The best local movers for Detroit to Columbus moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Detroit that also handles long-distance moves to Columbus. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 36 local movers in Detroit who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Detroit to Columbus.
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Palmer Moving Services: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- White Star Movers, Inc.: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- O’Sullivan Moving & Storage CO.: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: JCAL Holdings, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 114
DOT #: 511993
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 624288
Alternate Names: Whitestar Movers, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1673815
Alternate Names: Royal Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 20587
Years in Business: 42
DOT #: 1660642
Alternate Names: O’Sullivan Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
How much does it cost to move from Detroit to Columbus?
The average hourly rate for movers in Michigan is . Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $782 – $2,796 | $528 – $1,238 | $237 – $394 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,456 – $4,323 | $971 – $1,888 | $245 – $474 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,864 – $5,509 | $1,234 – $2,406 | $299 – $536 |
Cost to hire movers from Detroit to Columbus
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Detroit to Columbus will cost between $782 and $2,796. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Detroit to Detroit will range from $1,456 to $4,323, and a large move from Detroit to Columbus will cost from $1,864 to $5,509.
Cost of moving containers from Detroit to Columbus
If you’re moving from Detroit to Columbus, expect to pay between $528 and $1,238 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $971 up to $1,888. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,234 and $2,406. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Michigan.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Detroit to Columbus
Renting a moving truck from Detroit to Columbus is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $237 and $394. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $245 and $474. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $299 up to $536 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Detroit to Columbus
The cost of Detroit movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,034, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $4,607.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Detroit, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($237–$492) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Detroit to Columbus
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Columbus runs about 11% higher for singles and 8% higher for families than Detroit.
Singles spend around $2,784 in Detroit versus $2,500 in Detroit; families pay $7,249 compared with $6,687.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Detroit | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,325 | $1,567 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,542 | $2,957 |
| Average home value | $73,156 | $238,832 |
| Average income (per capita) | $37,761 | $65,075 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,500 | $2,784 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,687 | $7,249 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.06% | 5.7% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 4.25% | 3.5% |
- Rent is estimated to be 15% higher in Columbus compared to Detroit; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 226% greater in Columbus than in Detroit.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 72% higher in Columbus than in Detroit, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Columbus, since the cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 11% higher than in Detroit. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Columbus, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 8% greater than in Detroit.
- Columbus enjoys an unemployment rate that’s roughly 37% lower compared to Detroit, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes rise by 25% in Columbus over Detroit, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 18% less in Ohio than in Michigan. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Detroit and Columbus:
| Living Expense | Detroit | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $251.12 | $263.89 |
| Cell phone plan | $55.77 | $60.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.52 | $3.21 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.94 | $2.98 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $68.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $43.00 | $46.25 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Detroit than in Columbus, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Detroit than in Columbus.
- Eggs cost more in Detroit than in Columbus.
- Bread costs less in Detroit than in Columbus.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Detroit than in Columbus.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Detroit than in Columbus.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Detroit than in Columbus.
How life is different in Detroit vs. Columbus
| Detroit | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 639,111 | 905,748 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 52 | 48 |
| Crime index | 72.92 | 49.65 |
| Safety index | 27.08 | 50.35 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Columbus’s population is about 42% greater than Detroit.
- Columbus’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Detroit’s score of 7.
- Columbus is less walkable than Detroit with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Detroit’s 51 out of 100.
- Columbus has a bike-friendliness score of 48 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Detroit, which has a score of 52.
- Columbus’s crime rate is lower than Detroit with a score of 49.65 compared to Detroit’s 72.92. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 72.92%.
- Columbus is considered to be safer than Detroit with a safety index of 50.35 vs Detroit’s 27.08.
- Air quality in Columbus is Good, and in Detroit it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Detroit to Columbus move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Ohio doesn’t require moving permits, but it’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Columbus. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Columbus
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to The 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
Once you’re settled into your new home in Ohio, it’s time to get out and discover what Columbus has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Columbus, such as the Beeler Gallery, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Central Ohio Fire Museum, and Columbus Historical Society.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Scioto Mile, Topiary Garden, and Schiller Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Columbus Crew (MLS)Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)Columbus Clippers (AAAE) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Columbus?
The best time to move from Detroit to Columbus is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Detroit.
When is the cheapest time to move from Detroit to Columbus?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Detroit to Columbus, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Detroit to Columbus take?
Moving from Detroit, MI to Columbus, covers 201 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Detroit movers offer expedited options. If you’re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Columbus.
Which movers in Detroit give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 2 movers give special rates to military members. 2 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Detroit?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 22 movers in Detroit advertise piano moving expertise. 8 movers in Detroit provide antique moving services. State totals show 51 piano movers and 19 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
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