Quick answer: A move from Columbus to Ann Arbor costs $293–$4,955 and takes one to two days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 193-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Ann Arbor to Columbus guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Columbus to Ann Arbor
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Columbus to Ann Arbor isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
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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How we chose the best moving companies for your OH to MI move
Local moving companies in Columbus
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- MVM Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- All American Moving and Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving, Bellhops, Inc., Bellhops
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
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 #: 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
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 Ann Arbor?
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 | $969 - $3,239 | $638 - $1,575 | $259 - $462 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,767 - $4,955 | $1,249 - $2,189 | $293 - $547 |
4+ bedrooms | $2,336 - $6,480 | $1,523 - $2,699 | $350 - $661 |
Cost to hire movers from Ohio to Michigan
Planning a move from Ohio to Michigan? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $969 and $3,239. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $1,767 and $4,955 for the same journey (OH to MI). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $2,336 to $6,480.
Cost of moving containers from Ohio to Michigan
When you’re heading from Ohio to Michigan, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $638 and $1,575. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,249 and $2,189. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,523 to $2,699. 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 Ohio to Michigan
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $259 and $462 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $293 to $547. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $350 to $661.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from Columbus to Ann Arbor
What to know before moving from Columbus to Ann Arbor
Moving from Columbus to Ann Arbor means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Columbus than in Ann Arbor, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Columbus compares to Ann Arbor so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Columbus | Ann Arbor | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,441 | $2,260 |
Average home value | $238,832 | $474,909 |
Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $66,964 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,784 | $2,176 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,249 | $5,344 |
Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 3.5% |
Sales tax | 7.5% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 3.5% | 4.25% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Ann Arbor, since prices are typically 57% higher than in Columbus.
- The home prices in Ann Arbor are 98.8% higher than in Columbus, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Ann Arbor, where incomes are, on average, 2.9% higher than in Columbus. Major employers in Ann Arbor include University of Michigan, NSK Americas, Inc., and Domino's Pizza.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Ann Arbor. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 21.8% lower than in Columbus.
- A move to Ann Arbor 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 26.3% less than what it costs in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Ann Arbor is 38.60% lower than in Columbus.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Ann Arbor, since the city's sales taxes in Ann Arbor are 20.00% lower than in Columbus.
- State income taxes in Ann Arbor are 21.43% higher than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,344.83 in Ann Arbor to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
Population | 123,851 | 905,748 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 5 |
Walkability score | 52 | 41 |
Bike friendliness score | 71 | 48 |
Crime Index | 31.0 | 49.65 |
Safety Index | 79.18 | 50.35 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Ann Arbor might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 86% less than Columbus.
- Ann Arbor offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Ann Arbor has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Ann Arbor means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Ann Arbor is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 52 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Columbus. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Ann Arbor is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 48 out of 100.
- Ann Arbor has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 31.0 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 Ann Arbor than in Columbus, based on Ann Arbor's safety index of 79.18 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 Ann Arbor isn't as good as it is in Columbus, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Ann Arbor has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Columbus is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Ann Arbor move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Ann Arbor for moving.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Michigan, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Michigan doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Ann Arbor without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Ann Arbor
With your sights set on Tree Town, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Ann Arbor.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Kerrytown
- Lower Burns Park
- Old West Side
- Northside/Lower Town
- Allen Creek/Old West Side
Best neighborhoods for families
- Burns Park
- Eberwhite
- Water Hill
- Ann Arbor Hills
- Dicken
Things to do in Ann Arbor
After settling into your new Michigan home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Ann Arbor has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Ann Arbor features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, and Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gallup Park, Hudson Mills Metropark, County Farm Park, and Buhr Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Ann Arbor?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Columbus to Ann Arbor You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Columbus.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Ann Arbor?
Because spring and fall moves from Columbus to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor take?
The 193-mile journey from Columbus, OH to Ann Arbor, MI, typically takes one to two days. Some movers in Columbus offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Ann Arbor.