Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 27 2025
Although moving to New York City is never fun, it doesn’t have to be that miserable of a task. If your lease is expiring soon and you’re wondering how much do movers cost in NYC, remember the general rule of thumb. The cost of hiring professional movers in the Big Apple can vary as much from day to night. At Three Movers, our goal is to ensure that you have the most pleasant, cost-effective shifting experience possible, not just in New York City but nationwide. Below, we will also teach you to keep moving costs as low as possible to make the move more affordable. We try to plan and execute the move to be stress-free and affordable for our customers so that they can focus on their family or work instead of worrying about hauling costs. We are one of the best NYC movers, using our moving truck for every type of relocation, and we can even help with auto transport through a trusted partnership with https://www.a1autotransport.com.
How Much Professional Movers Charge in NYC?
Depending on who you’re dealing with, the moving company you hire will either charge you by the hour or a flat rate. Many renters prefer being charged a flat rate so that the less reputable professional movers are unable to overcharge them. So, let’s do the math for NYC relocation price with the following example to get some idea about the cost of moving to NYC:
You’re shifting from a 2nd-floor single-bedroom apartment to a 3rd-floor single-bedroom apartment. The distance to your new place is 8 miles. You have a bed, a couch, and maybe 1 or 2 other large pieces of furniture, but it’s nothing extremely heavy like a piano. Based on the average company estimate, the cost of moving a 1 bedroom apartment will be between $100 and $150/hr. Or a flat rate of $750 for a move that takes 6 hours to complete.
Add in the cost of packing materials such as boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, or other supplies, and you’re looking at about $950. If you tip the moving crew (and you should), 10% is the standard industry gratuity rate. This brings the average cost of the move to roughly $1,050. If you have valuable articles such as expensive art or high-end furniture, you’ll want to discuss your needs with a Three Movers representative. We are available to view it all and then give you a written, no-obligation quote. We are one of the most cost-effective professional movers and can help you by providing moving services at an affordable price for a New York Relocation.
Factors Affecting Cost
Unless you move outside New York City, chances are you’ll be moving from one apartment to another. Furthermore, you’ll quickly discover that no two apartment buildings are alike. Consequently, moving companies in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island can’t offer a fixed moving cost when it comes to relocating within the city. If you’re trying to create a budget for that move, you need to take certain variables into consideration.
Determine How Much Haulers Cost With the Following Variables
- Amount of furniture that needs to be moved: If you are shifting with quite a large amount of stuff then you may have to pay extra bucks. And if you wanna save that buck and use it elsewhere then make sure you get some helping hands from friends and relatives instead of a moving company.
- Moving timeline for the shift: It is important to decide the timeframe within which you want the complete relocation to be completed. For faster service, you need to pay extra money. So, if you want to avoid that cost, you must plan to move when you’ve plenty of time.
- Disassembly and reassembly of furniture: Furniture like beds, cupboards, and even a bookshelf must be disassembled while moving and assembled once the shifting is completed. The cost of disassembly and reassembly of furniture may not be included in the package and if you’re seeking help from the company then not to mention, you’ll have to pay some money other than the total cost of moving.
- Ease of access (i.e., distance from the street, elevator vs. stairs, etc.): Easier accessibility of your home space during lifting, loading, and unloading leads to work completion under budget.
- Heavy items being moved (e.g., piano, pool table, etc.): Categories of moves include heavier items, and these items need more movers and probably more trips, and hence that calls for more charge.
- Moving distance to your new location: Moving to a nearby place will cost less. Ensure the movers will use the shortest distance to your new location. This is especially necessary when you are planning long-distance moves.
- The number of boxes you have packed: If the number of boxes you have packed is more than the truck’s capacity then the complete relocation of items may call for an extra number of trips.
Additionally, Three Movers recommends that you get price quotes from several moving companies to compare price quotes and help you decide on the company to hire.
Price Examples
The table below outlines very rough price estimates based on historical moving cost information:
| 1 bedroom | 2-3 bedrooms | 4-5 bedrooms | |
| Less than 50 miles | $240 – $675 | $710 – $1,400 | $1,100 – $4,900 |
| 250 miles | $800 – $2,300 | $1,400 – $3,950 | $2,050 – $4,700 |
| 1000+ miles | $950 – $2,900 | $2,100 – $7,800 | $4,900 – $8,100 |
| 2500+ miles | $1,300 – $3,800 | $3,400 – $7,900 | $8,400+ |
The cost is estimated by our own professional movers who have decades of experience in this hauling industry. Other Austin movers of same quality may have higher price because they are not as affordable as our movers.
