Average Cost of Movers for Local and Cross-Country Moves

You have finally decided to move to a new location in town or move across the country and relocate to another part of the US. But you're wondering how much movers command and what the average price of movers would be for your move. We are here to provide you with a detailed guide on the moving expenses you are likely to incur, what factors affect your moving expenses, and how to choose a responsible hauling company and save costs. We can also estimate moving costs for you for free.

The Average Cost of Movers depends on several factors, including your move size, location, and the type of move you choose. For example, relocating a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles will fall into a different Cost Range compared to moving a larger bedroom house across state lines to New York City or San Francisco. At THREE MOVERS, we provide moving quotes that reflect not just the distance but also the truck size, household items, and any specialty requests such as handling a hot tub or other bulky pieces.

To eliminate hidden fees, we recommend requesting a free quote that outlines the Estimated Cost in clear detail, so you know exactly what the cost of your move will look like before the moving process begins. Whether you need help with fragile items or have a larger home requiring a bigger moving crew, our moving team ensures your upcoming move is tailored to your moving needs with accuracy and transparency.

Relevant Statistics and Data for Moving Costs

• On average, hiring professional movers costs around $1,200 for a local move.
• Approximately 75% of people who hire movers choose to pack their belongings themselves.
• The cost of hiring movers for long-distance moves can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the distance and the size of the move.
• Around 90% of hauling companies charge by the hour for their services.
• Adding additional services, such as packing and unpacking, can increase the overall expense of moving by up to 30%.

Key Factors That Affect Moving Costs

• The cost of movers varies depending on factors such as the distance of the move, the size of the home, and the volume of belongings.
• Additional services like packing, unpacking, and storage may incur extra charges.
• Movers often charge by the hour, with rates varying between different moving companies.
• Long-distance moves are generally more expensive than local moves.
• Requesting quotes from multiple movers can help you compare prices and find the best deal for your specific needs.

What is the national average expenditure of movers?

For local moves, the movers' national fee can range between $755 and $2,038, putting the average cost estimate at around $1,400. A long-distance shipment can cost as low as $2,200 and as high as $5,700, depending on the distance, delivery method, and amount of furniture or specialty items being moved. When you're looking for a moving company, it can be frustrating to find precise pricing or an accurate breakdown of charges. This is mostly because rates in the business aren't necessarily fixed, and the final payment often depends on multiple factors, such as peak season, distance of your move, number of items, traffic, destination, type of service chosen (like full service movers), and even whether there are stairs or levels involved. These specifics can impact the timeline, cost, and overall accuracy of the quote you receive, and can create additional fees or additional charges when it is time to get quotes or moving estimates.

Key Elements That Affect Moving Costs

One of the major things that determine the total expenditure of your move is the size of your home. A four-bedroom apartment will definitely require more work than a one-bedroom apartment or studio apartment. Other factors affecting the cost of moving are:

• How many belongings you need to move - the size of the cargo is one of the first things that will influence how much you pay for moving services. The more you need to transport, the more space in a truck you require;
• The distance or mileage - the average charges for movers carrying out long-distance moves is definitely more than local, short-distance movers.
• Move date or time of year - hauling companies are a lot more in demand during certain times of the year, which also means they are more expensive. For instance, moving during the summer months is a lot more expensive average hourly rate and average total cost than moving just a few months later, during fall;
• The types of services you choose - The type of services you ask for will be needed to determine how much movers charge for your particular relocation. If you are working with a full-service shifting company, the more services you opt for, the higher the final bill will be;
• The types of objects you need to move - if you have certain high-value or vintage pieces, for instance, that usually means the company must take greater care moving them, such as having completely different types of boxes or taking extra precautions to secure the objects during transport. This can also make your rate go up a bit.
• Liability and valuation coverage - You will need to purchase liability coverage if working with a relocating company. You can get different forms of protection, including Basic Release Value Protection and Full Value Protection. You may also incur additional insurance costs if you would like to purchase moving insurance coverage from a third-party provider.
• How urgent the move is - Same-day movers will cost more

This is why the golden rule in finding a hauling company is to contact them and ask for an estimate. While it will not necessarily be the final price you'll end up paying, the estimate should be a good representation of average hauling fee and what kind of budget you should have.

Estimate Your Moving Costs with This Simple Guide

To arrive at an accurate price estimate for your moving plan, we have itemized the basic costs that the move will incur below so you can do a manual estimation of the average cost.

Labor Charges & Packing Fees Explained

Whether your move is local or long-distance, the cost estimate will depend on multiple factors, including the method of relocation you choose. You’ll also need to consider tips for movers, which are usually paid in cash and based on the amount of effort involved—especially if stairs, lifting, or heavy items which require heavy lifting like furniture are part of the job. Packing will add additional costs to your payment as well, whether you're opting for a DIY move using supplies like bubble wrap, tape, and bins, or hiring a professional moving company through full service movers who handle everything from wrapping your stuff to organizing unloading at the new destination. If you're moving from a studio, you may spend less than someone relocating a multi-level home with add-ons like furniture assembly or furniture disassembly and storage unit services.

