Relocating to Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has quietly become one of the Midwest's great success stories — a young, fast-growing capital city powered by Ohio State, a diversified economy and a massive incoming wave of tech investment. Illinois Movers Inc moves families and professionals onto this route every week.

From Chicagoland the drive runs I-65 south to Indianapolis, then I-70 east through Richmond and Dayton into Columbus — about 350 miles. It's a clean, direct 2-day delivery with our own crew, no warehouse handoffs.

📏 ~350 mi via I-65 / I-70⏱ 1–2 days transit🛡 USDOT #2628513 · MC #914433⭐ 4.9/5 (300+ reviews)

Why Illinoisans Are Moving to Columbus

Columbus pairs big-city opportunity with real affordability. Home prices and overall cost of living sit well under Chicagoland, while the job market is arguably the healthiest in Ohio — anchored now by Intel's enormous semiconductor campus rising in nearby Licking County.

Booming economy. Intel's chip fabs, Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase, Honda and Ohio State drive steady hiring.
Lower cost of living. Housing runs far below Chicago's, with lighter property taxes than Illinois' 2nd-highest-in-the-nation rates.
Young and growing. The Short North Arts District, German Village and a thriving food scene keep the city energetic.
Family suburbs. Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard and New Albany offer top schools and space.

How We Handle Your Columbus Move

Dedicated move coordinator

Full professional packing

Furniture disassembly and reassembly

Real-time GPS tracking

Full-value protection

Storage-in-transit between closings

Illinois to Columbus: Cities We Serve

Pickup across Illinois: Chicago, Naperville, Wood Dale, Aurora, Joliet, Rockford.

Delivery across the Columbus metro: Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, New Albany, Gahanna.

How Long Does the Move Take?

A direct mid-length haul. Legs below:

Leg	Approx. Distance	Typical Transit
Chicago → Indianapolis (I-65)	~185 mi	Day 1
Indianapolis → Dayton (I-70)	~105 mi	Day 1–2
Dayton → Columbus (I-70)	~70 mi	Day 2

How Much Does It Cost?

Realistic binding ranges for the ~350-mile Chicago-to-Columbus run:

Home Size	Estimated Range
Studio / 1 BR	$2,000 – $3,200
2 BR	$3,200 – $5,000
3 BR	$5,000 – $7,600
4+ BR	$7,600 – $11,000

Preparing for Your Columbus Move

If a job near the Intel campus is your draw, scout Licking County and New Albany commutes before choosing a suburb.
Book 3–4 weeks out; Ohio State's August move-in season tightens availability.
Update your Ohio license and registration within 30 days of establishing residency.
Ask about storage-in-transit if your Columbus closing trails your Illinois move-out.

Illinois to Columbus Moving FAQ

How long does a Chicago to Columbus move take?

Typically 1–2 days over the ~350-mile I-65/I-70 route, inside a 3–7 business-day delivery window.

Which Columbus suburbs do families prefer?

Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, New Albany and Gahanna are the most-requested for schools and space.

Is Columbus cheaper than Chicago?

Yes — housing and overall cost of living run well below Chicagoland, with lower property taxes.

Are you an FMCSA-licensed carrier?

Yes — USDOT #2628513 / MC #914433, with full-value protection on every shipment.

Written and reviewed by the Illinois Movers Inc Long-Distance Relocation Team — licensed interstate movers (USDOT #2628513) with 10+ years on the Illinois-to-Ohio corridor.
Last updated: October 2026.

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