Moving Cost Guide: How Much Does It Cost to Move?

How Much Does Moving Cost?

The primary factors that influence the cost of your move are the distance of your move, the weight of your shipment, and any add-on services you select.

The first factor to consider is whether you are moving locally, long-distance, or internationally. Local moves are billed at an hourly rate, while long-distance and international moves are charged a flat rate based on your move size and distance.

Here’s a quick summary of typical full-service moving costs for various home sizes and distances:

Pricing can vary dramatically depending on many factors. You may pay significantly more or less than what you see here. The best way to find out what your move will cost is to request multiple free quotes from providers and compare rates.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of move:

Local Moving Cost

While exact definitions can vary by state and company, local moves are generally considered moves under 50 miles that do not cross state lines. These moves are billed at an hourly rate. The average cost of local moves in today’s market ranges from $700 – $1,800 for a two-bedroom home.

Moving companies typically charge around $100 per hour for two movers and a truck across all markets. You can expect to pay $35 to $40 per hour for each extra mover beyond that. If you have a relatively average two-bedroom apartment and are moving to the next town (10 miles), you can expect to pay for around five to six hours. That equates to around $500 to $600 before tipping and without any add-on services or fees.

If you have a fair amount of bulky items and the hassle of moving your own belongings doesn’t appeal to you, you should consider hiring local movers to help.

Long-Distance Moving Costs

Most moving companies classify a “long-distance” move to be one that crosses state lines or that involves traveling more than 50 miles to your new property. These moves are not billed at an hourly rate. Instead, they are billed at a flat rate based on your move size and distance.

The average cost of a long-distance move in the United States is $4,300 according to data from the American Moving and Storage Association. Though the specific price of your move will vary depending on your moving needs, most movers will pay between $2,400 and $5,300 for their long-distance move.

Check out our long-distance moving cost guide for more information.

International Moving Costs

Any time you move from one country to another, that is an international move. Like long-distance moves, international moves are billed at a flat rate based on move size and distance. Costs can vary significantly depending on where you’re moving to and from, with prices ranging from $2,500 to $15,000+.

Read our International Moving Cost guide for more detailed information. And check out our review of the Best International Moving Companies to find the right provider for your needs and budget.

What Factors Affect Moving Cost?

Knowing the factors that impact moving costs can help you budget for your move or make adjustments to save as much money as possible. Below are four of the most common factors that moving companies will consider when they calculate how much you will pay to move:

Your Home Size

Movers must adhere to strict weight requirements and limitations when loading their moving vehicles. This means that if you’re moving a larger home or the things that you’re shipping are heavier and take up more space, your moving company will need to employ the services of an additional truck and moving team. In general, you can expect larger homes to be more expensive to move than smaller homes.

For more comprehensive guides based on your home size, check out these resources:

• The Cost to Move a One-Bedroom Apartment
• The Cost to Move a Two-Bedroom Home
• The Cost to Move a Three-Bedroom Home
• The Cost to Move a Four-Bedroom Home
• The Cost to Move a Five-Bedroom Home

The Distance You’re Traveling

Moving further away from your current home requires moving companies to spend more on costs like:

• Fuel charges
• Hourly wages for employees and overtime
• Toll charges
• Accommodations, meals, and incidental charges for movers

The distance you’re traveling will play a major role in the price that you’ll pay to move. Long-distance moves are almost always more expensive than local moves. The further your move, the more you will pay.

When You’re Moving

Like most industries, the moving industry has times of the year when it is busier than others. Most people who move choose to do so during the spring and summer seasons between the months of April through August. Because there are so many more inquiries for moves during this time, movers must increase their rates to filter out demand. Rates usually decrease again when the weather gets colder and there are fewer families requesting moving services.

Moving companies also charge higher rates on Friday and Saturday moves for the same reasons. If you move on a weekday instead of a weekend, you could reduce the cost of your move.

