How Much Do Movers Cost?

The short answer

$300 - $2,500

Local move (under 50 miles)

$2,000 - $10,000+

Long distance move (100+ miles)

The final price depends on home size, distance, time of year, and whether you need packing services.

Updated October 2026|Based on 4,343+ movers surveyed

Moving Cost by Home Size

Local move costs (under 50 miles). Includes loading, transport, and unloading. Does not include packing services.

Home Size	Cost Range	Typical Crew	Est. Hours
Studio	$300 - $600	2 movers	2 - 3 hrs
1 Bedroom	$500 - $900	2 movers	3 - 4 hrs
2 Bedroom	$800 - $2,000	2 - 3 movers	4 - 6 hrs
3 Bedroom	$1,500 - $3,500	3 - 4 movers	6 - 8 hrs
4 Bedroom	$2,500 - $5,000	4 movers	8 - 10 hrs
5+ Bedroom	$3,500 - $7,000+	4 - 5 movers	10 - 14 hrs

How Movers Calculate Your Cost

Moving companies use one of three pricing models depending on the type of move.

Hourly Rate (Local Moves)

The most common model for moves under 50 miles. The formula:

(crew size x hourly rate) x hours + travel fee

Example: 3 movers x $50/hr x 6 hrs + $100 travel = $1,000

Cubic Foot (Mid-Range)

Common for moves between 50 and 500 miles. Price is based on how much truck space your items occupy.

cubic feet x rate per cu ft

Example: 600 cu ft x $5/cu ft = $3,000

Weight-Based (Long Distance)

Standard for interstate moves over 500 miles. The truck is weighed before and after loading.

weight (lbs) x rate per lb + distance fee

Example: 8,000 lbs x $0.50/lb + $1,500 = $5,500

What Affects Your Moving Cost

Eight factors that increase or decrease the final price, with specific dollar impacts.

Factor	Cost Impact	Details
Stairs (no elevator)	+$50 - $150 per flight	Per flight at origin and destination
Packing services	+$200 - $600	Full packing by the crew. Partial packing costs less.
Weekend move	+10 - 15%	Saturday is the most expensive day. Midweek is cheapest.
Summer (Jun - Aug)	+10 - 20%	Peak season. Book early to lock in lower rates.
Short booking window	+15 - 20%	Same-day or next-day bookings carry a rush premium.
Distance	Varies	Local moves charge hourly. Long distance charges by weight or cubic footage.
Volume / weight	Varies	More stuff means more truck space, more weight, and a higher price.
Specialty items	+$75 - $400 each	Pianos, safes, pool tables, hot tubs, and artwork.

Local vs Long Distance Pricing

Local and long distance moves use completely different pricing structures.

Local Moves (under 50 miles)

1.Charged by the hour. Crew size x hourly rate x hours worked.
2.Travel fee of $50 - $150 covers drive time from the warehouse to your home.
3.Most companies enforce a 2-3 hour minimum.
4.Same crew loads and unloads. One truck, one trip.

Long Distance (100+ miles)

1.Charged by weight (lbs) or cubic footage, not hours.
2.Interstate moves are federally regulated. Movers must provide a binding or not-to-exceed estimate.
3.Delivery windows of 3 - 14 days are common. Exact dates cost more.
4.Loading and unloading crews may be different. Items are often consolidated with other shipments.

Average Moving Cost by Distance

Based on a 2-3 bedroom home. Larger homes will be toward the higher end of each range.

Distance	Cost Range	Pricing Model
Under 50 miles (local)	$300 - $2,500	Hourly rate
50 - 250 miles	$1,500 - $4,000	Flat rate or cubic ft
250 - 1,000 miles	$2,500 - $6,000	Weight or cubic ft
1,000 - 2,000 miles	$3,500 - $8,000	Weight-based
Cross-country (2,000+ mi)	$4,500 - $10,000+	Weight-based

How to Save on Moving Costs

Five specific tactics that reduce your total cost.

