Moving to a new house is stressful, even if you’re excited about it. Hiring movers may help you save time and energy while ensuring that your move is done correctly. But how much do movers cost? The average cost nationally is $1,340, with a typical range from $690 to $2,240.
Various factors come into play when considering how much it will cost to move. The key elements influencing moving prices are the distance to your new home, the number of bedrooms or belongings transported, and the number of movers needed.
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Distance and Home Size
- Cost Estimator per Hour
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Moving Costs in 2024
National Average Cost | $1,340 |
Typical Price Range | $690 – $2,240 |
Extreme Low-End Cost | $265 |
Extreme High-End Cost | $10,510 |
These rates are for a move with a two person team within a 100-mile radius.Moving a studio apartment less than 100 miles is far less expensive than moving a four-bedroom house 1000 miles. Long-distance relocations are usually more expensive, depending on how far you’re going and how much you’re transporting.
Moving Cost Estimator by Distance and Home Size
The two most significant factors in estimating the cost of your move are how far and how much.
A four-bedroom house clearly costs more to move than a studio apartment, but the distance you’re traveling also affects the cost. If the trip extends more than a day, as it would with a cross-country move, there will be lodging fees in addition to gas and tolls. These costs will likely be added to the move’s total cost.
Distance | Studio/One bedroom | Two to three bedrooms | Four+ bedrooms |
Up to 100 miles | $385 | $815 | $1,645 |
100 to 250 miles | $1,410 | $2,300 | $4,000 |
250 to 1000 miles | $2,405 | $5,490 | $8,020 |
1000 to 2500+ miles | $3,470 | $6,925 | $11,530 |
Cost Estimate for Movers Per Hour
Movers typically charge between $50 and $70 per mover per hour for local moves. So, labor for a two-person team working four hours will range between $400 and $560.
However, keep in mind that long-distance moves will incur additional costs such as transportation, materials, and gas. You will have to pay more if you choose full-service moving over doing it yourself. Make sure your estimate includes the cost of labor.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Moving costs will vary depending on several factors, such as add-on services, moving delicate or heavy items, and if your new home has stairs or an elevator.
Specialty Items
Heavy or bulky items like pool tables, pianos, and hot tubs will require extra people and specialty equipment to move. You can expect to pay between $220 to $2,310 to relocate large items like these.
Distance traveled, size of the item, and the presence of stairs or narrow passageways will all affect overall moving costs.
Item | Average cost | Typical Range |
Piano | $440 | $220 – $2,310 |
Hot tub | $445 | $270 – $610 |
Pool table | $500 | $230 – $1,590 |
Stairs and Elevators
Movers will consider how much access they have to your home when estimating a moving quote. Moving big furniture or having no parking for a large truck available near the building takes more time and effort. You’ll average $65 per flight of stairs, but the fees can range from $50 to $85 per flight.
Movers may charge an additional $60 to $100 if there are no elevators or the item is too big, depending on how complicated it is to get your belongings to and from their destinations.
Extra Stops
Expect to pay more if the long-distance mover needs to make additional stops. If you need items picked up at your home and a storage unit before having them all delivered will result in extra fees. You can expect to pay $75 and up, depending on the number of extra stops and how much labor is needed at each stop.
Season
Most people prefer to move as the weather warms up, with up to 70% of all moves happening between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That means there is a high demand for movers during that time of year, which typically results in higher costs or a shortage of availability.
If possible, plan your move during the fall or winter months, when movers are more available, and offer reduced rates.
Insurance
If your possessions are lost or damaged during relocating, moving insurance will compensate you. A policy that covers the entire cost of the insured items often charges 1% to 5% of the insured item’s value.
Value of Items | Percentage Rate | Insurance Fee |
$10,000 | 1% | $100 |
$10,000 | 3% | $300 |
$10,000 | 5% | $500 |
Related Services
Depending on your needs, you may need extra services such as help packing everything up, moving your business, or shipping your car.
Packing Service
It’s also an option to hire movers to pack your belongings for you, but this service will be more expensive. The cost of packing depends on how many items are packed, their weight, and the amount of packing materials needed.
The national average for packing services is $1,000, but it can range from $275 to $2,200. You should pack your own clothes, medications, and essential papers and have them with you during your move.
Note: The cost of a packing service does not include unpacking at your new residence.
Car Shipping
The most popular method of shipping a car is to entrust a carrier with transporting it to its destination. These truck-mounted vehicle carriers can move up to 10 vehicles at once and cover thousands of miles quickly.
Like moving your home, shipping your car is determined mainly by the size of your vehicle and how far it needs to travel. On average, the cost to ship a car is $1,215 but can range from $745 to $1,660.
Office Move
Businesses often need a new office space due to growth of the business or when a better location becomes available. The amount and size of office equipment moved will impact the pricing.
The cost to move an office is typically based on the total square footage of space, the number of employees, the number of truckloads, or the type of items relocated. Office moving costs range from $750 to $4,500, with an average of $2,625 per move for a 1,500 square foot space.
Storage
In your overall moving budget, don’t forget to account for the price of renting a storage space or mobile storage unit if needed. Some moving companies will temporarily store items between moves for an extra fee.
