Top-rated local movers that handle Columbus to Santa Ana moves
When planning a move from Columbus to Santa Ana, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 29 local movers in Columbus who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Columbus to Santa Ana.
- MVM Moving & Storage: 4.92 out of 5 stars
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 4.78 out of 5 stars
- Integrity Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Black Tie Moving: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 156647
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1444491
Alternate Names: MVM Columbus , MVM Columbus Incorporated.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00136562
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1237577
Alternate Names: Leaders Moving , Leaders Moving & Storage Co. , L.E.A.D.E.R.S Moving & Storage Co. , Leaders Moving And Storage Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00151315
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1343775
Alternate Names: Integrity Moving, LLC , Integrity Moving , Columbus Piano Moving , Integrity Moving & Mobile Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 604141
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2407712
Alternate Names: Black Tie Moving Columbus LLC , Black Tie Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 11470
Years in Business: 143
DOT #: 1222904
Alternate Names: E E Ward Moving & Storage Co LLC , E.E.Ward Moving & Storage Co., LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Columbus to Santa Ana?
Movers in Ohio charge $153 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,261 – $5,024 | $1,229 – $3,171 | $1,253 – $2,349 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,438 – $7,629 | $2,121 – $4,522 | $1,343 – $2,826 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,656 – $12,104 | $3,061 – $5,940 | $1,645 – $3,428 |
Cost to hire movers from Columbus to Santa Ana
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Columbus to Santa Ana, you can expect to spend between $1,261 and $5,024. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,438 to $7,629 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Columbus to Santa Ana typically runs between $6,656 and $12,104.
Cost of moving containers from Columbus to Santa Ana
When moving from Columbus to Santa Ana, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,229 and $3,171. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,121 to $4,522. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,061 up to $5,940. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Ohio.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Columbus to Santa Ana
Renting a moving truck in Columbus is usually your cheapest option to get to Santa Ana. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,253 and $2,349. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,343 and $2,826. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,645 and $3,428.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Columbus to Santa Ana
The cost of Columbus movers will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,696, but larger homes can run up to $10,553.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Columbus.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,253–$3,065) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
What to know before moving from Columbus to Santa Ana
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Santa Ana runs about 127% higher for singles and 54% higher for families than Columbus.
Singles spend around $6,333 in Columbus versus $2,784 in Columbus; families pay $11,160 compared with $7,249.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Columbus | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,567 | $2,200 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,957 | $3,000 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $843,858 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $77,283 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,784 | $6,333 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,249 | $11,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 7.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 9.25% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Santa Ana, note that rent can be roughly 84% more expensive than it is in Columbus; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 253% higher in Santa Ana than in Columbus.
- Great news! You’ll find the average income is about 19% higher in Santa Ana compared to Columbus, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Santa Ana, since the cost of living for a single person is 127% more than in Columbus. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Santa Ana, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Santa Ana is 54% more than it is in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Santa Ana is 23% higher compared to Columbus, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 23% higher in Santa Ana than in Columbus. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 280% higher in California compared to Ohio. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state’s tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Columbus with Santa Ana:
| Living Expense | Columbus | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $263.89 | $200.96 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $54.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.21 | $5.45 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.98 | $4.59 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $46.25 | $25.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- Eggs are less expensive in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- Bread costs less in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
- Gym memberships cost more in Columbus than in Santa Ana.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Santa Ana
| Columbus | Santa Ana | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 905,748 | 310,227 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 67 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 62 |
| Crime index | 49.65 | 54.17 |
| Safety index | 50.35 | 45.83 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Santa Ana’s population is about 66% less than Columbus.
- Santa Ana’s public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Columbus’s score of 5.
- Santa Ana is more walkable than Columbus with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Columbus’s 41 out of 100.
- With a score of 62 out of 100, Santa Ana is more bike-friendly than Columbus, which has a score of 48 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Santa Ana’s crime rate is higher than Columbus with a score of 54.17 compared to Columbus’s 49.65. This means that Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65%.
- Santa Ana is considered to be less safe than Columbus with a score of 45.83 vs Columbus’s 50.35.
- Air quality in Santa Ana is Moderate, and in Columbus it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Columbus to Santa Ana move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company’s license by visiting the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Santa Ana smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items’ full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Santa Ana
Now that you’ve chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Santa Ana to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Fairbridge Square
- South Coast
- Park Santiago
- Sanpointe
- Meredith Parkwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Meredith Parkwood
- Fairbridge Square
- West Grove Valley
- South Coast
Things to do in Santa Ana
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it’s time to see what Santa Ana is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Santa Ana offers cultural landmarks like the Bowers Museum, Lyon Air Museum, Discovery Cube Orange County, and Heritage Museum of Orange County.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Santiago Park Nature — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Los Angeles Angels (in Anaheim)Anaheim Ducks (in Anaheim)Santa Ana College Dons (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Track & Field, Wrestling)Santa Ana United (Soccer Team) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Santa Ana?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbus to Santa Ana are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Columbus are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Santa Ana?
Because spring and fall moves from Columbus to Santa Ana are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you’re looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Columbus to Santa Ana take?
A move of 2,239 miles from Columbus, OH to Santa Ana, generally takes six to 17 days. Movers in Columbus sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Santa Ana is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Columbus?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In Columbus, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts. 4 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 6 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Columbus offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 16 movers in Columbus have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 11 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across OH, there are 59 piano movers and 37 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,303 and 1,466.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
Helpful moving resources
Columbus moving services
Popular Ohio routes
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