How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Two quotes for the same move, same route, same home size, can differ by thousands of dollars. Below are the real cost drivers for each type of move, and where most people have actual room to cut.

Local moves

Local movers bill by the hour: crew size times hours worked, plus a travel fee. A 2-3 bedroom move typically runs $800-$2,000, and the crew size is the single biggest lever you can pull on that number. Estimate yours with the local move calculator.

Long-distance moves

Interstate carriers price on shipment weight and miles traveled. The range is wide: commonly $2,000-$8,000 or more, and every pound you own goes the full distance. Cutting what you ship before the truck arrives is the most direct way to lower the number. Estimate it with the long-distance calculator.

DIY truck rental

Renting a truck is often cheaper for a short local move. On anything longer, the daily rate, mileage, and fuel stack up fast, and larger trucks average 8 to 12 miles per gallon on a good day. Price it with the truck rental calculator.

Packing

Packing materials for a full house run a few hundred dollars new. Source free boxes from grocery stores, liquor stores, or local buy-nothing groups and that number drops considerably. Estimate supplies and optional packing labor with the packing calculator.

How to save

• Book mid-week and outside the peak season (summer and month-end are the most expensive windows).
• Cut the shipment weight before a long-distance quote. Donating or selling furniture you'd replace anyway is often worth the savings.
• Get at least three written estimates from licensed movers before committing.
• Source free boxes from grocery stores or local buy-nothing groups, and pack yourself where you can.