Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Nov, 26 2025
New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the country, if not the world. With moving being one of the most financially taxing endeavors, moving in NYC can be especially pricey. While anyone can estimate the price of a move based on how much stuff they have and the distance between their origin location and their destination, calculating the cost of moving in NYC is a different story.
The best way to determine how much it’s going to cost to transit in the area is to reach out to a professional shifting company and request a quote. However, our team of shifting experts is here to give you a general idea of what it’ll price to hire NYC movers for your impending relocation.
Of course, the goal is to find an affordable shifting company that will get the job done right. No one wants to break the bank on their transit, even if it is in New York City. Regardless of income, everyone looks for the best deal possible and relocating is no exception. If you want to know the average cost of moving in the area, it’s important to understand all the factors that impact moving costs. These factors are considered by pretty much all shifting companies when calculating the price of a transit. So, let’s dive in!
Factors That Determine The Cost Of Moving In NYC
Each transit is unique, which can make determining the cost of moving in NYC a challenge. Relocating a studio apartment and a three-bedroom home are two very different endeavors. Both the movers and the person shifting are well aware of this fact, and the differences are seen in the final cost of the move.
The Amount Of Stuff You’re Shifting.
As you might expect, the more stuff that you have to transit, the more expensive your move is going to be. Logically speaking, this makes perfect sense. Whether your household goods will occupy a 12-foot shifting truck or a 16-foot moving truck is going to have an effect on cost. If the goal is to keep your moving costs as low as possible, do your best to reduce the amount of stuff you plan to take with you.
Take some time to consider each item that you own, especially the larger furniture items. These weigh more and are going to take up the most space in the truck. Is it worth hiring NYC movers to transit your massive, heavy couch if you’re already thinking about buying a new one for your new home? This same thought process can be applied to your dated appliances or anything else that may be bulky or difficult to haul.
The Size Of Your Home.
When it comes to the cost of moving in NYC (or anywhere really), time is an important factor. For local transit within the city, your moving company will charge you by the hour – whether they’re packing, driving, hauling, loading, unloading, or unpacking. The number of movers that are assigned to your move is also important. The time that your transit takes and the number of haulers it requires will depend on the size of your home. Here are some rough estimates to consider based on the size of your home:
- Moving from a studio apartment typically requires two transit and takes a standard of four hours. This includes packing, loading the truck, driving to your destination location, and unpacking everything. For this job, you can expect to pay an average of $400 to $600.
- Moving from a two-bedroom apartment usually requires three pairs of hands on deck. Depending on the specific circumstances, this type of move can be completed in about six hours with an average price of $720 to $900.
- Larger homes, like those that are three or four bedrooms, necessitate more haulers and more time. With four movers, the job may be finished in around eight hours. That said, the cost of hiring movers in the area for approximately the entire day is between $1280 and $1920.
These numbers are based on an average price per NYC hauler per hour of $40 to $60. Though, these are just price ranges and should only be understood as rough estimates. The most accurate price estimate will come from your moving company actually seeing your home and your belongings.
The Specific Location.
The specific conditions at the location will impact the price of shifting. For example, do you live on the fourth floor with no elevator? Is there street parking near your home or do you live off of a busy street? If your movers have to transit your belongings to or from a home located on the fourth floor with no elevator, you will be charged extra.
When you’re requesting quotes from moving companies make sure you are as detailed as possible. Disclose any and all necessary information so that there are no surprises on shifting day for you or your haulers.
Specialty Items.
In addition to special circumstances, special items can contribute to a higher moving price. These items include those that are particularly heavy, very fragile or require special conditions for transport. Some things that typically fall under this category of “special items” include pianos, hot tubs, sculptures, artwork, antique furniture, or just anything that needs to be handled with care.
When your shifting company arrives for your in-home estimate, make sure that you inquire about the price of moving your specialty items.
The Services You Select.
The services that you choose from your hauling company will influence the final bill for moving in NYC. If you opt for packing and unpacking services, the move will take longer. As previously stated, shifting companies usually charge by the hour. So, more time contributes to a higher cost.
