How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $880 - $2,540
Hiring movers usually costs anywhere between $880 and $2,540 or more. The national average is $1,693.
Getting ready for an exciting life change? If so, you’ve probably found yourself asking, “How much do movers cost?” Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, distance will have a major impact on moving prices, with local moves typically costing between $880 and $2,540. Cross-country moves can cost anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 or more to account for the additional distance.
- Average
- $1,693
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $12,000
You can save money when moving by getting multiple quotes to find the best deal and selecting a weekday or off-season month. There’s also the option of taking on the move yourself, which will cost between $50 and $3,500 for moving truck rental, plus the additional cost of packing supplies and other necessities.
| Type of Move | Low Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Short-distance | $920 | $2,530 |
| Long-distance | $2,700 | $10,000 |
How Much Do Movers Cost for Local Moves?
A local move within a 100-mile radius typically costs $1,720 on average, or between $920 and $2,530. In most cases, you’ll be staying within state lines and driving for two hours or less. Moving from Chicago to Detroit, for example, is around 285 miles and roughly five hours of driving, so this wouldn’t be considered a local move.
Average Hourly Rate for Hiring Movers
The rate for local movers is usually between $25 and $50 per hour, which covers the services of one to two professional movers. However, the cost increases to $75 to $150 per hour for three movers and around $100 to $200 per hour for four movers.
| Movers | Cost per Hour |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | $25–$50 |
| 3 | $75–$150 |
| 4+ | $100–$200 |
Home Size
The size of your home is a good base for determining your local moving cost. Below are some costs based on home size and include two to three movers:
| Home Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $400 |
| 2 bedroom | $900 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,400 |
| 4 bedroom | $1,800 |
| 5 bedroom | $3,000 |
Packing Cost
Packing services cost around $1,000 on average, but can cost less for smaller residences with minimal belongings. Professional movers will typically come up with a custom quote based on the total square footage and the number of rooms. Keep in mind that packing and unpacking services aren’t automatically included in local moves, so be sure to specify this add-on when making your reservation.
Long-Distance Moving Cost
Moves spanning over 100 miles, aka long-distance moving, cost anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 overall. Final costs depend on the size of the load and the distance traveled, plus any moving add-ons you choose.
Cost by Mileage
One primary cost factor in long-distance moves is the mileage traveled. Moving a small one-bedroom apartment a distance of 250 miles can go for as little as $700, while a larger four-or five-bedroom apartment can cost upwards of $9,000.
| Mileage | 1–2 Bedrooms | 3–5 Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | $700–$2,500 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| 500 | $1,000–$3,000 | $3,500–$7,500 |
| 1,000 | $1,400–$3,500 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| 2,000+ | $2,000–$4,000 | $6,500–$9,000+ |
Cost by Home Size
Now that you're a pro on the cost of movers by mileage, how much do movers cost for different sizes of homes? This factor plays a major part in the cost to hire movers for a long-distance move. You might pay as low as $700 for a small one-bedroom apartment or upwards of $10,000 for three or more bedrooms.
| Number of Bedrooms | Pounds | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,800 | $700–$3,000 |
| 2 | 5,000 | $1,000–$7,000 |
| 3 | 9,000 | $1,400–$8,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 | $1,800–$10,000 |
| 5 | 15,000 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| 6 | 18,000 | $4,000–$15,000 |
Weight
The total weight of your belongings is another important cost factor to consider when budgeting for a local or long-distance move. Most moving companies will base the cost of your move or shipment on the weight of your household goods, and, no surprise, the heavier the load, the more you can expect to pay. Professional movers typically charge between $0.50 to $0.80 per pound.
Your moving service will use one of two methods to determine your move’s total weight: origin weighing and destination weighing. With the origin weight method, the movers will weigh the moving vehicle before and after loading your items to determine the net weight. On the other hand, destination weighing involves weighing the moving vehicle upon arriving at your new home, unloading your items, and then weighing the empty truck. When you receive a price quote from your moving service, check which method they use to weigh your belongings and verify the price per pound.
Other Moving Cost Factors
Many factors impact the cost of moving, and some may even make your move cost more or less than expected.
Ease of Access
If your apartment is on the top floor, those extra flights of stairs might have an impact on the final cost of moving. In addition, anything in your home that causes inconveniences to the movers, slows down the process, or requires more hands to help will increase the overall price.
Think about the obstructions in your home that get in the way of your day-to-day life. These will probably also hinder the moving company’s ability to do their job and cost you more as a result. In some cases, it may be best to schedule an in-person consultation to find out what you should expect to pay for a hard-to-access move.
