How Much Does It Cost To Move In The Same City
Published by Chris Townsend
Average Cost of Same City Movers
When you need to move in the same city, the average cost for 2 guys and a truck is quite different compared to a long-distance move. A same-city move is usually under 50 miles, which means it can be handled at a lower cost. Let’s look at some of the factors impacting the cost to move within the same city, along with some cost examples.
Factors Impacting Same City Moving Costs
The main factors impacting the cost of any move will include:
- The distance of the local move
- The amount of stuff you need to move
- The amount of time it will take to move your home
- Any larger or fragile items needing to be moved
- The type of moving company you choose
Costs For A Moving Truck
If you rent a moving truck, the distance will impact your moving cost, to an extent. You will usually pay a daily fee, along with a fee for the mileage you drive. However, the mileage fee isn’t very high, so it will only have a small impact on your moving costs.
Hourly Rates For Same City Moves
The same city moving costs won't be impacted as much by the distance. When you hire a moving company, they will likely charge you based on an hourly movers rate and the number of professional movers you need to help you. The hourly moving rates are determined based on the no. of movers and no. of moving trucks you need. The table below shows hourly rates for moves within the same city.
| No. Of Movers | No. Of Moving Trucks | Average Hourly Moving Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Two | One | $100 per hour |
| Three | One | $145 per hour |
| Four | One | $190 per hour |
| Four | Two | $200 per hour |
The things you need to move will have a big impact on the cost of your move. If you need to move a studio apartment it will cost less than moving a four-bedroom home. Since your belongings will take up more space, you either need to rent a larger truck or pay more movers for more work, whether it's adding to the crew or it takes the crew longer to handle loading and unloading your things. If you don't hire more movers and larger truck for when you have more belongings, the time taken for the move will increase.
Additional Costs Of Moving
Along with these moving costs, you will also need to factor in packing supplies, insurance, any fuel you need to buy, and other fees. However, when you see the average cost of moving in the same city, it will likely only refer to a professional moving company or a rental truck. Full service movers will cost you more than normal movers.
Other factors that can contribute to a higher hourly rate for your local move include logistical challenges, such as stairs, narrow hallways, steep driveways, difficult parking situations, lack of elevators, and fragile items that require careful handling. Overall, anything that makes your move longer or more physically demanding can increase the overall cost. How a moving company charges for obstacles will vary from mover to mover. While some have set rates for things like stairs, others may simply factor it into the hourly rate.
What is the Average Cost To Move Within The Same City
According to RamseySolutions.com, the average cost of moving to the same city is $240 to $1,440. This cost is based on a studio apartment at $240, on average, and a three-bedroom home at $1,440, on average. We also move four bedroom apartment. The table below gives a better idea about the same city moving costs.
| Home Size | Estimated Time to Complete | Number of Movers | Average Cost Range |
| Studio apartment | 3 to 4 hours | 2 movers | $240 to $320 |
| One-bedroom home | 4 to 5 hours | 2 movers | $350 to $400 |
| Two-bedroom home | 5 to 6 hours | 3 movers | $600 to $720 |
| Three-bedroom home | 8 to 9 hours | 4 movers | $1,280 to $1,440 |
This is a pretty wide range and is just an average moving cost. The best way to find out how much your move will cost is to actually get a quote, whether online, over the phone, or in person. With a true moving quote, you will know how much it costs to rent a moving truck or hire a full-service moving company.
Whether you need to move a studio apartment or a massive house, hiring a moving company is a good way to take some of the work off your plate. Many moving companies will even offer packing and unpacking services at an additional fee.
Even if you simply want to rent a truck and hire labor to handle the heavy lifting, getting a quote is the best way to find out how much your move in the same city will cost. The average cost of moving in the same city gives you a range, but it cannot predict all the other expenses you will need to pay for when moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to tipping local movers, the general rule of thumb is to tip between 5 and 10 percent of the final cost of the move. Tipping five percent is reasonable for a basic local move in the same city that only takes a few hours. If your move takes most of the day or your movers are packing for you, tipping 10 percent is more appropriate.
Moving companies usually offer one of two types of moving estimates: binding and non-binding. A non-binding estimate gives you a rough idea of what you can expect to pay and is completely free. A binding estimate, on the other hand, you may have to pay for and is typically a written agreement that gives you the final price of your relocation based on various factors.
One of the best ways to save money when you’re moving locally is to handle the packing yourself. Especially when you consider that you will pay by the hour, this can save you some serious cash. Disassembling and reassembling your furniture will also save you move. Of course, your movers can do this for you but it’s only going to add to the total time it takes to complete your move – thus, increasing the price. Finally, reducing the amount of stuff you have to move can save you the most money. The less stuff you have, the less time it will take to move, and the less you’ll have to pay for your movers.
