Moving is an exciting prospect, but it’s also expensive — especially when you hire a professional moving company to give you a hand. Factors like if a move crosses state lines, how much value protection you choose for your belongings, distance traveled, and how large your home is will impact moving costs, too.
So, how much does it cost to move? After hours of research, we’ve compiled national average move costs based on the type of move, size of your home, time of year, and more. Keep reading for this in-depth breakdown of average moving costs, all the factors that impact these costs, and how you can save money on your upcoming move.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.1
Customizable moving packages
Flat-rate pricing
Short and long-term storage solutions
Factors That Affect Your Moving Costs
It’s challenging to provide an exact estimate of what your move cost will be as many factors, like distance and size of your move, impact pricing. The following information provides a ballpark idea of what different types of moves cost based on multiple factors.
Local vs. Long-Distance Moves
One of the biggest factors movers use to determine your move cost is the distance their team needs to travel to transport your items to your new home. Factors like gas, shipment weight, and vehicle size all impact your price.
If the move is across state lines, expect your moving estimate to be higher. Interstate movers need special licensing from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and a D.O.T. number to prove the company can legally transport your belongings in different states. The registration for these costs hundreds of dollars per operational class, which is why an interstate move will cost more even if the distance traveled isn’t far. As a result, long-distance moves over many states can easily cost several thousand dollars and exceed $10,000 for true cross-country moves or full-service movers.
In contrast, most local moves are calculated based on hourly rates per mover rather than a larger flat rate or estimate for a long-distance move. A local move costs about $1,700, depending on the services you opt for.
The below chart gives a quick overview of the average cost based on move type.
| Move Type | Average Cost |
| Local (under 50 miles) | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Long Distance (over 50 miles) | $2,800 – 11,000 |
Size of Your Move
Movers factor in the volume and weight of your belongings because this affects how large of a moving truck they need to bring and how many movers are required for the job.
In general, the number of bedrooms your home has will also impact your overall cost. Of course, someone could live in a smaller place but have more belongings than someone in a slightly larger home. The following figures will help you gauge how much you can expect to pay based on your home’s size:
| Home Size | Average Cost |
| Studio apartment | $300 – $1,000 |
| 1-2 bedroom apartment/house | $1,500 – 6,000 |
| 3-4 bedroom house | $2,000 – $11,000 |
| 5+ bedroom house | $2,500 – $15,000 |
If you choose packing services, this service will greatly increase your moving cost, especially if you have a large home or many fragile items. Fortunately, most companies offer different levels of packing services so that you can find something tailored to your budget.
Watch the video below for a quick overview of standard packing services.
Ease of Access
Is your house made up of long flights of stairs, or does your apartment require an elevator to access? How easy your place is to access will impact what a mover charges you, because it’ll take more time, energy, and movers to carry heavy items to the moving truck.
For example, International Van Lines charges a $75 elevator fee per stop, a $75 stair fee for carrying items over seven steps, and a long carry fee of $75 for every additional 75 feet. All these additional fees can quickly add up, so verify these cost factors with your mover to budget accordingly.
Time of Year
May to September is peak moving season, as many kids are out of school, making it easier for families to make a big move. If you’re moving during this time of year, you’ll need to contend with the larger demand, meaning increased rates for the best moving companies and scarcer availability. Booking a move around the first or last of the month can also impact your costs, as many renters are getting out of leases during these times. If possible, consider shifting your move date to the middle of the week or a less busy time. If you must relocate during peak moving season, shop around and book as early as possible for the best deal.
Average Costs for Interstate Moves
Interstate moves are more complicated and expensive to pull off successfully. Here is a quick snapshot of the average costs for interstate moves based on the size of your home:
| Move Size | 500 miles | 1000 miles | 1500 miles | 2000+ miles |
| Studio | $1, 000 – $2,000 | $1,400 – $2,500 | $1,700 – $3,000 | $1,900 – $3,500 |
| 1-bedroom | $2,500 – $5,000 | $2,800 – $5,300 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| 2-bedroom | $3,200 – $5,500 | $3,800 – $6,200 | $4,100 – $7,500 | $4,600 – $9,000 |
| 3-bedroom | $3,400 – $5,900 | $4,200 – $7,100 | $4,700 – $8,000 | $5,500 – $10,000 |
| 4+ bedroom | $4,400 – $6,900 | $6,200 – $8,800 | $7,700 – $10,000 | $6,500 – $11,000 |
DIY vs. Professional Moving Options
A DIY move will undoubtedly cost less than hiring movers, especially with additional costs for packing, loading, and specialty services. However, you will have to put much more time and effort into planning your move, picking up storage containers and packing supplies, and arranging other parts of your relocation, like renting a moving truck or moving pods. On average, a moving truck rental, like U-haul, starts at $150 a day for small local moves.
Moving pods or containers are a great intermediate choice between traditional movers and a completely DIY move as you rent the storage units from the company, but the company transports them to your new home. However, you’ll still need the labor to load and unload these often heavy and awkward containers. These containers will run you between $600 and $1,700 for a smaller one to two-bedroom home locally but $2,000 to $6,000 for long-distance movers. While this is still less expensive than some professional movers, I recommend traditional moving services for long-distance relocation as the savings aren’t always substantial.
How to Save on Your Move
Staying within your moving budget is a top priority for many homeowners. Here are our top recommendations for cutting down on the cost of your move.
