How much do movers cost?
A local move typically costs about $1,480 (roughly $400–$2,300 by home size); long-distance full-service moves run about $2,100–$8,000+.
Key takeaways
- A local, full-service move has a median cost around $1,480 for a 2-to-3-bedroom home, ranging from about $400 for a one-bedroom to $2,300 for a five-bedroom (HireAHelper).
- Labor-only crews charge about $80–$120 per hour for two movers; full-service crews run about $120–$160 per hour, with a 2–3 hour minimum common.
- Long-distance full-service moves cost far more — a 1,200-mile, 3-bedroom move averages about $6,261, with the overall range roughly $2,100–$8,000+.
- Choosing labor-only plus a rental truck or container instead of full-service can cut a long-distance move by several thousand dollars.
- Distance, home size (weight/volume), and service level are the three biggest cost drivers.
A local, in-state move typically costs around $1,480 for a two-to-three-bedroom home, ranging from about $400 for a one-bedroom apartment to $2,300 for a five-bedroom house, per HireAHelper’s move data. Labor-only crews charge about $80–$120 per hour for two movers. A long-distance full-service move costs much more — a 1,200-mile, three-bedroom move averages about $6,261.
What movers cost: local vs. long-distance
Local moves are usually billed by the hour, while long-distance moves are typically flat-rated by weight (or volume) and distance. The figures below come from HireAHelper’s analysis of completed moves and from moveBuddha.
| Move type / size | Local (in-state) | Long-distance (~1,200 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | $400–$880 | $1,400–$5,080 |
| 2–3-bedroom home (median) | ~$1,480 | ~$6,261 |
| 2–3-bedroom home (range) | $580–$1,480 | $2,130–$6,261 |
| 5-bedroom house | $770–$2,300 | $3,450–$7,975 |
| Labor-only, 2-person crew | $80–$120/hr | — |
| Full-service, 2-person crew | $120–$160/hr | — |
| Full-service (moveBuddha, all distances) | $500–$8,500 | |
Hourly labor scales with crew size: HireAHelper lists roughly $80–$120/hr for a two-person labor-only crew, $120–$160/hr for three, and $160–$200/hr for four. Most companies require a 2–3 hour minimum. As a real-world anchor, HireAHelper found a one-bedroom move averaged about $357 for two movers working 2.2 hours.
Full-service vs. labor-only
The biggest way to change the bill is the service level. Full-service movers handle loading, transport, and unloading (and optionally packing) — the most convenient and most expensive option. Labor-only help (you rent the truck or a portable container, they load/unload) costs far less: HireAHelper’s data shows a labor-plus-truck long-distance move around $2,130 versus roughly $6,261 full-service for the same three-bedroom home — a difference of about $4,000. Portable containers sit in between on both cost and effort.
What moves the price
- Distance. Local (under ~50 miles) moves are hourly and cheapest; cross-country moves are flat-rated and cost the most.
- Home size. More rooms mean more weight, volume, and labor hours — a five-bedroom move can cost several times a one-bedroom.
- Service level. Full-service vs. labor-only vs. container vs. truck rental is the single largest lever on a long-distance bill.
- Packing. Having the crew pack for you adds labor hours plus materials (roughly $100–$200 in supplies).
- Timing. Summer, weekends, and month-end are peak and cost more than off-season, mid-week, mid-month dates.
- Access and extras. Stairs, long carries, elevators, bulky items, and storage all add fees.
Get at least a few written estimates, confirm whether the quote is binding, and check the hourly minimum for local jobs. These are published averages and ranges from move data, not quotes; prices vary by home size, distance, timing, and service level and are current as of the verified date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a local move cost?
A local, in-state move typically costs around $1,480 for a two-to-three-bedroom home, ranging from about $400 for a one-bedroom apartment to $2,300 for a five-bedroom house (HireAHelper). Local moves are usually billed hourly.
How much do movers charge per hour?
A two-person labor-only crew runs about $80–$120 per hour, and a full-service two-person crew about $120–$160 per hour. Larger crews cost more ($160–$200/hr for four movers), and most companies require a 2–3 hour minimum.
How much does a long-distance move cost?
Long-distance full-service moves are far pricier — a 1,200-mile, three-bedroom move averages about $6,261, with the broader range running roughly $2,100 to $8,000+ depending on home size, distance, and service level.
How can I lower my moving cost?
Choosing labor-only help with a rental truck or portable container instead of full-service can save thousands — HireAHelper's data shows about $2,130 versus $6,261 for the same long-distance three-bedroom move. Moving off-peak and packing yourself also cut the bill.
How are local and long-distance moves priced differently?
Local moves are usually billed by the hour based on crew size, while long-distance moves are typically flat-rated by the weight or volume of your belongings and the distance traveled.
What makes a moving quote go up?
Distance, home size (more weight and volume), and service level are the biggest drivers. Add-ons like full packing, stairs or long carries, bulky items, storage, and peak-season or weekend dates all raise the total.
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