Local moving companies in Dayton
- MVM Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- All American Moving and Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Way Van & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
MVM Moving & Storage

DOT #: 1444491
Years in Business: 19
3979 Parkway Lane, Hilliard, OH 43026 USMoving made simple โ thatโs what customers consistently report after hiring MVM Moving & Storage. Out of 257 customer reviews, an impressive 96.9% express satisfaction. MVMโs team stands out for being efficient, professional, and attentive, with many mentioning careful treatment of their belongings and quick, well-organized moves. Communication is seamless at every step, from booking to delivery. Feedback sharply contrasts these strengths with a handful of dissatisfied customers. The most significant complaints center around damaged items, inaccurate estimates, and rare instances of unprofessional or rude staff. Despite isolated issues, MVM earns more praise for speed, staff demeanor, and the care taken with property than nearly any competitor in the industry. Their approach creates a noticeably smooth and stress-free moving experience that sets a high bar for local moving companies.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1444491
- State license #: 156647
Alternative Business Names
- MVM Columbus
- MVM Columbus Incorporated.
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage

DOT #: 1222904
Years in Business: 143
2235 Southwest Blvd Suite A, Grove City, OH 43123 USE.E. Ward Moving & Storage stands out for its remarkable record with customers, earning 92% positive feedback from 256 reviews. Many praised the professional and polite staff, careful handling of belongings, efficient service, excellent communication, and the speed of the moving process. Customers also highlighted how team members accommodated last-minute changes and consistently treated property with respect. In contrast, some highlighted concerns mainly about damage to items, misplacement or loss during moves, and difficulties with after-move communication or claims resolution. Issues like denied insurance claims or delayed responses were the chief negatives, though these were comparatively rare. In terms of reliability, professionalism, and customer care, E.E. Ward ranks among the best in the industry, with significantly fewer negative experiences than typical moving companies.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1222904
- State license #: 11470
Alternative Business Names
- E E Ward Moving & Storage Co LLC
- E.E.Ward Moving & Storage Co., LLC
Local Associations
All American Moving and Storage

DOT #: 1239401
Years in Business: 21
2660 Fisher Road, Columbus, OH 43204 USChoosing the right moving company matters, and customers say All American Moving and Storage rises above most. Analysis of 251 pieces of feedback shows that 90% of customers praised courteous, professional movers, efficient service, careful handling, and good communication. Many highlighted how quickly and safely their belongings were moved, often noting better experiences compared to other moving companies in the area. Customers especially valued staff professionalism and the care shown to fragile or valuable items. About 9% voiced major concerns, pointing to damage to items during moves, final costs far higher than original quotes, and infrequent complaints about delays or missed appointments. Only two neutral reviews were found, indicating rare middle-ground input and suggesting most customers felt strongly about their experiences. Positive feedback outpaces negative by a significant margin, placing All American well ahead of many competitors in satisfaction, but those considering their services should pay close attention to estimate details and clarify expectations to avoid the main downsides experienced by some.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1239401
- State license #: 147426
Alternative Business 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
American Way Van & Storage

DOT #: 76628
Years in Business: 35
1001 S. Brown School Rd. Ste. A, Vandalia, OH 45377 USCustomers rave about the professionalism, careful handling, and consistently strong communication from American Way Van & Storage, with 77% of all input showing high satisfaction. Many praise the friendly teams for efficient moves and attention to detail, especially around fragile items. Quotes are typically accurate, and staff go out of their way to make the process smooth and stress-free. Some even highlight the companyโs reliability as a deciding factor over competitors. A number of clients return for additional moves after positive past experiences. Negative feedback, accounting for 22% of responses, centers on damaged belongings, surprise charges, and slow or unresponsive communication when resolving issues. Claims over damaged goods or missing items sometimes take weeks or months to resolve and may end with unsatisfactory compensation. Compared to others in the moving industry, American Way stands out for customer service and staff courtesy but shares the common pitfalls of moving companies: disputes about damage and billing. 145 reviews were analyzed, showing most people feel their property is respected and the process is handled by a professional team, yet the risk of damage and unexpected costs remains.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 76628
- State license #: 00139517
- DOD certified
Local Associations
Leaders Moving & Storage Co.

