Local moving companies in Indianapolis
- Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Busy Bee Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Stuartโs Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Sherman Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Bellhop Moving

DOT #: 2878240
Years in Business: 13
4916 Lemans Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205 USCustomers rave about Bellhop Movingโs speed, efficiency, and friendly approach. Out of 115 reviews, nearly 70% share positive input, highlighting fast-moving crews, affordable prices, clear communication, and respectful service. Many describe the process as easy and stress-free. On the downside, about a quarter of feedback points to problems like late arrivals, damaged belongings, and a lack of follow-through from customer service. Complaints focus on delayed service, unwrapped or mishandled items, and poor responsiveness when issues arise. Compared to traditional movers, Bellhop often wins on price and flexibility but loses ground on reliability during peak times. Most customers praise the courteous staff and quick booking, yet a minority experienced significant disruptions or property damage. While Bellhop is often a cost-effective and efficient choice, those with high-value or complex moves may want to weigh the risk of potential delays or mishandling before booking.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2878240
- State license #: 2878240
Alternative Business Names
- Bellhops, Inc.
Planes Moving & Storage Company

DOT #: 1458935
Years in Business: 105
2635 Planes Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46219 USPlanes Moving & Storage earns praise for its professional, helpful staff and efficient moving process, backed by 236 reviews with nearly 90% positive feedback. Customers often highlight careful handling of items, prompt service, and friendly movers who make the relocation much easier than with other companies. Many clients say the teams take extra steps to protect property and communicate well throughout moves. Affordability and transparent pricing also surface as advantages. In contrast, the most common complaints involve significant damage to belongings, unresolved compensation issues, and lack of communication from coordinators. Some people report surprise charges or poor response to claims. The volume and consistency of positive input position Planes ahead of most moving companies in reliability and customer satisfaction, though a few negative cases stand out for property damage and service gaps.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1458935
Alternative Business Names
- Planes Companies
- Planes Specialized Logistics
- Planes Commercial Services
Busy Bee Movers

DOT #: 573343
Years in Business: 34
6148 South Belmont Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46217 USBuzzing with strong feedback, Busy Bee Movers stands out for efficiency, professionalism, careful handling, speed, and affordable rates, as reflected in 61.4% positive input from 324 reviews. Customers highlight respectful teams and jobs completed on time at competitive prices. Many appreciate transparent quotes and swift, careful moves. While the moving crews earn praise for their hard work, affordable rates, and organization, 34.3% of feedback points to drawbacks such as unexpected charges, inadequate communication, and items occasionally arriving damaged. Some reviewers describe being overcharged compared to estimates, and several mention frustration when issues go unaddressed by management. Compared to other moving companies, Busy Bee Movers is celebrated for dependable staff and cost savings, but concerns about billing accuracy and responsive support set them apart as a company best suited for those willing to double-check pricing and terms in advance.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 573343
Stuartโs Moving & Storage

DOT #: 3308205
Years in Business: 88
2058 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 USStuartโs Moving & Storage earns acclaim for reliable, friendly movers and attention to detail, reflected in almost 90% positive feedback from 56 reviews. Customers praise the staff's professionalism, careful handling of belongings, efficiency, effective communication, and willingness to help on moving day. Positive feedback highlights accurate estimates, organized packing, and courteous treatment of property and people. Pricing is frequently described as fair, with several clients noting cost transparency and even savings. Negative input centers on rare but significant packing mistakes leading to damaged or missing items, and one case of unhelpful service regarding unloading assistance. Neutral comments report satisfactory moves but cite higher pricing and minor damages. Compared to similar companies, Stuartโs stands out for its consistently helpful, personable movers and reliable execution but should note that a handful of clients experienced lapses in special item care and responsiveness.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3308205
Alternative Business Names
- Stuart's Household & Furniture Moving & Storage, Inc.
Sherman Moving & Storage

DOT #: 719392
Years in Business: 92
990 National Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 USSherman Moving & Storage earns praise for a professional and courteous team, efficient service, careful handling of belongings, and a moving process many customers find fast and stress-free. Most feedback highlights their reliability, with many saying the movers protect property and provide peace of mindโa notable advantage compared to other moving companies. Users often describe the staff as friendly, knowledgeable, and highly recommended the service. On the downside, some customers report significant issues such as damages to items, especially furniture, higher costs than quoted, and unprofessional behavior from certain staff members. Concerns about billing transparency and complaint handling occasionally surface. Sherman stands out positively for its attentive staff and efficiency, but some past clients report disappointment due to unresolved damages or unexpected charges. Out of 74 reviews, 71.6% were positive.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 719392
Alternative Business Names
- Ed Sherman Moving & Storage
Key factors that impact the cost of your Indianapolis to Oakland move
What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Oakland
Moving from Indianapolis to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Indianapolis, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Indianapolis | Oakland | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,399 | $2,200 |
Average home value | $220,467 | $736,156 |
Average income (per capita) | $59,110 | $94,389 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,804 | $3,146 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,667 | $8,584 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.5% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 10.25% |
State income tax | 3.15% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in Oakland are 57% higher than in Indianapolis, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Indianapolis.
Home prices in Oakland are 233.9% higher than in Indianapolis. - Income in Oakland is 59.7% higher than in Indianapolis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oakland include Kaiser Permanente, Dreyer's, and The Clorox Company.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oakland, since the cost of living for a single person in Oakland is 12.2% higher than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Oakland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oakland is 28.8% higher than in Indianapolis.
- The unemployment rate in Oakland is 19.64% lower than in Indianapolis.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the cityโs sales taxes in Oakland are 46.43% higher than in Indianapolis.
- State income taxes in Oakland are 322.22% higher than in Indianapolis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,365.91 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.
How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Oakland
Oakland | Indianapolis | |
---|---|---|
Population | 440,646 | 887,642 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 5 |
Walkability score | 75 | 31 |
Bike friendliness score | 65 | 43 |
Crime Index | 68.62 | 60.71 |
Safety Index | 31.38 | 39.29 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Oakland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 50% less than Indianapolis.
- Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Indianapolis, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Indianapolis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Oakland means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Oakland is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Oakland is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, while Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Indianapolis, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 68.62 in Oakland, it is 60.71 in Indianapolis. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Oakland. With a crime index of 31.38, Oakland ranks lower in overall safety than Indianapolis, whose index is Indianapolis's 39.29. 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 Oakland and Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis vs. Oakland move
- Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a โT Numberโ issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: California 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 Oakland. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection โ a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Oakland
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Oakland.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Grand Lake
- Piedmont Avenue
- Rockridge
- Temescal
Best neighborhoods for families
- Fairview Park
- Rockridge
- Bushrod
- Upper Rockridge
- Lakeshore
Things to do in Oakland
Once youโre settled into your new home in California, itโs time to get out and discover what Oakland has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Oakland features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, USS Potomac, Oakland Aviation Museum, and African American Museum and Library.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Lakeside Park and Garden Center โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Oakland Athletics (MLB) and Oakland Roots DC (USLC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to Oakland?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Indianapolis to Oakland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Indianapolis are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to Oakland?
With many people choosing to move from Indianapolis to Oakland in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Indianapolis to Oakland take?
Moving from Indianapolis, IN to Oakland, CA covers 2,265 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Indianapolis movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Oakland.