Home of the Indy 500, the University of Notre Dame, and some of the most intense high school basketball rivalries you’re likely to find, there’s no way to deny that Indiana has tons of personality. If you’re thinking about making a move to Indiana, you might want to consider working with a professional moving company. With specialized equipment and moving experience, the right team of movers can make your move easy. But with so many options, where should you even begin?
We’ve created a comprehensive guide to moving in Indiana to help you plan ahead. Read on to learn more about:
- Moving and storage pricing
- Some of the best moving companies for residential moves
- The types of moving companies you can use
- Some of the best places to live in Indiana
The 7 Best Moving Companies in Indiana
Our top recommended moving companies in Indiana for 2023:
The table below outlines data for the best moving companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings and price estimates to reflect industry changes. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Company | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-distance Cost |
 | 4.5 | B | $650–$1350 | $2,100–$5,400 |
 | 3.6 | B- | $550–$1,100 | $2,550–$5,700 |
 | 3.7 | Not Rated | Not available for local moves | $2,200–$5,500 |
 | 4.3 | B | Call for a quote | $2,750–$5,200 |
 | 4.0 | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,750–$6,000 |
 | 4.7 | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 |
 | 3.6 | A+ | Not available for local moves | $1,350–$2,400 |
 | 4.4 | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 |
*Quote and cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines (IVL) is truly international, with services to every state and over 150 countries worldwide. For the year 2022, they’ve already snagged Newsweek’s Best Customer Service Award and Forbes’ Best National Moving Company — again. IVL continues to top the ratings with its amazing customer service and full range of moving services.
IVL’s website includes a helpful cost estimate chart for long-distance moves of different square footage and a cost range for each. These are simply helpful estimates — an International Van Lines representative can easily help you figure out the true cost of your move, even just from a virtual walk-through on your phone. You can get a full-service move, from packing up all your belongings to unpacking them at the destination so you don’t have to take care of any part of the process if you need the fastest and most convenient move possible. They also offer storage options at your destination.
IVL currently offers the following services on its moves in Indiana:
- Packing services
- Unpacking services
- Loading and unloading services
- Fragile-only packing
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating
- Short-term and long-term storage solutions
- Packing supplies
- Auto transportation services
- Military moving services
- Corporate relocation services
As you learn more about how moving professionals price relocation services, you’ll soon find that pricing can vary significantly between households. In order to help you get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for your IVL move, we’ve collected data from some past IVL customers in the table below.
| City of origin | Destination | Total move distance | Home size | Price paid |
| Indianapolis, IN | Columbus, OH | 175 miles | Two-bedroom home | $3,261 |
| Big Arm, MT | Whiting, IN | 1,687 miles | Two-bedroom home | $3,899 |
| Arcadia, CA | Lake Village, IN | 2,030 miles | Two-bedroom home | $5,023 |
| Saint Bernice, IN | Bronx, NY | 842 miles | Three-bedroom home | $6,981 |
| Denver, CO | Indianapolis, IN | 1,085 miles | Five-bedroom home | $10,000 |
American Van Lines
3.6
Our Rating
American Van Lines (AVL) is a full-service moving company offering everything from local moving and military moving to long-distance and cross-country moving to corporate relocation and commercial moving. They also employ certified antique and piano movers, so that if you have any of these specialty items, you can add those services to your moving plan without worrying about mishandling.
One thing that sets American Van Lines apart from other full-service movers is that they have a flat-rate pricing system. This means that after a representative assesses the factors of your move (distance, type of moving goods, square footage of your home, etc.), they will give you a flat-rate price that has no hidden fees. The price won’t change unless you add other services to your plan, and AVL even offers price matching to be sure that you’re getting the best deal possible.
American Van Lines currently offers the following services in Indiana:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Storage unit arrangement
- Specialty packing services for items like pianos and antiques
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating for large items (like pianos)
- Moving supplies
- Corporate moves
- Military moves
- International moves
- Commercial moves
Though AVL’s pricing is highly personalized, you can view previous customer data below to get a better idea of what you might expect to pay for your move.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,700 to $4,500 | $2,300 to $5,300 | $2,600 to $5,600 | $4,200 to $7,200 |
| Four-bedroom home | $4,800 to $7,800 | $5,600 to $8,600 | $7,400 to $10,400 | $10,800 to $13,800 |
Moving APT
4.3
Our Rating
Unlike the aforementioned companies, Moving APT isn’t a moving company at all. It’s a broker that exists to match you up with the best movers for your needs in your area. In order to accomplish this task, Moving APT has partnerships with 2,500 local movers across the country. You can view details on Moving APT’s most prominent partners on the company’s website.
After you communicate your needs to Moving APT, such as your origin and destination and how many rooms your home has, a representative can match you with companies that fit your budget and your parameters. This can help you find the most affordable movers for you without spending hours on the phone. Find a better deal elsewhere? Moving APT also offers price matching so you can be sure that you’ve gotten a great deal.
