($356) Movers From Detroit to Ann Arbor

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 43 miles from Detroit to Ann Arbor, Michigan, ranges from $45 to $2,442. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best Michigan movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Ann Arbor to Detroit guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best Detroit to Ann Arbor moving companies

Moving between two of Michigan's major cities requires expert hands. Detroit to Ann Arbor moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

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
Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

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(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

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(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

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(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

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

read our full review

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(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(866) 825-0554

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

read our full review

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(866) 825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

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(866) 935-3437

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

read our full review

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(866) 935-3437

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

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(844) 950-2963

Best local Detroit-to-Ann Arbor movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Detroit movers and the best Ann Arbor movers.

Bellhop Moving: 4.14 out of 5 stars
Palmer Moving Services: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars

Bellhop Moving

1001 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (30%)
Efficient service (27%)
Good communication (23%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (35%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (31%)
Lack of communication (29%)

Review Analysis

Bellhop Moving has 99 customer reviews, with 60% being positive. Many customers praised the friendly and professional staff, highlighting their efficiency and careful handling of belongings. Positive experiences often mentioned the quick moving process and good communication. On the downside, numerous complaints arose about damage to items and delayed arrivals, with several customers expressing frustration over unexpected charges and lack of communication. Overall, while some customers enjoyed their experience, many others reported significant issues, suggesting potential inconsistency in service quality.

Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

DOT #: 2878240

Bellhop Moving specializes in local residential moves in and around Detroit, MI, offering a range of services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Bellhop stands out by accepting credit cards, though a deposit is required. Customer reviews paint a mixed picture; while their Yelp profile shows an average rating of 2.1 from 14 reviews, their Google My Business profile is notably higher with an impressive average rating of 5.0 from 216 reviews. This suggests that experiences can vary, but many clients have found their services exceptional.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Palmer Moving Services

24660 Dequindre Road, Warren, MI 48091 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (29%)
Professional and polite staff (26%)
Good communication (25%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (31%)
Lack of communication (22%)
Unfriendly or rude staff (19%)

Review Analysis

Palmer Moving Services has 247 customer reviews, with 78% being positive. Many customers praise the efficient service and professionalism of the staff, noting how careful they were with belongings. They also appreciate the clear communication throughout the moving process. On the downside, numerous complaints highlight damage to items and issues with customer service, particularly regarding follow-up and accountability for lost or damaged goods. Overall, while many customers have had great experiences, a significant number have faced serious challenges during their moves, making it important to weigh these factors when considering Palmer for moving services.

Get a Quote (586) 834-3400

Company Info

Years in Business: 114

DOT #: 511993

Palmer Moving Services has been a trusted name in local residential moving in and around Warren, MI since 1911. With over a century of experience, they offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, crating, and piano moving, setting them apart from many nearby competitors. While their Yelp profile shows mixed feedback with an average rating of 2.5 from 28 reviews, their Google My Business profile tells a different story, boasting an impressive 4.5 average rating from 178 reviews. Additionally, their A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau further solidifies their reputation. Customers can also take advantage of convenient features like credit card payments and no required deposit.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage

11850 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214

Customer Praise

Efficient service (38%)
Professional and polite staff (31%)
Careful handling (25%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (24%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Lack of communication (18%)

Review Analysis

Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage has 144 online customer reviews, with 85% of them being positive. Customers praise the company's efficient service, professional staff, and careful handling of items. Many highlighted how the team was friendly and made the moving process less stressful. On the downside, some reported issues with damage to items and unexpected charges, with a few expressing dissatisfaction with communication during their experience. Overall, the positive feedback far outweighs the negatives, showing that Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage stands out compared to other moving companies.

Get a Quote (313) 822-4400

Company Info

DOT #: 279708

Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Detroit, MI. Established in 2024, they have quickly built a reputation for quality service with excellent consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.7 on Google from 84 reviews and a solid 3.9 average on Yelp. Unlike many nearby competitors, they provide comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, and they don't require a deposit. With a focus on customer satisfaction, they are an ideal choice for those seeking a dependable local mover.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

How we chose the best moving companies in Michigan

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 46 Michigan movers and listed the top 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 much does it cost to move from Detroit to Ann Arbor?

Even though you're staying inside of Michigan, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$356 - $1,164	$114 - $758	$36 - $95
2 - 3 bedrooms	$784 - $2,442	$347 - $1,044	$45 - $113
4+ bedrooms	$1,338 - $3,713	$722 - $1,458	$60 - $144

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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 43 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.

Considerations when moving from Detroit to Ann Arbor

Cost of living: Detroit vs. Ann Arbor

	Detroit	Ann Arbor
Average rent cost	$1,250	$2,260
Average home value	$73,156	$474,909
Average income (per capita)	$37,761	$66,964
Cost of living (single person)	$1,175	$2,176
Cost of living (family of 4)	$4,145	$5,344
Unemployment rate	9.06%	3.5%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in Ann Arbor are 81% higher than in Detroit.
Home prices in Ann Arbor are 549.2% higher than in Detroit.
Income in Ann Arbor is 77.3% higher than in Detroit.
The cost of living for a single person in Ann Arbor is 85.2% higher than in Detroit.
The cost of living for a family in Ann Arbor is 28.9% higher than in Detroit.
The unemployment rate in Ann Arbor is 61.37% lower than in Detroit.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,555.74 in Ann Arbor to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Detroit.

How life is different in Detroit vs. Ann Arbor

	Ann Arbor	Detroit
Population	123,851	639,111
Political leaning	Democratic72-26	Democratic 51-46
Summer high	83ºF	84ºF
Winter low	17ºF	19ºF
Annual rain	36"	34"
Annual snow	43"	33"
Crime index	31.0	72.92

Detroit sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, BestPlaces
Ann Arbor sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

The population of Ann Arbor is approximately 81% lower than the population of Detroit.
In the last presidential election, Ann Arbor voted Democratic72-26 and Detroit voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in Ann Arbor is 83ºF and in Detroit, it’s 84ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, Ann Arbor reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Detroit gets down to 19ºF.
You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Ann Arbor vs 34 inches of rainfall in Detroit.
In Ann Arbor, it snows about 43 inches annually vs 33 inches of snow in Detroit.
Ann Arbor has a lower crime rate than Detroit with a crime index of 72.92 vs 31.0.

Things to do in Ann Arbor

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Ann Arbor has plenty to offer:

Museums in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
University of Michigan Museum of Art
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry

Parks in Ann Arbor

Gallup Park
Hudson Mills Metropark
County Farm Park
Buhr Park
Lillie Park
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Bandemer Park

Sports Teams in Ann Arbor

Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)

Universities in Ann Arbor

University of Michigan
Cleary University
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Washtenaw Community College

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Detroit to Ann Arbor?

To ship furniture from Detroit to Ann Arbor with a mover will cost between $356 and $1,164. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $784–$2,442, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Detroit to Ann Arbor will cost from $1,338–$3,713.

How much are moving container companies from Detroit to Ann Arbor?

Moving containers from Detroit to Ann Arbor will cost you $114 to $758 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $347 to $1,044. A larger home will cost $722 to $1,458.

How much is a moving truck from Detroit to Ann Arbor?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $36 to $95. A larger move will cost $45 to $113, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Detroit to Ann Arbor costs from $60 to $144.

How far in advance should I book Detroit-to-Ann Arbor movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Detroit to Ann Arbor at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Detroit-to-Ann Arbor movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Ann Arbor?

The cheapest time of year to move to Ann Arbor is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.