How Much Does It Cost to Move?

“How much is this going to cost?” is usually the first question of any move, and the honest answer is: it depends. A studio across town and a four-bedroom house across the country are completely different price tags. The good news is that moving costs follow a few predictable patterns. Once you understand what drives the number—and which add-ons sneak onto the final bill—you can build a realistic budget and find real ways to trim it. Here’s the breakdown.

What Goes Into a Moving Quote

Almost every moving estimate comes down to two things: how far you’re going and how much you’re moving. From there, the way you’re charged depends on whether your move is local or long-distance.

Local Moves

For a local move—generally within the same area, under about 50 to 100 miles—movers usually charge by the hour. Rates run roughly $25 to $50 per hour per mover, so a two- or three-person crew adds up quickly, and most companies set a two- to three-hour minimum. A typical local move for a small home often lands somewhere in the $300 to $1,500 range, while a larger house can climb toward $2,500 or more. The single biggest variable is how much you own: more boxes and furniture means more hours on the clock.

Long-Distance Moves

Once you cross roughly 100 miles or a state line, pricing shifts from hours to weight and distance. The farther you go and the heavier your shipment, the higher the cost. Long-distance moves commonly run anywhere from about $2,700 to $10,000, with a typical two- or three-bedroom relocation often falling in the $3,000 to $6,000 range—and cross-country moves of a full household can run higher still. Because the numbers are larger, getting multiple detailed quotes matters even more here.

Add-On Costs To Budget For

The base quote covers loading, transport, and unloading. Plenty of common services sit on top of that, so build them into your budget from the start.

Packing Services

If you’d rather not pack yourself, most movers will do it for you—typically $50 to $80 per hour, per packer, usually including basic materials. Packing a whole house can take a small team most of a day, so this is one of the larger optional line items. A middle path: pack the easy stuff yourself and pay the pros to handle only the kitchen, artwork, and other fragile items.

Specialty Items

Pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, gun safes, and antiques often carry an extra fee because they need special equipment, extra hands, or extra care. Mention anything heavy or awkward when you request your quote so it’s priced in—not sprung on you the day of.

Access Charges

Long carries from the door to the truck, multiple flights of stairs, elevator use, and tight streets that require a smaller shuttle truck can all add surcharges. These reflect the extra time and labor involved, and a good mover will flag them up front.

Insurance and Valuation

Basic released-value coverage is included but minimal—often around 60 cents per pound—which won’t replace much. Full-value protection or a third-party policy costs more but actually covers replacement. If you’re moving high-value belongings, the upgrade is usually worth it.

Tipping

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s customary for good service—commonly 15–20% of the total split among the crew, or roughly $10 to $40 per mover for a day’s work. Build a little room for it into your budget.

Don’t Forget The Cost of Storage

Downsizing, a gap between leases, or just too much to move at once—storage is part of a lot of moving budgets. 10 Federal Storage keeps it simple: rent online in minutes, skip the office entirely, and pay month-to-month so you’re never locked in. Not sure what size you need? Our calculator gives you a quick estimate.

Estimate Your Storage Size

A Note On Storage Costs

If your move involves a stretch where your belongings need somewhere to live, factor that in too. Self-storage prices vary by unit size and local market—often somewhere in the range of $30 to $150 a month—and renting your own unit month-to-month is frequently cheaper and more flexible than paying a moving company to warehouse your things. With 10 Federal Storage you can find a unit near you and rent it entirely online, on your own timeline.

How Timing Changes The Price

When you move can swing your bill as much as what you move. Summer (roughly May through September) is peak season, and demand pushes prices up—often 20 to 30% higher than the quieter winter months. Within any month, the end of the month and weekends are busiest because leases turn over and people have time off. If your schedule allows, a mid-week, mid-month move in the off-season is one of the easiest ways to pay less for the exact same work.

Quick-reference cost table

Use this as a rough planning guide—your real numbers will depend on your specific move.

These are general U.S. industry ranges for 2026 and will vary by region, home size, and the specifics of your move. Always get written quotes for your actual situation.

Ways to Keep Moving Costs Down

• Get three quotes and read the fine print. Comparing detailed written estimates is the fastest way to find a fair price and avoid surprise fees. Ask whether each quote is binding and what could add to it.
• Move less stuff. Declutter, donate, and sell before you pack. Movers charge by weight or hours, so every box you don’t move is money saved—and you might cover part of your costs with a quick sale.
• Pack it yourself. Doing your own packing skips one of the bigger labor charges. Gather free boxes from local stores and use towels and blankets as padding.
• Pick a cheaper date. A mid-week, mid-month, off-season move can cost noticeably less than a summer weekend for the same work.
• Compare storage options. If you need storage, renting your own month-to-month unit is often cheaper and more flexible than a moving company’s warehouse service—and you keep access to your things.
• Choose a reliable mover, not just a cheap one. The lowest bid can cost more in the end through damage, delays, or fees. Value beats price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to move yourself or hire movers?

A DIY move with a rental truck is almost always cheaper on paper, especially for short distances and smaller homes. Hiring movers costs more but saves time, effort, and the risk of injury—worth it for many people, particularly for larger or long-distance moves.

What’s the cheapest time of year to move?

Late fall and winter are generally the most affordable, since demand drops once summer ends. Mid-week and mid-month dates tend to be cheaper than weekends and month-end too.

Should I budget for storage?

If there’s any gap between moving out and moving in, or you’re downsizing, yes. A month-to-month storage unit is a small, flexible line item that takes the pressure off your timeline. Estimate the size you’ll need in about a minute.

Planning a move? 10 Federal Storage makes the storage part easy: reserve and rent online in minutes, skip the office and the counter, and access your unit on your own schedule—month-to-month, no long-term contract. Find a unit near you to get started.