Moving Cost Calculator

Two Completely Different Pricing Models

Moving companies price local and long distance work in ways that have almost nothing in common, so the first question is which category a move falls into. Local generally means within the same metropolitan area, often under 50 to 100 miles and always within one state. Long distance means crossing state lines or traveling far enough that the mover switches to a weight and mileage tariff.

Local Hourly Rates in 2026

Local crews are quoted by crew size. Typical 2026 US ranges, including the truck:

• 2 movers and a truck: roughly 100 to 150 dollars per hour
• 3 movers and a truck: roughly 150 to 200 dollars per hour
• 4 movers and a truck: roughly 200 to 250 dollars per hour

These are wide national ranges. Dense, high cost metropolitan areas sit at or above the top of each band, while smaller markets sit near the bottom. Peak season, which runs roughly from May through September, and the last few days of any month push rates up. Midweek moves in winter are the cheapest slots on the calendar.

Most companies also charge a travel fee, usually either one extra hour or actual drive time from the depot and back. Confirm whether the quoted hourly rate starts when the crew leaves the yard or when it arrives at the door.

Long Distance Weight Guides

Interstate quotes are built from estimated shipment weight. Rough guides for a reasonably furnished home:

• Studio: about 1,800 lb
• 1 bedroom: about 2,500 lb
• 2 bedroom: about 5,000 lb
• 3 bedroom: about 7,000 lb
• 4 bedroom: about 9,000 lb
• 5 bedroom: about 12,000 lb

These vary hugely with how much a household actually owns. A minimally furnished 3 bedroom can come in under 5,000 lb and a densely packed one can exceed 10,000. A garage full of tools, a home gym, a piano, a workshop or a large book collection moves the number substantially. A binding or not-to-exceed estimate based on a real in-home or video survey is worth far more than any weight table.

Home Size Reference Table

Local hours assume a standard access situation with an elevator or ground floor at both ends. Cost ranges apply the hourly bands above and are wide by design.

What Raises the Price

The base rate is only part of a final invoice. These charges, known in the industry as accessorials, are where estimates and bills usually diverge.

• Stairs. Flights above the ground floor add time on an hourly move and a flat stair carry fee on a long distance one.
• Long carry. Distance between the truck and the door beyond a set allowance, commonly 75 feet, triggers a long carry charge.
• Shuttle service. If a tractor trailer cannot reach the address, contents transfer to a smaller truck at extra cost. This is common on narrow streets and in gated communities.
• Elevator use. Slower than stairs on small loads and often restricted to booked time windows in apartment buildings.
• Packing labor and materials. Full packing can add 25 to 50 percent to a move. Boxes, tape, paper and wrap typically run 200 to 600 dollars for an average home.
• Specialty items. Pianos, safes, gun safes, pool tables, large aquariums, hot tubs and oversize art carry flat fees, often 200 to 800 dollars each.
• Appliance servicing. Disconnecting and reconnecting washers, dryers, refrigerators with ice makers and gas appliances.
• Storage in transit. Warehousing between pickup and delivery, billed monthly plus handling in and out.
• Bulky items. Some carriers add fees for items with a large volume relative to weight, such as kayaks, exercise equipment and mattresses.

DIY Truck Rental as a Comparison

A rental truck for a local move typically runs 20 to 40 dollars a day plus roughly 0.79 to 1.29 dollars a mile, plus fuel at 8 to 12 miles per gallon, plus a dolly and pads. A local DIY move often lands between 150 and 400 dollars all in.

One way long distance rentals are priced very differently, commonly 1,000 to 3,000 dollars for a cross country trip depending on truck size, season and direction of travel. Popular one way corridors cost more in the busy direction. Add fuel, which on a large truck across 2,000 miles can be 700 dollars or more, plus lodging, meals and tolls.

The middle option is a portable container or a hybrid service: the household loads a container, the company drives it. Local container moves typically run 500 to 1,200 dollars and long distance moves 1,500 to 5,000. Hiring labor only, to load and unload a self-driven truck, is another way to cut cost while keeping the heaviest work off the household.

Insurance and Valuation Coverage

Interstate movers must offer two levels of liability, and the default is far weaker than most people expect.

• Released value protection. Included at no extra charge, and it pays 60 cents per pound per article. A 40 pound television is covered for 24 dollars regardless of what it cost.
• Full value protection. The mover must repair, replace or pay the current market value of a damaged item. It costs extra, often 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the shipment, and usually carries a deductible option.
• Third party insurance. A separate moving insurance policy, sometimes cheaper than the mover's full value option for high value shipments.
• Homeowner or renter policy. Some policies cover goods in transit. Check the terms before paying twice.

Whichever is chosen, photograph valuable items before the move and keep an inventory. Claims move faster with evidence.

Tipping

Tipping is customary but not required. Common practice is 20 to 40 dollars per mover for a half day, 40 to 60 for a full day, and more for hard access, heavy items, extreme weather or exceptional care. Percentage based tipping, around 5 to 10 percent of the total bill split across the crew, is the other common approach. Tip each mover directly rather than handing a lump sum to the foreman, and providing water and lunch is always appreciated.

Ways to Cut the Cost

1. Move midweek and mid month, and avoid the May through September peak if the schedule allows.
2. Reduce volume before the estimate. Every item disposed of is weight or billable time removed.
3. Pack yourself and leave only fragile or awkward items to the crew.
4. Have everything boxed, sealed and labeled before the crew arrives, since a crew waiting on packing is billed at the crew rate.
5. Reserve the elevator and a parking space or loading dock in advance to avoid long carry and waiting charges.
6. Disassemble beds and tables and remove doors ahead of time where possible.
7. Get quotes in writing and compare what is included, not just the headline number.