Moving Date
Moving during peak season, typically from June to September, will cost you more due to the extra demand. If you plan on moving during these times, be sure to book as early as possible, as many moving companies will be fully booked one to two months out.
On the other hand, moving during the winter, known as the off-season, is a less expensive time to move, so rentals and moving company prices typically drop. However, it’s a give and take, as you may have to navigate bad weather, like snow or ice, and unfortunately, you can’t pay Frosty the Snowman to help you drive.
Tipping
Tipping your movers at least 10% and up to 20% of your final bill is strongly encouraged, particularly if you’re working with local movers. If it’s in your budget and they do an exceptional job, consider upping that amount. Some moving companies may have a preference for when and how to tip your moving team, so be sure to ask a company representative ahead of time. However, tipping at the end of the job is always a safe bet.
Extra Stops
Additional stops will add extra fees for mileage and service. This isn’t a common expense, but you could end up paying for extra stops if you need to pick up furniture and other home items from both your living space and a storage unit somewhere else. Ask your moving service to include stops in your quote to avoid surprise charges at the end of your trip.
Permits and Fees
Depending on where you live and where you’re heading, you may need to purchase a moving permit to temporarily park your moving vehicle. You can purchase a moving parking permit through your local Department of Motor Vehicles for $10 to $80, depending on the area.
Moving Add-Ons
If you need extra moving services, prepare to pay an additional cost. Check out the prices of some common moving add-ons.
| Moving Add-On | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning Services | $30–$50 per hour |
| Storage | $240 per month |
| Packing Supplies | $2–$20 each |
| Moving Truck Rentals | $30–$3,500 |
| Loading and Unloading Services | $45–$80 per hour |
| Packing and Unpacking Services | $1,000 |
| Insurance | $0.60 per pound |
Cleaning Services
Hiring a professional cleaning service costs between $30 to $50 per hour on average. A cleaning service will conduct a deep cleaning for a move-out that will typically cost between $200 to $500, depending on the size of your home.
Storage
Renting a storage unit costs around $240 per month on average. Prices fluctuate based on the size of the unit and the duration of use. Many storage companies will offer the first month for free, whether or not you need to store your items for longer, so be sure to shop around before you commit.
Packing Supplies
Don’t forget to account for the cost of moving and packing supplies. Moving boxes typically cost between $2 and $5, and 100 square feet of bubble wrap will cost around $20.
You can purchase packing supplies directly from your moving company, but many home improvement stores and big-box retailers carry them. As a general rule, always get more moving boxes than you think you’ll need to avoid hiccups on the big day. You can typically return any unused boxes.
Moving Truck Rentals
If you need to move your belongings, your best bet is to rent a moving truck to make the journey easier. The average cost to rent a moving truck is $1,000, but the price can range from $30 to $3,500, depending on the truck size and distance. Rental pickup trucks and vans are best suited for short-distance moves, while box trucks are ideal for large or long-distance moves.
Cost of Hiring Movers for Loading and Unloading Services
If you need help getting your belongings out of your current home and into your new one, you may incur additional charges. On average, moving companies charge $45 to $80 per hour to load and unload your belongings. However, some full-service moving companies may include this task as part of a package deal. Be sure to talk with your company about this specialized service before booking.
Cost of Packing and Unpacking Services
Most movers don’t automatically include packing services in their offers. These options can cost up to an additional $1,000, but they can also make the workload a lot easier on you if they’re within your budget.
Hiring full-service movers will cost a minimum of $2,300, but these pros will tackle every step of the moving process from start to finish, including disassembling and reassembling furniture.
Insurance
You can purchase moving insurance to protect your possessions while they’re in transit. Most moving services will include released-value liability coverage for around $0.60 per pound.
If you have heavier or higher-value items, you should consider purchasing full-value protection that requires the moving company to repair, replace, or provide funding for the total cost of the item.
Cost to Move Specialty Items
Certain items will cost extra on top of your base moving cost. Below are the costs for common specialty items.
| Items | Cost |
|---|---|
| Piano | $260–$580 |
| Pool table | $50–$4,000 |
| Hot tub | $200–$1,000 |
| Small boat | $2.50 per mile |
| Car | $700–$1,200 |
| Motorcycle | $200–$2,000 |
| Cat or small dog | $300 via plane |
| Other pet relocation | $1,000* |
| Aquarium (small) | $50–$100 |
| Aquarium (large) | $300+ |
| Gun safe | $200–$500 |
| Standard safe | $175–$500 |
| Wine collection | $10 per case |
*For the first pet; if you have more than one pet, you’ll pay $200 to $300 per additional pet.
