Local moving companies in Indianapolis

  1. Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  2. Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  3. Busy Bee Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
  4. Stuartโ€™s Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  5. Sherman Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars

Bellhop Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.76 / 5

DOT #: 2878240

Years in Business: 13

4916 Lemans Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205 US

Customers rave about Bellhop Movingโ€™s speed, efficiency, and friendly approach. Out of 115 reviews, nearly 70% share positive input, highlighting fast-moving crews, affordable prices, clear communication, and respectful service. Many describe the process as easy and stress-free. On the downside, about a quarter of feedback points to problems like late arrivals, damaged belongings, and a lack of follow-through from customer service. Complaints focus on delayed service, unwrapped or mishandled items, and poor responsiveness when issues arise. Compared to traditional movers, Bellhop often wins on price and flexibility but loses ground on reliability during peak times. Most customers praise the courteous staff and quick booking, yet a minority experienced significant disruptions or property damage. While Bellhop is often a cost-effective and efficient choice, those with high-value or complex moves may want to weigh the risk of potential delays or mishandling before booking.

Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Bellhops, Inc.
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Planes Moving & Storage Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.8 / 5

DOT #:  1458935

Years in Business: 105

2635 Planes Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46219 US

Planes Moving & Storage earns praise for its professional, helpful staff and efficient moving process, backed by 236 reviews with nearly 90% positive feedback. Customers often highlight careful handling of items, prompt service, and friendly movers who make the relocation much easier than with other companies. Many clients say the teams take extra steps to protect property and communicate well throughout moves. Affordability and transparent pricing also surface as advantages. In contrast, the most common complaints involve significant damage to belongings, unresolved compensation issues, and lack of communication from coordinators. Some people report surprise charges or poor response to claims. The volume and consistency of positive input position Planes ahead of most moving companies in reliability and customer satisfaction, though a few negative cases stand out for property damage and service gaps.

Get a Quote (317) 895-1444

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Planes Companies
  • Planes Specialized Logistics
  • Planes Commercial Services
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Busy Bee Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.72 / 5

DOT #: 573343

Years in Business: 34

6148 South Belmont Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46217 US

Buzzing with strong feedback, Busy Bee Movers stands out for efficiency, professionalism, careful handling, speed, and affordable rates, as reflected in 61.4% positive input from 324 reviews. Customers highlight respectful teams and jobs completed on time at competitive prices. Many appreciate transparent quotes and swift, careful moves. While the moving crews earn praise for their hard work, affordable rates, and organization, 34.3% of feedback points to drawbacks such as unexpected charges, inadequate communication, and items occasionally arriving damaged. Some reviewers describe being overcharged compared to estimates, and several mention frustration when issues go unaddressed by management. Compared to other moving companies, Busy Bee Movers is celebrated for dependable staff and cost savings, but concerns about billing accuracy and responsive support set them apart as a company best suited for those willing to double-check pricing and terms in advance.

Get a Quote (317) 695-9927

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

Stuartโ€™s Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 3308205

Years in Business: 88

2058 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 US

Stuartโ€™s Moving & Storage earns acclaim for reliable, friendly movers and attention to detail, reflected in almost 90% positive feedback from 56 reviews. Customers praise the staff's professionalism, careful handling of belongings, efficiency, effective communication, and willingness to help on moving day. Positive feedback highlights accurate estimates, organized packing, and courteous treatment of property and people. Pricing is frequently described as fair, with several clients noting cost transparency and even savings. Negative input centers on rare but significant packing mistakes leading to damaged or missing items, and one case of unhelpful service regarding unloading assistance. Neutral comments report satisfactory moves but cite higher pricing and minor damages. Compared to similar companies, Stuartโ€™s stands out for its consistently helpful, personable movers and reliable execution but should note that a handful of clients experienced lapses in special item care and responsiveness.

Get a Quote (317) 924-0505

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Stuart's Household & Furniture Moving & Storage, Inc.
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Sherman Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.62 / 5

DOT #: 719392

Years in Business: 92

990 National Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 US

Sherman Moving & Storage earns praise for a professional and courteous team, efficient service, careful handling of belongings, and a moving process many customers find fast and stress-free. Most feedback highlights their reliability, with many saying the movers protect property and provide peace of mindโ€”a notable advantage compared to other moving companies. Users often describe the staff as friendly, knowledgeable, and highly recommended the service. On the downside, some customers report significant issues such as damages to items, especially furniture, higher costs than quoted, and unprofessional behavior from certain staff members. Concerns about billing transparency and complaint handling occasionally surface. Sherman stands out positively for its attentive staff and efficiency, but some past clients report disappointment due to unresolved damages or unexpected charges. Out of 74 reviews, 71.6% were positive.

Get a Quote (317) 784-5462

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Ed Sherman Moving & Storage
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Key factors that impact the cost of your Indianapolis to Philadelphia movetoggle

The cost of Indianapolis movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,370, while larger moves may reach $7,651 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Indianapolis.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $549 to $1,410, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Philadelphia

Moving from Indianapolis to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Indianapolis than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Indianapolis compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Indianapolis Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,399 $1,695
Average home value $220,467 $216,914
Average income (per capita) $59,110 $70,746
Cost of living (single person) $2,804 $2,541
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,667 $6,190
Unemployment rate 5.6% 10.6%
Sales tax 7.0% 8.0%
State income tax 3.15% 3.07%
  • Rent prices in Philadelphia are 21% higher than in Indianapolis, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
    Home prices in Philadelphia are 1.6% lower than in Indianapolis.
  • Income in Philadelphia is 19.7% higher than in Indianapolis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 9.4% lower than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 7.2% lower than in Indianapolis.
  • The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 89.29% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 14.29% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 2.54% lower than in Indianapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,718.62 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.

How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Indianapolis
Population 1,603,797 887,642
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 5
Walkability score 75 31
Bike friendliness score 67 43
Crime Index 66.09 60.71
Safety Index 33.91 39.29
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Philadelphia is about 81% greater than Indianapolis, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • Philadelphia offers better access to buses and trains than Indianapolis, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Indianapolis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Philadelphia means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Indianapolis, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 66.09 in Philadelphia, it is 60.71 in Indianapolis. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Indianapolis, whose index is Indianapolis's 39.29. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
  • The air quality in Philadelphia and Indianapolis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Indianapolis vs. Philadelphia move

  • Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
  • 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUCโ€™s website is no longer functioning. So if youโ€™re moving within Pennsylvania, youโ€™ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Cedar Park
  • Fishtown
  • Manayunk
  • Point Breeze
  • Washington Square West

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Bella Vista
  • Chestnut Hill
  • Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
  • Foxchase
  • Roxborough

Things to do in Philadelphia

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in Pennsylvania, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Philadelphia has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Philadelphia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park โ€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Indianapolis are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia?

With many people choosing to move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Indianapolis to Philadelphia take?

Moving from Indianapolis, IN to Philadelphia, PA covers 642 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Indianapolis movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources