Bottom Line Up FrontThe average professional move costs $1,200–$4,500. The exact number depends on distance, home size, and timing. Getting at least 3 competing quotes is the single best way to avoid overpaying — comparison typically saves 20–35%.
Average Moving Costs at a Glance (2026)
Move Type
Home Size
Average Cost
Range
Local (under 100 miles)
Studio / 1BR
$400–$700
$300–$1,200
Local
2 Bedroom
$800–$1,500
$600–$2,500
Local
3 Bedroom
$1,200–$2,500
$900–$4,000
Long-Distance (500 miles)
1–2 Bedroom
$2,200–$3,800
$1,800–$5,000
Long-Distance (1,000 miles)
2–3 Bedroom
$3,500–$5,500
$2,800–$7,500
Cross-Country (2,000+ miles)
3–4 Bedroom
$5,500–$9,000
$4,000–$12,000
$2,907
National average professional move
30%+
Average savings from comparing quotes
78%
Movers who experience unexpected costs
Local Moving Costs (Under 100 Miles)
Local moves are typically priced by the hour. Most companies charge for a crew of 2–3 movers plus a truck. The clock usually starts when the movers leave the warehouse and stops when they return — so distance from the depot matters.
Hourly Rates by Crew Size
Crew Size
Avg Hourly Rate
Best For
2 movers + truck
$100–$160/hr
Studios, 1BR apartments
3 movers + truck
$140–$210/hr
2–3BR homes
4 movers + truck
$180–$280/hr
Large homes, tight timelines
Most local moves take 3–7 hours. A 2-bedroom apartment typically runs 4–5 hours with a 2-person crew, putting the total between $800–$1,200 before any packing services or tips.
Watch out for minimum charges. Most movers have a 2–4 hour minimum even for small moves. Always confirm the minimum before booking.
Long-Distance Moving Costs
Unlike local moves, long-distance pricing is based on two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance traveled. This makes it harder to estimate without an in-home quote — which all reputable movers should provide for free.
Cost by Distance and Home Size
Distance
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
250 miles
$1,100–$2,200
$1,800–$3,200
$2,500–$4,500
$3,200–$6,000
500 miles
$1,500–$2,800
$2,200–$4,200
$3,500–$6,000
$4,500–$8,000
1,000 miles
$2,000–$3,500
$3,000–$5,500
$4,500–$7,500
$6,000–$10,000
2,000+ miles
$2,800–$4,500
$4,000–$7,000
$5,500–$9,500
$7,500–$13,000
What's Included — and What Costs Extra
Standard moving quotes typically include: loading and unloading labor, the truck, basic liability coverage (60 cents per pound), and fuel. The following almost always cost extra:
Packing services: $200–$800 depending on home size. Saves you days of work.
Packing materials: $50–$300 for boxes, tape, bubble wrap.
Full-value protection insurance: Typically 1–2% of the declared value of your belongings. Strongly recommended for anything irreplaceable.
Long carry / elevator fees: If movers have to carry items more than 75 feet from the truck, expect a surcharge of $50–$200.
Stair carries: Some movers charge per flight, typically $50–$100.
Storage: If you need short-term storage between moves, budget $100–$300/month for a standard unit.
Specialty items: Pianos ($200–$600), pool tables, safes, and art typically carry surcharges.
5 Ways to Lower Your Moving Cost
Compare at least 3 quotes. The price spread between the highest and lowest quote for the same move is often 30–40%. Never hire the first mover you call.
Move mid-week, mid-month. Saturdays at the end of the month cost the most. Tuesday–Thursday in the middle of the month costs the least — sometimes 15–20% less.
Move in fall or winter. September–April is off-peak. Summer moves (May–August) cost 20–30% more because demand spikes.
Declutter before you move. Long-distance moves are priced by weight. Donating or selling furniture before your move directly lowers your final bill.
Pack yourself. DIY packing can save $300–$800. Start 4–6 weeks early so you're not rushed.
Understanding Your Moving Quote
There are three types of estimates, and knowing the difference can protect you from costly surprises:
Binding estimate: The price is guaranteed — you pay exactly what's quoted regardless of actual weight. Best protection for consumers.
Non-binding estimate: The final price can change based on actual weight. Federal law limits the overage to 10% above the estimate on delivery day.
Binding not-to-exceed: The best of both worlds — if your shipment weighs less than estimated, you pay the lower amount. If it weighs more, you're still capped at the estimate.
Pro tip: Always get a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate for long-distance moves. Non-binding estimates are how most moving cost surprises happen.
Should You Hire Movers or Rent a Truck?
Option
Avg Cost (2BR, 500 mi)
Best For
Downside
Full-service movers
$2,500–$4,500
Anyone who can afford it
Most expensive
Rental truck (you drive)
$400–$1,200
Budget movers, short distances
Physical labor, driving a big truck
Portable container (PODS)
$1,500–$3,500
Flexible timeline, storage needed
You pack/load; slower delivery
Freight trailer
$1,000–$2,500
Large homes, long-distance
Logistics intensive
Get Your Real Moving Quotes Now
See exactly what your move will cost. Compare up to 5 quotes from FMCSA-licensed movers — free, no obligation.
The average local move costs $800–$2,500 for a 2-bedroom home, based on 2–4 hours of labor plus a truck fee. Most local movers charge $100–$200/hour for a 2-person crew.
Long-distance moves average $2,200–$6,800 depending on distance and home size. Cross-country moves (2,000+ miles) for a 3-bedroom home can reach $8,000–$12,000.
September through April (excluding holidays) is the cheapest. Summer (May–August) is peak season with prices 20–30% higher. Mid-week and mid-month moves are also cheaper than weekend moves.
Get a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing. Ask specifically about long-carry fees, stair charges, and fuel surcharges before signing. Reputable movers will itemize everything.
For any move with valuable or irreplaceable items, yes. The standard 60 cents per pound coverage pays very little on a broken flat-screen TV. Full-value protection costs 1–2% of declared value and covers replacement cost.