Compare Multiple Bids
The number one way to save money on your move is to get at least three free quotes from your top moving companies. Having written estimates from different companies for the same services gives you the leverage to negotiate a better deal with your preferred provider. Once you have written documents showing a better rate offered by other movers, call your preferred provider and ask confidently if the company can match this price. Remember, movers want your business.
Ask About Discounts
Many moving companies offer discounts, such as seasonal discounts during off-peak periods of the year or specific discounts for students, seniors, veterans, and more. It never hurts to ask, so always take advantage of available discounts on a provider’s website and ask the company representative if any special deals or discounts are available.
Schedule Off-Peak Dates
Moving during off-peak dates, like choosing to move on a weekday rather than a weekend or during less busy months, can save you hundreds of dollars just by being flexible with your move date.
April and October are the best months for finding lower rates from movers, and they have pleasant weather in most areas, making the move more hassle-free for you and the moving team. Depending on where you live, winter is also a great time to move as fewer people move during this season, but you’ll need to consider if your area gets snow and ice, as these are serious hazards for yourself and the movers.
Consider DIY Packing
Packing services can easily cost you $1,000 or more, especially if you have a lot of stuff or fragile items that must be specially wrapped or transported. Save money on your move by taking matters into your own hands by packing up as many of your belongings as possible into moving containers, bubble wrap, and moving boxes. If you’re uncomfortable with heavy lifting, leave large furniture for your movers to wrap, but have everything else packed and ready to go.
Understand Binding Estimates
Many homeowners are shocked to find out that their moving bill is actually hundreds of dollars more than expected, which is often the result of hidden fees. Ask your mover for a binding, written estimate stating the agreed-upon services, price range, date, and other critical details to avoid this scary situation. This binding estimate provides peace of mind because movers can’t exceed a binding estimate figure by more than 15%, assuming your service needs aren’t changed between receiving the quote and your move.
Eliminate Unneeded Items
An upcoming move is the perfect motivator for purging your home of unnecessary clutter and items you no longer need or use. Use the weeks leading up to your move to go through your belongings, take each item in hand, and ask yourself when you last used it. If it’s been a long time since you used it or you no longer like the item, donate it to charity or recycle it to save money on your moving expenses.
Additional Moving Costs
Packing/Unpacking Labor
Packing services make your move easier on your back while saving you a lot of time. For a home, you can expect to pay around $1,000 on average for packing services. Don’t forget to factor in additional charges if you have specialty items, which movers usually charge a flat fee for moving.
Moving Insurance
When entrusting your personal belongings to a company, it’s wise and, in many cases, required to purchase moving insurance, otherwise known as liability insurance coverage.
Moving companies usually provide multiple insurance packages you can pick from, such as basic or full coverage. You can expect to pay between 1% and 2% of the goods’ total value for full-value coverage. For example, if you declare your belongings are worth $100,000, you’d pay $1,500 for full coverage.
You’ll also want to plan for extra coverage on antiques, heirlooms, vehicles, or anything precious.
Tipping Movers
While not a requirement, showing your thanks for good service through a tip is always appreciated.
We recommend tipping local movers $5 to $10 per mover per hour, depending on the level of service. For long-distance moves, switch to a tipping schedule of $40 to $50 per mover per day on the road.
Pets, Vehicles, and Large Items
Specialty moving services are available through many full-service moving companies. These services often look like shipping large, awkward items like pool tables, cars, jacuzzis, and antiques. You can even find specialized movers to transfer your beloved pet cross-country.
Rates for specialty services will vary dramatically depending on the item. Exercise equipment may cost as little as $100 to $300, but a huge object, like your vehicle, will easily cost over $1,000 to move and ship.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.1
Customizable moving packages
Flat-rate pricing
Short and long-term storage solutions
FAQs About Moving Cos
What is a reasonable amount for moving expenses?
There isn’t a perfect amount to budget for moving expenses as everything varies based on the distance, your home, the cost of living in your area, gas prices, and much more. However, most professional movers for a local move cost between $1,000 to $3,000, while cross-country moving companies will run you several thousands of dollars, with full-service moves easily exceeding $8,000 in many cases.
What is the average total cost of moving?
You can expect to pay around $1,700 on average for a local move, while a long-distance move will average around $4,800. However, full-service or cross-country moves can easily be more expensive, costing $5,000 to $11,000 depending on the distance, add-on services, size of your home, and more. If you’re on a budget, consider a DIY move, which can cost you as little as a couple hundred dollars, especially if you’re making a smaller, local move.
What is included in moving costs?
Moving costs usually include payment for labor, packing materials, gas, vehicle maintenance, and much more. Remember that some companies will itemize charges, like packing materials, so it’s best to get a written estimate first so you can see the cost breakdown. Don’t be afraid to ask what is included in your moving package with this specific moving provider when in doubt. If a company is willing to price-match a competitor’s quote, you may even be able to negotiate better moving services, like help packing or other freebies.
How do I budget for a move?
Start by gathering information and moving quotes from multiple moving providers. Moving estimates will give you a ballpark estimate of what you can expect to pay. From there, plan to set aside extra money each month to offset these costs. If the total price is too much to save between now and your move date, consider financing options, cut back on additional services, or opt for a DIY move with a rental truck or moving container company.
