Cost to Move: 2026 Prices + Smart Ways to Save

Quick answer

In 2026, a local move with professional movers usually costs about $800 to $2,500, and a long-distance move about $2,500 to $7,500, rising to $10,000+ for large homes or 1,000+ miles. Local movers often charge $100 to $200 per hour for a crew of two to four. Moving in summer can add about 25%.

Moving costs depend on three things: how much you own, how far you are going and how much help you want. Here is what each type of move costs and where people overspend.

Also Explore

Cost to Furnish an Apartment First Apartment Checklist Rug Size Guide

Moving cost by home size

Home size	Local move (movers)	Long-distance move
Studio or 1 bedroom	$400 – $1,500	$1,200 – $4,500
2 bedrooms	$800 – $2,500	$2,500 – $6,500
3 bedrooms	$1,500 – $4,000	$4,500 – $9,000
4+ bedrooms	$2,500 – $5,500	$7,500 – $12,500+

Typical 2026 US ranges for full-service movers. Packing services, storage and specialty items cost extra.

How movers price a move

Local moves (usually under 50 to 100 miles) are priced by the hour, often $100 to $200 per hour for a crew of two to four, plus a truck or travel fee.
Long-distance moves are priced by weight or volume and distance, plus fuel and extras.
Extras include packing, stairs, long carries from the truck, pianos, safes and storage.

Cost to move – White moving truck on the road — Long-distance moves are priced by weight and miles, not hours.

DIY vs. hiring movers

Option	Typical cost	Best for
Rent a truck, move yourself	$150 – $500 local; about $1,000 – $2,500 long-distance	Small apartments, strong friends
Moving container (you pack, they drive)	$1,500 – $5,000 long-distance	Long moves on a budget
Labor-only movers + your truck	$300 – $1,000 local	Heavy lifting without full service
Full-service movers	$800 – $2,500 local; $2,500 – $10,000+ long-distance	Families, busy schedules, large homes

Ranges vary by region, season and how much you own.

The cheapest move is the one with less stuff. Every box you sell or donate is money you do not pay to carry.

Example: a 1-bedroom moving 500 miles

Truck rental and gas: about $900 to $1,600, plus pizza for helpers.
Moving container: about $1,800 to $3,000.
Full-service movers: about $2,500 to $4,500.

Room filled with moving boxes — Pack early, room by room

Room with boxes by a window — Pack early, room by room

What drives the price up

Season: May through August is peak moving season; prices and wait times rise.
Stairs and elevators: walk-ups and long hallway carries add labor time.
Specialty items: pianos, safes, pool tables and large artwork need special handling.
Packing services: professional packing can add hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Storage: if your new place is not ready, short-term storage adds monthly fees.
Insurance: basic coverage is limited by weight; full-value protection costs extra.

Ask each mover which of these are already in the quote. Two estimates that look far apart are often just counting different extras.

Hidden moving costs to plan for

Cleaning the old place, often $150 to $400 if you hire it out
Utility and internet setup fees
Overlapping rent for a few days or weeks
Replacing items that do not fit the new home
Takeout meals during the move

Ways to save

Move between September and April, or mid-month and midweek.
Declutter before you get quotes.
Get free boxes from stores, friends or local buy-nothing groups.
Pack yourself and hire movers only for loading and unloading.
Get at least three written, in-home or video estimates.
Ask about a binding or not-to-exceed estimate for long-distance moves.

Avoid Moving Scams

Check interstate movers’ USDOT number with the FMCSA.
Be wary of very low quotes and large cash deposits.
Never sign a blank or incomplete contract.
Know whether you are hiring a carrier or a broker.
Read the Your Rights and Responsibilities booklet movers must give you.

Moving checklist

8 weeks out: declutter and get quotes.
6 weeks: book movers or a truck; order supplies.
4 weeks: start packing rarely used items; change your address.
2 weeks: schedule utilities and internet at the new place.
Moving day: keep a bag with essentials, documents and chargers.

Bunch of keys on a wooden table — Keep keys, documents and chargers in one bag that never goes on the truck.

Worked example: the cost to move a 2-bedroom locally

Local movers charge by the hour, so the clock is what you are paying for. Here is how a typical local quote adds up, using the $100 to $200 per hour range from this guide:

Line item	Lower estimate	Higher estimate
Crew of 3 at hourly rate	$120 per hour	$180 per hour
Hours (load, drive, unload)	6 hours	8 hours
Labor subtotal	$720	$1,440
Truck or travel fee	$100	$200
Stairs, long carry or extras	$0	$200
Estimated total	About $820	About $1,840

Planning example only. Your quote depends on your crew size, local rates, and how ready you are when movers arrive.

This lands inside the $800 to $2,500 range for a 2-bedroom local move. The biggest way to stay at the low end is to be fully packed, with boxes labeled and stacked near the door, before the crew arrives. Every hour you save cuts the cost to move by $100 or more.