Long Distance Relocating Expense
| To / From New York City | Distance | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY to Clarksville, MD | 211 | $379.8 – $464.2 | $506.4 – $569.7 | $675.2 – $780.7 |
| Lakewood, NJ to New York City, NY | 69 | $124.2 – $151.8 | $165.6 – $186.3 | $220.8 – $255.3 |
| New York City, NY to Lancaster, PA | 163 | $293.4 – $358.6 | $391.2 – $440.1 | $521.6 – $603.1 |
| Salinas, CA to New York City, NY | 2988 | $5378.4 – $6573.6 | $7171.2 – $8067.6 | $9561.6 – $11055.6 |
| New York City, NY to Palmdale, PA | 161 | $289.8 – $354.2 | $386.4 – $434.7 | $515.2 – $595.7 |
| Hollywood, MD to New York City, NY | 272 | $489.6 – $598.4 | $652.8 – $734.4 | $870.4 – $1006.4 |
| New York City, NY to Springfield, PA | 114 | $205.2 – $250.8 | $273.6 – $307.8 | $364.8 – $421.8 |
| Macon, GA to New York City, NY | 896 | $1612.8 – $1971.2 | $2150.4 – $2419.2 | $2867.2 – $3315.2 |
| New York City, NY to Kansas City, MO | 1189 | $2140.2 – $2615.8 | $2853.6 – $3210.3 | $3804.8 – $4399.3 |
| Sunnyvale, CA to New York City, NY | 2933 | $5279.4 – $6452.6 | $7039.2 – $7919.1 | $9385.6 – $10852.1 |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and other factors.
Relevant Statistics
- The average cost of hiring a professional for a local move is $800 to $1,200.
- Approximately 70% of moving companies offer packing services as an additional cost.
- On average, the cost of packing materials ranges from $200 to $400.
- About 80% of people who hire movers in NYC opt for additional insurance coverage, which typically costs 3-5% of the total move cost.
- A one-bedroom apartment relocation within Manhattan, on average, costs between $1,500 and $2,500 with professional movers.
General Facts
- The cost of hiring movers in New York City can vary depending on factors such as the size of the move, distance traveled, and additional services requested.
- Movers in NYC typically charge an hourly rate, which can range from $100 to $300 per hour, depending on the complexity of the move.
- Additional fees may apply for services like packing, unpacking, storage, and specialty item handling.
- Factors like the time of year and day of the week can also affect the cost of hiring movers in NYC, with peak moving seasons typically being more expensive.
- It's recommended to get multiple quotes from different moving companies in order to compare prices and find the best deal for your specific needs.
Hourly Moving Rates
The hourly rate for relocating services mainly depends on the number of professional movers you need and the number of moving trucks you need for the job. The table below shows some hourly rate examples based on these two factors:
| 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 |
How To Make Expense More Affordable?
Moving can be just as stressful in NYC, but it can also be an exciting experience. Not only do you have a lot to move, but you are concerned with keeping it organized, protected, undamaged, and you also worry about how many movers are in NYC. Here are several tips that will help take some of the hassles out of your intercity move without losing your belongings as well as manage NYC mover's cost to make it as low as possible.
How To Decrease Expenditure?
- Avoid unnecessary work and unnecessary expenses – you’re going to be doing a lot as it is so work smarter, not harder. Also, save time to ensure that the apartment is clean once you are ready to leave. Unless you don’t care about getting that hefty security deposit back that you paid up front when you moved in.
- Get rid of items you no longer need or want – this is the perfect time to be charitable with items that some people need more than you do. Take inventory of your belongings and separate the items you really don't have need for any longer. Donating such items to Goodwill or Salvation Army is a great way to help others and it’s tax-deductible.
- Organize, organize, and organize some more – a moving to-do list can be as long as a person’s arm. However, your burden will become increasingly lighter the more you organize and prepare for the move. Create a checklist by mapping out all that needs to be done. This normally involves several days, so keep track of things on your calendar. If you break things down into smaller daily tasks, you’ll feel like you’re accomplishing more and making the move more manageable.