Moving APT currently offers the following services to movers in Indiana:
- Piano moving and crating
- Car and truck shipping
- Packing services
- Packing supplies
- Appliance reconnection services
- Furniture assembly and disassembly
Specific services may vary depending on where you live and the team that you’re partnered with.
Tracking down exact pricing for Moving APT’s customers can be difficult, as many customers take advantage of the price matching policy offered by the broker. You can expect to pay around $7,800 for a 1,000-mile move of a four-bedroom home. This indicates that Moving APT’s pricing is about in line with what you’ll find with competitors. However, it’s important to remember that you won’t have definite pricing until you claim a free quote from the company’s team.
JK Moving Services
4.0
Our Rating
JK Moving Services wins the award for being the company with the most customizable moving plans out there. They may not be the cheapest moving company, but they have incredible 24/7 customer service and dependability. JK personally trains, drug tests, and does background checks on each and every one of its employees. The company also gives back to the community in the form of a community farm and wildlife sanctuary.
JK Moving Services has its own mobile app, which you can use to connect with customer service and your driver anytime you have a question or concern about your move. JK personnel will take inventory of every item before they set off and each truck is equipped with GPS tracking. If you need storage services at your destination, theirs are covered by video surveillance and you have the option of getting climate-controlled units to ensure both safety from theft and prevent damage.
JK Moving Services currently offers the following services in Indiana:
- Packing and unpacking
- Loading and unloading
- Residential and commercial services
- Packing (full-service or fragile-only)
- Climate-controlled storage
- Furniture wrapping
- GPS shipment tracking
- Financing assistance
- Archival services
- Crating
- Car and truck relocation services
JK Moving Services does provide long-distance moves to or from Indiana, but their team currently does not offer local moves outside of a small service area.
Like some other highly customizable moving companies, JK Moving Services does not offer pricing online. JK Moving Services’ team prefers to perform an in-home estimate to offer the most accurate estimate possible. As a general idea, we were quoted $2,500 to $5,500 for a two-bedroom, 500-mile move. However, you won’t know what you might pay for service until you get a quote from their team.
Allied Van Lines
4.7
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines provides every moving service you could need, including packing, loading, transporting, unloading, unpacking, and every type of vehicle transport. In fact, if your vehicle transport service is late, Allied will even help you cover the costs of a rental vehicle until your shipment arrives. They also have short-term storage units available if you require them.
Although Allied is a full-service professional moving company, they have also recently begun to offer its own container service. Unlike other container services which require you to load your stuff into the container, Allied includes loading in the cost of the container service. In order to get an accurate quote from Allied Van Lines, you should bypass their online quoting option and simply schedule a visit from one of their professional movers so they can give you an accurate quote.
Allied Van Lines currently offers the following services on its moves in Indiana:
- Packing services and unpacking services
- Fragile-only packing
- Storage for in-transit items
- Arrangement of long-term storage units
- Shipment tracking
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Auto and boat transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-value coverage
- Online moving resources
How Much Does Allied Van Lines Cost?
Below, you can view a table with sample pricing from previous Allied customers to get a better idea of what you’re likely to pay for your move.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
U-Pack
3.6
Our Rating
U-Pack is a great option if you intend to save money by packing up your belongings yourself, but you don’t want to drive a moving vehicle.
Moving container services like U-Pack offer a hybrid option of hiring a company to provide transportation but also do most of the heavy lifting yourself. All you need to do is choose to move with ReloCubes (U-Pack’s weatherproof moving containers) or one single moving trailer. After you have determined what you need in order to move all of your stuff, you schedule a drop-off with a U-Pack driver, and they park the container in your driveway or apartment lot. You have three days to pack and load the container before your trained driver takes the items to their destination.
Once the container arrives at your new home, you have three days to unpack it. You can even opt to store the container at one of U-Pack’s facilities either at your origin or destination should you need to. Bear in mind you cannot access the inside of the container until it’s dropped off at its destination, so you may want to keep daily necessities with you. U-Pack is recommended for anyone who needs transportation assistance but who wants to keep their moving costs as low as possible. It can also be useful for those who want extra time to load and unload.
U-Pack currently offers the following services in Indiana:
- Long-distance moving services
- Storage services
Your move will need to total at least 150 miles in distance to use U-Pack’s services.