DOT #: 1237577
Years in Business: 30
10836 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 USLeaders Moving & Storage Co. consistently earns strong praise, with 88% of feedback highlighting professional, polite teams who handle possessions responsibly and efficiently. Clients appreciate the companyโs transparent rates and rapid, careful moving process, noting affordable prices compared to other movers. Customers frequently mention staff courtesy, attention to detail, and proactive communication before and during moves. Some input highlights careful treatment of belongings, even during complex or large jobs, and a straightforward booking process. By contrast, 10% of feedback details significant concernsโprimarily damaged or lost items, inaccurate or increasing estimates, and slow or ineffective complaint resolution. A few point out that resolving damages or getting claims addressed proves complicated, occasionally leaving repairs incomplete or compensation lacking. In comparison to its competitors, Leaders stands out for speed, fair upfront pricing, and staff professionalism, though it could invest more in accountability and claims support to further enhance reliability.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1237577
- State license #: 136562
Factors influencing moving costs from Dayton to Fort Wayne
What to know before moving from Dayton to Fort Wayne
Moving from Dayton to Fort Wayne comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Fort Wayne is generally more expensive than Dayton, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Dayton | Fort Wayne | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $925 | $1,163 |
Average home value | $135,815 | $227,803 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,673 | $53,978 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,593 | $2,600 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,788 | $3,150 |
Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 5.1% |
Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 3.5% | 3.15% |
- Rent prices in Fort Wayne are 26% higher than in Dayton, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Dayton.
Home prices in Fort Wayne are 67.7% higher than in Dayton. - Income in Fort Wayne is 13.9% lower than in Dayton, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Fort Wayne include Steel Dynamics, Franklin Electric, and Fort Wayne Community Schools.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Fort Wayne, since the cost of living for a single person in Fort Wayne is 63.2% higher than in Dayton. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Fort Wayne is 16.8% lower than in Dayton.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Wayne is 25.00% lower than in Dayton.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Fort Wayne, since the cityโs sales taxes in Fort Wayne are 6.67% lower than in Dayton.
- One perk of moving to Fort Wayne is paying less in state income taxes, which are 10.00% lower than in Dayton.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,896.42 in Fort Wayne to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Dayton.
How life is different in Dayton vs. Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne | Dayton | |
---|---|---|
Population | 265,974 | 137,644 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 6 |
Walkability score | 32 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 41 | 47 |
Crime Index | 40.9 | 4.0 |
Safety Index | 59.1 | 40.68 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Fort Wayne's population is about 93% greater than Dayton.
- Fort Wayne's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Dayton's higher score of 6.
- Fort Wayne is less walkable than Dayton with a score of 32 out of 100 vs Dayton's 45 out of 100.
- Fort Wayne has a bike-friendliness score 41 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Dayton, which has a score of 47 out of 100.
- Fort Wayne's crime rate is higher than Dayton with a score of 40.9 compared to Dayton's 4.0. This means that Fort Wayne neighborhoods are safer than 40.9% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Dayton neighborhoods are safer than 4.0%.
- Fort Wayne is considered to be safer than Dayton with a safety index of 59.1 vs Dayton's 40.68.
- Air quality in Fort Wayne is good, and in Dayton it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Dayton 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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 itโs up to date. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Indiana moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Indiana, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toFort Wayne Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Opt for Released Value Protection โ 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Fort Wayne
Now that youโve chosen "City of Churches" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Fort Wayne to check out.
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 settling into your new Indiana home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Fort Wayne has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Fort Wayne is home to museums and cultural arts 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 cityโs Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, Kreager Park, Buckner Park, and Promenade Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer 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 Dayton to Fort Wayne?
The best time to move from Dayton to Fort Wayne is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Dayton.
When is the cheapest time to move from Dayton to Fort Wayne?
Because most people are moving from Dayton 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 Dayton to Fort Wayne take?
The 126-mile move from Dayton, OH, to Fort Wayne, IN, takes one to two days. Some Dayton movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Fort Wayne.