
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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How much is a moving truck from Los Angeles to Columbus?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $1,232 to $2,428. A larger move will cost $1,256 to $2,724, and a four-bedroom move from Los Angeles to Columbus costs from $1,702 to $3,440. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Los Angeles to Columbus move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Los Angeles to Columbus:

Best Labor Only
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
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Best customer experience
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
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(866) 774-5063

How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Columbus?

Los Angeles movers charge $100 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 $1,242 - $5,145 $1,231 - $3,056 $1,232 - $2,428
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,319 - $6,786 $2,045 - $4,358 $1,256 - $2,724
4+ bedrooms $5,980 - $11,223 $2,865 - $5,901 $1,702 - $3,440
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,241 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Los Angeles to Columbus

The cost of Los Angeles movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Los Angeles to Columbus can be as low as $1,242 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,087.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Los Angeles, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,232 to $3,047. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Los Angeles to Columbus

Los Angeles Columbus
Average rent cost $2,850 $1,450
Average home value $2,245,337 $235,958
Average income (per capita) $73,027 $63,639
Cost of living (single person) $6,742 $915
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,567 $3,229
Unemployment rate 10.6% 5.7%
Sales tax 9.5% 7.5%
State income tax 13.3% 3.5%
  • Rent prices in Columbus are 49% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Home prices in Columbus are 89.5% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Income in Columbus is 12.9% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 86.4% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 42.0% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • The unemployment rate in Columbus is 46.23% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • Sales taxes in Columbus are 21.05% lower than in Los Angeles.
  • State income taxes in Columbus are 73.68% lower than in Los Angeles.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $407.15 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How life is different in Los Angeles vs. Columbus

Columbus Los Angeles
Population 905,748 9,787,747
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 8
Walkability score 41 69
Bike friendliness score 48 59
Crime Index 37.49 52.86
Safety Index 56.58 47.14
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Columbus's population is about 91% less than Los Angeles.
  • Columbus's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Los Angeles's lower score of 8.
  • Columbus is less walkable than Los Angeles with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Los Angeles's 69 out of 100.
  • Columbus is less bike-friendly than Los Angeles with a score of 48 out of 100 vs Los Angeles's 59.
  • Columbus's crime rate is lower than Los Angeles with a score of 37.49 compared to Los Angeles's 52.86. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 37.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 52.86%.
  • Columbus is considered to be safer than Los Angeles with a safety index of 56.58 vs Los Angeles's 47.14.
  • Air quality in Columbus is good, and in Los Angeles it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Los Angeles vs. Columbus move

  • Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 forwarded to Columbus. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Columbus

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arch City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbus.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • Short North
  • Victorian Village
  • Clintonville
  • Grandview Heights
  • Ashville
  • Dublin

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Bexley
  • Clintonville
  • Gahanna
  • Hilliard
  • Upper Arlington

Things to do in Columbus

After settling into your new Ohio home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Columbus has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Columbus is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Beeler Gallery, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Central Ohio Fire Museum, Columbus Historical Society, and Columbus Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Scioto Mile, Topiary Garden, and Schiller Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Columbus Crew (MLS), Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), or Columbus Clippers (AAAE) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Columbus?

The best time to move from Los Angeles to Columbus is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Los Angeles.

When is the cheapest time to move from Los Angeles to Columbus?

Because most people are moving from Los Angeles to Columbus in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Los Angeles to Columbus take?

The 2,241-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to Columbus, OH, takes six to seventeen days. Some Los Angeles movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbus.

Helpful moving resources