($960) Movers From Harrisburg, PA to Columbus, OH

Quick answer: A move from Harrisburg to Columbus costs $359–$4,822 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 368-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Harrisburg to Columbus is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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  • Certified crews
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbus to Harrisburg guide.

The best Harrisburg to Columbus full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Harrisburg to go to Columbus 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 Columbus.

Best Overall Value
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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
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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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
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
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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
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(855) 929-4120
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Harrisburg to Columbus will cost between $960 to $2,985. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,721 to $4,822, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Harrisburg to Columbus will cost from $2,678 to $6,143.

The best moving containers for your Harrisburg to Columbus move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Harrisburg to Columbus. 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:

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

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

Moving containers from Harrisburg to Columbus will cost you $663 to $1,526 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,144 to $2,205. A larger home will cost $1,438 to $2,780.

The best moving truck rentals for your Harrisburg to Columbus move

If you want to save even more money on your Harrisburg to Columbus 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:

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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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How much is a moving truck from Harrisburg to Columbus?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 $337 to $616. A larger move will cost $359 to $746, and a four-bedroom move from Harrisburg to Columbus costs from $450 to $901. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Harrisburg to Columbus 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 Columbus:

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

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 $960 - $2,985 $663 - $1,526 $337 - $616
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,721 - $4,822 $1,144 - $2,205 $359 - $746
4+ bedrooms $2,678 - $6,143 $1,438 - $2,780 $450 - $901
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 368 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 Columbustoggle

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 Columbus can be as low as $960 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,662.
  • 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 $337 to $839. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Columbus

Harrisburg Columbus
Average rent cost $1,200 $1,441
Average home value $230,038 $238,832
Average income (per capita) $73,256 $65,075
Cost of living (single person) $1,849 $1,217
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,612 $4,292
Unemployment rate 13.4% 5.7%
Sales tax 6.0% 7.5%
State income tax 3.07% 3.5%
  • Rent prices in Columbus are 20% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • Home prices in Columbus are 3.8% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • Income in Columbus is 11.2% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Columbus is 34.2% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • The cost of living for a family in Columbus is 18.8% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • The unemployment rate in Columbus is 57.46% lower than in Harrisburg.
  • Sales taxes in Columbus are 25.00% higher than in Harrisburg.
  • State income taxes in Columbus are 14.01% higher than in Harrisburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,974.58 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.

How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Columbus

Columbus Harrisburg
Population 905,748 50,099
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 6
Walkability score 41 68
Bike friendliness score 48 57
Crime Index 49.65 64.18
Safety Index 50.35 35.82
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Columbus's population is about 1,708% greater than Harrisburg.
  • Columbus's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Harrisburg's lower score of 6.
  • Columbus is less walkable than Harrisburg with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Harrisburg's 68 out of 100.
  • Columbus is less bike-friendly than Harrisburg with a score of 48 out of 100 vs Harrisburg's 57.
  • Columbus's crime rate is lower than Harrisburg with a score of 49.65 compared to Harrisburg's 64.18. This means that Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 49.65% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Harrisburg neighborhoods are safer than 64.18%.
  • Columbus is considered to be safer than Harrisburg with a safety index of 50.35 vs Harrisburg's 35.82.
  • Air quality in Columbus is good, and in Harrisburg it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Harrisburg vs. Columbus move

  • Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you 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: 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 Columbus. 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.

Where to live in Columbus

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arch City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbus.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Downtown
  • Short North
  • Victorian Village
  • Clintonville
  • Grandview Heights
  • Ashville
  • Dublin

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Bexley
  • Clintonville
  • Gahanna
  • Hilliard
  • Upper Arlington

Things to do in Columbustoggle

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

  • Arts and culture: Columbus is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Beeler Gallery, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Central Ohio Fire Museum, Columbus Historical Society, and Columbus Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Scioto Mile, Topiary Garden, and Schiller 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 Columbus Crew (MLS), Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), or Columbus Clippers (AAAE) game.

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Harrisburg to Columbus 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 Columbus?

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

The 368-mile move from Harrisburg, PA, to Columbus, OH, 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 Columbus.

Helpful moving resources