How Much Do Movers Cost?
Professional movers cost $1,400–$2,600 for a local move and $4,200–$7,800 for a long-distance move of a 2–3 bedroom home in 2026. Local movers charge $100–$200 per hour for a crew of 2–3, while long-distance movers charge $0.50–$0.80 per pound. The total depends on home size, distance, time of year, and services selected.
Local: Cost = Hourly Rate × Hours + Travel Fee | Long-Distance: Cost = Weight × Per-Lb Rate + Fees
"How much do movers cost?" is the first question everyone asks when planning a move. The answer depends on whether you're moving locally or long-distance, your home size, the time of year, and what services you need. This comprehensive guide breaks down every factor that affects moving company pricing in 2026, with real cost data from hundreds of licensed movers across the United States.
We've compiled pricing data from FMCSA-registered carriers and local moving companies in all 50 states to give you the most accurate and current cost information available. Use our moving cost calculator for a personalized estimate based on your specific move details.
What This Means
Use the calculator above to get a personalized estimate based on your specific home size, distance, and service needs. The costs shown in this guide represent national averages — your actual quote will depend on your metro area, the specific companies you request estimates from, and current seasonal demand. Always get at least three binding estimates from FMCSA-registered movers.
Average Moving Costs in 2026
Here are the current average costs for hiring professional movers, based on data from licensed companies nationwide:
Local Moving Costs (Under 50 Miles)
| Home Size | Crew Size | Hours | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 2–3 hrs | $450 | $300–$700 |
| 1-Bedroom | 2 movers | 3–4 hrs | $700 | $500–$1,000 |
| 2-Bedroom | 3 movers | 4–6 hrs | $1,200 | $800–$1,800 |
| 3-Bedroom | 3–4 movers | 5–8 hrs | $1,800 | $1,200–$2,800 |
| 4-Bedroom | 4 movers | 6–10 hrs | $2,500 | $1,800–$3,800 |
| 5+ Bedroom | 4–5 movers | 8–12 hrs | $3,500 | $2,500–$5,500 |
Long-Distance Moving Costs (1,000 Miles)
| Home Size | Weight | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000–3,000 lbs | $2,500 | $1,800–$3,500 |
| 1-Bedroom | 3,000–4,000 lbs | $3,500 | $2,500–$4,800 |
| 2-Bedroom | 5,000–6,000 lbs | $5,000 | $3,800–$6,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | 8,000–11,000 lbs | $7,000 | $5,200–$9,500 |
| 4-Bedroom | 12,000–15,000 lbs | $9,500 | $7,500–$12,500 |
| 5+ Bedroom | 15,000–20,000 lbs | $12,000 | $9,500–$16,000 |
Data source: Aggregated rate data from 500+ licensed moving companies across all 50 states, 2026.
How Much Do Movers Charge Per Hour?
Local movers charge hourly rates that vary by city and crew size:
| City | 2 Movers/hr | 3 Movers/hr | 4 Movers/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $160–$220 | $210–$300 | $280–$380 |
| Los Angeles | $140–$200 | $190–$270 | $250–$350 |
| Chicago | $120–$180 | $170–$240 | $220–$320 |
| Dallas | $100–$160 | $140–$210 | $180–$280 |
| Atlanta | $100–$150 | $140–$200 | $180–$260 |
| Phoenix | $100–$150 | $140–$200 | $180–$260 |
| Denver | $110–$170 | $150–$220 | $200–$300 |
| National Average | $120–$170 | $160–$230 | $210–$300 |
These rates include the truck, basic equipment, and blankets. Packing services, stair charges, and insurance are additional. Most companies have a 2–3 hour minimum.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Movers?
Seven primary factors determine your moving cost:
- Distance: The single biggest factor. Local moves (hourly pricing) vs. long-distance (weight-based pricing) follow completely different cost structures.
- Home size / shipment weight: More rooms = more hours (local) or more weight (long-distance). Every 1,000 lbs costs $400–$800 extra on a long-distance move.
- Time of year: Summer (June–August) rates are 20–30% higher than winter (November–February). End-of-month dates are the most expensive.
- Service level: Full-service (packing + moving + unpacking) costs 40–60% more than labor-only (loading + moving + unloading).
- Access conditions: Stairs ($75–$200/flight), long walks ($150–$300), elevators ($50–$200 reservation), and shuttle service for narrow streets ($300–$800) all add cost.
- Special items: Pianos ($200–$1,200), pool tables ($300–$600), gun safes ($150–$500), and hot tubs ($300–$1,200) require specialist handling.
- Your location: Mover rates are 30–50% higher in NYC, San Francisco, and LA compared to cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Phoenix.
10 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Movers
- Move in winter (November–March). Rates are 20–30% lower and availability is better.
- Pick a midweek, mid-month date. Tuesday–Thursday between the 5th and 25th of the month offers the best rates.
- Declutter before the move. Sell, donate, or discard items you don't need. Every 100 lbs eliminated saves $40–$80 on long-distance moves.
