($471+) St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH, runs anywhere from $471 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,951 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 697 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,521, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,951 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,042 - $3,162, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $471 - $1,360.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,319 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Moving options from St. Paul to Cincinnati fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,319 - $5,816 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 46% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 78% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 697 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 697-mile route from St. Paul to Cincinnati, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,521 - $4,410 | $1,042 - $1,741 | $471 - $964 | $865 - $1,584 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,319 - $5,816 | $1,259 - $2,488 | $518 - $1,134 | $1,029 - $2,092 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,971 - $7,951 | $1,737 - $3,162 | $667 - $1,360 | $1,320 - $2,689 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 697-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, with prices running from $1,521 - $7,951. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $289 - $1,928 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Paul and Cincinnati are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Paul movers tend to run around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,521 - $4,410
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,319 - $5,816
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,971 - $7,951
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Paul to Cincinnati.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Cincinnati, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $482 - $4,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $193 - $1,157/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,314 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $964 - $2,892 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,410 - $9,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $722 - $1,372 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $964 - $2,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $771 - $3,374 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $289 - $1,446 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $627 - $1,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,374+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Cincinnati?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Paul, MN. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, cost between $1,042 and $3,162. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Cincinnati. If you go over that window, storage in St. Paul adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,741
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,259 - $2,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,737 - $3,162
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Paul, MN and Cincinnati, OH. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $675 in St. Paul, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $145 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota to Ohio move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,042. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,259 - $2,488.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Cincinnati?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Paul to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 697 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio, running $471 - $1,360. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $214 - $244
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Paul to Cincinnati based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $471 - $964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $518 - $1,134
- 4+ bedrooms: $667 - $1,360
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Paul to Cincinnati looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $471 - $1,360. But once you factor in fuel ($214 - $244), overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in St. Paul, Minnesota, usually costs about $675 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 697-mile drive falls between $214 and $244, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $289 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Cincinnati?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cincinnati, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,029 and $2,092.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Cincinnati:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $865 - $1,584
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,029 - $2,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,320 - $2,689
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In St. Paul, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $675.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $145 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Cincinnati?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Cincinnati fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Cincinnati, OH
Good news for your budget: Cincinnati isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Paul. Cost of living index runs 88 there against 102 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 here versus 49/100 and 49.53/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Cincinnati, OH to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Ohio, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Minnesota alone has 151 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 697-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,521 for a studio to $7,951 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 697-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,042 - $3,162. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $471 - $1,360, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,319 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Cincinnati tend to point to ample economic opportunity and low cost of living, though unpredictable weather and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Kroger and First Student.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Cincinnati, OH
How long does a move from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati?
For families, Hyde Park, Mount Adams, and Mount Lookout are worth a look in Cincinnati. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central Business District, Clifton, and Columbia-Tusculum tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Paul, MN to Cincinnati, OH?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $518 - $1,134. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Cincinnati a safe place to live?
Cincinnati has a safety index of 49.53 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.47, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.