How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $884 - $2,570

Hiring movers usually costs anywhere between $884 and $2,570 or more. The national average is $1,714.

How we get this data
Movers loading furniture in truck
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Updated August 19, 2024
Movers loading furniture in truck
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images

Getting ready for an exciting life change? If so, you’ve probably found yourself asking, “How much do movers cost?” Distance will have a major impact on moving prices, with local moves costing between $884 and $2,570. Cross-country moves can cost anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 or more to account for the additional distance. Let’s review how to find the best deals, when to DIY move, and the many other factors to consider.

See the price range for hiring movers in
your area
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$884 - $2,570
  • Average
  • $1,714
  • Low end
  • $200
  • high end
  • $12,000
LOWHIGH
Type of MoveLow CostHigh Cost
Short-distance$920$2,530
Long-distance$2,700$10,000

How Much Do Movers Cost for Local Moves?

A local move within a 100-mile radius typically costs $1,720 on average, or between $920 and $2,530. In most cases, you’ll be staying within state lines and driving for two hours or less. Moving from Chicago to Detroit, for example, is around 285 miles and roughly five hours of driving, so this wouldn’t be considered a local move. 

Average Hourly Rate for Hiring Movers

Consider the cost per hour to hire professional movers.

MoversCost per Hour
1–2$25–$50
3$75–$150
4+$100–$200

Home Size

The size of your home is a good base for determining your local moving cost. Below are some costs based on home size and include two to three movers:

Home SizeAverage Cost
1 bedroom$400
2 bedroom$900
3 bedroom$1,400
4 bedroom$1,800
5 bedroom$3,000

Packing Cost

Packing services cost around $1,000 on average, but can cost less for smaller residences with minimal belongings. Professional movers will typically come up with a custom quote based on the total square footage and the number of rooms. Keep in mind that packing and unpacking services aren’t automatically included in local moves, so be sure to specify this add-on when making your reservation.

Flow chart for if your move is considered local or long-distance, including if it’s more than 100 miles it’s considered long-distance

Long-Distance Moving Cost

Boxes on ground near truck
Photo: Robert Daly / OJO Images / Getty Images

Moves spanning over 100 miles, aka long-distance moving, cost anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 overall. Final costs depend on the size of the load and the distance traveled, plus any moving add-ons you choose. 

Cost by Mileage

One primary cost factor in long-distance moves is the mileage traveled.

Mileage1–2 Bedrooms3–5 Bedrooms
250$700–$2,500$2,000–$6,000
500$1,000–$3,000$3,500–$7,500
1,000$1,400–$3,500$4,000–$8,000
2,000+$2,000–$4,000$6,500–$9,000+

Cost by Home Size

The size of your home (by number of bedrooms) plays a major part in the cost to hire movers for a long-distance move.

Number of BedroomsPoundsAverage Cost
11,800$700–$3,000
25,000$1,000–$7,000
39,000$1,400–$8,000
412,000$1,800–$10,000
515,000$3,000–$12,000
618,000$4,000–$15,000

Weight

Most moving companies will base the cost of your move or shipment on the weight of your household goods, and, no surprise, the heavier the load, the more you can expect to pay. Professional movers charge between $0.50 to $0.80 per pound.

  • Origin weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle before and after loading your items to determine the net weight.

  • Destination weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle upon arrival, unload your items, and then weigh the empty truck.  

Other Moving Cost Factors

6 cost factors for moving, including distance, packing services, and tipping
Photo: Cecilie_Arcurs / E+ / Getty Images

Many factors impact the cost of moving, and some may even make your move cost more or less than expected.

  • Ease of access: Anything obstructions in your home that causes inconveniences to the movers, slows down the process, or requires more hands will increase the overall price.

  • Moving date: Moving during peak season, June to September, will cost more due to the extra demand. Moving during the winter, known as the off-season, is a less expensive time to move.

  • Tipping movers: Tipping your movers at least 10% and up to 20% of your final bill is strongly encouraged, particularly if you’re working with local movers.

  • Extra stops: Additional stops will add extra fees for mileage and service.