- Pack yourself. Self-packing saves $300–$1,500 compared to professional packing. Get free boxes from grocery and liquor stores.
- Get at least 3 estimates. Competition drives prices down. Mention competing quotes to negotiate.
- Be ready when movers arrive. Everything should be boxed, furniture disassembled, and pathways cleared. Movers charging hourly means every minute of downtime costs money.
- Ask about discounts. Military, senior, AAA, student, and first-responder discounts of 5–15% are common.
- Consider a partial service. You pack, they load and drive. This hybrid approach saves 20–40% versus full service.
- Use PODS or U-Pack for long distance. Container moving saves 20–40% versus full-service movers for interstate moves. See our PODS calculator.
- Verify the company's reputation. Cheap movers often add charges on moving day. Check reviews and FMCSA registration.
Hiring Movers vs. DIY: Complete Cost Comparison
Here's a side-by-side comparison for a 3-bedroom move of 1,000 miles:
| Cost Category | Full-Service Movers | DIY (Rental Truck) | PODS Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | $5,500–$8,500 | $1,500–$2,200 (truck rental) | $3,500–$5,800 |
| Packing | Included (full-service) | $150–$300 (supplies) | $150–$300 (supplies) |
| Labor | Included | $0 (your labor + friends) | $0 (your labor) |
| Fuel | Included | $300–$500 | Included |
| Insurance | $200–$600 | $50–$150 (truck) | $50–$150 |
| Meals/Hotels | $0 | $200–$500 | $0 |
| Your time | Minimal | 5–7 days | 2–3 days (pack/load) |
| Total | $5,700–$9,100 | $2,200–$3,650 | $3,700–$6,250 |
DIY saves 50–60% but requires significant physical effort and time. PODS is the middle ground — 25–40% savings with less labor than DIY.
Sources and Methodology
This guide's cost data is compiled from:
- Aggregated pricing data from 500+ FMCSA-registered interstate carriers and licensed local moving companies, 2026.
- Published tariff schedules from major van lines (Atlas, United, Mayflower, Allied, North American).
- Hourly rate surveys of independent local movers in 50 major metro areas.
- Consumer-reported pricing from verified moving reviews.
- Seasonal pricing patterns based on 5 years of booking data analysis.
- Regional labor cost data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do movers cost for a 1-bedroom apartment?
Moving a 1-bedroom apartment costs $500–$1,000 for a local move (2 movers, 3–4 hours) and $2,500–$4,800 for a long-distance move (3,000–4,000 lbs, 1,000 miles). The local cost breaks down to approximately $120–$170/hour for 2 movers plus truck, travel fee, and fuel surcharge. Full-service (including packing) adds $200–$500 to these estimates.
How much do movers cost per hour?
Movers charge $100–$200/hour for a crew of 2–3 on local moves in 2026. The rate breaks down to approximately $40–$70 per individual mover per hour. Rates vary significantly by city — New York and San Francisco movers charge $160–$220/hour for 2 movers, while Dallas and Atlanta movers charge $100–$160/hour. Most companies have a 2–3 hour minimum, and travel time (usually 1 hour) is added to the total.
Is it cheaper to move yourself or hire movers?
Moving yourself costs 40–60% less than hiring full-service movers. A 3-bedroom long-distance DIY move costs $2,200–$3,650 versus $5,700–$9,100 with movers. However, DIY moves require 5–7 days of your time, physical labor, risk of injury, and no insurance on your belongings during loading/unloading. The middle option — portable containers like PODS ($3,700–$6,250) — saves 25–40% while eliminating the need to drive a truck.
How much does a cross-country move cost with movers?
A cross-country move (2,500 miles) with full-service movers costs: $3,500–$5,500 for a 1-bedroom, $5,500–$8,500 for a 2-bedroom, $7,500–$12,000 for a 3-bedroom, and $10,000–$16,000 for a 4-bedroom in 2026. These estimates include loading, transport, unloading, and basic insurance. Packing services add 20–40%. The most expensive routes are coast-to-coast, while north-south moves tend to be slightly cheaper.
When is the cheapest time to hire movers?
The cheapest time to hire movers is January through March on a midweek (Tuesday–Thursday), mid-month (10th–20th) date. Rates are 20–30% lower than peak season (June–August). The most expensive single dates are the last Friday of June, July, and August. If you must move in summer, aim for mid-July on a Wednesday — it's the least busy period within peak season. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead during off-peak also helps secure the best rates.
Do movers charge extra for stairs?
Yes, most movers charge a stair fee of $75–$200 per flight at each location. If you're moving from a 3rd-floor walk-up to a 2nd-floor apartment, you'd pay for 3 flights at origin and 1 flight at destination — potentially $300–$800 in stair charges alone. Elevator buildings may charge a lower flat fee ($50–$200) for elevator reservation and usage. Always disclose stair and access conditions when getting an estimate to avoid moving-day surprises.