The best moving companies in Ohio

Ohio is the seventh most-populated state in the nation.¹ It has a population of approximately 11.8 million, and the prominent ethnic groups are Whites, African Americans, and Latinos. Almost 30% of Buckeyes have a college degree, and all but 10% have graduated from high school.² The median age is 40,³ and there are approximately 2.4 people per household.²  The state also has high moving demand, with more than 1.6 million people moving in or out of Ohio in the last year.⁴

The median annual income in Ohio is approximately $58,120. About 58% of the state participates in the labor force,² and Ohio added roughly 83,000 payroll jobs last year.⁵ Its largest industries are food services, general medical, and education. The state’s highest-paying non-medical occupations are financial investments, agriculture manufacturing, and software publishing, and the wealthiest counties are Delaware County, Warren County, and Union County.³

It costs more to live in Ohio than about two-thirds of the country. For example, the state ranks 17th on a list of the nation’s most expensive areas. While groceries will set you back much more in Ohio than in other places, things like water and electricity are more affordable.⁶ For example, our analysis of Ohio utility bills shows that you’ll spend around $390 on expenses such as broadband internet, TV streaming services, and natural gas.

Ohio is a red state. Approximately 53% of the population voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election (compared to 45% for Joe Biden).³ However, the numbers skew more to the center outside of national elections. For example, a Pew Research Center poll indicated that 42% of Ohio residents lean Republican compared to 40% who prefer the Democratic Party.⁷ Ohio’s representatives in the Senate are evenly split, while 13 of its 16 appointments in the House of Representatives are Republican.

The state’s most Democratic counties are Cuyahoga County, Franklin County, and Lucas County, while its most Republican areas include Holmes County, Putnam County, and Mercer County.³

PODS and International Van Lines are the best movers from Ohio to Texas. IVL specializes in full-service options like packing and transport, while PODS offers a lower rate but requires you to pack and load your belongings.

You can’t do better than Budget Truck Rental if you’re looking for cheap movers in Ohio. It typically costs thousands of dollars less than full-service companies like JK Moving Services or American Van Lines.

Home size and move distance affect the cost of moving to Ohio. For example, it costs more to move a large home than a small one. Similarly, cross-country moves are much more expensive than moving within the same city.

First National Van Lines is one of the most popular Columbus moving companies. It receives an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars and offers excellent packing services and office relocation packages.

You can save hundreds of dollars by shipping your car on open transport. You can trim costs even more by selecting one of the nation’s best auto transport companies like Montway or AmeriFreight.

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:

• Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
• Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
• Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
• Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
• Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

• Best Professional Moving Services
• Best International Movers
• Best Car Shipping Companies
• Best Moving Container Companies
• Best Moving Truck Rental Companies

• How Much are Ohio Utilities?
• What are the Best Movers in Washington, DC?
• Where Can I Find Free Moving Boxes?
• How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
• What Should Go on a Moving Day Checklist?

1. United States Census Bureau, October 12, 2022, “U.S. and World Population Clock,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
2. United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: Ohio,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
3. Deloitte, “Data USA: Ohio,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
4. United States Census Bureau, December 15, 2020, “Census Bureau Releases 2020 CPS ASEC Geographic Mobility Data,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
5. United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022, “Ohio Employment Report,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
6. Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 12, 2022.
7. Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation Among Adults in Ohio by Political Ideology,” Accessed October 12, 2022.