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Highly rated local moving companies for Columbus to Fort Collins moves
Organizing a move from Columbus to Fort Collins can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 29 local movers in Columbus 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 Columbus to Fort Collins.
- 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 Fort Collins?
On average, moving companies in Ohio charge about $153 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 | $1,299 – $5,196 | $903 – $2,235 | $785 – $1,454 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,862 – $6,634 | $1,615 – $3,254 | $848 – $1,784 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,937 – $9,376 | $2,280 – $4,278 | $1,133 – $2,309 |
Cost to hire movers from Columbus to Fort Collins
When planning a move to Fort Collins from Columbus, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,299 and $5,196. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,862 and $6,634 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $4,937 to $9,376.
Cost of moving containers from Columbus to Fort Collins
When you’re heading from Columbus to Fort Collins, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $903 and $2,235. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,615 and $3,254. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,280 to $4,278. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Ohio easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Columbus to Fort Collins
A moving rental truck from Columbus to Fort Collins 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 $785 to $1,454. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $848 to $1,784, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Columbus to Fort Collins costs around $1,133 to $2,309.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Columbus to Fort Collins
The cost of Columbus movers will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Columbus to Fort Collins may only cost $2,543, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $7,765.
- The season you’re moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Columbus.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($785–$2,030), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Columbus to Fort Collins
Many movers find Fort Collins easier on the wallet than Columbus – roughly 23% less for singles and 34% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,140 for one person in Fort Collins versus $2,784 in Columbus. For a family of four, it’s $4,795 compared with $7,249.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Columbus | Fort Collins | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,567 | $1,783 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,957 | $2,830 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $543,093 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $64,728 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,784 | $2,140 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,249 | $4,795 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.55% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 5.49% |
- Rent is about 21% more expensive in Fort Collins than in Columbus. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 127% steeper in Fort Collins compared to Columbus.
- There’s good news: the average income differences between Fort Collins and Columbus are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Fort Collins. The cost of living for a single person there is 23% below that of Columbus.
- A move to Fort Collins 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 34% lower compared to Columbus.
- Fort Collins and Columbus have roughly the same unemployment rate (within about 5%), so you likely won’t see a major shift in job availability or competition from what you’re used to.
- Sales taxes are nearly equal in both Fort Collins and Columbus (within a 5% range), so budgeting should not be affected by this change.
- Income taxes are 57% more in Colorado than in Ohio. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Columbus versus Fort Collins:
| Living Expense | Columbus | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $263.89 | $167.02 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $43.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.21 | $4.12 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.98 | $3.09 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $72.00 |
| Gym membership | $46.25 | $60.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- Eggs are less expensive in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- Bread costs less in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Columbus than in Fort Collins.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Fort Collins
| Columbus | Fort Collins | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 905,748 | 169,810 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 37 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 78 |
| Crime index | 49.65 | 17.0 |
| Safety index | 50.35 | 72.86 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Collins’s population is about 81% less than Columbus.
- Fort Collins’s public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Columbus’s score of 5.
- Fort Collins is less walkable than Columbus with a score of 37 out of 100 vs Columbus’s 41 out of 100.
- With a score of 78 out of 100, Fort Collins 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.
- Fort Collins’s crime rate is lower than Columbus with a score of 17.0 compared to Columbus’s 49.65. This means that Fort Collins neighborhoods are safer than 17.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65%.
- Fort Collins is considered to be safer than Columbus with a safety index of 72.86 vs Columbus’s 50.35.
- Air quality in Fort Collins is Good, and in Columbus it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Columbus to Fort Collins move
- HOA rules: Costs across Columbus and Fort Collins 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: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Colorado, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Colorado, 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 Fort Collins. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover’s responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items’ full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you’re hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Fort Collins
With your sights set on Fort Collins, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Fort Collins.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Old Town
- City Park
- Ram’s Village
- Harmony Crossing
Best neighborhoods for families
- Old Town
- City Park
- Huntington Hills
- Harmony Crossing
Things to do in Fort Collins
With your move to Colorado complete, you can dive right into experiencing Fort Collins. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Fort Collins is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, and Museum of Art Fort Collins.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Cache La Poudre River, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Annual Flower Trial Garden, and Spring Canyon Community 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 Colorado State Rams (Mountain West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Fort Collins?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Columbus to Fort Collins. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Columbus.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Fort Collins?
Want to save on your move from Columbus to Fort Collins? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Columbus to Fort Collins take?
The 1,312-mile move from Columbus, OH, to Fort Collins, , takes three to eight days. Some Columbus movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Fort Collins.
What kinds of discounts do Columbus movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. In Columbus, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts. 4 movers offer special pricing for military members. 6 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Columbus?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 16 movers in Columbus provide piano moving services. 11 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 59 piano movers and 37 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,303 and 1,466.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
Columbus moving services
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