Is it worth hiring movers for a local move?

For most people moving a 2-bedroom or larger home, hiring movers is worth it even locally. The time savings, reduced injury risk, and protection for your belongings often outweigh the $500 to $1,000 price difference over a DIY rental. For a small studio or one-bedroom with minimal furniture, DIY usually makes more financial sense.

What is the cheapest way to move long distance?

Renting a moving truck yourself is typically the lowest sticker price for a long-distance move, but the true cost climbs fast once you add fuel, hotels, meals, and your own time. Moving containers are usually the next cheapest option and eliminate the stress of driving a large truck cross-country. Full-service movers are the most expensive but include labor, transit, and basic liability coverage.

Do professional movers pack your stuff too?

Yes, most full-service movers offer packing services for an added fee. Full-pack service runs $500 to $2,000 depending on home size. Many people choose a partial pack, where movers handle only fragile items such as dishes and art, to cut costs while still getting professional protection for breakable goods.

Are moving expenses tax deductible?

For most people, moving expenses are no longer federally deductible following the 2017 tax law changes. An exception applies to active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who move under military orders. See IRS Topic 455 for the current rules on deducting moving expenses.

Hiring Movers vs DIY: A Cost Comparison for 2026

By Chris Terry, Founder & Editor
Updated June 17, 2026

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Hiring movers for a local two-bedroom move costs $800 to $1,800, while a DIY truck rental typically runs $300 to $700 for the same size move. For long-distance moves, the gap narrows significantly once you factor in fuel, hotels, and your own time. The right choice depends on distance, how much you own, and what your time is worth.

Full Cost Breakdown: Local Move

Most people compare only the headline rental rate against the mover quote, but a true comparison includes every expense.

DIY Local Move (2-Bedroom)

Cost Item	Estimated Cost
Truck rental (local, one day)	$100 to $250
Fuel	$30 to $80
Boxes and packing supplies	$80 to $200
Furniture dollies and moving blankets	$30 to $80
Help from friends (pizza and beer)	$50 to $150
Total	$290 to $760

Professional Movers (Local, 2-Bedroom)

Cost Item	Estimated Cost
Labor (3 movers x 5 hours at $120/hr)	$600 to $1,000
Truck fee (often included)	$0 to $150
Fuel surcharge	$50 to $100
Boxes (if you pack yourself)	$80 to $200
Tips	$60 to $150
Total	$790 to $1,600

On a local move, DIY saves you roughly $500 to $1,000. But that estimate assumes no injuries, no damage to furniture or doorframes, and that you can recruit reliable help. Those are not small assumptions.

Full Cost Breakdown: Long-Distance Move

The cost gap between DIY and professional movers shrinks considerably once you factor in a long drive. Moving cross-country in a rental truck is a demanding task, and the expenses stack up fast.

DIY Long-Distance Move (2-Bedroom, 1,500 Miles)

Cost Item	Estimated Cost
One-way truck rental	$1,200 to $2,500
Fuel (trucks get 8 to 12 mpg)	$400 to $700
Hotels (2 to 3 nights)	$200 to $450
Meals on the road	$100 to $200
Packing supplies	$150 to $300
Truck insurance (optional but recommended)	$80 to $150
Total	$2,130 to $4,300

Professional Movers (Long-Distance, 2-Bedroom, 1,500 Miles)

Cost Item	Estimated Cost
Full-service carrier quote	$3,500 to $6,000
Packing (if using mover packing)	$500 to $1,200
Tips	$100 to $200
Total (packing yourself)	$3,600 to $6,200

For a 1,500-mile move the price difference is real, but it is much closer than most people expect. Consider that with full-service movers you fly to your destination, the movers handle all the heavy lifting, and your belongings are covered by the carrier's liability program.

The Hidden Costs of DIY Moving

The dollar figures above are only part of the story. Several costs are real but hard to put an exact number on:

Your time: A DIY long-distance move takes 3 to 5 days including packing, loading, driving, and unloading. What is that time worth to you professionally or personally?
Physical risk: Back injuries from lifting heavy furniture are one of the most common DIY move injuries. Medical bills and missed work can easily exceed what you saved.
Damage to belongings: Moving blankets and professional packing techniques exist for good reason. DIY movers are more likely to scratch furniture, crack screens, or break fragile items than trained crews.
Damage to the property: Gouging a wall or doorframe on your way out can result in withheld security deposits.

When Hiring Movers Is Clearly Worth It

You are moving more than 500 miles.
You have specialty items such as a piano, antiques, or large appliances.
You do not have friends or family who can reliably help on moving day.
You are over 50 or have any physical limitations.
You are moving into or out of a building with elevators, tight hallways, or multiple flights of stairs.

When DIY Moving Makes More Sense

You are moving locally, within the same city or metro area.
You own relatively little furniture and mostly soft goods and boxes.
You have a group of reliable friends who can help and a flexible schedule.
You are moving from a small apartment with easy access.

A Middle-Ground Option: Moving Containers

Portable moving containers (often called pod containers) offer a compromise. You pack and load yourself on your own schedule, and the company transports the container to your new home. For a 1,500-mile move, container services typically cost $2,000 to $4,500, placing them between a DIY truck and full-service movers.

Protecting Yourself No Matter Which Option You Choose

If you hire movers for an interstate move, always verify their FMCSA registration before signing anything. The FMCSA Protect Your Move resource lets you confirm a company's USDOT number, active operating authority, and insurance status. Rogue movers who hold belongings hostage on delivery day are a documented problem. Use the FMCSA's official lookup tools to avoid them entirely.

For a personalized estimate based on your home size and route, try our long-distance moving cost calculator before you start comparing quotes.

Summary: Which Option Saves You More?

Scenario	DIY Cost	Mover Cost	DIY Savings
Local, studio/1-bed	$200 to $500	$500 to $900	$300 to $400
Local, 2-bed	$300 to $760	$800 to $1,600	$500 to $840
Long-distance, 2-bed, 500 mi	$1,200 to $2,200	$2,500 to $4,500	$1,300 to $2,300
Long-distance, 2-bed, 1,500 mi	$2,100 to $4,300	$3,600 to $6,200	$1,500 to $1,900
Long-distance, 3-bed, 2,000 mi	$3,500 to $6,000	$6,000 to $11,000	$2,500 to $5,000