($1,185) Moving from St. Louis to Detroit

Quick answer: A move from St. Louis to Detroit costs $467 to $5,564 and takes one-six 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 529-mile move yourself.

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

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The best St. Louis to Detroit moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from St. Louis to Detroit 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 St. Louis to Detroit.

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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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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 St. Louis to Detroit?

St. Louis movers charge $145 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 $1,185 - $3,097 $670 - $1,664 $420 - $838
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,082 - $5,564 $1,324 - $2,318 $467 - $993
4+ bedrooms $3,652 - $7,849 $1,713 - $3,142 $588 - $1,174
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 529 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 St. Louis to Detroit

The cost of St. Louis 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 St. Louis to Detroit can be as low as $1,185 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,507.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in St. Louis, 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 $420 to $1,058. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from St. Louis to Detroit?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from St. Louis to Detroit will cost between $1,185 to $3,097. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,082 to $5,564, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from St. Louis to Detroit will cost from $3,652 to $7,849.

How much are moving container companies from St. Louis to Detroit?

Moving containers from St. Louis to Detroit will cost you $670 to $1,664 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,324 to $2,318. A larger home will cost $1,713 to $3,142.

How much is a moving truck from St. Louis to Detroit?

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 $420 to $838. A larger move will cost $467 to $993, and a four-bedroom move from St. Louis to Detroit costs from $588 to $1,174. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from St. Louis to Detroit

Cost of living: St. Louis vs Detroit

St. Louis Detroit
Average rent cost $1,125 $1,200
Average home value $166,529 $65,800
Average income (per capita) $60,947 $34,762
Cost of Living (single person) $899 $969
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,166 $3,338
Unemployment rate 6.3% 10.0%
Sales Tax 9.68% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.95% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Detroit are 7% higher than in St. Louis.
  • Home prices in Detroit are 60.5% lower than in St. Louis.
  • Income in Detroit is 43.0% lower than in St. Louis.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 7.8% higher than in St. Louis.
  • The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 5.4% higher than in St. Louis.
  • The unemployment rate in Detroit is 58.73% higher than in St. Louis.
  • Sales taxes in Detroit are 38.02% lower than in St. Louis.
  • State income taxes in Detroit are 14.14% lower than in St. Louis.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,233.59 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Louis.

How is life different in St. Louis compared to Detroit?

Detroit St. Louis
Population 639,111 293,310
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 8
Walkability score 51 66
Bike friendliness score 52 58
Crime Index 55.84 77.64
Safety Index 25.97 29.49
Air Quality Moderate Moderate
  • Detroit's population is about 118% greater than St. Louis.
  • Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus St. Louis's lower score of 8.
  • Detroit is less walkable than St. Louis with a score of 51 out of 100 vs St. Louis's 66 out of 100.
  • Detroit is less bike-friendly than St. Louis with a score of 52 out of 100 vs St. Louis's 58.
  • Detroit's crime rate is lower than St. Louis with a score of 55.84 compared to St. Louis's 77.64. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 55.84% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Louis neighborhoods are safer than 77.64%.
  • Detroit is considered to be less safe than St. Louis with a score of 25.97 vs St. Louis's 29.49.
  • Air quality in Detroit is moderate, and in St. Louis it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Detroit

  • Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move.
  • 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Michigan 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 Detroit. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local St. Louis movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Arch Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1316 S 2nd St,, St. Louis, MO, 63104
(314) 964-5557
Bellhop Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.28 overall rating
20 North Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63103
(314) 888-5016

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

Where to live in Detroit

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Comeback City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Corktown
  • Brush Park
  • Woodbridge
  • Downtown
  • Lafayette Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Sherwood Forest
  • Palmer Woods
  • University District
  • Corktown
  • Lafayette Park

What to do in Detroit

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

  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Detroit Riverwalk
  • Motown Museum
  • Belle Isle Park
  • Charles H Wright Museum of African American History
  • Campus Martius Park
  • Detroit Zoo
  • Historic Fort Wayne
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Michigan Science Center
  • Comerica Park
  • Fox Theatre
  • Heidelberg Project
  • The Spirit of Detroit
  • GM Renaissance Center
  • The BELT
  • Detroit Princess Riverboat
  • People Mover
  • Fisher Building
  • Greenfild Village
  • Z Park Garage
  • Detroit Historical Museum
  • Hart Plaza
  • Third Man Records
  • Detroit Masonic Temple
  • John K. King Used & Rare Books
  • “Reflector” Art Installation
  • Eastern Market
  • Dequindre Cut Greenway
  • Milliken State Park and Harbor

Get your sports on!

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

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

FAQ

When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Detroit?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from St. Louis to Detroit?

Because most people are moving from St. Louis to Detroit 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 St. Louis to Detroit take?

The 529-mile move from St. Louis, MO, to Detroit, MI, takes one-six days. Some St. Louis movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Detroit.

Helpful moving resources