($1,296) Moving from San Francisco to Columbus

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Columbus costs $1,459 to $7,432 and takes seven-eighteen 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 2,433-mile move yourself.

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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbus to San Francisco guide.

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The best San Francisco to Columbus moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Columbus is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Columbus.

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  • Best overall value
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  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Columbus?

San Francisco movers charge $150 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 $1,296 - $5,266 $1,370 - $3,206 $1,417 - $2,633
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,645 - $7,432 $2,363 - $4,857 $1,459 - $3,264
4+ bedrooms $6,781 - $11,863 $3,121 - $6,530 $1,976 - $3,844
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,433 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Columbus

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Columbus can be as low as $1,296 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,492.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,417 to $3,401. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Columbus?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Columbus will cost between $1,296 to $5,266. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,645 to $7,432, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Columbus will cost from $6,781 to $11,863.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Columbus?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Columbus will cost you $1,370 to $3,206 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,363 to $4,857. A larger home will cost $3,121 to $6,530.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Columbus?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,417 to $2,633. A larger move will cost $1,459 to $3,264, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Columbus costs from $1,976 to $3,844. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Columbus

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Columbus

San Francisco Columbus
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,450
Average home value $1,234,246 $235,958
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $63,639
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $915
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $3,229
Unemployment rate 5.4% 5.7%
Sales Tax 8.63% 7.5%
State Income Tax 13.3% 3.99%
  • Rent prices in Columbus are 55% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Columbus are 80.9% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Columbus is 49.6% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 76.2% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 64.1% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Columbus is 5.56% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Columbus are 13.09% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Columbus are 70.00% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $714.84 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Columbus?

Columbus San Francisco
Population 905,748 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 10
Walkability score 41 99
Bike friendliness score 48 99
Crime Index 37.49 54.33
Safety Index 56.58 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Columbus's population is about 12% greater than San Francisco.
  • Columbus's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Columbus is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 41 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Columbus is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 48 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Columbus's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 37.49 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 37.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Columbus is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 56.58 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Columbus is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Columbus

  • Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth 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: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Columbus. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Luigy's Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
(415) 544-7000

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Columbus

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arch City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbus.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Downtown
  • Short North
  • Victorian Village
  • Clintonville
  • Grandview Heights
  • Ashville
  • Dublin

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Bexley
  • Clintonville
  • Gahanna
  • Hilliard
  • Upper Arlington

What to do in Columbus

These are some of the best things to do in your new Ohio home.

  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Easton Town Center
  • COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
  • North Market Farmer's Market
  • Scioto Mile
  • German Village
  • Ohio Stadium
  • Ohio Theater
  • Otherworld
  • Columbus Museum of Art
  • Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum
  • Nationwide Arena
  • Ohio State University
  • Huntington Park
  • Shadowbox Live

Get your sports on!

Columbus is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Columbus Crew (MLS)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
  • Columbus Clippers (AAAE)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Columbus?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Columbus is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Columbus?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Columbus 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 San Francisco to Columbus take?

The 2,433-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Columbus, OH, takes seven-eighteen days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbus.

Helpful moving resources