Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A typical 395-mile move from Columbus to Rochester runs $478–$6,312 and takes one to four days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Rochester to Columbus guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Columbus to Rochester
Picking a long-distance moving company for your move from Columbus to Rochester isn't easy — there are tons of options out there, and figuring out who's reliable (and who's not) can feel like a real challenge.
No need to stress about sifting through endless options — we've already done the homework for you. Our picks are based on real reviews, pricing, and the range of services offered.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your OH to NY 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 Rochester?
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 | $1,243 - $3,900 | $822 - $1,838 | $453 - $776 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,325 - $6,312 | $1,487 - $2,575 | $478 - $901 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,503 - $8,914 | $1,877 - $3,561 | $560 - $1,194 |
Cost to hire movers from Ohio to New York
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Ohio to New York typically costs between $1,243 and $3,900. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,325 and $6,312 when moving from OH to NY. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Ohio to New York, you’re looking at costs ranging from $3,503 up to $8,914.
Cost of moving containers from Ohio to New York
Moving containers from Ohio to New York will cost you $822 to $1,838 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,487 to $2,575. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,877 to $3,561. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Ohio.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Ohio to New York
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 $453 and $776 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $478 to $901. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $560 to $1,194.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbus to Rochester move
What to know before moving from Columbus to Rochester
Moving from Columbus to Rochester 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 Rochester, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Columbus compares to Rochester so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Columbus | Rochester | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,441 | $1,250 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $200,576 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $64,214 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,784 | $2,274 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,249 | $4,921 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 9.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Rochester are 13% 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 Rochester.
Home prices in Rochester are 16.0% lower than in Columbus. - Income in Rochester is 1.3% lower than in Columbus, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester — including Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Rochester. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 18.3% lower than in Columbus.
- A move to Rochester 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 32.1% less than what it costs in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Rochester is 71.93% higher than in Columbus.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Rochester, since its sales taxes are 6.67% higher than what you are paying in Columbus.
- State income taxes in Rochester are 211.43% higher than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,450.43 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Rochester
| Rochester | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,328 | 905,748 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 61 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 60 | 48 |
| Crime Index | 37.54 | 49.65 |
| Safety Index | 36.66 | 50.35 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Rochester might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 77% less than Columbus.
- Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester has a transit score of 6 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 Rochester means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Rochester is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 61 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, Rochester 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. Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 48 out of 100.
- Rochester has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 37.54 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 may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Rochester. With a crime index of 36.66, Rochester ranks lower in overall safety than Columbus, whose index is 50.35. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Rochester 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. Rochester move
- Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: New York doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Rochester. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Rochester
With your sights set on Flour City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Rochester.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East Avenue
- Swillburg
- South Wedge
- Park Avenue
- Ellwanger-Barry
Best neighborhoods for families
- Cobbs Hill
- Strong
- Swillburg
- Browncroft
- Park Avenue
Things to do in Rochester
After getting comfortable in your new New York home, it's time to see what Rochester is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Rochester features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the The Strong National Museum of Play, George Eastman Museum, National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, ARTISANworks, and Rochester Museum & Science Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Seabreeze Amusement Park, Highland Park, Erie Canal Trail, and Cobbs Hill 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 Rochester Americans (AHL) and Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks (ECC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Rochester?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Columbus to Rochester. 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 Rochester?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Columbus to Rochester moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Columbus to Rochester take?
Covering 395 miles, the move from Columbus, OH to Rochester, NY typically takes one to four days. Some Columbus movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Rochester can help bridge the gap.