Local Moving Expense: Understanding Truck Rental Costs

Professional movers charge on a per-hour basis. For a move, a local moving company charge an hourly rate of $25 to $50 per mover on average. Therefore, the labor cost for a three-man team working for four hours will be between $300 – $600. Bear in mind that your home size / size of your move on your next move, which has to do with the number of bedrooms will affect the number of local movers you will need and the hours they will spend, a 1-bedroom home will require two men and 4 hours to pack, whereas a 5-bedroom will require 12 hours. The number of movers required will have a drastic effect on the cost of moving.

When packing without the help of a company, you will need packing materials such as packing boxes, packing paper, and other moving supplies, so add that to the moving expenses. But packing is a daunting task, and that's the reason people prefer outsourcing this aspect of their move. You can hire full-service movers so they can get the packing done for you as well.

To hire movers for packing and to move it will cost you $2,300 or more. However, note that when using a full service moving company, your belongings may spend some days or weeks with them before they are delivered. Therefore, you should get your essential items and other important documents in your first night box, which you should keep with you.

Long Distance Hauling Charges and Rates

Long-distance movers have more factors to consider, which makes the costs pretty much higher. Gas, mileage, toll fees, lodging if required, and additional trip incurred fees that will be passed to you are some important factors that need to be considered when calculating moving prices for long-distance moves. Also, some moving companies charge by the mile when it comes to long-distance moves. Therefore, your long-distance move can cost anything between $755 and $10000.

Average Cost of Full-Service Movers and Their Services

There are two types of full service moves: Local moves, which is usually around 100 miles or less and long distance moves.

Full service local moves cost factors could cost between $800 - $5600, as a range from 1-bedroom to a four-bedroom home or 5-bedroom. Full service long distance moving companies (best moving companies) can charge between $2,500 - $11,500 overall cost.

Expect to pay coverage on the moving, which is usually between $0 - $8 per $1000 of value moved.

Estimated Outlay of Relocating Special Items with Protection

Special items like flat screen TVs, piano, swing sets, animal pens, antiques, appliances and items that are considered bulky items such as pool tables. Special items also include automobiles, boats, jet skis, kiteboards, sails, and other watersport equipment.

The average cost flat rate for specialty movers can be anything between $400 to $2000 for special items. If you move your car with your other possessions, expect an additional $1000 per vehicle.

Average Charge for Self-Moving with Rental Trucks

If you are shifting within the same city (short distance), it is possible you want to handle the move yourself, especially if you have a moderate home size and friends and families who can help. Below is a quick guide on what you will need for packing and moving and how it affects the average cost of a moving company.

Specialty Moves: When Your Items (Pianos, Antiques, Hot Tubs) Change the Price Tag

When calculating how much you’ll spend on specialty moves, a moving cost calculator becomes your best friend. It helps generate rough estimates based on critical factors such as the total weight of your belongings, the number of rooms, and the distance traveled. For instance, transporting delicate antiques or a grandfather clock from New Jersey to North Carolina will yield a different price range than moving a hot tub across town. Since these items require extra care, specialized equipment, and sometimes temperature-controlled vehicles, your costs of moving will naturally increase. In most cases, the best way to ensure safe delivery is to hire professional movers experienced in handling high-value household goods.

Even with a moving cost calculator, specialty relocations are rarely predictable. The distance traveled, the nature of your items, and even whether you’re planning cross-country moves within the United States can dramatically affect pricing. Large, fragile items like a grandfather clock or an antique piano often demand extra services such as custom crating, lift-gate trucks, or climate control, which add layers of cost and complexity. A reputable mover will assess your inventory in detail, accounting for how much stuff you own, and provide an itemized quote so you can budget with confidence rather than guesswork.

Sometimes, customers choose short-term storage solutions to protect their specialty items during long hauls or renovation delays. In such cases, the moving cost calculator can again come in handy to anticipate fees associated with temporary storage and delivery timelines. Whether you’re moving within New Jersey, setting off for North Carolina, or coordinating cross-country moves across the United States, using precise tools and trusting trained professionals ensures your valuables arrive intact—and that your final bill reflects the real value of both your possessions and your peace of mind.

Rental truck

Truck rental companies charge anything from $20 to $100 to rent a moving truck per day, depending on the size of a vehicle, the distance and the number of days you will need the truck. There could also be extra fees such as truck cleaning fees, tolls, and additional mileage fees. It will also require paying for truck rental insurance which maybe around $150.

Gas/Diesel Prices

You will be responsible for the fuel cost of your journey. The average fuel consumption rate is a gallon per 7 - 10 miles, depending on the size of a rental truck. You will also be required by the truck rental company to fill up the fuel tank when returning to the truck to avoid paying a fine.

