Real cost estimates, top-rated St. Paul movers, and a no-fluff comparison of life in St. Paul vs. Ohio. What you actually need before booking.
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If you're moving from St. Paul to Ohio, you're dealing with roughly 711 miles and a legitimate lifestyle shift — not just a longer commute. The financial case for Ohio is real: lower rent, lower taxes, and a cost of living that consistently comes in below Minnesota's. Whether that outweighs leaving the Twin Cities is your call, but the numbers tend to hold up.
Start by using our moving cost calculator to get a rough figure for your home size. Then read through the mover profiles and cost breakdown below before calling anyone.
Out of 35 St. Paul-area movers in our database capable of handling state-to-state moves, these five are the strongest options for a St. Paul to Ohio run.
290 Chester St, St. Paul, MN 55107
92% positive | 7% negative
Of 268 reviews, 92% are positive — a strong retention rate by industry standards. Customers consistently cite fast, careful crews and solid communication. The negative share, just under 7%, flags the usual suspects: property damage, late arrivals, and final costs higher than quoted. These aren't unique to Matt's, but worth confirming in writing before your move date. State license #: 374236 | DOT #: 1704106 | 17 years in business.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing and unpacking, pianos, offices, crating, storage. Credit cards accepted.
Phone: (651) 210-8271
2995 Lone Oak Cir #7, Eagan, MN 55121
92% positive | 7% negative
Seventy-three years in business — also operating as Rochester Transfer & Storage — gives Piepho a long track record on interstate routes. Of 250 reviews, 91.6% are positive. Customers note professional staff, responsive communication, and belongings arriving in good shape. The occasional complaint centers on delivery timing and item damage during complex long-haul shipments. That's expected at this distance; just document everything before the truck leaves your driveway. State license #: 286311 | DOT #: 286311.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing and unpacking; pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks; full-valuation coverage; shipment tracking; crating; crane vans; storage; safes. Cash, money orders, and credit cards accepted.
Phone: (651) 372-3494
1255 East Highway 36, St. Paul, MN 55109
92% positive | 7% negative
105 years in business, and the review record still holds. Of 234 reviews, over 91% are positive. Customers point to transparent pricing, reliable timelines, and crews that handle items carefully. The minority of complaints centers on estimate accuracy and missing or damaged items — a good reminder to get a binding estimate in writing and clarify the scope of coverage before anything gets loaded. DOT #: 1127088.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing and unpacking; pianos, offices, crating; full-valuation coverage; storage. Credit cards accepted.
Phone: (651) 484-0211
1700 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
94% positive | 4% negative
The highest positive rate on this list at 94% across 295 reviews. One thing I keep seeing in the feedback that's worth noting: customers frequently say their final bill came in at or under the estimate. That's not common enough to take for granted in this industry, and it matters on a long interstate move where surprise charges add up fast. The rare complaint touches on furniture damage and slow follow-up on claims. State license #: 380620 | DOT #: 2552505 | 10 years in business.
Services: Local and interstate moves; packing and unpacking; pianos, offices, crating; storage. Credit cards accepted.
Phone: (612) 361-6787
919 Old Hwy 8 NW Suite 100, New Brighton, MN 55112
99% positive | 1% negative
98.6% positive across 352 reviews. Daymakers is only eight years old, but the volume and consistency of that feedback is hard to ignore. Customers routinely describe efficient crews, transparent pricing, and genuine problem-solving when things get complicated. The rare complaint mentions estimate-to-final-bill gaps and occasional communication delays. DOT #: 2593674.
Services: Local and interstate moves; packing and unpacking; pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, offices; full-valuation coverage; crating; storage; safes. Credit cards accepted.
Phone: (651) 955-1283
Here's a snapshot of specialty capabilities among the 35 St. Paul movers in our database that can handle interstate routes:
| Service | # of Movers | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 27 | 77.14% |
| Small moves | 21 | 60.0% |
| Antiques | 13 | 37.14% |
| Art | 13 | 37.14% |
| Pianos | 28 | 80.0% |
| Fragile-only packing | 1 | 2.86% |
If you have specialty items — a piano, valuable art, antiques — not every mover on this list is equipped. Confirm the specifics before signing anything.