Depending on the unit size or container you need, you can expect to pay anywhere from $55 to $360 a month, but on average, storage runs $210 per month.
Tipping
One of the many reasons for using any service is to make things easier. Although not required, tipping the movers for a good job is one way of showing appreciation. The average tip range is 10% to 20%, but it is entirely up to the customer. Most businesses allow customers to tip in cash or with a credit card.
Junk Removal
Clutter takes up valuable space. On average, a junk removal company can remove most junk from your home or yard for $225 per load. Single items or small loads are frequently priced around $90. However, a complete truckload usually costs $675.
Cleaning Service
When moving out, a home or apartment needs to be thoroughly cleaned, and the last thing you probably want to do after moving and cleaning is doing the windows. Window cleaning services bill by the hour or by how many windows you have. Prices range from $8 to $15 per window or $5 to $12 per pane of glass.
Lawn Mowing
If you’re selling your home and you’ve already moved, you might hire a lawn care service to keep the yard trimmed while you’re gone. Or get lawn mowing service at your new home to knock something off your to-do list. Lawn mowing costs homeowners between $30 and $65, with an average cost of around $50 for an average-sized suburban yard.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
People frequently avoid hiring movers to save money, but if all of the supplies and equipment needed are purchased out of pocket, the cost of a DIY move is quite likely to be the same as professional movers. Friends and relatives may offer help, but there is no insurance if something expensive is damaged or someone is injured during the process.
Supplies
Packing everything you own requires boxes, lots of boxes usually. To save time, you can buy them new. Alternatively, you can collect them from friends/family, save shipping boxes, or check with local recycling centers and grocery stores for freebies.
You’ll also need scissors, packing tape, and bubble wrap or wrapping materials for fragile items. You may also need to borrow or rent a hand truck to move heavy or bulky items.
Moving Supplies | Cost |
Boxes | $1 to $4 per box, depending on the size |
Scissors | $13 |
Packing tape | $25 (6-pack) |
Bubble wrap | $20 (12 in. by 100 ft. roll) |
Packing paper | $11 (2 ft. by 2 ft. roll; 70 sheets) |
Dolly (hand truck) | $7 (rent for an in-town move) |
Wheeled furniture dolly | $7 (rent for an in-town move) |
Appliance dolly | $10 (rent for an in-town move) |
Furniture pads (aka moving blankets) | $35 (pack of 6) |
Total Cost for moving supplies* | $253 |
*Includes 50 moving boxes at an average of $2.50 each.
Rental Truck
Renting a moving truck or van can cost anywhere between $70 and $2,085, depending on the rental company, the truck’s size, and how far you are moving. The national average for renting a moving truck is $1,175.
Other factors that affect the cost of a truck rental are the number of days it’s kept, mileage, and insurance. You’ll also have to budget more for gas. While some larger trucks only get about 10 miles per gallon, a pickup truck usually gets between 15 and 20 miles per gallon.
National Average Cost | $1,175 |
Typical Price Range | $70 to $2,085 |
Extreme Low-End Cost | $70.00 |
Extreme High-End Cost | $2,575.00 |
Trailer Rental
Trailers are great for hauling cars, oversized items, and anything else that won’t fit in your vehicle, especially for local moves. The trailer rental cost will depend on the size, how long you have it, and if you need to rent the trailer hitch. The lowest average price is $35 per day for a small cargo trailer, but larger trailers and long hauls can cost you up to $400.
National Average Cost | $225 |
Typical Price Range | $200 to $385 |
Extreme Low-End Cost | $35 |
Extreme High-End Cost | $400 |
A trailer isn’t usually the best option if you move long distances. One-way rentals are not available from every company and vary by location; additionally, you may need to rent a trailer hitch to pull it. This will also impact how you drive and how much gas you need.
It is less expensive to rent a truck or trailer and handle your own moving than to hire a full-service provider. Savings are not always substantial, and other factors like time, worry, and energy are also to be considered. Get at least a few moving quotes to decide whether hiring professional movers is a better option for you.
Cost of Moving by Location
Depending on the state and city where the property is located, the fee will change. Distance, amount of competition, and the volume of stuff to be moved all significantly influence the overall price.
Additional services like packing or car shipping and fees for specialty items or if the movers have to carry your stuff up and down many stairs will add to the bill.
FAQ
Long-distance moves, such as out-of-state moves, should be planned at least three months ahead of your moving date. Plan on scheduling a month in advance if you’re relocating nearby.
Keep in mind that certain days and months of the year are typically busier for moving companies, so planning ahead of time will save you frustration and time afterward.
Yes. Most movers offer lower rates during the week since they are less busy, as many customers prefer to move on weekends.
No, not for the majority of people. You may qualify for a tax deduction if the move was work-related or if you’re an active duty member of the U.S. military and moving for duty. Check with your tax preparer to be sure.
Final Thoughts
A professional mover may cost you a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the specifics of your relocation, such as the distance to the location and size of your home. Even if the expense of a long-distance move may surprise you, it’s essential to consider the stress and time that hiring a professional moving company can save you.
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