1.Move midweek in the off-season. A Tuesday in January can be 20-30% cheaper than a Saturday in July. That alone can save $400 - $1,000 on a typical move.
2.Pack your own boxes. Professional packing adds $200 - $600. Buy boxes from Home Depot or get free ones from local stores and do it yourself over a weekend.
3.Declutter before the move. Every item adds weight and volume. Sell, donate, or discard anything you have not used in a year. Less stuff means fewer hours, a smaller truck, and a lower bill.
4.Compare at least 3 quotes. Prices vary 30 - 50% between companies for the exact same move. Use Trunk to compare verified movers side by side in seconds.
5.Book 3 - 4 weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings carry a 15 - 20% rush premium. Planning ahead also gives you more options and better crew availability.

Hidden Moving Costs to Watch For

Fees that often surprise people. Ask about each one before you book.

Fee	Typical Range	When It Applies
Fuel surcharge	$50 - $200	Covers gas for the truck. Usually 3-10% of the total.
Long carry fee	$50 - $150	Charged when the truck cannot park within 75 feet of the door.
Shuttle fee	$200 - $500	Required when a large truck cannot access your street. A smaller truck shuttles items.
Minimum charge	$200 - $500	Most movers enforce a 2-3 hour minimum, even for a quick job.
Stair fee	$50 - $150/flight	Charged per flight if there is no elevator.
Elevator fee	$50 - $100	Some movers charge for elevator reservations in large buildings.
Bulky item fee	$75 - $400/item	Pianos, gun safes, hot tubs, and other oversized items.
Storage-in-transit	$100 - $300/mo	If your new home is not ready and items need temporary storage.

From Trunk Consumer Reports

146%

Average overcharge

$2,100

Average deposit lost

100%

Involved a price increase after initial quote

What Happens When You Choose the Cheapest Quote: Real Cases

Documented bait-and-switch cases from Trunk consumer reports. Each mover quoted low, collected a deposit, then inflated the price.

Value Added Moving

Quoted $2,799→Charged $7,400 (+164%)

Different mover showed up on moving day. Lost $1,597 deposit.

Zenith Moving Group

Quoted $3,999→Charged $7,787 (+95%)

Sales rep texted price wouldn't change. Quality assurance call doubled it 2 days before move.

Howard's VanLine

Quoted $2,709→Charged $5,800+ (+114%)

Cancelled first pickup, inflated price on rescheduled date. Demanded money orders.

Safe Ship Moving

Quoted $5,500→Charged $10,000+ (+82%)

Pure broker with 0 trucks. Customer's belongings held hostage until additional payment.

These cases are documented with full consumer reports on each mover's Trunk profile. The pattern: low initial quote, deposit collected, then price increase once belongings are loaded. Report a mover at trunk.lorea.ai/report-mover

DIY vs Professional Movers: Cost Comparison

DIY costs include truck rental, fuel, insurance, tolls, and supplies. Professional costs include a full-service crew and truck.

Move Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost	Notes
Studio / 1BR local	$100 - $400	$300 - $900	DIY works well for small, local moves with few heavy items.
2BR local	$200 - $700	$800 - $2,000	You need a large truck and helpers. Factor in rental, gas, insurance.
3BR local	$400 - $1,200	$1,500 - $3,500	A full day of work. Professional movers are significantly faster.
Long distance (1,000 mi)	$1,500 - $3,500	$3,500 - $8,000	DIY saves money but takes 2-3 days of driving plus hotel costs.

DIY is not always the clear winner. For larger moves, the time investment (packing, loading, driving, unloading, returning the truck) often exceeds 20 hours. Factor in your hourly wage and the risk of injury or property damage.

What Do Movers Charge Per Hour?

Hourly rates from verified mover rate cards, broken down by crew size. These are the rates you will see on a local move estimate.