The table below covers typical price ranges for the ~711-mile move, broken out by home size and service type.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,203 – $3,641 | $709 – $1,786 | $503 – $954 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,281 – $5,480 | $1,303 – $2,428 | $522 – $1,068 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,810 – $8,213 | $1,711 – $3,347 | $686 – $1,254 |
Estimates are based on a ~711-mile move from St. Paul, MN to Ohio, using verified rate data from MoveFinders refreshed as of January 2026. Final charges vary based on home contents, timing, access constraints, and add-ons. Get multiple quotes before committing.
For a studio or one-bedroom, a full-service long-distance move runs $1,203 to $3,641. A two- or three-bedroom home typically lands between $2,281 and $5,480. Larger households — four-plus bedrooms — should budget $3,810 to $8,213. The range is wide because variables like time of year, floor access, packing add-ons, and how much furniture you're actually moving all shift the final number significantly.
Moving containers offer a middle path: you load at your own pace, the company moves the container. For a small load, expect $709 to $1,786. Two- to three-bedroom homes typically run $1,303 to $2,428. Larger households land at $1,711 to $3,347. Pricing varies more than most people expect across container companies, so get at least two or three quotes.
If you're looking for the lowest sticker price and don't mind doing the labor yourself, a rental truck is the cheapest route. Studios and one-bedrooms run $503 to $954. Two- to three-bedroom moves land at $522 to $1,068. Larger homes typically run $686 to $1,254. These figures include estimated fuel costs. The trade-off is real — you're packing, loading, and driving 711 miles yourself.
Three variables move the number more than anything else:
The financial argument for this move is straightforward. Ohio's cost of living runs meaningfully below St. Paul's across rent, home prices, and taxes — and the job market holds up. Here's the data side by side.
| St. Paul, MN | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,350 | $945 |
| Average home cost | $278,221 | $230,798 |
| Per capita income | $63,483 | $66,990 |
| Cost of living index | 102 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 3.6% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 3.5% |
Sources: St. Paul — World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation. Ohio — Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
What those numbers actually mean:
| St. Paul, MN | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,176 | 11,785,935 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Republican (55–45) |
| Summer high | 83°F | 84°F |
| Winter low | 7°F | 20°F |
| Annual rain | 32" | 40" |
| Annual snow | 52" | 28" |
| Crime index | 50.86 | 20.76 |
Sources: St. Paul — US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Ohio — Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow.
A few points worth calling out:
A few practical items that tend to catch people off guard:
Ohio has more going for it than the headlines suggest.
Typically one to six days, depending on the service type and the company's schedule. Summer moves often run toward the longer end of that range. If timing matters, ask for a written delivery window before you book — not an estimate, an actual commitment.
We track 23 St. Paul movers that can build custom crates for art, antiques, and sensitive electronics. Before booking, confirm that the materials and dimensions match what you're actually shipping.
If you'd rather not put 711 miles on your car, auto transport is worth looking into. Use our car shipping calculator to get an estimate, and check any carrier's FMCSA registration before committing.
Cost of living and tax burden are the two most common drivers. Ohio's lower state income tax rate — 3.5% versus Minnesota's 9.85% — is a real factor for anyone doing the math on take-home pay. Lower housing costs and a stronger employment picture round out the case.
Twelve St. Paul movers currently accept cash, but it's not the industry standard. Most movers prefer traceable payment methods. Expect to put down a deposit to secure your date, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm the exact schedule before you sign anything.
The five companies listed above are your best starting point for this specific route. For a wider comparison, browse our long-distance mover reviews — it covers carriers across the region with verified rate data.
Get quotes from at least three St. Paul movers before you commit. On a 700-mile move, price differences between reputable companies can run into the thousands — and so can quality differences.
