Moving from Long Beach, CA to Columbus, OH
A 2256 mi cross-country move between Long Beach and Columbus is 39h 50m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2256 mi Β· 39h 50m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Columbus at 95.469 vs Long Beach at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $857,861 to $245,979 moving to Columbus.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 44.7" |
Annual temperature drops 12.1Β°F moving to Columbus per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.34 |
Columbus households earn about 15.9% less than Long Beach at the median β $83,969 β $65,327 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Columbus, OH from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2256 mi and the route typically takes 39h 50m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2256 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 22.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Columbus more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 15.9% lower than Long Beach (95.469 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 71.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Columbus, OH.