Free planning tool
Moving cost calculator
Average cost ranges
What does a move typically cost?
Real-world ranges from our recent moves. Local pricing is hourly (crew + truck); long-distance is line-haul (weight × distance) plus accessorials. Use these as planning anchors, then run the calculator above for a sharper estimate.
| Home size | Local (≤50 mi) | Regional (250–800 mi) | Cross-country (1,500+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $450 – $850 | $1,200 – $2,400 | $2,200 – $4,400 |
| 1 bedroom | $650 – $1,250 | $1,800 – $3,400 | $3,200 – $5,800 |
| 2 bedroom | $950 – $1,800 | $2,800 – $4,800 | $4,800 – $8,500 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,400 – $2,600 | $4,000 – $7,500 | $7,000 – $12,500 |
| 4+ bedroom | $2,200 – $4,000 | $6,500 – $11,000 | $10,500 – $18,000 |
Ranges assume DIY packing and standard access. Add ~25-35% for full packing, plus accessorials for stairs, long carry, shuttle, or storage-in-transit.
What moves the price
The 6 things that decide what your move costs
The headline price you see online or in an instant calculator is a starting point. These six factors are what move it up or down on the actual invoice.
Inventory weight
Long-distance moves price by pound. A 2-bedroom is typically 5,000–6,500 lbs; a 4-bedroom is 9,000–13,000+. Garages, basements, and storage units routinely add 1,500+ lbs that customers forget.
Distance
Per-pound rates compress sharply over the first 1,500 miles, then taper. A 600-mile lane and a 1,200-mile lane don't double — the second mile is usually cheaper than the first.
Access & stairs
Truck more than 75 ft from the door (long carry), no 53-ft access (shuttle), or flights of stairs each add a flat fee. Elevators with reservation windows are usually free.
Packing service
Full-pack adds roughly 25-35% to a long-distance bill but eliminates one to two stressful days from your timeline. Partial-pack (kitchen + fragiles) is a popular middle option.
Specialty items
Piano, safe, gun safe, hot tub, pool table, large art, grandfather clock — billed as separate accessorial items because they need crating and 3-4 crew to handle safely.
Date & season
Memorial Day to Labor Day is peak. Last/first-of-month and weekends fill up first and price ~10-20% higher. Weekday off-peak (mid-month, Tue–Thu) is the cheapest window.
Frequently asked
Moving estimate questions, answered
- How accurate is the moving cost calculator?
- The calculator gives a planning-stage range — typically within 15-25% of the final tariff for a clean, accessible move. The biggest variables it can't see are exact inventory weight, parking distance from the truck, stairs, elevator wait times, and last-minute add-ons like extra crating. For binding pricing we'll do a virtual or in-home survey, which usually takes about 10 minutes.
- What's included in a long-distance moving estimate?
- Long-distance pricing combines four big buckets: (1) line-haul charges based on weight and distance, (2) labor for loading and unloading, (3) accessorials (long carries, stairs, shuttle, packing materials), and (4) valuation/insurance. The calculator bundles items 1–3 into one range. Released-value protection ($0.60 per pound per article) is included by federal law; full-value protection is extra.
- How are local moves priced?
- Local moves (typically anything inside a 50-mile radius) bill hourly with a 2- or 3-person crew plus truck. A studio usually takes 3–4 hours, a 1-bedroom 4–6, a 2-bedroom 6–8, and a 3-bedroom house 8–12 hours. The rate covers the crew, truck, fuel, blankets, dollies, and standard pads.
- What makes a moving estimate go up?
- The most common surprises: heavier-than-estimated inventory (especially garages and storage units), narrow elevators or long carries from the truck, last-minute packing, specialty items like pianos and gun safes, weekend or end-of-month dates, shuttle requirements, and storage-in-transit. We'll flag every accessorial in writing before move day so nothing is a surprise on the invoice.
- Do you require a deposit?
- Yes — a small refundable deposit secures your date once you accept the quote. The balance is due on completion of the move (or earlier via secure ACH) and never collected as cash on the truck.
- Can I get a binding quote without a home visit?
- Yes. Our virtual surveys take ~10 minutes over a video call. You walk through each room with your phone, we build the inventory, and you receive a binding tariff the same day. For homes over ~3,500 sqft we recommend an in-home survey for accuracy.
Ready for a binding quote?
A 10-minute virtual survey turns your ballpark into a guaranteed tariff. Same-day turnaround, no obligation.
Need full-service movers in a specific area? Browse all 50-state hubs or compare long-distance corridors.
