Highly rated local moving companies for St. Paul to Columbus moves
Organizing a move from St. Paul to Columbus can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 34 local movers in St. Paul known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from St. Paul to Columbus.
- Matt’s Moving Company : 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.64 out of 5 stars
- Metcalf Moving & Storage: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- AAA Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Lighthouse Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 374236
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1704106
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 286311
Years in Business: 73
DOT #: 286311
Alternate Names: Rochester Transfer & Storage Company
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
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 105
DOT #: 1127088
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 36
DOT #: 1140502
Alternate Names: AAA Movers Inc of Minnesota
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1452848
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1452848
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul to Columbus?
On average, moving companies in Minnesota charge about $209 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,264 – $3,903 | $782 – $1,841 | $521 – $970 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,346 – $5,705 | $1,314 – $2,554 | $556 – $1,235 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,914 – $7,715 | $1,761 – $3,462 | $712 – $1,512 |
Cost to hire movers from St. Paul to Columbus
When planning a move to Columbus from St. Paul, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,264 and $3,903. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,346 and $5,705 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,914 to $7,715.
Cost of moving containers from St. Paul to Columbus
When you’re heading from St. Paul to Columbus, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $782 and $1,841. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,314 and $2,554. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,761 to $3,462. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Minnesota easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Columbus
A moving rental truck from St. Paul to Columbus 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 $521 to $970. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $556 to $1,235, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from St. Paul to Columbus costs around $712 to $1,512.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from St. Paul to Columbus

What to know before moving from St. Paul to Columbus
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Columbus runs about -23% higher for singles and 69% higher for families than St. Paul.
Singles spend around $2,784 in St. Paul versus $3,633 in St. Paul; families pay $7,249 compared with $4,290.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| St. Paul | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,567 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,957 | |
| Average home value | $278,221 | $238,832 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,483 | $65,075 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,633 | $2,784 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,290 | $7,249 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.7% |
| Sales tax | 9.88% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 3.5% |
- Rent is about 7% more expensive in Columbus than in St. Paul. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 14% cheaper in Columbus than in St. Paul.
- There’s good news: the average income differences between Columbus and St. Paul are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Columbus. The cost of living for a single person there is 23% below that of St. Paul.
- When considering a family move to Columbus, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 69% higher than in St. Paul.
- Columbus has a higher unemployment rate than St. Paul by about 16%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 24% cheaper in Columbus compared to St. Paul. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 64% less in Ohio compared to Minnesota, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in St. Paul versus Columbus:
| Living Expense | St. Paul | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $263.89 | |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | |
| Dozen eggs | $3.21 | |
| Loaf of bread | $2.98 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | |
| Gym membership | $46.25 |
How life is different in St. Paul vs. Columbus
| St. Paul | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,176 | 905,748 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 60 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 64 | 48 |
| Crime index | 50.86 | 49.65 |
| Safety index | 49.14 | 50.35 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Columbus’s population is about 199% greater than St. Paul.
- Columbus’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than St. Paul’s score of 8.
- Columbus is less walkable than St. Paul with a score of 41 out of 100 vs St. Paul’s 60 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 St. Paul, which has a score of 64.
- Columbus and St. Paul have a similar crime rate with scores of 49.65 and 50.86, respectively.
- Columbus and St. Paul have a similar safety level, with scores of 50.35 and 49.14.
- Air quality in Columbus is Good, and in St. Paul it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your St. Paul to Columbus move
- HOA rules: Costs across St. Paul and Columbus are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Ohio, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Ohio, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: 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: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Columbus
With your sights set on The Arch City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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
With your move to Ohio complete, you can dive right into experiencing Columbus. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- 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, and Columbus Historical Society.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Scioto Mile, Topiary Garden, and Schiller Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Columbus Crew (MLS)Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)Columbus Clippers (AAAE) game.
FAQ
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