Get an idea of what you might pay for your U-Pack services by viewing previous customer pricing data below.
| Move distance | Home size | Pricing range | Average price |
| 500 miles | Two-bedroom home | $718 to $2,607 | $1,729 |
| 500 miles | Four-bedroom home | $2,600 to $4,000 | $3,300 |
| 1,000 miles | Two-bedroom home | $1,271 to $2,733 | $2,140 |
| 1,000 miles | Four-bedroom home | $2,600 to $4,000 | $3,300 |
| 2,000 miles | Two-bedroom home | $2,000 to $3,400 | $2,612 |
North American Van Lines
4.4
Our Rating
North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company with all the full-service options you could hope for, including fragile-only packing, appliance assembly and installation, and storage options available. North American has been in business since 1933, but this old-timer is on top of the moving industry’s technology, having developed the first satellite GPS system for movers, WorldTrac. It also has driving simulators so it can train its drivers in safety and moving protocol.
North American’s standout feature is its flexible pricing options, which you can take advantage of to more closely control moving costs. Some popular options for savvy movers include Bottom-Line Pricing (a guaranteed price based on your moving quote) and Not-to-Exceed pricing (which puts a cap on the total amount of money your mover can charge you).
North American Van Lines currently offers the following services in Indiana:
- Residential moving services
- Corporate and commercial relocation
- Full-service and fragile-only packing
- Discounted moving supplies
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Custom crating for fragile items (like pianos)
- Loading and unloading
- Crane vans for loading large items
- Storage options
- Debris removal
- Satellite tracking
- Auto transport
- Full-valuation coverage
View pricing information from previous North American Van Lines customers below to get a better idea of what you might pay for your move.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
How to Choose a Moving Company
You’ve already made the choice of where to relocate, but now you have to consider how you’re getting there. Choosing a moving company is a crucial decision in your relocation process because you need one that offers the services you’re looking for and that also fits your budget. It’s also a huge relief if you can find a moving company that has great and reliable customer service. You may also want to do a DIY move and avoid hiring movers altogether.
How can you know what’s right for you? Read on to learn more about the two major types of moving companies.
Full-Service Moving
If you hire a full-service moving company, they will provide you with assistance during nearly every step of the moving process. If you need packing supplies, they will provide them. The movers will then pack up each and every one of your belongings safely and securely before loading them onto the moving vehicles. Once they arrive at your destination, the movers will unload and unpack everything. This is an ideal situation if you have small children or elderly family members to take care of — you can let the professionals handle the heavy lifting. You can also choose to pack yourself and only schedule loading and transportation services.
However, if a full-service moving plan is more than what you need, the moving company you choose should have plans to fit those needs. For example, if you need fragile-only packing or if you need only large furniture items to be disassembled and reassembled, be sure to communicate this to your moving company. Hiring a mover can and should remove the stress from your shoulders so that you can focus on starting your new life at your destination.
When checking out moving companies, you should always be mindful of customer reviews. If they’re mostly positive, see what plans the company has to offer. Do they offer insurance for your belongings? Do they do long-distance moves or local moves, or perhaps both? Are their employees highly trained and background-checked? You also need to consider your budget, which can be helpful to set before you begin comparing moving companies.
Self-Service
You don’t always have to hire a moving company in order to get to your new destination. In fact, you may have planned to move yourself from the start. This is ideal if you’re trying to save money, don’t have a lot of stuff, or you have a vehicle you can use to move all your items. If you want to feel in control of the schedule of your move as well as the logistics of getting all your stuff to your new home in time, then a DIY move may suit you better than hiring a moving company.
If you need to rent a vehicle for your move, you have several options. You can rent a moving truck to pack up all your belongings, and these come in different lengths and square footage, so you can determine which one is best for you. You can also rent a trailer that you can attach to your vehicle. Moving trailers are helpful if your home is a studio apartment or a one-bedroom or two-bedroom house. Moving trucks are best for larger dwellings. If you’re not comfortable driving a moving truck or hauling a trailer behind you, or you would just rather skip the hassle, you can use a container company like U-Pack.
Moving To Indiana
Indiana is seeing an influx of new residents, largely due to its affordable real estate options, expanding economy, and unique midwest culture. If you’re planning a move to Indiana, it’s important to know what to expect once you hit the road. Let’s take a look at some additional pricing information for the Hoosier State, some of the best cities to settle down in, and extra details you need to know.
Indiana Moving Costs
Moving quotes are based on two primary factors, including the following.
- Distance: Longer moves usually cost more than shorter moves because they take more time.
- Home size: Moves of larger homes are significantly more expensive than smaller homes because they require more equipment and personnel to complete.
Below, you’ll find a few general examples of what you might expect to pay when moving a three- to four-bedroom home a variety of distances.
| Distance | Home Size | Average Cost |
| 100 miles | 3-4 bedroom home | $2,858 to $3,731 |
| 250 miles | 3-4 bedroom home | $3,497 to $4,602 |
| 500 miles | 3-4 bedroom home | $4,098 to $5,419 |
| 750 | 3-4 bedroom home | $4,786 to $6,353 |
| 1000 | 3-4 bedroom home | $5,430 to $7,229 |
| 1500 | 3-4 bedroom home | $6,185 to $8,255 |
| 2000 | 3-4 bedroom home | $7,204 to $9,643 |
Best Cities in Indiana
What are some of the best places to live in Indy? Here are a few of our favorites.
