($1,220) Moving from Des Moines to Columbus
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Columbus costs $521 to $5,337 and takes one-six 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 652-mile move yourself.
|
|
|
 rating
 
4.25 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
|
Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines 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 Des Moines guide.
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
The best Des Moines to Columbus moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Columbus.
|
|
|
rating
4.25 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Columbus?
Des Moines movers charge $142 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 | $1,220 - $3,509 | $692 - $1,809 | $507 - $940 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,228 - $5,337 | $1,245 - $2,432 | $521 - $1,020 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,915 - $7,803 | $1,769 - $3,348 | $644 - $1,259 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Columbus
The cost of Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Columbus can be as low as $1,220 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,016.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, 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 $507 to $1,203. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Columbus?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Columbus will cost between $1,220 to $3,509. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,228 to $5,337, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Columbus will cost from $3,915 to $7,803.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Columbus?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Columbus will cost you $692 to $1,809 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,245 to $2,432. A larger home will cost $1,769 to $3,348.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines 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 $507 to $940. A larger move will cost $521 to $1,020, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Columbus costs from $644 to $1,259. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Columbus
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Columbus
| Des Moines | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,450 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $235,958 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $63,639 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $915 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $3,229 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.7% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.5% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 3.5% |
- Rent prices in Columbus are 26% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Columbus are 22.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Columbus is 8.8% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 51.6% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 26.3% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Columbus is 3.39% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Columbus are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Columbus are 20.45% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,451.61 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How is life different in Des Moines compared to Columbus?
| Columbus | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 905,748 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 37.49 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 56.58 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbus's population is about 30% greater than Des Moines.
- Columbus's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
- Columbus is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Columbus is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 48 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Columbus's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 37.49 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 37.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Columbus is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 56.58 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Columbus is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
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 Des Moines movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
|
Get A Quote |
|
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
|
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
|
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Columbus?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Columbus is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Columbus?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Columbus take?
The 652-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Columbus, OH, takes one-six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbus.
