($727) Moving from Detroit to Cleveland

Quick answer: A move from Detroit to Cleveland costs $205 to $3,899 and takes one-two 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 170-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Detroit 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 Cleveland to Detroit guide.

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The best Detroit to Cleveland moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Detroit to Cleveland 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 Detroit to Cleveland.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Detroit to Cleveland?

Detroit 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 $727 - $2,595 $536 - $1,265 $199 - $329
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,293 - $3,899 $902 - $1,669 $205 - $380
4+ bedrooms $1,839 - $5,114 $1,202 - $2,244 $251 - $459
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 170 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Detroit to Cleveland

The cost of Detroit 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 Detroit to Cleveland can be as low as $727 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $4,088.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Detroit, 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 $199 to $420. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Detroit to Cleveland?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Detroit to Cleveland will cost between $727 to $2,595. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,293 to $3,899, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Detroit to Cleveland will cost from $1,839 to $5,114.

How much are moving container companies from Detroit to Cleveland?

Moving containers from Detroit to Cleveland will cost you $536 to $1,265 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $902 to $1,669. A larger home will cost $1,202 to $2,244.

How much is a moving truck from Detroit to Cleveland?

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 $199 to $329. A larger move will cost $205 to $380, and a four-bedroom move from Detroit to Cleveland costs from $251 to $459. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Detroit to Cleveland

Cost of living: Detroit vs Cleveland

Detroit Cleveland
Average rent cost $1,200 $1,250
Average home value $65,800 $98,485
Average income (per capita) $34,762 $63,673
Cost of Living (single person) $969 $1,038
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,338 $3,653
Unemployment rate 10.0% 6.8%
Sales Tax 6.0% 8.0%
State Income Tax 4.25% 3.5%
  • Rent prices in Cleveland are 4% higher than in Detroit.
  • Home prices in Cleveland are 49.7% higher than in Detroit.
  • Income in Cleveland is 83.2% higher than in Detroit.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Cleveland is 7.1% higher than in Detroit.
  • The cost of living for a family in Cleveland is 9.4% higher than in Detroit.
  • The unemployment rate in Cleveland is 32.00% lower than in Detroit.
  • Sales taxes in Cleveland are 33.33% higher than in Detroit.
  • State income taxes in Cleveland are 17.65% lower than in Detroit.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,213.62 in Cleveland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Detroit.

How is life different in Detroit compared to Cleveland?

Cleveland Detroit
Population 372,624 639,111
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 7
Walkability score 57 51
Bike friendliness score 52 52
Crime Index 58.29 55.84
Safety Index 64.06 25.97
Air Quality Moderate Moderate
  • Cleveland's population is about 42% less than Detroit.
  • Cleveland's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus Detroit's higher score of 7.
  • Cleveland is more walkable than Detroit with a score of 57 out of 100 vs Detroit's 51 out of 100.
  • Cleveland and Detroit are similarily bike-friendly.
  • Cleveland's crime rate is higher than Detroit with a score of 58.29 compared to Detroit's 55.84. This means that Cleveland neighborhoods are safer than 58.29% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 55.84%.
  • Cleveland is considered to be safer than Detroit with a safety index of 64.06 vs Detroit's 25.97.
  • Air quality in Cleveland is moderate, and in Detroit it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Cleveland

  • Weather: Cleveland has four very distinct seasons. This means that in the wintertime, you should prepare for snow and in the summer it's usually warm.
  • 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 Cleveland. 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 Detroit movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Handy Relocations Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.28 overall rating
2209 Gratiot Ave, 2nd floor , Detroit, MI, 48207
(313) 649-4917
Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.2 overall rating
11850 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI, 48214
(313) 822-4400

Visit our best long distance movers in Detroit page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Cleveland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's North Coast", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Cleveland.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Tremont
  • Ohio City
  • Detroit-Shoreway
  • Clark-Fulton
  • Waterloo

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Edgewater
  • Jefferson
  • Kamm’s Corner
  • Ohio City
  • Old Brooklyn

What to do in Cleveland

These are some of the best things to do in your new Ohio home.

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History
  • Great Lakes Science Center
  • A Christmas Story House
  • West Side Market
  • Cleveland Botanical Garden
  • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
  • Lake View Cemetery
  • Greater Cleveland Aquarium
  • USS Cod Submarine Memorial

Get your sports on!

Cleveland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Cleveland Browns (NFL)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
  • Cleveland Charge NBA G-League)
  • Cleveland Crunch (MASL2)
  • Cleveland Guardians (MLB)
  • Cleveland Monsters (AHL)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Detroit to Cleveland?

The best time to move from Detroit to Cleveland is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Detroit.

When is the cheapest time to move from Detroit to Cleveland?

Because most people are moving from Detroit to Cleveland 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 Detroit to Cleveland take?

The 170-mile move from Detroit, MI, to Cleveland, OH, takes one-two days. Some Detroit movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Cleveland.

Helpful moving resources