Crew Size	Hourly Rate	Best For
2-man crew	$100 - $180/hr	Studios, 1 bedroom apartments
3-man crew	$150 - $250/hr	2-3 bedroom homes
4-man crew	$200 - $350/hr	3-4 bedroom homes
5+ man crew	$300 - $500/hr	Large homes, office moves

Additional Hourly Rate Factors

1.Travel fee: $50 - $150 typically. Covers drive time from the warehouse to your home and back. Charged as a flat fee, not hourly.
2.Minimum hours: 2-4 hour minimum is common. Even if your move takes 90 minutes, you will be billed for the minimum.
3.Peak vs off-peak: Weekends and summer months (June through August) typically cost 20-30% more than midweek or off-season rates.

Rates from verified mover rate cards in Trunk's database. Actual rates vary by metro. See your city's moving costs page for local pricing.

Average Moving Cost by City

Real pricing data from movers surveyed in Trunk's database. Costs shown are for a 2-bedroom local move (loading, transport, and unloading).

Metro Area	Average Cost	Price Range	Movers Surveyed
Atlanta, GA	$1,291	$520 - $2,729	19
DMV (DC, MD, VA)	$1,568	$577 - $6,400	16
Boston, MA	$1,020	$600 - $1,800	14
Los Angeles, CA	$822	$650 - $1,181	18

Pricing based on surveyed 2-bedroom local move rates from movers in each metro. The wide range reflects differences in crew size, distance, and service level. DMV includes Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. See your city's specific cost page for more granular data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do movers cost per hour?+

Most local movers charge $100 to $200 per hour for a crew of two. Each additional mover adds $25 to $50 per hour. A 3-mover crew typically runs $150 to $250 per hour. These rates include the truck but not packing materials or specialty item handling.

How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom house locally?+

A local move for a 3-bedroom home typically costs $1,500 to $3,500. The price depends on the total volume of belongings, the number of flights of stairs, distance between homes, and whether you need packing services. A 3-4 mover crew usually takes 6 to 8 hours.

How much do long distance movers cost?+

Long distance moves (over 100 miles) typically cost $2,000 to $10,000 or more. The price is based on the weight or cubic footage of your shipment and the distance traveled. A 2-bedroom cross-country move averages $4,000 to $6,000. A 4-bedroom cross-country move averages $7,000 to $10,000.

Is it cheaper to hire movers or do it yourself?+

DIY is cheaper for small, local moves. For a studio or 1-bedroom within 20 miles, renting a truck costs $100 to $400 versus $300 to $900 for professional movers. However, for larger homes or long distances, the savings shrink significantly once you factor in truck rental, fuel, insurance, tolls, hotels, meals, and the risk of injury or damage.

What is the cheapest day to hire movers?+

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the cheapest days to move. Saturday is the most expensive, costing 10-15% more than midweek. Moving in the middle of the month (8th through 23rd) is also cheaper than end-of-month or beginning-of-month dates when lease turnover spikes demand.

Do movers charge more in the summer?+

Yes. June through August is peak moving season, and prices are typically 10-20% higher than the annual average. December through February is the cheapest window. If your schedule is flexible, a winter midweek move offers the lowest rates.

How do I get the cheapest moving quote?+

Compare at least 3 quotes from different movers. Move midweek in the off-season if possible. Pack your own boxes. Declutter before the move to reduce volume. Book 3-4 weeks ahead to avoid rush premiums. Use a platform like Trunk to compare verified movers side by side.

Are there hidden fees when hiring movers?+

Common fees that catch people off guard include fuel surcharges ($50-$200), long carry fees ($50-$150 when the truck cannot park close), stair fees ($50-$150 per flight), shuttle fees ($200-$500 for hard-to-access streets), and minimum charges ($200-$500 even for short jobs). Always ask for a full breakdown before booking.

Moving costs by area

Cheapest time to move

Cheap movers near you

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