  • Permits and fees: You may need to purchase a moving permit to temporarily park your moving vehicle, costing $10 to $80, depending on the area. 

Moving Add-Ons

If you need extra moving services, prepare to pay an additional cost. Check out the prices of some common moving add-ons.

Moving Add-OnCost
Cleaning Services$30–$50 per hour
Storage$240 per month
Packing Supplies$2–$20 each
Moving Truck Rentals$30–$3,500
Loading and Unloading Services$45–$80 per hour
Packing and Unpacking Services$1,000
Insurance$0.60 per pound

Cost to Move Specialty Items

Certain items will cost extra on top of your base moving cost. Below are the costs for common specialty items.

ItemsCost
Piano$260–$580
Pool table$50–$4,000
Hot tub$200–$1,000
Small boat$2.50 per mile
Car $700–$1,200
Motorcycle $200–$2,000
Cat or small dog$300 via plane
Other pet relocation $1,000*
Aquarium (small)$50–$100
Aquarium (large)$300+
Gun safe$200–$500
Standard safe$175–$500
Wine collection$10 per case

*For the first pet; if you have more than one pet, you’ll pay $200 to $300 per additional pet.

Cost of Hiring Movers for Different Vehicle Types

Renting a truck or van costs anywhere from $20 to $100 per day, depending on the size of the vehicle. Many local moving companies include a standard van as part of the package, with larger vehicles costing extra.

House SizeTruck SizeCost per Day
1 bedroom10–12 feet$20–$30
2-3 bedrooms14–20 feet$40–$80
4+ bedrooms22–26 feet$60–$100

Fuel Costs

Some moving services will charge separately for fuel costs. Per-mile pricing fluctuates based on fuel prices in your area and the moving company’s policies. For example, U-Haul charges a local move price of $0.99 per mile.

Road Tolls and Parking Fees

If your movers encounter any road tolls or parking fees, they’ll add these costs to your bill. Consider alternate routes beforehand to avoid these additional costs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

The cost of moving yourself depends on the distance and load size. DIY local moves cost between $150 and $250, covering the cost of renting a moving truck and purchasing packing supplies. DIY long-distance moves can cost $1,550 to $2,350 or more, which accounts for packing supplies, truck rental, fuel, and mileage costs from the rental company. 

Beyond financial considerations, a DIY move requires considerable physical effort and time, including packing, heavy lifting, and driving a large vehicle over long distances. Full-service movers provide non-monetary benefits, including time savings and injury prevention. Determine whether the reduced cost of a DIY move is worth the effort or if you’ll be better off hiring local movers. Hiring professional movers is often the best route for long-distance moves. 

Ask Angi: How Can I Make Moving Stress-free?

How to Save Money When Moving

Moving can get expensive, but there are several ways to save costs. Here are a few ways to keep your moving budget lower:

  • Declutter: Pare down your belongings beforehand to move as few items as possible and start fresh in your new home. 

  • Sell unwanted items: Consider selling furniture and other large items on local secondary marketplaces. On top of saving money by moving fewer items, you can earn extra cash to put toward your moving budget.

  • Get started early: The more time you allow yourself to prepare, the more likely you are to sell your items for the best price. Also, by starting early and working slow, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the scope of the work. 

  • Move during the off-season: If possible, time your move during the off-season (October through April) when rates for movers and rental trucks are lower.

  • Opt for DIY packing and unpacking: Pack and unpack your belongings on your own to reduce costs. Your movers will move your boxes and furniture and unload in your new home.

  • Prep everything for your movers: To save on hourly labor costs, be sure everything is packed up and ready for transport when the movers arrive.

  • Recycle packing supplies: Ask friends or retail stores for used moving boxes and other packing supplies instead of buying them new. If you move frequently, store your boxes and supplies to reuse in the future.

  • Shop around: Get multiple quotes from qualified moving services to find the best deal.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Relocation costs depend on a variety of factors, such as the distance to your new home, the size and weight of your belongings, and any additional services you might need. Some of the main costs to consider when calculating relocation expenses include moving company fees, costs for rental trucks, packing materials, storage fees, and insurance.

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Learn more about our contributor
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.
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