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Best movers in Dayton, Ohio

Hiring the right moving company can help make your move as stress-free as possible. Here are the professional movers you should consider in the Dayton area.

An evening view of the Dayton, Ohio skyline
An evening view of the Dayton, Ohio skyline (DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images)

Packing up everything you own and transporting it hundreds of miles away can feel like a whirlwind of a life event. Finding the right moving company for the job is no small task. Thankfully, you won't be starting from scratch this time around. We evaluated 24 moving companies that service the Dayton, Ohio, area, looking at company reviews, licensing, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and the overall customer experience. The result is a list of what we believe are the best movers in Dayton.

Top Dayton movers

The best moving company in Dayton for YOU

While we feel confident in all the moving companies featured in our list, no two moves are identical, so the "best" moving company is a bit subjective. The best mover for you is one that meets your needs and budget. Prioritize movers that offer services that match what you're looking for. If you have lots of heavy or fragile items, you'll want a mover that's comfortable handling them. If you know you're going to need a place to store some of your belongings for a bit, then a mover that offers storage services is probably a better fit. It really all depends on your specific circumstances and how much money you're willing to spend.

MVM Moving and Storage earned the top spot on our list. We were quoted $270 per hour for three movers, along with a fuel cost of $1 per mile. They perform both local and long-distance moves. In addition to standard moving services, they also offer storage, packing and specialty item services. It's also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.

Advantage Movers is another great option to consider. For a team of three movers, it'll cost $289 up front, which includes an hour of labor, along with truck and fuel costs. After the first hour, they charge an hourly rate of $189. The company will help you move heavy items, but doesn't offer services that some other moving companies might, like packing or storage. It's also important to keep in mind that Advantage Movers only performs local moves within the state of Ohio.

Table of contents

Best moving companies in Dayton, Ohio

MVM Moving & Storage is the best overall Dayton moving company

Three MVM Moving & Storage trucks parked in a parking lot on a sunny day
Three MVM Moving & Storage trucks parked in a parking lot on a sunny day (MVM Moving & Storage)

MVM Moving and Storage has been in the moving business for more than 20 years. The company has locations in Ohio, Florida, Indiana and California. For this guide, we called their Columbus, Ohio, location. When we called for an estimate, we spoke with Noah, a company sales representative, who was polite and happy to answer our questions.

Noah quoted us an hourly rate of $270 for three movers. They have a two-hour minimum and charge $1 per mile in fuel costs. With the minimum, you'll spend at least $540 on labor for a team of three movers. All in all, we obtained a rough estimate of about $3,200 for a three-bedroom, one-story house, moving from Dayton to Cincinnati.

Services offered

  • Local moves

  • Long-distance moves

  • Residential and commercial moves

  • Storage

  • Packing services

  • Corporate moves

  • Heavy item moving

  • Specialty item moving

  • College moves

There's no deposit required to book a move with MVM. For payment, they take cash, card or check. Note there's a 3% transaction fee for credit and debit card payments. They also offer discounts for active military members, veterans and first responders. The company is licensed and insured, and the moving crew showing up at your door is background-checked.

MVM Moving & Storage is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and one complaint from 2023 that has since been addressed. The business has a 4.9-star rating on Google and 685 reviews. On Yelp, the company has a 4.2-star rating out of 33 reviews. You can reach them at 614-230-0667.

The business is located at 3979 Parkway Ln., Hilliard, Ohio, 43026. Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They're open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, with no operating hours on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

I recently used MVM moving company and had an outstanding experience from start to finish. Levi was easy to work with, flexible and professional. The crew, Tristan, Floyd and John, arrived promptly and were friendly, respectful of my property and worked diligently. - Kim M., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

MVM Moving and Storage is our number one pick for professional movers in Dayton. The company is licensed and insured, and was transparent about pricing, even if it was a bit pricey. There's no deposit required to book a move, but keep an eye on those fuel costs. If you pay with a card, there's a 3% transaction fee added to your total cost. 

Pros
  • Local and long-distance moves
  • Storage services
  • No deposit required
  • Licensed and insured
Cons
  • Card transaction fee
  • Can get expensive if you're not near Columbus

Advantage Movers is our top alternative Dayton mover

The Advantage Movers logo
The Advantage Movers logo (Advantage Movers)

Advantage Movers is a family-owned business that has been in the moving game for more than 30 years. Servicing the Greater Dayton area, Advantage Movers only performs moves within the state of Ohio. When we called the business, we got to speak with Mike Anousheh, who co-owns the business with his father. Mike was a joy to talk to. He was friendly, professional and ready to answer all of our oddly specific questions. To make sure everything goes according to plan, either Mike or his father shows up to every move they do.

