Quick answer: Expect to pay $203–$4,099 for a move from Columbus to Fort Wayne, with most moves taking one to two days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 156 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Fort Wayne to Columbus guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
When you’ve got 23 interstate movers to choose from like you do in Columbus, the search for the right one can quickly become overwhelming. And that’s after you decide whether to hand the job over to a full-service team or keep more control — and save a little money — with a DIY approach.
We’ve already done the hard work for you. Each Columbus mover was reviewed for services offered, pricing, and overall value, with customer experiences drawn from online reviews. From there, we narrowed the field to the best long-distance movers in Columbus, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Best professional movers from Columbus to Fort Wayne
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Columbus to Fort Wayne, full-service movers are the answer. They manage every step so you can keep your attention on the big decisions and the excitement of the move.
Here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you from Columbus to Fort Wayne without the headaches.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Columbus?
How we chose the best moving companies for your OH to IN move
The top local movers servicing Columbus to Fort Wayne moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Columbus that also handles long-distance moves to Fort Wayne. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in Columbus who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from Columbus to Fort Wayne.
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- MVM Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- All American Moving and Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Herlihy Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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 #: 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 #: 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
Company Info
State license #: 147426
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 1239401
Alternate Names: American Moving & Storage, Ltd., All American Moving & Storage of Columbus, All American Moving and Storage, All American Delivery, Daniel R Dragin All American Moving, Storage and Delivery Prime Agent for Arpin Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 104
DOT #: 183389
Alternate Names: Mayflower Containers, pods portable storage, Herlihy Moving & Storage, Inc, Herlihy Moving & Storage Inc., SAM Store and Move, Mayflower Transit
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Columbus to Fort Wayne?
Columbus movers charge $145 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 | $771 - $2,892 | $548 - $1,291 | $185 - $329 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,353 - $4,099 | $1,086 - $1,979 | $203 - $373 |
4+ bedrooms | $1,896 - $5,393 | $1,359 - $2,487 | $240 - $411 |
Cost to hire movers from Ohio to Indiana
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Ohio to Indiana will cost between $771 and $2,892. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from OH to IN will range from $1,353 to $4,099, and a large move from Ohio to Indiana will cost from $1,896 to $5,393.
Cost of moving containers from Ohio to Indiana
Moving from Ohio to Indiana? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $548 and $1,291. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,086 to $1,979. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,359 up to $2,487. 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 Ohio to Indiana
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $185 and $329. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $203 to $373. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $240 and $411.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbus to Fort Wayne move
What to know before moving from Columbus to Fort Wayne
For many households, Fort Wayne means lower monthly costs than Columbus — roughly 7% for singles and 57% for families.
That’s about $2,600 per month for singles and $3,150 for families in Fort Wayne, compared with $2,784 and $7,249 in Columbus.
See the side-by-side details below:
- Rent prices in Fort Wayne are 19% lower than in Columbus, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Fort Wayne.
Home prices in Fort Wayne are 4.6% lower than in Columbus. - Income in Fort Wayne is 17.1% lower than in Columbus, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Fort Wayne — including Steel Dynamics, Franklin Electric, and Fort Wayne Community Schools — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Fort Wayne. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 6.6% lower than in Columbus.
- A move to Fort Wayne can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 56.5% less than what it costs in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Wayne is 10.53% lower than in Columbus.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Fort Wayne, since the city's sales taxes in Fort Wayne are 6.67% lower than in Columbus.
- One perk of moving to Fort Wayne is paying less in state income taxes, which are 10.00% lower than in Columbus.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Columbus with Fort Wayne.
Columbus | Fort Wayne | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $263.89 | $245.73 |
Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $56.88 |
Dozen eggs | $3.21 | $3.21 |
Loaf of bread | $2.98 | $2.87 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20 | $17 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80 | $60 |
Gym membership | $46.25 | $50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
- Eggs are priced about the same in both cities.
- Bread is more expensive in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Columbus than in Fort Wayne.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
Population | 265,974 | 905,748 |
Transportation Score | 3 | 5 |
Walkability score | 32 | 41 |
Bike friendliness score | 41 | 48 |
Crime Index | 40.9 | 49.65 |
Safety Index | 59.1 | 50.35 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Wayne might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 71% less than Columbus.
- Getting around Fort Wayne without a car might be more difficult than in Columbus. Fort Wayne has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Columbus is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Fort Wayne neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Columbus. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Fort Wayne isn't as walkable as Columbus, which has a score of 41 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Fort Wayne, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Columbus. While Columbus has a bike-friendliness score of 48 out of 100, Fort Wayne earned a 41. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Fort Wayne has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 40.9 and Columbus's 49.65, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Fort Wayne than in Columbus, based on Fort Wayne's safety index of 59.1 versus 50.35 for Columbus. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Fort Wayne and Columbus is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Fort Wayne move
- Weather: Fort Wayne summers are hot, humid, and wet. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. Severe weather is not uncommon, particularly in the spring and summer months; the city experiences an average of 39 thunderstorm days and about 10 severe weather days annually.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth 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: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Indiana moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Indiana does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- 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 Wayne. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers, though coverage is limited to 60 cents per pound. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, reimbursement is just $15. To ensure coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Fort Wayne
With your sights set on City of Churches, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Fort Wayne.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- West Central
- North Anthony
- Downtown
- Northside
- Historic Northeast
Best neighborhoods for families
- Pine Valley
- Aboite Township
- Cherry Hill
- Arlington Park
- Georgetown
Things to do in Fort Wayne
After getting comfortable in your new Indiana home, it's time to see what Fort Wayne is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Fort Wayne include museums and art centers like the Science Central, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, History Center, and Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, Kreager Park, Buckner Park, and Promenade Park — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL) and Fort Wayne Ants (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Fort Wayne?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbus to Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne?
Because most people are moving from Columbus to Fort Wayne in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Columbus to Fort Wayne take?
Moving from Columbus, OH to Fort Wayne, IN covers 156 miles and usually takes one to two days Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Fort Wayne.
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.
Are piano and antique moving services available in Columbus?
Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Columbus, 16 movers can manage piano relocations. 11 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Ohio has 56 piano movers and 34 antique movers, while nationwide there are 1919 and 1190 respectively.
Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.