($1,277) Movers From Chicago, IL to Columbus, GA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Columbus costs $680–$6,057 and takes two to seven 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 820-mile move yourself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
rating
Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbus to Chicago guide.
The best Chicago to Columbus full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Chicago to go to Columbus can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Chicago to Columbus.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Columbus?
The best moving containers for your Chicago to Columbus move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Chicago to Columbus. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
|
|
|
|
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Columbus?
The best moving truck rentals for your Chicago to Columbus move
If you want to save even more money on your Chicago to Columbus move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
|
|
|
|
How much is a moving truck from Chicago to Columbus?
The best labor-only movers for your Chicago to Columbus move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Chicago to Columbus:
|
|
|
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Columbus?
Chicago movers charge $100 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 | $1,277 - $4,350 | $828 - $2,218 | $649 - $1,140 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,407 - $6,057 | $1,614 - $2,930 | $680 - $1,426 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,530 - $8,772 | $1,997 - $4,147 | $895 - $1,712 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Columbus
What to know before moving from Chicago to Columbus
| Chicago | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,100 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $157,861 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $50,542 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,280 | $2,041 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,685 | $3,834 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.3% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 5.49% |
- Rent prices in Columbus are 46% lower than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Columbus are 46.6% lower than in Chicago.
- Income in Columbus is 29.4% lower than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 59.5% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 18.2% lower than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Columbus is 41.11% lower than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Columbus are 12.20% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Columbus are 10.91% higher than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,783.59 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Columbus
| Columbus | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,922 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 2 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 25 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 31 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 72.18 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 27.82 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbus's population is about 92% less than Chicago.
- Columbus's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Chicago's lower score of 9.
- Columbus is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 25 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Columbus is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
- Columbus's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 72.18 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 72.18% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Columbus is considered to be less safe than Chicago with a score of 27.82 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Columbus is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Columbus move
- Weather: Columbus has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
- 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: Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Georgia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Georgia 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 Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness, offered by movers at no extra charge. However, it provides minimal coverage, with the mover's responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, explore other options 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.
Where to live in Columbus
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Lowell of the South[", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbus.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Columbus
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Columbus?
The best time to move from Chicago to Columbus is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Columbus?
Because most people are moving from Chicago 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 Chicago to Columbus take?
The 820-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Columbus, GA, takes two to seven days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbus.