To move a three-bedroom, one-story house, we were quoted $289 an hour. This includes the first hour of labor (they have a one-hour minimum) for three movers, the cost of a 24-foot truck and fuel. The rate then changes to $189 per hour for each hour after. They'll also do heavy item lifting, but certain items like pianos, safes and heavy exercise equipment will incur an extra fee. For example, we told Mike we had a large treadmill. He said it would cost about $79 extra to move it.

Services offered

  • Local moves

  • Residential and commercial moves

  • Heavy item moving

  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly

There's no deposit required to book your move with Advantage Movers. You can pay with cash, check or card. While you won't be charged a card transaction fee, Mike told us they prefer customers to pay with a check if they can. The company is licensed and insured to operate within the state of Ohio, and all its movers are background-checked.

Advantage Movers is BBB-accredited and has an A+ rating with no customer complaints. They have a 4.9-star rating on Google out of 83 reviews. On Yelp, the company has a perfect five-star rating, albeit with only four reviews. You can give them a call at 937-291-9188.

The business is located at 7525 Paragon Rd. #148, Dayton, Ohio, 45459. Their business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, they're open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and they're closed on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

Great group of guys, very professional. Everything was moved with care and packed really well. Would definitely move with Advantage again. - Shayne H., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Advantage Movers is another great option for movers in the Dayton area. The company has been in business for more than 30 years, and is licensed and insured for moves within Ohio. There's no deposit required and we appreciated their price transparency surrounding hourly rates, truck fees and heavy item costs. Just keep in mind that they don't travel outside of Ohio and they don't offer any type of packing services.

Pros
  • More than 30 years in business
  • Licensed and insured
  • No deposit required
  • No card transaction fee
  • Price transparency
Cons
  • No long-distance moves
  • No packing services

BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

A group of BLVD Moving crew members pose for a photo with a company truck
A group of BLVD Moving crew members pose for a photo with a company truck (BLVD Moving)

At Yahoo Local, we’re here to help people make smart decisions with confidence. While we love highlighting local businesses, sometimes a national moving company ends up being the more practical choice, depending on your situation. If you’re trying to decide between the two, check out our guide to local versus national movers . For those opting for a national mover, our top recommendation is BLVD Moving .

BLVD Moving has been in business since 2000 and is operated by a team with decades of experience in the industry. It has just four California locations but serves both local and long-distance moves throughout the U.S. It’s a family-owned, independent company with its own trucks and staff. According to its terms , it may use subcontractors or agents for some moves, which is a common industry practice during peak seasons.

We contacted BLVD Moving for a quote on a 500-mile move with about 1,340 cubic feet of belongings, which is roughly what you’d expect for a basic three-bedroom house without large appliances. The price came in at around $6,700, which is typical for national moving services. To confirm your move, it requires a 33% deposit up front, with 50% of the remaining balance due at pickup. The final payment is made at delivery.

Services offered

  • Local and interstate moves

  • Residential, office and commercial relocations

  • Packing services

  • Storage options

  • Financing available

If you need to cancel, BLVD Moving offers a full refund on your deposit as long as you cancel at least two full business days before your scheduled pickup. Its delivery timeline ranges from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. That window starts from your preferred delivery date — so once you’re ready for your shipment, it could take a little over a month to arrive.

It recommends booking your move about a month in advance, or sooner during busy times like summer or at the beginning and end of the month. The quote process is straightforward, involving a virtual walkthrough or submitting an online inventory list. BLVD also offers financing to qualifying customers, with interest rates starting at 0%.

BLVD Moving is BBB-accredited and has a B+ rating , with 85 complaints on file. While that number might seem high, it’s not unusual for national moving companies. It holds a 4.3-star average on Google (1,125 reviews) and a 2.3-star average on Yelp (368 reviews). All of its movers are actual employees who pass background checks.

Its main office is located at 21622 Plummer St., Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. You can call BLVD Moving at 844-274-0500 or visit its website to request a quote.

