The average cost of a local move is $1,400 while long-distance moves average $4,800. But costs vary widely based on distance, home size, and whether you hire professionals or DIY. This guide breaks down all the costs so you can budget accurately.
Average Moving Costs 2025
- Local move (under 50 miles): $800-2,500
- Long-distance (over 400 miles): $2,500-7,500
- Cross-country (2,500+ miles): $4,000-10,000+
- DIY truck rental: $50-2,000 (plus gas, insurance)
- Portable containers: $1,500-5,000
Moving Costs by Home Size
| Home Size | Local Move | Long-Distance | Cross-Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1 BR | $400-1,000 | $1,500-3,000 | $2,000-4,500 |
| 2 BR | $800-1,500 | $2,500-5,000 | $3,500-6,000 |
| 3 BR | $1,000-2,200 | $3,500-7,000 | $5,000-8,000 |
| 4+ BR | $1,500-3,500 | $5,000-10,000 | $7,000-12,000+ |
Professional Movers vs. DIY
PROFESSIONAL MOVERS
Full-Service Moving Companies
- Local rates: $25-50/hour per mover (2-4 movers typical)
- Long-distance: $0.50-1.00 per lb per 100 miles
- Includes: Labor, truck, basic insurance
- Add-ons: Packing ($300-1,500), special items ($50-500)
- Best for: Large homes, valuable items, busy people
DIY MOVING
Rental Trucks & Trailers
- Local rental: $20-100/day plus mileage
- One-way rental: $100-2,500+ (distance dependent)
- Fuel: $100-500 (trucks get 6-10 mpg)
- Insurance: $15-50/day
- Best for: Budget moves, small loads, short distances
Hidden Moving Costs
Often Overlooked Expenses
- Packing supplies: $50-300 (boxes, tape, bubble wrap)
- Special item fees: $50-500 (pianos, safes, antiques)
- Stair/elevator fees: $50-100 per flight
- Long carry fees: $50-150 (if truck can't park close)
- Storage: $50-300/month if needed
- Tips for movers: 15-20% or $20-50 per mover
- Cleaning old place: $100-500
- Utility deposits: $100-500
- Address changes: Mail forwarding ($1.10), licenses, etc.
How to Save Money on Moving
Cost-Cutting Strategies
- Declutter first: Less stuff = lower moving costs + extra cash from sales
- Get 3+ quotes: Prices vary significantly between companies
- Move off-peak: Mid-month, mid-week, winter = cheaper
- Pack yourself: Save $300-1,500 on packing services
- Free boxes: Liquor stores, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor
- Flexible dates: Ask movers for cheapest available day
- Ship heavy items: Books via Media Mail ($3-10 per box)
- Compare truck sizes: Right size = one trip = less money
Best Moving Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service movers | $$$$ | Low | Large homes, busy people |
| Labor-only movers + rental | $$ | Medium | Budget-conscious |
| Portable containers (PODS) | $$$ | Medium | Flexible timeline |
| DIY truck rental | $ | High | Small moves, help available |
| Freight trailer sharing | $$ | Medium | Long-distance flexibility |
Moving Cost by Distance
Local Moves (Under 50 Miles)
- Charged by the hour: $25-50/mover/hour
- Minimum usually 2-3 hours
- Average total: $800-1,500
Long-Distance Moves (100-1,000 Miles)
- Charged by weight and distance
- Average: $0.50-1.00 per lb per 100 miles
- 3 BR house average: $3,000-6,000
Cross-Country Moves (1,000+ Miles)
- Weight-based pricing continues
- Fuel surcharges may apply
- 3 BR house average: $5,000-10,000
Moving Checklist
Before Moving Day
- 8 weeks out: Get quotes, declutter, notify landlord
- 6 weeks out: Book movers, start packing non-essentials
- 4 weeks out: Transfer utilities, update address
- 2 weeks out: Confirm movers, pack most items
- 1 week out: Pack essentials bag, clean, defrost freezer
- Moving day: Final walkthrough, verify inventory, tip movers
Red Flags When Hiring Movers
- No in-home estimate: Quotes over phone/email are unreliable
- Large deposit required: Reputable movers take payment at delivery
- No physical address: Check for a real business location
- Unmarked trucks: Look for company name and USDOT number
- Prices too low: May add fees later or hold items hostage
- No written estimate: Always get binding or not-to-exceed quote
Best Time to Move
- Cheapest months: October-April (off-season)
- Most expensive: May-September (peak season)
- Cheapest days: Mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday)
- Cheapest time of month: Mid-month (avoid 1st and last week)
- Savings: Up to 30% off peak pricing