Your Hauling Date.
The most popular day to transit is at the beginning or end of a month. Since this is peak time for residential moves, you can expect to pay more for the higher demand. If possible, try to move in the middle of the month and avoid weekends as well. The peak moving season also starts in April and goes all the way until the end of September. Moving outside of these months can save you money as well.
Though, if you don’t have any flexibility with regard to your shifting date – just book as far in advance as possible!
Beware Of Fraudulent Shifters
With the number of people flocking to NYC constantly rising, more shifting companies are created to meet the demand. Unfortunately, this also means the potential for running into scammers. When it comes to fraudulent movers in NYC, this is something that you should take seriously. Put simply, if you are concerned about the cost of shifting in the area, you should do everything in your power to avoid moving scams in New York City.
If you don’t know what to look out for, you could end up paying far more than you should for your move. With that said, here are some indications of a fraudulent NYC mover:
- No license. Do not even entertain a moving company that isn’t properly licensed and insured.
- Too good to be true. If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is why we recommend gathering quotes from multiple companies. That way, you can do a proper comparison and avoid low-ball estimates.
- Cash-only or large upfront deposits. These are both major red flags and clear signs of a possible moving scam.
- Difficult to find information about the company. If there isn’t a company logo on their uniforms or trucks, you can’t find a business address listed online, or they answer the phone without mentioning the name of the company, look elsewhere.
- Previous accusations of shifting fraud. Do the necessary research by looking online, asking around, and checking with the Better Business Bureau.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local NYC apartment moves typically range $600–$1,400 for studios and $900–$2,200 for one-bedrooms. Larger units such as two-bedrooms often fall between $1,600–$3,200. Prices reflect New York’s dense building layouts, high labor demand, limited curb space, and strict loading time windows. Costs rise with 2–4 movers, packing labor, stair-only buildings, long carries, and tight elevator schedules. Weather and borough traffic patterns can also influence labor time. For a more precise number, many people use an average moving cost calculator.
Professional crews typically bill $60–$120 per mover per hour depending on the season, borough, and crew size. NYC labor peaks from May through September and on weekends. Hourly time increases with walk-ups, freight elevator wait times, limited parking access, and long carries to the truck. Larger units often require 3–4 movers to keep overall labor hours down. For planning, compare hourly rates to flat-rate options listed in our moving services overview.
Common NYC surcharges include stair fees, elevator reservation fees, long-carry charges when trucks cannot park close, fuel surcharges, and fees for oversized items like pianos or safes. Some buildings require COI paperwork, which can add administrative time. Tight loading docks, no-parking zones, and peak-hour congestion can extend labor. Fees are predictable when the mover receives accurate details about building access, distance to curb, and any required HOA or management restrictions.
Most one-bedroom moves fall between $900–$2,200 for local service within the five boroughs. Lower floors with easy elevator access usually stay near the lower end, while fourth-floor walk-ups, no freight elevators, or long carries push totals higher. Packing adds $200–$450 depending on box count and fragile items. Winter weather and weekend scheduling can also influence the total. For other apartment types, see our dedicated NYC apartment moving page.
State-to-state relocations from NYC typically start around $2,000–$4,500 for small units and can reach $6,000–$10,000+ for multi-bedroom homes. Pricing is determined by shipment weight, mileage, fuel, labor, stair access, and the required delivery window. Any interstate move is regulated under the FMCSA, which mandates transparent estimates and bill-of-lading requirements. Distance routes, seasonal demand, and narrow NYC streets can affect loading efficiency and final costs. A full breakdown is available on our interstate movers resource.
The biggest drivers are unit size, crew size, packing needs, elevator access, long-carry distance, and borough traffic at pickup and delivery. Walk-ups and freight elevator time slots often add significant labor. Parking logistics (such as alternate-side rules or unavailable curb space) can extend loading times. Weather, special items, weekend scheduling, and whether the move is local or interstate also shape the total. Movers typically adjust labor rates during high-demand months when availability is tight.
