($1,079) Cost of Moving From Michigan to Ohio

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Michigan to Ohio ranges from $363 to $5,115 and takes one–four 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.

Professional
$1,079 – $2,756
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$657 – $982
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$563 – $875
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$348 – $613
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

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

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The best Michigan to Ohio full-service movers

Moving from Michigan to Ohio? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Michigan for your Ohio relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
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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
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best Michigan to Ohio moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Michigan and drop it off at your new home in Ohio.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best Michigan to Ohio moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Michigan to Ohio, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
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
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best Michigan to Ohio labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Michigan to Ohio:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your MI to OH move

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 46 Michigan movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,079 - $3,037 $657 - $1,556 $348 - $610
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,917 - $5,115 $1,167 - $2,205 $363 - $746
4+ bedrooms $2,724 - $6,785 $1,438 - $2,696 $441 - $848

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 365 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.

Cost to hire movers from Michigan to Ohio

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Michigan to Ohio will cost between $1,079 and $3,037. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MI to OH will range from $1,917 to $5,115, and a large move from Michigan to Ohio will cost from $2,724 to $6,785.

Cost of moving containers from Michigan to Ohio

Moving containers from Michigan to Ohio will cost you $657 to $1,556 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,167 to $2,205. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,438 to $2,696. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan 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 $348 to $610. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $363 to $746, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Michigan to Ohio costs from $441 to $848.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from MI to OH

There are many factors that influence Michigan moving costs. The cost to move from Michigan 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 Michigan 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.

What to know before moving from MI to OH

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

Cost of living: Michigan vs. Ohio

Michigan Ohio
Average rent cost $1,037 $945
Average home cost $245,716 $230,798
Average income (per capita) $68,505 $66,990
Cost of Living Index 92 94
Unemployment rate 4.7% 3.6%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 7.23%
State Income Tax 4.25% 3.5%
  • Rent is about 9% less expensive in Ohio than in Michigan.
  • Home prices are about 6% lower in Ohio than in Michigan.
  • The average income is about 2% lower in Ohio than in Michigan.
  • Cost of living is 2% lower in Ohio than in Michigan.
  • Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than Michigan by about 23%.
  • Sales taxes are 21% higher in Ohio than in Michigan.
  • Income taxes are 18% lower in Ohio than in Michigan.

How life is different in Ohio vs. Michigan

Ohio Michigan
Population 11,785,935 10,037,261
Political leaning Republican 55-45 Republican 49.7-48.3
Summer high 84ºF 81ºF
Winter low 20ºF 14ºF
Annual rain 40" 34"
Annual snow 28" 64"
Crime index 20.76 19.98
  • The population of Ohio is approximately 17% greater than the population of Michigan.
  • In the last presidential election, Ohio voted Republican and Michigan voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ohio is 84ºF and in Michigan, it’s 81ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ohio reaches the temperature of 20ºF and Michigan gets down to 14ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Ohio versus 34 inches of rainfall in Michigan.
  • In Ohio, it snows about 28 inches annually versus 64 inches of snow in Michigan.
  • Ohio has a higher crime rate than Michigan with a crime index of 20.76 vs. 19.98.

Comparing the pros of Michigan vs. Ohio

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Ohio compared to Michigan.

Pros of living in Michigan Pros of living in Ohio
Scenic beauty Ample economic opportunity
Good higher education Low cost of living
Bountiful recreational opportunities Bountiful recreational opportunities
Low cost of living Famously delicious beer
Beautiful lakes Amazing food

Comparing the cons of living in Michigan vs. Ohio

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Michigan for Ohio.

Cons of living in Michigan Cons of living in Ohio
Cold snowy winters Low happiness
Spotty economic opportunity Limited diversity
Poor transportation infrastructure Political division
Expensive education Harsh weather
Thick accents Weird laws

Other things to consider for your Michigan to Ohio move

  • 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 Michigan to Ohio?

Hiring a full-service Michigan moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Michigan to Ohio?

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 Michigan to Ohio separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Michigan to Ohio?

The main reasons people are moving from Michigan 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 Michigan or Ohio?

It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in Ohio. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Ohio, with average rent about 9% less and home prices 6.1% lower than in Michigan. Taxes are also lower in Ohio, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Michigan residents.

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

You should make approximately $65,020 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is approximately $1,185 per month for an individual and $4,144 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 Columbus and Cleveland will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources