How Much Does It Cost to Move? The Complete Breakdown

Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026

Local moves typically run $800 to $2,500 for a 2-bedroom home. Long-distance moves range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more for the same size home, depending on how far you're going and what services you add. The wide range exists because a lot of variables change the final number.

This guide covers what drives moving costs and how to estimate yours. For deeper dives, each major cost category has its own page.

Local vs. Long-Distance: How Pricing Works

The biggest fork in the road is whether your move is local or long-distance.

Local moves (typically under 100 miles) are priced hourly. You're paying for movers' time: loading, driving, and unloading. The hourly rate covers a crew and a truck.

Long-distance moves (over 100 miles, especially interstate) are typically priced by weight and distance. The moving company weighs your shipment, multiplies by the mileage rate, and adds fees for stairs, long carries, fuel, and any additional services.

This distinction matters because the two pricing models produce very different cost structures and very different comparison strategies.

What a Typical Move Costs

Local Moving Costs

Home Size	Crew Size	Typical Hourly Rate	Estimated Total
Studio / 1 BR	2 movers	$100 to $150/hour	$400 to $900
2 Bedroom	2 to 3 movers	$120 to $180/hour	$800 to $1,800
3 Bedroom	3 movers	$150 to $220/hour	$1,200 to $2,800
4 Bedroom	3 to 4 movers	$175 to $260/hour	$1,600 to $3,800

Source: HomeGuide, HireAHelper

Most local moves take 3 to 7 hours, which is where these totals come from. A studio apartment on one floor near a freight elevator takes closer to 3 hours. A 3-bedroom house with stairs, a garage, and awkward furniture takes closer to 7.

Long-Distance Moving Costs

Home Size	250 to 500 Miles	500 to 1,000 Miles	1,000+ Miles
1 Bedroom	$1,000 to $2,500	$1,500 to $3,500	$2,000 to $5,000
2 Bedroom	$1,500 to $3,500	$2,000 to $5,000	$3,000 to $7,500
3 Bedroom	$2,500 to $5,000	$3,500 to $7,500	$5,000 to $10,000+

Source: Move.org, This Old House

What Drives the Final Number

Distance is the biggest variable for long-distance moves. Every additional mile adds cost.

Home size and how much stuff you have affects both weight (for long-distance) and time (for local). Two people who own similar-sized homes can have very different quantities of belongings.

Time of year. Moving companies are busiest from May through September, especially on summer weekends. Off-peak moves (fall, winter, mid-week) cost noticeably less. Angi notes that moving during peak season can add 15 to 30% to your total.

Stairs, elevators, and access. Most movers charge extra for stairs above the first floor, long carries from a building entrance, and elevator waits. These fees add up on urban moves.

Additional services. Packing, specialty item handling (pianos, safes, art), furniture disassembly and reassembly, and storage all cost extra.

Moving insurance. Basic released-value protection is free but pays very little if something is lost or damaged. Full-value protection costs more but actually covers replacement. This decision affects your total.

Cost by Service Add-On

Service	Typical Cost
Professional packing (full home)	$280 to $2,200 depending on home size
Packing materials only	$75 to $385 depending on home size
Piano moving	$250 to $650
Storage (10x10 unit, per month)	$75 to $175
Full-value moving insurance	Roughly 1% of declared value
Specialty crating (art, antiques)	$200 to $500+ per item

For packing specifically, see How Much Does Professional Packing Cost?
For storage, see Moving and Storage Costs Explained

Saving Money on Your Move

The most reliable cost levers:

Move in the off-season or mid-week. Rates drop meaningfully in fall and winter, and most moving companies charge less on Tuesday through Thursday than on weekends.

Get at least three quotes. Moving company pricing varies more than most people expect for the same move. Three quotes give you a market read and negotiating room. See How to Get and Compare Moving Quotes for what to look for.

Declutter before you pack. On a long-distance move, less weight directly lowers your bill. For local moves, less stuff means fewer hours.

Do some of the work yourself. A hybrid approach where you pack boxes and movers handle the heavy furniture is a real cost-saver. See Cheapest Way to Move for a full breakdown of the DIY spectrum.

Book early. Summer moves booked two to three months in advance often lock in better rates than the same move booked three weeks out. See the moving checklist for a full 8-week timeline of when to book, pack, and notify.

What to Watch Out For

Low-ball estimates. An unusually low quote is often the setup for a much higher final bill. A binding estimate protects you. A non-binding estimate can change. Understand which type you're agreeing to before signing anything. See How to Avoid Moving Scams for how these work.

Hidden fees. Ask specifically about fuel surcharges, stair fees, long-carry fees, and the cost of any materials the crew uses during packing or wrapping. These should all appear on your written estimate.

Deposits. Legitimate moving companies typically do not require large upfront deposits. Be cautious of any company asking for 25% or more before your move date.