The BEST Moving Companies in Columbus, OH
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Columbus, OH, is MVM Moving & Storage, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of Ohio to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Columbus-based mover: MVM Moving & Storage
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Columbus, OH
- MVM Moving & Storage: 5 out of 5 stars
- All American Moving and Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (33%)
- Professional and polite staff (29%)
- Good communication (27%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
- Unexpected charges (16%)
- Damage to items (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 156647
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1444491
Alternate Names: MVM Columbus, MVM Columbus Incorporated.
MVM Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in Hilliard, OH since 2007. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they clearly prioritize customer satisfaction. Unlike many nearby movers, MVM offers comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling of fragile items, ensuring a smooth and stress-free moving experience. Additionally, they can expertly move pianos, pool tables, and antiques, making them ideal for those with valuable or delicate items. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, setting them apart for convenience and reliability.
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
- Efficient service (27%)
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Good communication (24%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 147426
Years in Business: 20
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
All American Moving and Storage has been a trusted name for local residential moving services in the Columbus, OH area since 2004. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer an impressive range of additional services, including packing, unpacking, and crating. Their consumer reviews are generally positive, with a 3.8 average rating on Yelp and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, highlighting their reliability and professionalism. Notably, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, adding convenience for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Efficient service (31%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (45%)
- Lack of communication (37%)
- Unexpected charges (32%)
Company Info
State license #: 00137119
Years in Business: 103
DOT #: 1458935
Alternate Names: Planes Commercial Services
Planes Moving & Storage Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Columbus, OH since 1921. While the company boasts a stellar 4.7 average rating from 519 Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, its Yelp profile reflects mixed feedback with a 2.4 average rating from 20 reviews. Planes also offers a comprehensive suite of services, including packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (21%)
- Unexpected charges (19%)
- Lack of communication (17%)
Company Info
State license #: 129005
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Two Men and a Truck Moving & Storage, Two Men and a Truck/Central Ohio, Inc., Two Men & A Truck/Central Ohio, Inc., Nest Tenders, Ltd., Two Men and A Truck/Columbus Ohio
Two Men and a Truck has been a trusted local moving company in Columbus, OH since 1994, specializing in residential moves within the area. Compared to other local movers, they excel with an impressive Google My Business rating of 4.8 from 1705 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, although their Yelp profile shows a more mixed average rating of 3.1 from 65 reviews. They offer comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, and they accept credit cards without requiring a deposit.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Careful handling (26%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
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
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage has been serving the Grove City, OH area since 1882, making it one of the oldest and most experienced local moving companies. With an impressive average rating of 4.8 from 288 Google reviews and a solid Yelp rating of 4.1 from 28 reviews, along with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, they are widely regarded as a reputable choice. In addition to local residential moving, they offer a range of services including long-distance moves, office relocations, and specialty moving services for items like pianos and antiques. E.E. Ward stands out from the competition with its comprehensive packing and crating services, no required deposit, and full valuation insurance coverage.
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
Best movers for those moving out of Ohio
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving Ohio for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Columbus, OH
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Columbus vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Columbus, OH move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Columbus, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Ohio costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.69–$0.79 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Columbus, OH
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Columbus:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Columbus
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 66 Ohio movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Columbus mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Columbus, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Columbus or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Ohio, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Columbus has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Columbus may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Columbus movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Columbus movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Ohio.
Average cost of movers in Columbus, Ohio
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Columbus area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Ohio for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Columbus
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Columbus, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Columbus, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.69 per mile to $0.79 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Columbus is $145 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $512 | $203 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $715 | $203 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,161 | $284 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,697 | $398 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,095 | $398 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,765 | $557 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Columbus
The cost to move from Columbus to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Ohio. Here are a few examples:
- Columbus to California Movers: $1,409 to $7,786
- Columbus to New York Movers: $478 to $5,250
- Columbus to Illinois Movers: $393 to $4,988
- Columbus to New York Movers: $478 to $5,250
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Columbus will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Columbus will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Ohio state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Columbus, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Columbus?
The City of Columbus does not require a parking permit for your home but you should still check with any rules from your building or HOA to ensure a smooth move. You may also double check with the city that you have everything you need for move day.
For more info on parking permits in Columbus, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Columbus moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Columbus mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Columbus movers offer storage?
Yes, many Columbus movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Columbus mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in Ohio?
You can see all moving companies in Ohio by taking a look at our full list of Ohio movers.
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