($741) Movers From Grand Rapids to Detroit

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 157 miles from Grand Rapids to Detroit, Michigan, ranges from $191 to $4,180. 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 Detroit to Grand Rapids guide.

Our track record

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

Founded in 2015
3,500+ moving companies analyzed
$50,000 in moving grants delivered
Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
Fact-checked for accuracy

The best Grand Rapids to Detroit moving companies

Moving between two of Michigan's major cities requires expert hands. Grand Rapids to Detroit 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

Get A Quote

(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

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

Get A Quote

(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

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

(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

Get A Quote

(866) 825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

Get A Quote

(866) 935-3437

At A Glance

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

read our full review

Get A Quote

(866) 935-3437

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

(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

Get A Quote

(844) 950-2963

Best local Grand Rapids-to-Detroit movers

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

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Corrigan Moving Systems: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Powell Relocation Group: 4.66 out of 5 stars

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

1115 Taylor Avenue North, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (38%)
Professional and polite staff (33%)
Careful handling (25%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (33%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
Lack of communication (19%)

Review Analysis

Two Men and a Truck has 52 online customer reviews, 75% of which are positive. Customers frequently praised the efficient service, with many highlighting the professional and polite staff. Many also appreciated the careful handling of their belongings. On the downside, several customers reported damage to items during the move and expressed frustration over delayed arrivals. Others noted issues with communication and unexpected charges, making it clear that while the company has many strengths, there are significant areas for improvement.

Get a Quote (616) 371-4019

Company Info

Years in Business: 16

DOT #: 2527384

Alternate Names: Phase Six Moving, LLC, Two Men and A Truck/Grand Rapids North

Two Men and a Truck offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Grand Rapids, MI, having served the community since 2009. Unlike many competitors, they provide a comprehensive range of services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, with the expertise to move specialty items like pianos and safes. Consumer reviews highlight their strong reputation, with a 4.7 average rating on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company stands out for its no-deposit policy, making them a convenient and trustworthy choice for local moves.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Pianos
Storage
Safes
Pay by credit card

Corrigan Moving Systems

7409 Expressway Court Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (34%)
Professional and polite staff (30%)
Good communication (28%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Lack of communication (22%)
Unexpected charges (20%)

Review Analysis

Corrigan Moving Systems has 225 online customer reviews, 78% of which are positive. Customers praised the company for its efficient service, professional staff, and good communication throughout the moving process. Many noted the careful handling of belongings, making the moving experience smoother compared to other companies. On the downside, some feedback highlighted issues like damage to items, lack of communication, and unexpected charges. These concerns indicate areas for improvement that could enhance customer satisfaction.

Get a Quote (616) 455-4500

Company Info

Years in Business: 97

DOT #: 77949

Alternate Names: Corrigan Moving Systems - Grand Rapids, Inc.

Corrigan Moving Systems has been a trusted local moving company in Grand Rapids, MI since 1928, specializing in residential moves within the area. Unlike some nearby competitors, Corrigan Moving Systems stands out for its comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, and they require no deposit. Consumer reviews reflect a strong reputation with an average rating of 4.7 on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, though Yelp reviews are slightly lower at an average of 3.5. For those seeking reliable and detailed-oriented moving services, Corrigan Moving Systems has a long-standing legacy of customer satisfaction.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage

Powell Relocation Group

4937 Starr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Customer Praise

Efficient service (45%)
Professional and polite staff (41%)
Good communication (37%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
Lack of communication (19%)

Review Analysis

Powell Relocation Group has 221 customer reviews, with 88% being positive. Many customers praised the company for its efficient service, friendly and professional staff, and excellent communication throughout the moving process. However, some reviews pointed out issues like damage to items during the move, delays in delivery, and challenges with communication when problems arose. Despite these drawbacks, the overall feedback highlights Powell as a top choice for relocation needs, often exceeding expectations compared to other moving companies.

Get a Quote (616) 956-0900

Company Info

State license #: 261884

Years in Business: 61

DOT #: 261884

Alternate Names: Powell Moving & Storage, Inc.