Cost to move by distance

Distance changes how movers price the job. These planning ranges for a 2-bedroom home build on the tables above:

Distance	How it is priced	Typical planning range (full service)
Across town (under 50 miles)	Hourly	$800 to $2,500
50 to 250 miles	Hourly or flat rate, depending on the company	$1,500 to $4,000
250 to 1,000 miles	Weight or volume plus distance	$2,500 to $6,500
Cross-country (1,000+ miles)	Weight or volume plus distance	$4,000 to $10,000+

Typical planning ranges consistent with this guide. Always get written estimates.

Packing supplies: what to budget

Boxes: a 1-bedroom often needs 20 to 40 boxes; a 3-bedroom can need 60 to 100 or more. Free boxes from stores and neighbors cut this to near $0.
Tape, markers and labels: usually under $30.
Packing paper or bubble wrap: towels, blankets and clothes can wrap many fragile items for free.
Wardrobe boxes: handy for closets; some movers lend them on moving day.
Mattress bags and furniture covers: inexpensive and protect against dirt and scuffs.

Plan roughly $50 to $200 for supplies if you buy most of them new, or far less if you collect free boxes.

Build your moving budget step by step

Count your rooms and large items. This sets the base cost to move in the home size table.
Pick your method: truck rental, container, labor-only or full-service.
Get three quotes with the same inventory and dates.
Add extras: packing, storage, specialty items and valuation coverage.
Add hidden costs: cleaning, overlapping rent, utility setup and meals.
Add move-in costs at the new place. Renters can use our apartment move-in costs guide.
Add a 10% to 15% cushion for surprises like an extra hour of labor or a parking ticket for the truck.

Questions to ask every moving company

Is this estimate binding, non-binding or not-to-exceed?
What exactly is included: stairs, disassembly, packing materials, fuel?
How many movers and what truck size are you sending?
Is there a minimum number of hours for local moves?
What valuation coverage is included, and what does full-value protection cost?
For interstate moves: what is your USDOT number, and are you the carrier or a broker?
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

Should you move yourself? A quick decision guide

The cheapest cost to move is usually a DIY truck rental, but it is not always the best value. Use these quick checks:

Move yourself if you have a studio or 1-bedroom, few heavy items, a short distance and two or three friends who can help for a day.
Use a container or labor-only movers if you are comfortable packing but do not want to drive a large truck or carry heavy furniture.
Hire full-service movers if you have a family, a 3-bedroom or larger home, stairs, specialty items or a tight work schedule.

Remember to count your own time, gas, tolls, truck mileage fees and the risk of injury or damage when comparing a DIY cost to move with a professional quote.

Moving with kids and pets

Arrange childcare or a pet sitter for moving day if you can; it keeps everyone safe and speeds up the crew. Pack a separate bag with snacks, medicine, toys, pet food and bowls. For long-distance moves, add pet-friendly hotel stays and any vet paperwork to your cost to move budget. Moving abroad? Our rent in London UK prices guide shows what a flat costs once you arrive.

Common moving mistakes that raise the cost

Booking too late in summer, when good crews are busy and prices are highest.
Moving things you will replace anyway, like old mattresses or cheap furniture.
Not reserving elevator time or parking at either building, which can add waiting time.
Leaving packing for moving day, which turns into paid crew hours.
Choosing only on price. A very low quote can hide extra fees or signal a scam.

After the move: settling-in costs

The cost to move does not end when the truck leaves. Many people spend on new curtains, rugs, shelves or a few pieces of furniture that fit the new layout. Make a short list of must-haves for the first month and wait on the rest. If you are starting from scratch, see our cost to furnish an apartment guide.

Helpful resources: For more on cost to move, see the FMCSA Protect Your Move and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Cost to move: frequently asked questions

How much does a local move cost?

Most local moves with professional movers cost about $800 to $2,500, depending on home size and hours.

How much does it cost to move across the country?

A cross-country move often costs $4,000 to $10,000 or more with full-service movers, less with a truck rental or moving container.

When is the cheapest time to move?

Fall and winter, mid-month and midweek are usually cheapest. Summer can cost about 25% more.

Should I tip movers?

Many people tip $20 to $40 per mover for a half day and $40 to $60 for a full day, plus water and snacks.

How much does it cost to move a 2-bedroom apartment?

A local 2-bedroom move with professional movers typically costs about $800 to $2,500, while a long-distance move runs about $2,500 to $6,500. Renting a truck yourself costs far less, often $150 to $500 locally.

How much should I budget for moving out of state?

For a typical 2-bedroom, plan roughly $2,500 to $6,500 with full-service movers for 250 to 1,000 miles, and $4,000 to $10,000+ for cross-country. Add 10% to 15% for surprises, plus travel, overlapping rent and move-in costs.

Sources: Opendoor, Lugg, Caddy Moving. Prices are national planning ranges, not quotes. See how we research costs.