Moving container

Another option when shifting on your own if you don't want to rent a truck is to rent a container. Containers provide additional storage opportunities and there are no restrictions on when you can use them, unlike rental trucks. You can hire a portable container that you can use to store your belongings temporarily, especially when your new home is not ready yet. The average charges is between $2,000 (1 bedroom) - $4,500 (5 bedrooms).

Moving boxes and packing supplies

The average cost you will incur on moving boxes depends on the size of your home, how many boxes you will need, and the sizes of the boxes.

For a modest household of 3 bedrooms and young adults and adults, you can expect to spend an average expense of $550 on boxes and packing supplies. So basically, this can increase or decreases according to home size, family size, and lifestyle.

Planning Your Moving Budget with Confidence

Creating a realistic moving budget starts with understanding both local moving costs and long-distance moving cost estimates. For a local move, charges are typically calculated by move size and hours worked, while relocation costs increase for moves that cross state lines. THREE MOVERS helps you compare moving quotes so you can see the Cost Range for a 1-bedroom apartment versus a bedroom house or larger home, ensuring your budget reflects the true scope of the job.

Adding Storage Services or accounting for Storage fees can impact the final total, just as selecting the right insurance options can help protect your household items along the way. By using our Moving Checklist and securing a free quote early, you’ll have a clear Table of Contents for expenses, giving you control over every line item. This approach makes it easier to anticipate higher costs before they appear, helping you manage your relocation costs with clarity and peace of mind.

How THREE MOVERS Delivers a Better Moving Experience

Your moving experience should be straightforward, efficient, and free of financial surprises. That’s why THREE MOVERS matches the right moving crew and moving team to your move size, ensuring efficiency whether you’re relocating within Los Angeles or moving from New York City to San Francisco. We provide an Estimated Cost that factors in all essential services, from handling fragile items to accommodating specialty household items, so you won’t face unexpected hidden fees at the end of your journey.

Every detail, including the moving date, truck size, and type of move, is carefully planned to streamline the moving process. With our professional guidance, your upcoming move will be supported from start to finish, helping you avoid delays, control costs, and achieve a smooth transition into your new space.

Should You Handle Your Move Yourself?

The choice is up to you. There are ways you can save cost self-handling your move but's that's only if you have previous experience and know exactly what to do. Otherwise, your expense to move might end up being a few hundred dollars more than what you would have spent if you hire movers who are professionals. Besides, packing and moving yourself will take a considerably longer time, and if care is not taken you might run into logistics problems.

Three Movers's Affordable Moving Services

Professional moving services can sound like a high expense, but that’s not always the case. Apart from having some of the cheapest and best-moving rates in the industry, we at Three Movers are happy to work with our clients and find the best solutions based on their budgets.

You will get our expertise and dedication no matter the size and cost of your job. We guarantee:

• High-quality moving services at low average moving costs.
• Personalized packages with only the service you want and need
• A dedicated team of trained and insured professionals
• Great insurance coverage
• Extremely affordable prices
• Completely stress-free local and cross-country move

And more!

Get in touch with us now for a free estimate and more information.

Examples Of Average Charges

What is a good price for movers?

Many factors like the distance of move, weight, type of items being moved, type of services you need, etc., determine the reasonable moving prices. The good price for movers drastically changes from move to move.

How much should movers charge per hour?

On average, you’ll have to pay $25 to $50 per mover for local movers. The rate usually changes based on the price of the move. Long-distance movers are not usually carried out on an hourly basis.

How much do movers demand for a 2-bedroom apartment?

To move a two-bedroom apartment around 250 miles, you can expect to pay around $1400 – $4000.

Do I need to feed my movers?

You’ll probably need to feed movers for long-distance moves. But, for local moves lasting less than 5 hours, you’ll not have to worry about the cost of feeding your movers.

How much do movers charge for packing services?

The labor costs packing cost price ranges usually lies somewhere between $270 to $2,200. The drastic change in prices is affected by factors like the longer distance, (equals higher prices from a reputable moving company) number of things you need to pack and the time required to pack those things with special handling and extra care. Call the phone number at the top of the website to get the best price final cost for the best movers in your area, and don't let your valuable items get moved by anyone.

Average Expense Of Relocating

Here are other informational articles related to the average cost of moving that can be helpful:

• Average Cost Of Moving In Same City
• Average Cost Of Moving A three-bedroom home
• Average Cost Of Moving Coast To Coast
• Average Cost Of Moving In NYC
• Average Cost Of Moving In Chicago
• Average Cost Of Moving In Ontario
• Average Cost Of Moving Insurance
• Average Cost Of Moving Locally
• Average Cost Of Moving Interstate
• Average Cost Of Moving Containers
• Average Cost Of Moving Expenses
• Average Cost Of Moving From East Coast To West Coast
• Average Cost Of Moving In State
• Average Cost OF Moving Labor