($1,174) Movers From Harrisburg, PA to Detroit, MI

Quick answer: A move from Harrisburg to Detroit costs $500–$5,364 and takes one to four 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 482-mile move yourself.

ryan carrigan moving expert
We're here to help.
We know that every move from Harrisburg to Detroit is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

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

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

The best Harrisburg to Detroit full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Harrisburg to go to Detroit can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Harrisburg to Detroit.

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(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
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(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
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(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
(866) 825-0554
Best customer service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
read our full review
(855) 929-4120
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(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
(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Harrisburg to Detroit?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Harrisburg to Detroit will cost between $1,174 to $3,547. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,211 to $5,364, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Harrisburg to Detroit will cost from $3,672 to $7,925.

The best moving containers for your Harrisburg to Detroit move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Harrisburg to Detroit. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Harrisburg to Detroit?toggle

Moving containers from Harrisburg to Detroit will cost you $745 to $1,771 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,330 to $2,488. A larger home will cost $1,806 to $3,228.

The best moving truck rentals for your Harrisburg to Detroit move

If you want to save even more money on your Harrisburg to Detroit move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

How much is a moving truck from Harrisburg to Detroit?toggle

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 $441 to $799. A larger move will cost $500 to $988, and a four-bedroom move from Harrisburg to Detroit costs from $610 to $1,142. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Harrisburg to Detroit move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Harrisburg to Detroit:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

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

Harrisburg movers charge $175 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 $1,174 - $3,547 $745 - $1,771 $441 - $799
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,211 - $5,364 $1,330 - $2,488 $500 - $988
4+ bedrooms $3,672 - $7,925 $1,806 - $3,228 $610 - $1,142
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 482 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 Harrisburg to Detroittoggle

The cost of Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg to Detroit can be as low as $1,174 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,990.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Harrisburg, 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 $441 to $1,093. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Detroit

Harrisburg Detroit
Average rent cost $1,200 $1,250
Average home value $230,038 $73,156
Average income (per capita) $73,256 $37,761
Cost of living (single person) $1,849 $1,175
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,612 $4,145
Unemployment rate 13.4% 9.06%
Sales tax 6.0% 6.0%
State income tax 3.07% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Detroit are 4% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • Home prices in Detroit are 68.2% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • Income in Detroit is 48.5% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 36.5% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 14.8% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • The unemployment rate in Detroit is 32.39% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • Sales taxes are the same in Detroit and Harrisburg.
  • State income taxes in Detroit are 38.44% higher than in Harrisburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,906.44 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.

How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Detroit

Detroit Harrisburg
Population 639,111 50,099
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 6
Walkability score 51 68
Bike friendliness score 52 57
Crime Index 72.92 64.18
Safety Index 27.08 35.82
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Detroit's population is about 1,176% greater than Harrisburg.
  • Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Harrisburg's higher score of 6.
  • Detroit is less walkable than Harrisburg with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Harrisburg's 68 out of 100.
  • Detroit is less bike-friendly than Harrisburg with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Harrisburg's 57.
  • Detroit's crime rate is higher than Harrisburg with a score of 72.92 compared to Harrisburg's 64.18. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 72.92% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Harrisburg neighborhoods are safer than 64.18%.
  • Detroit is considered to be less safe than Harrisburg with a score of 27.08 vs Harrisburg's 35.82.
  • Air quality in Detroit is good, and in Harrisburg it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Harrisburg vs. Detroit move

  • 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.

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 singlestoggle

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

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

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

Things to do in Detroittoggle

After settling into your new Michigan home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Detroit has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Detroit is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit Historical Museum, and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Belle Isle Park, Beacon Park, Palmer Park, and Balduck Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Detriot Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Lions (NFL), or Detroit Pistons (NBA) game.

FAQ

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

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

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

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

The 482-mile move from Harrisburg, PA, to Detroit, MI, takes one to four days. Some Harrisburg 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