Highly rated local moving companies for St. Louis to Dayton moves
Organizing a move from St. Louis to Dayton can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 11 local movers in St. Louis 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. Louis to Dayton.
- Arch Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Simple Moves: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2969512
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 2969512
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 714664
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: HMB Hunks, LLC , College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1653733
Pricing: $145/hr
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 1653733
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1803212
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to Dayton?
On average, moving companies in Missouri charge about $128 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 | $1,006 – $3,100 | $605 – $1,418 | $333 – $597 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,634 – $4,488 | $1,074 – $2,158 | $381 – $730 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,807 – $6,391 | $1,496 – $2,857 | $449 – $873 |
Cost to hire movers from St. Louis to Dayton
When planning a move to Dayton from St. Louis, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,006 and $3,100. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $1,634 and $4,488 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $2,807 to $6,391.
Cost of moving containers from St. Louis to Dayton
When you’re heading from St. Louis to Dayton, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $605 and $1,418. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,074 and $2,158. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,496 to $2,857. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Missouri easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Dayton
A moving rental truck from St. Louis to Dayton 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 $333 to $597. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $381 to $730, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from St. Louis to Dayton costs around $449 to $873.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from St. Louis to Dayton

What to know before moving from St. Louis to Dayton
Many movers find Dayton easier on the wallet than St. Louis – roughly 38% less for singles and 42% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,593 for one person in Dayton versus $2,589 in St. Louis. For a family of four, it’s $3,788 compared with $6,573.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| St. Louis | Dayton | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,192 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,683 | |
| Average home value | $171,463 | $135,815 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,090 | $62,673 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,589 | $1,593 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,573 | $3,788 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 6.8% |
| Sales tax | 9.68% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 4.8% | 3.5% |
- Rent is about 26% less expensive in Dayton than in St. Louis, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 21% cheaper in Dayton than in St. Louis.
- There’s good news: the average income differences between Dayton and St. Louis are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Dayton. The cost of living for a single person there is 38% below that of St. Louis.
- A move to Dayton can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 42% lower compared to St. Louis.
- Dayton has a higher unemployment rate than St. Louis by about 8%. 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 23% cheaper in Dayton compared to St. Louis. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 27% less in Ohio compared to Missouri, 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. Louis versus Dayton:
| Living Expense | St. Louis | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.37 | |
| Cell phone plan | $44.17 | |
| Dozen eggs | $3.02 | |
| Loaf of bread | $2.61 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $57.50 | |
| Gym membership | $33.34 |
How life is different in St. Louis vs. Dayton
| St. Louis | Dayton | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,310 | 137,644 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 66 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 58 | 47 |
| Crime index | 69.65 | 4.0 |
| Safety index | 30.35 | 40.68 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Dayton’s population is about 53% less than St. Louis.
- Dayton’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than St. Louis’s score of 8.
- Dayton is less walkable than St. Louis with a score of 45 out of 100 vs St. Louis’s 66 out of 100.
- Dayton has a bike-friendliness score of 47 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as St. Louis, which has a score of 58.
- Dayton’s crime rate is lower than St. Louis with a score of 4.0 compared to St. Louis’s 69.65. This means that Dayton neighborhoods are safer than 4.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Louis neighborhoods are safer than 69.65%.
- Dayton is considered to be safer than St. Louis with a safety index of 40.68 vs St. Louis’s 30.35.
- Air quality in Dayton is Moderate, and in St. Louis it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your St. Louis to Dayton move
- HOA rules: Costs across St. Louis and Dayton 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 Dayton. 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 Dayton
With your sights set on Gem City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Dayton.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Oakwood
- Centerville
- Springboro
- Five Points
- Bellbrook
Best neighborhoods for families
- Downtown
- Webster Station
- South Park
- Oregon District
- Shroyer Park
- Five Oaks
- Gratton Hill
Things to do in Dayton
With your move to Ohio complete, you can dive right into experiencing Dayton. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Dayton is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the National Museum of the US Air Force, America’s Packard Museum – The Citizens Motorcar Co., Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and Dayton International Peace Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Carriage Hill MetroPark, RiverScape MetroPark, and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark — 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 Dayton Dragons (Baseball-Midwest League)Wright State Raiders (Horizon League) game.
FAQ
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