How much will my move cost?

Quality moving services are not cheap. Although it may seem like basic work, it requires specialized skill to pack, load, and ship your items without getting damaged, in a timely manner. Continue reading to understand the many factors that affect the cost of a move or use our price calculator here.

The average cost for a local move ranges from $750 to $2,500 depending on the size. Most local companies structure their pricing with an hourly rate around $180, with a 3 hour minimum. Long distance moving companies charge based on the size of the move and the distance traveled. Long distance moves can cost anywhere from $2,500 to over $20,000. Interstate moves cost significantly more than moving from one city to another in the same state.

Even though people move less, hiring professional movers can be expensive. Estimating the cost of moving is difficult. We’ve spent many years developing cost-predictor algorithms and checklists for moving costs in order to approximate the cost of moving.

You’ll find an estimate of moving costs for local and long-distance movers in the table below. Even the best movers can make mistakes in their estimates. Use the moving cost estimator at the top of this page to get a more detailed breakdown of moving expenses.

Interstate Move Cost

Long distance moving companies charge based on the number of household items you’re moving, and the distance traveled. Moving a House Long Distance can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000+, depending on the size of the house and the distance.

A small one-bedroom, or studio will weigh approximately 2,000 pounds or 350 cubic feet. Moving costs can range from $1,800 to $3500+ for cross-country moves. A 2-3 bedroom 2,000 square foot house will weigh approximately 5,000 pounds. The cost to move this home can range from $1,800 up to $9,000+, depending on the distance.

For example, the moving cost for a 2-bedroom apartment from New York to Florida by using a professional moving firm will range from between $3,500 and $10,000.

The moving cost for a two-bedroom home from New York to California will range between $5,000 and $7,000.

Moving quotes can be significantly increased by other fees such as shuttle trucks, specialty packaging, crating fragile objects, bulky items like pool tables, and more. Moving to or from less populated areas such as Montana or the Dakotas can cost more because fewer movers visit these areas. Popular moving routes are more competitively priced.

Do not hire random companies from a simply searching Google or Craigslist.

How To Calculate Move Cost

You can calculate the cost for a local move by multiplying the Number Of Hours with the Rate Per Hour charged by the movers. You can calculate the cost for a long distance move by multiplying the rate with the volume (cubic feet).

If you choose, you can also add additional charges such as Travel time, Packaging Materials and Tip to the movers. 

• Move Size – Larger moves are more expensive
• Distance. The longer the distance, the more expensive the move.
• Do it yourself vs Professional Mover– DIY moving services tend to be cheaper, but require more work and stress
• Season – Summer pricing is higher due to the busy season and high demand for movers
• Moving Date – moving prices are more affordable in the middle of the week or middle of the month

Additional Move Costs to Consider

Full-service movers can charge a variety of extra fees depending on your move. Here is a list that will help you estimate the cost of your move.

• Specialty Items – Pianos, pool tables and hot tubs are bulky and expensive to move. These “bulky” items are usually priced at a few hundred bucks by companies.
• Packing Supplies– If a mover is required to use moving supplies such as bubble wrap, mattress cover, TV boxes, packaging paper, or other packing supplies, you will be charged for them. It’s best to discuss with the moving company in advance which supplies they will need.
• Long Carry Fees– If the mover cannot park their truck within 100 to 150 feet of your door, they can charge a fee for long carry. Long carry fees can be several hundred dollars depending on the size and scope of the move.
• Stair Carry Fees — If you have to climb several staircases in order to reach your items, the moving company will charge a fee for each staircase after the first. Stair carry fees can be several hundred dollars depending on the size of your move.
• Elevator Fees Some movers charge an elevator fee when your residence is located in a building with a narrow elevator that requires many trips or if you are on a high floor.
• Unpacking Services — although it is rarely purchased, a full-service moving company can unpack your boxes for you and store them. Unpacking and disassembling a home can cost several hundred dollars.
• Shuttle service– If the moving company must park a smaller truck near your home, they will charge a fee to “shuttle'” the items from the truck to the trailer. Shuttle charges are often significant.
• Storage — Most full-service moving companies offer storage. Moving companies are a great option for short-term storage. It’s cheaper to use a personal storage facility for longer-term storage.
• Additional Stops: Do you need the movers stop by your local storage unit, or at your in-laws’ house? Most movers charge extra for stops outside of the primary residence.
• Expedited Delivery – for an extra cost, movers agree to expedite delivery of your items and have them delivered on or before a certain date.
• Tipping– Moving is a difficult job and customers tip their movers for the hard work. The amount you tip your movers will vary depending on how much work they have done.