Powell Relocation Group, serving the Grand Rapids, MI area since 1963, stands out as a reputable local moving company. With an impressive array of services, including packing, crating, and moving valuable items like pianos and antiques, they cater to diverse moving needs. Customers consistently praise Powell Relocation Group, as evidenced by their 5.0 average rating on Yelp and a strong 4.7 on Google, coupled with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Unlike many competitors, they also offer full valuation insurance coverage and accept credit cards, making them a reliable and customer-focused choice for local moves.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Art
Antiques
Crating
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Safes
Pay by credit card
DOD certified

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 Grand Rapids to Detroit?

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	$741 - $2,919	$605 - $1,372	$195 - $326
2 - 3 bedrooms	$1,481 - $4,180	$1,065 - $1,862	$191 - $362
4+ bedrooms	$1,915 - $5,606	$1,345 - $2,296	$230 - $433

Get A Quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 157 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 Grand Rapids to Detroit

Cost of living: Grand Rapids vs. Detroit

	Grand Rapids	Detroit
Average rent cost	$1,659	$1,250
Average home value	$328,256	$73,156
Average income (per capita)	$63,299	$37,761
Cost of living (single person)	$3,433	$1,175
Cost of living (family of 4)	$3,960	$4,145
Unemployment rate	4.3%	9.06%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in Detroit are 25% lower than in Grand Rapids.
Home prices in Detroit are 77.7% lower than in Grand Rapids.
Income in Detroit is 40.3% lower than in Grand Rapids.
The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 65.8% lower than in Grand Rapids.
The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 4.7% higher than in Grand Rapids.
The unemployment rate in Detroit is 110.70% higher than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,026.80 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. Detroit

	Detroit	Grand Rapids
Population	639,111	198,893
Political leaning	Democratic 51-46	Democratic 48.3-49.7
Summer high	84ºF	82ºF
Winter low	19ºF	17ºF
Annual rain	34"	37"
Annual snow	33"	64"
Crime index	72.92	44.23

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

The population of Detroit is approximately 221% greater than the population of Grand Rapids.
In the last presidential election, Detroit voted Democratic and Grand Rapids voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in Detroit is 84ºF and in Grand Rapids, it’s 82ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, Detroit reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Grand Rapids gets down to 17ºF.
You can expect about 34 inches of annual rainfall in Detroit vs 37 inches of rainfall in Grand Rapids.
In Detroit, it snows about 33 inches annually vs 64 inches of snow in Grand Rapids.
Detroit has a higher crime rate than Grand Rapids with a crime index of 72.92 vs 44.23.

Things to do in Detroit

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

Museums in Detroit

Detroit Institute of Arts
Motown Museum
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Detroit Historical Museum
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
The Heidelberg Project
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
African Bead Museum
Michigan Science Center
Museum of Contemporary Art
GM World
Detroit Cultural Center Historic District
Scarab Club
Tuskegee Airmen National Museum

Parks in Detroit

Belle Isle Park
Beacon Park
Palmer Park
Balduck Park
Grand Circus Park
Cadillac Square
West Riverfront Park
Rouge Park
Pingree Park
Dueweke Park
Riverfront-Lakewood East Park
Gabriel Richard Park
Cass Park
Mariner Park
Roosevelt Park

Sports Teams in Detroit

Detriot Tigers (MLB)
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Detroit Lions (NFL)
Detroit Pistons (NBA)

Universities in Detroit

Wayne State University
Henry Ford College
Marygrove College
St Clair College
University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Detroit Mercy
Central Michigan University

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Grand Rapids to Detroit?

To ship furniture from Grand Rapids to Detroit with a mover will cost between $741 and $2,919. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,481–$4,180, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Grand Rapids to Detroit will cost from $1,915–$5,606.

How much are moving container companies from Grand Rapids to Detroit?

Moving containers from Grand Rapids to Detroit will cost you $605 to $1,372 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,065 to $1,862. A larger home will cost $1,345 to $2,296.

How much is a moving truck from Grand Rapids to Detroit?

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 $195 to $326. A larger move will cost $191 to $362, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Grand Rapids to Detroit costs from $230 to $433.

How far in advance should I book Grand Rapids-to-Detroit movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Grand Rapids to Detroit 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 Grand Rapids-to-Detroit 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 Detroit?

The cheapest time of year to move to Detroit 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.