How Much Do Movers Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to hire movers is $1,696, based on 6,434 verified projects from Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $876 and $2,547, with long-distance moves ranging from $2,700 to $10,000 or more, depending on distance, home size, and add-on services like packing and furniture disassembly.

How Much Do Movers Cost for a Local Move?

A local move within a 100-mile radius costs $1,696 on average, ranging from $876 to $2,547, with distance being the primary cost factor. Most local moves keep you within state lines and involve two hours or less of driving. A move like Chicago to Detroit—around 285 miles and roughly five hours—falls outside the local category and would be priced as a long-distance move.

Average Hourly Rate for Hiring Movers

Movers charge around $80 per hour per mover, though rates vary widely depending on your location. The number of movers you hire directly multiplies that hourly rate, so team size is the key variable to watch when budgeting. The table below shows estimated hourly costs for movers based on crew size:

Home Size

The size of your home is one of the most reliable starting points for estimating your local moving cost. Larger homes require more movers and more time, which significantly increases the price. The table below shows moving cost estimates based on home size and assumes a crew of two to three movers:

Packing Cost

Professional packing services cost around $1,000 on average, with a range of $280 to $2,200 depending on your home size and the number of belongings you're moving. That price includes materials like boxes, tape, and padding. Movers typically build a custom quote based on total square footage and number of rooms. Packing and unpacking are not automatically included in local moves, so be sure to request this add-on when booking.

How Much Do Movers Cost for a Long-Distance Move?

Long-distance moves—those spanning over 100 miles—cost anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 overall, with load size and distance traveled as the primary cost drivers. Add-ons like packing services or specialty item handling will push that total higher. Getting a detailed quote that accounts for all services upfront helps you avoid surprises on moving day.

Moving Cost by Mileage

Mileage is one of the primary factors affecting the cost for long-distance moves, and further distances consistently mean higher prices. Home size compounds this effect, since larger households add weight and require more truck space. The table below breaks down estimated long-distance moving costs by mileage and home size:

Home Size

The size of your home, measured by the number of bedrooms, plays a major role in the cost to hire movers for a long-distance move. More bedrooms mean more weight and more truck space, both of which increase your final bill. The table below shows how moving costs scale by bedroom count for long-distance relocations:

Weight

Most moving companies base the cost of a long-distance move on the weight of your household goods, and professional movers charge between $0.50 to $0.80 per pound. The heavier your load, the more you can expect to pay, so decluttering before your move is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. Weighing typically happens in one of two ways:

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

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

Moving Services Costs: What to Budget For

Some moving companies determine your total cost by adding up the individual services performed on moving day, so understanding what each service costs helps you build a realistic budget. Common services range from loading and unloading at $45 to $80 per hour to full packing and unpacking at $280 to $2,200. Here is what you can expect each service to cost:

• Professional cleaning service: $30–$100 per hour or $200–$500 for move-out cleaning

• Packing supplies: $2–$20 each

• Renting a moving truck: $30–$3,500

• Loading and unloading service: $45–$80 per hour

• Packing and unpacking service: $280–$2,200

• Furniture disassembly: $50–$150 per hour

• Shipping: $800–$3,000

• Moving insurance: $0.60 per pound

Moving Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Several factors beyond distance and home size can push your moving costs higher or lower than expected. Access challenges, timing, permits, storage, and insurance are among the most common variables that affect your final bill. Here is a breakdown of the key cost factors to keep in mind:

• Ease of access: Any obstructions in your home that cause inconveniences to the movers, slow down the process, or require more hands will increase the overall price, often by $200 to $500. Obstructions might include narrow staircases, a lack of elevators in a tall building, and more.

• Moving date: Moving during peak season (May to September) will cost more due to increased demand. Moving during the winter, the off-season, is less expensive in terms of moving company rates.

• 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.

• Storage: You might need to rent a temporary storage unit during your move, which can cost $20 to $450 per month.

• Moving insurance: Meant to protect your items, it can cost anywhere from $35 to $10,000, depending on the type you choose.

Specialty Item Moving Costs: What to Budget For

Certain items incur an extra charge on top of your base moving costs when they require special handling or packaging. Specialty items like pianos, pool tables, and vehicles each carry their own pricing based on size, weight, and transport method. The table below includes price estimates for moving cars, pianos, pool tables, and other specialty items:

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

Movers Cost by Vehicle Size: What to Expect?

Renting a moving truck or van costs anywhere from $20 to $100 per day, with vehicle size being the primary cost factor. Many local moving companies include a standard van in their base package, but larger trucks for larger homes will cost extra. The table below shows estimated daily moving vehicle rental costs by house size and truck size:

Fuel Costs

Some moving services charge separately for fuel, and per-mile pricing varies with local fuel prices and the moving company's policies. U-Haul, for example, charges $0.99 per mile for local moves. Ask your mover upfront whether fuel is included in your quote or billed separately so you can budget accurately.

Road Tolls and Parking Fees

Road tolls and parking fees are pass-through costs that movers will add directly to your bill if they are encountered during your move. Planning alternate routes in advance is one of the simplest ways to avoid these additional charges. Ask your mover whether they factor in toll routes when planning the move so you are not caught off guard.

Why You Should Hire Professional Movers

Hiring local professional movers costs more upfront, but you benefit from faster relocation, less risk of damage to your belongings, and a smoother moving experience. Pros bring specialized equipment and experience, making the process easier and often saving you money on potential repairs or replacements.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire professional movers

Moving is a complex project that requires careful planning and expertise. Here are some of the top reasons to work with pros:

• Movers ensure your furniture, electronics, and fragile items aren’t damaged during the move.

• They have the tools, vehicles, and packing materials needed to move items safely and efficiently.

• Working with pros ensures your move is completed on schedule and without costly mistakes.

• Bundling moving with packing or unpacking services can save time and reduce overall stress.

If you want to DIY some moving tasks

If you want to take on parts of the move yourself, here are a few DIY tasks that can help save time and labor costs:

• Clear out clutter and donate or discard items you don’t want to bring with you.

• Pack non-fragile items like clothing, books, or seasonal items in advance.

• Disassemble furniture and label parts to make the moving process smoother for professionals.

Moving Costs: How to Save on the Move

Moving can get expensive, but there are several ways to cut costs. Here are some tips to lower your moving budget:

• 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) for lower moving company rates and rental truck rates. 

• 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: When researching how much a moving company will be, get multiple quotes from qualified 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. 

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