Local moves average $300–$1,500. Long distance runs $2,500–$10,000+. But those ranges are nearly useless without context. Here's exactly what drives the price — and how to make sure you're not overpaying.
The single biggest factor in your moving cost is the type of move. Local, long distance, and cross-country moves are priced completely differently — local by the hour, long distance by weight and distance.
| Move Type | Distance | Average Cost | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Move | Under 50 miles | $300–$1,500 | Hourly rate |
| Intrastate Move | 50–250 miles | $800–$2,500 | Hourly or flat rate |
| Long Distance Move | 250–1,500 miles | $2,500–$7,500 | Weight × distance |
| Cross-Country Move | 1,500–3,000 miles | $4,500–$10,000 | Weight × distance |
| International Move | 3,000+ miles | $10,000–$30,000+ | Volume + shipping |
Prices are for full-service moving (loading, transport, unloading). Packing services, insurance upgrades, and specialty items add cost.
Home size is the second biggest cost driver. More stuff means more time (local moves) or more weight (long distance moves). Here's a realistic breakdown for both.
| Home Size | Crew Size | Avg. Hours | Hourly Rate | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Room | 2 movers | 2–3 hrs | $80–$120/hr | $200–$400 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 3–5 hrs | $80–$140/hr | $300–$750 |
| 2 Bedroom | 2–3 movers | 4–7 hrs | $100–$160/hr | $450–$1,100 |
| 3 Bedroom | 3 movers | 6–9 hrs | $130–$190/hr | $800–$1,700 |
| 4+ Bedroom | 3–4 movers | 8–12 hrs | $160–$250/hr | $1,300–$3,000 |
| Home Size | Approx. Weight | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,500 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | 2,000–3,500 lbs | $1,000–$2,500 | $1,500–$3,500 | $2,500–$5,500 |
| 2 Bedroom | 5,000–7,000 lbs | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$6,000 | $4,500–$8,500 |
| 3 Bedroom | 8,000–11,000 lbs | $3,500–$6,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | $7,500–$12,500 |
| 4 Bedroom | 12,000–16,000 lbs | $5,500–$9,000 | $7,500–$13,000 | $10,000–$17,000 |
Long distance estimates assume standard delivery window (3–10 days). Guaranteed delivery dates, storage-in-transit, and packing services all add cost.
Hourly rates for local movers vary significantly by city. Labor costs, insurance requirements, and local competition all drive the differences. Here's what a 2-person crew costs per hour in major US cities.
| City | 2-Person Crew | 3-Person Crew | Minimum Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $130–$200/hr | $180–$280/hr | 3 hrs |
| San Francisco, CA | $120–$190/hr | $170–$260/hr | 2 hrs |
| Los Angeles, CA | $100–$170/hr | $150–$230/hr | 2 hrs |
| Seattle, WA | $110–$175/hr | $160–$240/hr | 2 hrs |
| Chicago, IL | $100–$160/hr | $145–$220/hr | 2 hrs |
| Boston, MA | $110–$175/hr | $160–$240/hr | 2 hrs |
| Austin, TX | $85–$140/hr | $125–$195/hr | 2 hrs |
| Houston, TX | $80–$135/hr | $115–$185/hr | 2 hrs |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80–$130/hr | $115–$180/hr | 2 hrs |
| Miami, FL | $90–$150/hr | $130–$205/hr | 2 hrs |
Beyond home size and distance, these are the factors that most commonly push moving costs up — and the ones you have the most control over.
Route-specific costs vary based on distance, direction (some routes have more return trucks than others), and seasonal demand. Here are typical ranges for a 3-bedroom home on the most common routes.
| Route | Distance | 2 BR Est. | 3 BR Est. | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York → Los Angeles | 2,800 mi | $3,500–$7,000 | $5,500–$9,500 | View → |
| Los Angeles → New York | 2,800 mi | $3,500–$7,000 | $5,500–$9,500 | View → |
| New York → Miami | 1,280 mi | $2,000–$4,500 | $3,500–$7,000 | View → |
| Chicago → Los Angeles | 2,020 mi | $2,800–$6,000 | $4,500–$8,000 | View → |
| Houston → New York | 1,630 mi | $2,500–$5,500 | $4,000–$7,500 | View → |
| New York → Chicago | 790 mi | $1,500–$3,500 | $2,500–$5,500 | View → |
| Miami → New York | 1,280 mi | $2,000–$4,500 | $3,500–$7,000 | View → |
| Los Angeles → Chicago | 2,020 mi | $2,800–$6,000 | $4,500–$8,000 | View → |
All estimates for a standard household, no specialty items, standard delivery window. See individual route guides for more detail.
Renting a truck looks cheaper until you add up everything. Here's an honest comparison for a 2-bedroom move of 1,000 miles — the kind of move where the DIY math usually surprises people.
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