Cost of Hiring Movers for Different Vehicle Types
Renting a truck or van costs anywhere from $20 to $100 per day, depending on the size of the vehicle. Many local moving companies include a standard van as part of the package, with larger vehicles costing extra.
| House Size | Truck Size | Cost per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 10–12 feet | $20–$30 |
| 2-3 bedrooms | 14–20 feet | $40–$80 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 22–26 feet | $60–$100 |
Fuel Costs
Some moving services will charge separately for fuel costs. Per-mile pricing fluctuates based on fuel prices in your area and the moving company’s policies. For example, U-Haul charges a local move price of $0.99 per mile.
Road Tolls and Parking Fees
If your movers encounter any road tolls or parking fees, they’ll add these costs to your bill. Consider alternate routes beforehand to avoid these additional costs.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Moving is tough work and can get overwhelming, especially if you’re handling most (or all) of it yourself. While hiring professional movers can take a lot off your plate, if it’s not within your budget, you can opt for a DIY move and potentially save hundreds or thousands on your expenses. Still, it’s a lot to take on, and it’s important to consider whether it’s a manageable project to undertake, and where it would be best to hire a moving team.
Plus, full-service movers provide non-monetary benefits, including time savings and injury prevention. Take the time to determine whether the reduced cost of a DIY move is worth the effort or if you’ll be better off hiring local movers. Hiring professional movers is often the best route for long-distance moves.
DIY Cost
The cost of moving yourself depends on the distance and load size. DIY local moves cost between $150 and $250, which covers the cost of renting a moving truck and purchasing packing supplies. On the other hand, DIY long-distance moves can cost $1,550 to $2,350 or more, which accounts for packing supplies, truck rental, fuel, and mileage costs from the rental company.
Beyond financial considerations, a DIY move requires considerable physical effort and time, including packing, heavy lifting, and driving a large vehicle over long distances. Plus, managing the logistics of a move—securing equipment, packing, loading, and unloading—requires significant coordination and can be stressful, especially if you have limited experience.
How to Save Money When Moving
Moving can get expensive, but there are several ways to save costs. Here are a few ways to keep your moving budget lower:
Declutter: Pare down your belongings beforehand to move as few items as possible and start fresh in your new home.
Sell unwanted items: Consider selling furniture and other large items on local secondary marketplaces. On top of saving money by moving fewer items, you can earn extra cash to put toward your moving budget.
Get started early: The more time you allow yourself to prepare, the more likely you are to sell your items for the best price. Also, by starting early and working slow, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the scope of the work.
Move during the off-season: If possible, time your move during the off-season (October through April) when rates for movers and rental trucks are lower.
Opt for DIY packing and unpacking: Pack and unpack your belongings on your own to reduce costs. Your movers will move your boxes and furniture and unload in your new home.
Prep everything for your movers: To save on hourly labor costs, be sure everything is packed up and ready for transport when the movers arrive.
Recycle packing supplies: Ask friends or retail stores for used moving boxes and other packing supplies instead of buying them new. If you move frequently, store your boxes and supplies to reuse in the future.
Shop around: Get multiple quotes from qualified moving services to find the best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Relocation costs depend on a variety of factors, such as the distance to your new home, the size and weight of your belongings, and any additional services you might need. Some of the main costs to consider when calculating relocation expenses include moving company fees, costs for rental trucks, packing materials, storage fees, and insurance.
Start by using a moving cost calculator to determine what’s doable in your budget. From there, search online and start requesting quotes from a wide selection of movers to determine which option is best for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, ask your moving company questions about their services and request consumer references before hiring.
Deciding whether it's worth it to hire movers depends on your budget, patience, and physical capabilities. It's difficult to gauge the amount of work that moving calls for, and it's easy to be off by about tenfold.
If you're able to call in some favors and round up friends to help, you might get through it just fine, but if you only have a few hands helping, things can quickly get overwhelming. Either way, bringing in the pros will save considerable time and stress, so if it's within your budget, it's a great investment.
You should book your moving company as far in advance as possible, at least two months or more. This is especially important if you're moving during the summer months, which are the peak moving season. This will help you save money on unexpected expenses and the stress that comes with trying to find a mover, which can be harder during certain months of the year.
The cost to hire movers for a full-service move is usually at least $2,000. This package typically includes packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, transportation, furniture assembly, and furniture disassembly.
Costs will vary based on the number of items you have, with additional surcharges for heavy and valuable items. If you’re interested in this service, be sure to get multiple quotes from different moving services to find the best deal.