Add-On Services You Select

If you’re working with a full-service moving company, you can add extra services to your move to make things easier for yourself and your family. While these can significantly increase your cost, they can be well worth the convenience. Some of the most requested add-on services include:

• Crating: If you don’t decide to sell or donate a large item (like a piano or pool table), you’ll need to schedule crating services from your moving company to ensure that your item travels without being damaged. You might also need to employ the services of certified piano movers if you’re moving a grand or baby grand piano, which will add to your total expense.
• Storage Services: If you’re moving out after your shipment will arrive at your new home, you’ll need to have your shipment delivered to a storage facility until you can pick your things up and unload them yourself. If you’re moving things like artwork or leather furniture, you might need to store your things in a climate-controlled storage unit, which will be more expensive than standard short-term or long-term storage. Your moving company can help you arrange these services.
• Packing and Unpacking: If you’re in a time crunch or you need to be out of your home by a certain date, you might want to hire a moving company to pack up your home for you. Packing services from professional moving companies use expert-grade materials, which can reduce the possibility of breakage. You can even hire full-service movers to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
• Auto Shipping: If you have multiple vehicles or will not be able to drive your car yourself, many full-service movers can assist you with auto shipping services. Ask your mover about car, boat, and RV transport.

Any extra services beyond basic loading and transportation will typically come with an added fee.

How to Reduce Your Moving Costs

Moving can be expensive, especially when you hire professional moving companies to provide you with extra services and long-distance transportation. Thankfully, there are a few steps that you can take to limit what you’ll pay for your move. Consider using the following tips to limit your moving budget and enter your new home with more cash in your pocket:

Downsize as Much as Possible

The total weight of your shipment plays a major role in the price that you’ll pay for your move. Naturally, this means that getting rid of anything that you don’t want to move to your new home is a must-do before moving. Use these tips to improve your efficiency when downsizing for a move:

• Hold a Garage Sale: You can make some quick cash for your move and unload some things you don’t want by hosting a garage sale. If it isn’t the yard sale season where you live, you can also explore selling valuable items to consignment shops or via online sales sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
• Let Your Friends and Family Raid Your Home: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure—and you might be surprised to learn just how many things in your home that seem useless to you can be valuable to the people you know. Move through your home room by room and collect items that you know you don’t want to bring with you on your move. Then, invite friends and family members to “raid” your pile, picking out anything they want. This allows you to get rid of more junk without lifting a finger.
• Donate What You Can’t Give Away: If you have anything left over after using these two methods, donate leftovers to a local charitable organization. Be sure to keep documentation on everything that you donate, as physical donations can save you money during tax season.

Adjust Your Moving Date

The date that you move on will play a role in the total price that you’ll pay for your move. You can lower the price of your move by moving on a less competitive date. Moves completed during the months of September through March are typically less expensive than summer moves because fewer homeowners move during this season. Consider scheduling your moving date to be in this window to save.

Can’t afford to delay your move for months on end? You can also save money on your move by moving on a weekday as opposed to a weekend. Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular days of the week to move on, which means that movers raise their rates to match the increased demand. Moving on a weekday can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Do Your Own Packing

Though you can hire moving companies to provide you with packing services, you can often replicate professional packing processes in your own home. The key to making packing manageable is to tackle the task a bit at a time instead of all at once. Choosing one room to pack a day to keep your to-do list feasible.

You can also save money on the packing process by picking up free moving boxes. Instead of buying moving boxes from your post office, head to your local liquor store and ask the manager if they have any extra cardboard boxes that you can have. Liquor stores receive dozens of exceptionally sturdy cardboard boxes every day—and these boxes end up in the trash at the end of the business day. Most wine and liquor store managers will be more than happy to provide you with as many boxes as you can carry free of charge.

Compare Moving Company Estimates

Comparison shopping isn’t only for when you’re buying a new refrigerator or television—you can also easily save money by shopping around for your moving company. Be sure to request moving quotes from multiple companies before booking. Exploring all of your options will help you find the most affordable company—and some companies even offer price-matching policies that help you claim superior services at a lower price point.

