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Quick answer: A move from Columbus to Lexington costs $228 – $3,978 and usually takes one to two days. Key factors include your move size, date, and whether you hire pros or do the 189-mile drive yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from Lexington to Columbus.
Our track record
Best movers by type
When you’ve got 22 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 Lexington
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Columbus to Lexington, 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.
There are 22 interstate moving companies in Columbus, here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you to Lexington without the headaches.
Best overall value
What moving services are available in Columbus?
How we chose the best movers OH→KY movers
Top-rated movers to make your Columbus to Lexington move easy
Organizing a move from Columbus to Lexington can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Columbus known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Columbus to Lexington.
- 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 Lexington?
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 | $779 – $2,860 | $533 – $1,285 | $216 – $381 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,462 – $3,978 | $970 – $1,991 | $228 – $450 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,974 – $5,189 | $1,348 – $2,474 | $290 – $516 |
Cost to hire movers from Columbus to Lexington
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Columbus to Lexington typically costs between $779 and $2,860. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $1,462 and $3,978 when moving from Columbus to Lexington. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Columbus to Lexington, you’re looking at costs ranging from $1,974 up to $5,189.
Cost of moving containers from Columbus to Lexington
If you’re relocating from Columbus to Lexington, you’ll typically spend between $533 and $1,285 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $970 up to $1,991. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $1,348 and $2,474. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Ohio.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Columbus to Lexington
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Columbus to Lexington move, 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 $216 and $381. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $228 to $450. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $290 and $516.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Columbus to Lexington
What to know before moving from Columbus to Lexington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Lexington runs about 11% higher for singles and -42% higher for families than Columbus.
Singles spend around $3,100 in Columbus versus $2,784 in Columbus; families pay $4,170 compared with $7,249.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Columbus | Lexington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,567 | $1,175 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,957 | $2,110 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $309,021 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $61,526 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 4.0% |
- Rent is about 7% less expensive in Lexington than in Columbus, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 29% higher in Lexington than in Columbus.
- Be sure to look over your budget before making the move. The average income is about 5% lower in Lexington than in Columbus.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Lexington, since the cost of living for a single person in Lexington is 11% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Lexington 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 42% less than what it costs in Columbus.
- Lexington has a lower unemployment rate than Columbus by about 25%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes are 20% lower in Lexington than in Columbus. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Lexington can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 14% higher in Kentucky than in Ohio. This means a larger portion of your earnings will go to state taxes, potentially reducing your take-home pay.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Columbus versus Lexington:
| Living Expense | Columbus | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $263.89 | $206.92 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $71.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.21 | $2.98 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.98 | $2.90 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $14.25 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $75.00 |
| Gym membership | $46.25 | $37.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Columbus than in Lexington.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Columbus than in Lexington.
- Eggs cost more in Columbus than in Lexington.
- Bread is more expensive in Columbus than in Lexington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Columbus than in Lexington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Columbus than in Lexington.
- Gym memberships cost more in Columbus than in Lexington.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Lexington
| Columbus | Lexington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 905,748 | 320,347 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 90 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 85 |
| Crime index | 49.65 | 50.88 |
| Safety index | 50.35 | 49.12 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Lexington’s population is about 65% less than Columbus.
- Lexington’s public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Columbus’s higher score of 5.
- Lexington is more walkable than Columbus with a score of 90 out of 100 vs Columbus’s 41 out of 100.
- With a score of 85 out of 100, Lexington 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.
- Lexington and Columbus have a similar crime rate with scores of 50.88 and 49.65, respectively.
- Lexington and Columbus have a similar safety level, with scores of 49.12 and 50.35.
- Air quality in Lexington is Good, and in Columbus it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Columbus to Lexington move
- HOA rules: Costs across Columbus and Lexington 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: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Kentucky, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Kentucky, 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 Lexington. 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 free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items’ full value, consult your moving company for alternative options 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 Lexington
With your sights set on Horse Capital of the World, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Lexington.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Downtown Lexington
- Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Georgetown
- Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair
Best neighborhoods for families
- Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Georgetown
- Paris
- Southland-Deerfield-Open Gates
Things to do in Lexington
With your move to Kentucky complete, you can dive right into experiencing Lexington. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Lexington is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Kentucky Horse Park, Mary Todd Lincoln House, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, and The Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s The Arboretum, Thoroughbred Park, Jacobson Park, and Masterson Station 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 Lexington Legends (ALPB)Lexington SC (USL League One) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Lexington?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Columbus to Lexington. 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 Lexington?
Want to save on your move from Columbus to Lexington? 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 Lexington take?
The 189-mile move from Columbus, OH, to Lexington, , takes one to two 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 Lexington.
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, 15 movers in Columbus provide piano moving services. 11 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 43 piano movers and 34 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 1,607 and 1,131.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
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