How Much Do Movers Cost?
Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026
For a local move, plan on $100 to $200 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck. For a long-distance move, the same 2-bedroom home might run $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the distance. Those are wide ranges because distance, home size, timing, and services all push the number.
Here's how to get from the range to a realistic estimate for your specific move.
Local Moving Costs (Under 100 Miles)
Local moves are billed hourly. You're paying for the crew's time, truck, and fuel. The clock typically starts when they arrive at your home and stops when they finish unloading. Some companies also charge travel time from their dispatch location — ask about this when getting your estimate.
Hourly Rates by Crew Size
| Crew Size | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| 2 movers | $100 to $160/hour |
| 3 movers | $140 to $220/hour |
| 4 movers | $180 to $280/hour |
Source: HomeGuide, HireAHelper
Estimated Total for Local Moves
| Home Size | Typical Duration | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 to 4 hours | $300 to $700 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3 to 5 hours | $450 to $1,000 |
| 2 Bedroom | 4 to 7 hours | $700 to $1,500 |
| 3 Bedroom | 6 to 10 hours | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| 4 Bedroom | 8 to 14 hours | $1,400 to $3,500 |
These assume a standard move without major complications. Add time for stairs, long carries, large quantities of boxes, or furniture disassembly.
Long-Distance Moving Costs (100+ Miles)
Long-distance moves are not billed by the hour. They're priced on weight and distance. The moving company provides an estimate based on how much your belongings weigh (or a visual estimate of the volume), then multiplies by a per-mile rate.
Typical Long-Distance Moving Costs
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 | $2,500 to $5,500 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $1,500 to $3,500 | $2,500 to $5,500 | $3,500 to $8,000 |
| 1,000 to 2,000 miles | $2,000 to $5,000 | $3,500 to $7,500 | $5,000 to $12,000 |
| Cross-country | $2,500 to $6,000 | $4,000 to $9,000 | $6,000 to $14,000+ |
Source: Move.org, This Old House, Bekins Moving
How Weight-Based Pricing Works
Most interstate movers price by weight and distance, using tariff-based schedules rather than a single public rate. A 2-bedroom home typically weighs 4,000 to 6,000 lbs. As a rough illustration, the cost tables above reflect what that weight typically produces at common move distances — but your actual quote will depend on the specific carrier's tariff and your route.
Get a written binding estimate based on a proper inventory, not a phone guess.
What Pushes the Cost Up
Stairs. Most movers charge a stair fee for anything above the first floor, often $50 to $75 per flight per stop. Walking up four flights twice (origin and destination) can add $400 or more.
Long carries. If the truck can't park close to the entrance, movers charge for the extra distance they walk. Long-carry fees typically start after 75 feet.
Elevator access. Urban moves in high-rises add waiting time and often a fee for elevator reservation.
Specialty items. Pianos, pool tables, gun safes, and large art pieces require special handling. Expect $200 to $600+ per piece.
Furniture disassembly and reassembly. Some companies include this; others charge by the hour for assembly time.
Fuel surcharges. Most movers add a fuel surcharge, particularly for long-distance moves. It should appear explicitly on your estimate.
Packing services. If you want movers to pack your boxes, that's an add-on billed separately. See How Much Does Professional Packing Cost?
What Brings the Cost Down
Move mid-week. Most companies charge peak rates Friday through Sunday and during summer. Tuesday through Thursday, and September through April, are consistently cheaper.
Declutter before moving day. On a long-distance move, less weight means a lower bill. On a local move, fewer items means fewer hours.
Pack yourself. Hiring movers to load and transport, while you handle all packing, is the most common way to split the work and the cost.
Book early. Summer weekend moves booked last-minute often cost 20 to 30% more than the same move booked eight weeks out.
Get multiple binding estimates. Three quotes give you pricing leverage and a way to catch inflated estimates. Prices vary more between companies than most people expect.
Understanding Estimate Types
Before signing anything, understand what kind of estimate you're agreeing to.
Binding estimate: The price is fixed for the services and items listed in the estimate. If your actual shipment weighs more than estimated, you still pay the agreed amount. Note: if you request additional services not in the original estimate, or impracticable conditions arise, additional charges can apply. For everything in the original inventory, predictability is the main benefit.
Non-binding estimate: The final price can change based on actual weight. Under FMCSA regulations, a mover cannot require payment of more than 10% above a non-binding estimate on delivery day. You have 30 days to pay the overage.
Not-to-exceed estimate (binding not-to-exceed): The best option for consumers when available. The price can go down if your shipment is lighter than estimated, but not up.
For more on this, and what to do if an estimate seems off, see How to Get and Compare Moving Quotes.
What's Not Included in a Moving Quote
Most standard moving quotes don't include:
- Packing materials or labor
- Moving insurance beyond basic released-value protection (60 cents per pound per item)
- Specialty handling for pianos, safes, or art
- Storage if delivery is delayed
- Tips ($15 to $20 per mover is a common guideline for good work; tipping is optional)
Ask your mover to itemize everything so there are no surprises.
Getting a Realistic Estimate
The most accurate estimates come from an in-home or detailed virtual inventory where a mover actually sees your belongings. Phone estimates based on bedroom count are ballparks, not commitments.
When comparing quotes, make sure each company is quoting the same services. A quote that doesn't include packing will look cheaper than one that does, but those aren't the same move.
→ Get quotes from movers in your area