Here are a few quick and easy links to help you collect quotes from our recommended moving service providers. We recommend that you start your search by getting quotes from all of the providers listed below:

Resources For Moving on a Budget

In addition to the tips we’ve provided above to reduce your cost, here are some other helpful resources if you’re moving on a budget:

• Best Affordable Movers
• Best Flat Fee Movers
• Cheapest Moving Container Companies
• Cheapest Ways to Move Cross Country

Why is it So Expensive to Hire Professional Movers?

According to a recent survey from Move.org, 54.4% of Americans said that they would not be willing to pay more than $1,000 for their move. However, the average cost to move long-distance is more than four times the amount that most Americans said they would be willing to spend on their move. We’ve even seen rates as high as $13,000 for large homes moving long-distance—a price that would shock most movers. So, why is hiring professional movers so expensive?

No matter how you slice it, a long-distance move involves a ton of work. In addition to labor expenses, moving companies also have several recurring costs that they must take into account when pricing your move, including:

• Insurance: By law, all moving companies need to carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage. Any moving trucks that the company owns or leases must also have proper commercial auto insurance, which is more expensive than standard personal car insurance. Because these trucks can cost thousands of dollars to repair, a moving company may pay between $4,000 and $10,000 annually to insure each vehicle. If a moving company owns multiple trucks, this cost will compound.

• Advertising Expenses: If no one in your local community knows that a moving company is in business, their team will quickly run out of money. In order to remain competitive, moving companies must spend thousands of dollars each year on advertising services.
• Office & Commercial Space: Moving companies need to purchase or rent more than just office space—they also need a place to keep their fleet of vehicles where they are safe and not obstruct regular traffic. If a moving company owns and operates its own storage service, they must rent or purchase this property as well.

Be Wary of Rogue Movers

Picture this—after weeks of comparing moving quotes and pouring over the numbers, you come across an estimate from a moving company charging 70% less than its competitors. What a deal! You should sign on the dotted line immediately—right?

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. While no one wants to believe that they could ever become the victim of a moving scam, the Better Business Bureau reports that these scams are becoming more and more common across the country, especially among elderly movers.

You can protect yourself against these rogue movers. If you decide to search for a moving company beyond our list of reputable providers, be sure to keep your eyes open for these common warning signs that a moving company might not be as honest as it claims to be:

• Licensing: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a government body established by the Department of Transportation to oversee the moving industry. Every moving company that provides moves that cross state lines must be registered with the FMCSA to operate legally. Ask for each mover’s USDOT number or MC number and use the FMCSA’s Company Snapshot tool to ensure that the number you received matches up with the moving company you’re speaking to. Do not work with any moving company that does not provide proof of regulation.

• Large Surprise Fees: Sometimes, moving companies may need to assign additional fees to your move after the fact. For example, if movers cannot park within 50 feet of your home’s entry point, it’s common to charge an excess carry fee. However, it is against the law for a moving company to charge you more than 110% of your quoted estimate before delivering your shipment. If a mover needs to assign fees beyond this, they must do so after dropping your things off at your new home. If a mover attempts to multiply your estimate before loading, cancel the move.
• Local Information: Legitimate moving companies want to make it as easy as possible for potential customers to find their websites and licensing information. Be wary of moving companies that do not list a local address and whose websites have no information on their insurance and valuation protections.
• High-Pressure Sales Tactics: A legitimate moving company will never pressure you to sign an incomplete contract or a contract that isn’t fully completed. Avoid companies that attempt to use pressure to coerce you into signing a contract immediately or who claim that an offer is only available for a very limited amount of time.

Get Free Moving Quotes

No matter if you’re moving down the street or to a completely new country, moving is a process that requires tons of prior planning. We hope this moving cost guide has helped you to budget out your move and decide on the best type of mover for your needs. Request quotes from top movers to start planning your move today: