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 (Visa or Mastercard for reservation/booking). The balance is due at pickup or delivery using the accepted methods for that stage — see our payment page for details.
- 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.