Fishers: Fishers has a population of 99,000 residents, making it an up-and-coming city in Indiana. It is home to over a dozen parks and nature preserves, where you can explore the outdoors and learn about the flora and fauna native to the area. The young people of Fishers have taken the call to action to speak out against climate change by educating younger students about the environment and initiating recycling programs in the city. The largest employers are the public school system and the city of Fishers. It’s only a 25-minute drive from Indianapolis, so your kids can enjoy the great schools in Fishers while you commute to the big city for work.
Fort Wayne: Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indiana, and it has about a quarter of a million residents. Major industries in Fort Wayne include manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and financial services, but you can find a job in whatever area you can think of. Fort Wayne has numerous parks and 90 miles of trails, providing you with endless opportunities to get closer to nature. Housing is extremely affordable in Fort Wayne, with the median home price being around $110,000. That’s less than half of the national average, not to mention the overall cost of living in Fort Wayne is 8% lower than the national average. It’s a city full of museums and festivals, so there’s always something to do that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Bloomington: Even though Bloomington has a population of about 84,000 residents, it’s still small enough to give you that Midwestern small-town charm. Indiana University’s original campus is located in Bloomington, so there’s a large student population here. Bloomington is home to Hoosier National Forest, a haven for hiking, camping, and even horseback riding. Local wineries and breweries are abundant, as is the arts scene. Bloomington’s overall cost of living is 13% cheaper than the national average, and healthcare is 14% cheaper. Bloomington is an excellent little city with all the comforts of an urban area and all the peace of a smaller locale.
Living in Indiana
Looking to make the most out of your time in Indiana? Use these tips to live like a local and take full advantage of the state’s beauty and features.
Indiana’s real estate is more affordable: Housing and costs in general are much lower in Indiana as a whole than they are across the country. The cost of living in Indiana is 18% cheaper than the US average. The median home cost in the state is only $186,000, as compared to the national median of $291,700. If you’re looking for a friendly state full of nature, jobs, and higher education, this is a highly affordable choice.
Your wardrobe will need to be dynamic: Indiana experiences all four temperate seasons and then some. As an Indiana resident, you’ll need to be prepared for extreme weather quirks, including tornadoes and even hail. It snows an average of 22 inches per year, and summer temperatures can reach up to above 100 degrees some days. This is a state of extremes.
There’s always something new to try: You will never run out of recreational activities, new places to see, or job and education options in the Hoosier State. Indiana is full of all manner of natural features and even has a beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. The state’s economy is varied, with opportunities in nearly every sector, including information technology, architecture, agriculture, health care, education, hospitality, trade, and professional services. Some of the nation’s best universities are also located here — you’ll have trouble deciding which one to choose.
Final Thoughts
The most important part of moving to Indiana? Finding the perfect moving company for your budget and needs. We recommend that you claim a free moving quote from each of our providers listed above before you book your moving date. Moving companies each use their own in-house underwriting process, which means that the quotes you receive from two different companies might vary by thousands of dollars. When you get multiple quotes from multiple companies, you’ll be sure that you’re getting the best deal on your move.
FAQs About Moving Companies in Indiana
How much do movers cost in Indiana?
Local movers typically cost between $450 and $700 in Indiana. If you’re looking to move long distances, the cost increases significantly. The average range for long-distance moves is between $1,400 and $2,700.
What are the extra or hidden costs when moving?
Hidden fees can pop up when you’re moving, even if you’re very thorough at inspecting an itemized invoice. Moving companies may charge you for insurance for your belongings, fuel costs for the vehicles, or even how many stairs you have in your home. If you have specialty items like instruments, a pool table, or a hot tub, these could also add extra fees to your move. Discuss every aspect of your move in detail with your Indiana movers so your relocation is as stress-free and as free of hidden costs as possible.
What happens if my stuff gets damaged?
Before you even pack your items up, you should take photos of important and expensive items to reflect the condition they’re in at the start of the moving process. Then, if anything happens to your items in transit or during the unpacking process, take photos again. Reach out to your moving company to submit a claim for damaged items. They should send a representative out to you to deal with any damaged or lost items.
How far out in advance should I book a moving company?
Local moving companies and long-distance moving companies alike prefer that you give them advanced notice when scheduling a move. Last-minute rush moves could add quite a lot to your final cost. You don’t want to book a move too far in advance, but a month to two months is great for movers to plan their routes and the logistics of your move.
What is considered a long-distance move?
A long-distance move is typically any move above 400 miles in difference. Some specific companies may have a different definition, but the 400-mile mark is generally accepted as long-distance.
Today's Homeowner Rating Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
- Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
- Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
- Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
- Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
- Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.