Bear in mind that while moving to New York City can be daunting and expensive, it's never a significant matter to be much concerned about. Numerous moving firms can assist you and make your relocation more comfortable and affordable than your expectations.
Call Three Movers today to learn more about moving costs in New York City or get a FREE price quote.
What Types Of Options Are There For NYC Shifting?
Because New York City is so populous, streets can become congested and small, and not all neighborhoods provide the same mobility alternatives. The specific options accessible to you will most likely be determined by the details of your move, location, and destination. People travel in and out of NYC on a daily basis, so have no concern. Here are some of the methods to employ:
- DIY rental truck
- Moving and storage container service
- Moving and storage container service specialized for city moves
- Traditional full-service mover
- A combo of the above
How Much Should You Tip Relocating Companies?
Some variables for you to consider are the action's size and distance (mileage). Likewise, just how much stuff did they need to lug around? If you moved to a walkup, how many trips upstairs did the moving companies make? Did the relocation occur in the middle of a heatwave, rainstorm, or snowstorm? That stated, there are a couple of oblique rules.
The short answer is 15%–20% of the total worth of your move. It is common to acknowledge movers for their work and extra initiative on the day. For instance, a $1,000 medium-sized move would justify a $200 tip shared between two moving companies if they had shown an authentic dedication to your requirements throughout the day. It likewise aids in showing appreciation during the step. Purchase the team coffee, soft drinks, and possibly a pizza- relocating, besides, is arduous work!
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving in NYC typically costs $600–$1,400 for a studio or one-bedroom, $1,200–$3,500 for a two- to three-bedroom, and $4,000+ for larger homes or long-distance moves. Pricing is driven by apartment size, 2–4 movers, truck size, packing needs, stairs or elevators, long-carry distances, traffic timing, and building restrictions. Local NYC moves are usually billed hourly, while interstate moves follow FMCSA-regulated estimates through a long distance moving service.
NYC movers generally charge $120–$200 per hour for 2 movers, $160–$260 for 3 movers, and $200–$320 for 4 movers, including a truck. Hourly rates apply to local moves within the metro area and usually include a 3–4 hour minimum. Final cost depends on move size, packing time, stairs or elevator access, long carries, parking logistics, traffic windows, and weather delays. Hourly billing is standard for movers by the hour.
A one-bedroom apartment move in NYC typically costs $500–$2,000 for a local move. Lower-end pricing applies to walk-up studios with minimal furniture, while higher costs reflect elevator reservations, tight loading zones, packing services, or heavy items. Most one-bedroom moves require 2–3 movers and take 3–5 hours door to door. Building rules, curb access, and traffic timing heavily affect final pricing for NYC apartment movers.
NYC moving costs are higher due to labor rates, dense traffic, strict building management rules, limited parking, and frequent stairs or long-carry distances. Elevator scheduling, COI requirements, and restricted loading windows add time and crew size. Moves often require additional planning compared to suburban areas. These factors increase labor hours and logistical complexity, especially for local relocations handled by local moving companies.
Common NYC moving add-ons include stairs or long-carry fees, elevator reservations, shuttle service for narrow streets, packing materials, bulky items like pianos or safes, and storage if delivery is delayed. Weekend or end-of-month moves may cost more due to demand. Clear written estimates should itemize these charges upfront. Interstate moves must disclose fees under FMCSA rules when booked through an interstate moving service.
Most NYC apartment moves take 3–5 hours for a studio or one-bedroom, 5–8 hours for a two-bedroom, and 8–12 hours for larger apartments. Time depends on crew size, packing level, stairs or elevators, long carries, traffic patterns, and building time windows. Same-day completion is standard for local moves, while long-distance relocations may take 5–14 days depending on distance and routing.
Accurate NYC moving estimates require a detailed inventory, apartment size, floor level, elevator access, parking conditions, and any specialty items. Virtual or in-home surveys are standard for precise pricing. Provide full building requirements and preferred move dates to avoid surprises. Local moves are usually hourly, while long-distance estimates are binding or non-binding under federal guidelines for regulated carriers.