Customer testimonial

I had an amazing experience with this moving team! Kevin and Edwin were amazing! They were on time, super friendly, and incredibly professional. They wrapped all of my furniture and took such great care with everything, which gave me total peace of mind. The whole process was smooth and stress-free thanks to how efficient and positive they were. - Camille B., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

BLVD Moving is our top pick for a national mover due to its combination of experience, flexibility and relatively strong Google reviews. It has background-checked crews, but it also reserves the right in its terms and conditions to subcontract your move or assign it to agents. The quote process is smooth, in our experience, requiring a simple online inventory, and BLVD's cancellation policy is relatively good.

Pros
  • Background-checked crews
  • Offers virtual estimates
  • Has its own movers and fleet
  • Local and long-distance moves
Cons
  • Mixed Yelp ratings
  • No GPS tracking
  • Can subcontract jobs to other movers
  • Relatively high deposit

More best Dayton movers

Dow Moving has been in business for six years, offering local and long-distance moves within the state of Ohio. The company is licensed and insured and also offers heavy item moving and storage services.

Pros
  • Local and long-distance moves
  • Labor-only services
  • Piano moving
  • Storage services
Cons
  • Limited weekend hours
  • Less experienced than other movers

Smooth Move has been providing moving assistance for homeowners and businesses within Ohio for more than 20 years. The company offers extensive packing and unpacking services, as well as specialty and fragile item moving. You can book them for both local and long-distance moves.

Pros
  • Local and long-distance moves
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Licensed and insured
  • Storage services
Cons
  • Some older reviews mention broken items and furniture

Moving Ahead Services performs local and long-distance moves within the state of Ohio and Pennsylvania. They promise transparent pricing with no surprise charges, and offers an incredible variety of moving, clean up and truck driving services. 

Pros
  • Price transparency
  • Local and long-distance moves
  • Wide variety of services available
  • Rental truck driving assistance
Cons
  • Several reviews mention broken fragile items and damage to walls
  • Not BBB-accredited

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

We've spent a long time providing honest and accurate information about local businesses at Yahoo (decades, in fact). Our Yahoo Local guides continue that tradition, aiming to give you the most accurate and trustworthy information possible about which local businesses are worth your time and money. We don't just want you to trust our word on that, though — we show you by providing all the details behind our methodology and what goes into our top picks. Using a ranking system built by our team, we've created what we think is the most objective way to spotlight the best local companies in your area. We don't take payment to be included in our lists, and you won't see us using sponsored picks. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

Below is everything that went into the rankings for our list of the best moving companies in Dayton:

  • 24 movers evaluated

  • 10,183 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

  • 14 ranking criteria incorporated

  • Interviewed or connected with all three featured movers

  • Independent price quotes sourced from all three featured moving companies

  • Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

  • Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Ohio moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

Basic information like the addresses for new and current homes should be top of mind. Your mover will also likely ask questions about your home's bedroom count, square footage and how far you're moving. Be prepared to discuss any heavy or specialty items that need to be moved, like pianos, safes or hot tubs, which might require an extra fee.

What should you know about packing and storage in Ohio?

It can get pretty cold in Ohio during the winter, with an average low of 20 degrees Fahrenheit in Columbus, according to U.S. Climate Data . Be prepared to battle snow and ice if you decide to move in the colder months. Consider storing your belongings in a climate-controlled storage facility during the winter, and ensure things like electronics, fine art and instruments are well insulated when you pack them away.

What's different about condo and apartment moving in Ohio?

Moving out of apartments and condos can come with a few additional challenges. For starters, there are usually stairs involved, which can make carefully moving your belongings a bit tougher on your movers. You may even be charged extra for stairs . Additionally, apartments with a smaller square footage mean there's less room to move around. This could be a bit challenging if you have large or bulky items. Larger pieces of furniture might need to be disassembled, which could also cost extra.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in Ohio?

Moving companies in Ohio need a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). This certificate represents a state moving license and is required for all moving companies conducting moves within Ohio's borders. Intrastate movers in Ohio are required to have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, which is obtained from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

For more information, check out our guide on Ohio moving company licensing and regulations .

How much should you tip movers in Ohio?

If you plan on tipping your movers , you should generally shoot for between 10% to 20% of your total moving cost. Just remember, tipping is meant to show gratitude and is your way of thanking your movers for a job well done. If you aren't satisfied with the service you received, you don't have to leave a tip.

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