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Moving cost by distance and home size (2026)

National average ranges. Local moves (under 50 miles) are charged hourly; long-distance moves are charged by weight + distance.

Move typeStudio / 1-BR2–3 BR home4+ BR home
Local (under 50 mi)$300–$900$700–$2,500$1,500–$4,500
Same-state (50–250 mi)$700–$1,800$1,500–$4,500$3,000–$7,500
Long-distance (250–1,000 mi)$1,500–$3,500$3,000–$7,000$5,500–$12,000
Cross-country (1,000–2,500 mi)$2,500–$5,500$5,000–$11,000$8,500–$18,000
DIY truck rental (local)$50–$300$100–$600$200–$900
DIY truck rental (long-distance)$1,000–$2,500$1,500–$4,000$2,500–$6,000
PODS / mobile container$500–$1,500$1,500–$5,000$3,000–$7,500
Full-service (packing + moving)$1,200–$3,500$3,000–$8,500$6,000–$15,000+

Local moving cost

Local moves (under 50 miles) are typically charged hourly: $25–$50 per mover per hour. A 2-person crew for a typical 2-bedroom apartment: $700–$2,500 total (4–8 hours of work plus drive time).

Most movers have a 2–3 hour minimum. Tight access (3rd-floor walkup, narrow staircases, long carry from truck to door) adds 25–50% in time.

Long-distance moving cost

Long-distance moves are priced by weight (in pounds) times distance, plus fuel surcharges. Typical cost: $0.50–$0.80 per pound per 1,000 miles. A 7,500 lb 3-bedroom move from NY to FL (~1,200 miles) runs $4,500–$7,200.

Ask for a binding estimate (price won't change unless scope changes) vs non-binding (price can rise based on actual weight at destination). Always get 3 binding quotes before committing.

Full-service vs DIY moving

Full-service movers (packing + loading + transport + unloading + unpacking): $3,000–$15,000+ for a typical home. DIY truck rental + boxes + your own labor: $200–$1,500 for local, $2,500–$6,000 for cross-country.

Hybrid: Pack yourself, hire movers for loading/transport. Saves 40–60% vs full-service. PODS / mobile containers split the difference — you load on your schedule, they transport.

Moving cost factors

Distance

Local: hourly. Long-distance: per pound + per mile. Cross-country adds fuel surcharges.

Home size / volume

Studio: ~3,000 lbs. 2-BR: ~5,000 lbs. 3-BR: ~7,500 lbs. 4-BR: ~10,000+ lbs. Each box ~30–40 lbs.

Time of year

May–September is peak moving season — 20–30% more expensive. October–April is cheapest.

Day of week / month

Weekends and end-of-month are most expensive. Weekday mid-month moves are 15–25% cheaper.

Packing services

Full pack: $400–$2,500 extra. Partial pack (just kitchen, fragile): $200–$800. DIY packing saves the most.

Insurance / valuation

Basic coverage (60 cents/lb) is free but minimal. Full-value protection: 1–3% of declared value of contents.

Moving cost by city

Local pricing benchmarks across major US metros.

Frequently asked questions about moving cost

How much do movers cost?
Local move (under 50 miles): $700–$2,500 for 2-bedroom. Long-distance: $3,000–$7,000 for 2-3 BR. Cross-country: $5,000–$12,000. DIY truck rental cuts cost 50–70%.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house?
Local: $1,500–$4,500. Same-state: $3,000–$7,500. Long-distance: $5,000–$11,000. Cross-country: $8,500–$18,000. Add $1,000–$3,000 for full packing service.
What's the cheapest way to move?
DIY truck rental (U-Haul, Penske, Budget): $50–$300 local, $1,000–$2,500 long-distance. Save more by recruiting friends with pizza/beer. PODS/mobile containers cost more but eliminate the driving.
Should I hire packers?
Yes if: you have less than a week, fragile/valuable items, or a long-distance move. No if: you're DIY-comfortable and have 2–3 weeks of evenings to pack. Packers save 20–40 hours but cost $400–$2,500.
When is the cheapest time to move?
October–April is 20–30% cheaper than May–September peak season. Mid-month weekdays are cheapest within the month. Avoid end-of-month and weekends — demand is 50–100% higher.