So how much does a move cost? It all depends. Years of moving experience shows that customers typically fall into one of three categories:
- Gazillionaire
- Employee relocating on the company’s dime
- Confused soul wondering aloud, “Good gosh, how much is this going to cost me?”
As you probably guessed, most of us are the third one. AMSA, the American Moving and Storage Association, tells us the average in-state move costs $1,170, while interstate moves average $5,630. But take that with a grain of salt, because the real answer lies is in the details of your specific move—from off-base estimates to logistical issues, from slower-than-syrup movers to incidental expenses, all big and small.
So how is it possible to even come close to predicting the final number so we don’t go into shock when we’re handed the bill?
Some things are out of our control, but there are definitely things you can do and look out for to make the moment we get that final bill pleasantly unsurprising.
The Baseline Cost of Moves
These are the basic questions you need to ask ahead of a move:
- Are you getting a full-service moving company to handle everything?
- Are you renting your own truck, then hiring moving labor separately?
- Are you doing everything yourself?
These are known as the three basic ways to move: A Full-Service Move, a Hybrid Move, and a DIY Move.
How much movers cost.
Getting a Full-Service Move? That means the movers load, unload, and drive the vehicle all on their own. The estimate? Though it will largely depend on the distance traveled and volume of the move, Full-Service Moves run north of $1,500-$2,000, on average, and sometimes can be more expensive if it’s a really big move.
Hybrid Moves, on the other hand, separate moving labor from moving vehicle. That means you hire a mover to load and/or unload your stuff, then rent the moving truck on your own, saving you a lot of money. Roughly, the cost can run anywhere between $300-$1,000 for a truck and movers, occasionally more.
A long distance or local move?
Local or state move? You’re looking at roughly anywhere between $100 to $300 for the moving truck, depending on the size needed and after accounting for mileage and insurance fees.
Moving long distance? Like, across the country? This will likely cost around $1,000, after gas and fees, and potentially lodging and food.
As for
local movers, prices vary dramatically based on scheduling and location. Moving during a busy summer is just going to cost more than the dead of winter. Movers’ hourly rates also vary, depending on the size and distance of your move. Here are some generalized queries on price ranges for “2 Helpers for 2 hours”, taken straight from
HireAHelper.com:
- Boston, Mass.: $250-$350
- Austin, Texas: $200-$300
- Baton Rouge, La.: $300-$400
- Los Angeles, Calif.: $250-$400
Of course, some movers do charge more, or sometimes less. Check out our movers’ reviews, give a few of them a call, get some estimates, and then go with who you feel best about.
You might love our:
If the quote from your movers felt expensive …
Make sure it lines up with the costs reported by other Americans.
Finally, there’s the DIY Move, which hides plenty of hidden costs, such as:
- Gasoline
- Power tools
- Moving supplies
- Pizza and beer
- Heavy stress
Not to mention what it does to close friendships and schedules. You can get away with casually moving a bedroom with some friends, but let’s just say that in the past, I wish I had spent a couple hundred bucks to have had total peace of mind for those really stressful moves. As a mover, I recognize I am biased, but I am also just a person who has moved many, many times, just like you.
Why random internet searches for movers can cost more.
No matter which one you choose, having someone come out and do a thorough visual of your place and all your belongings can be an extra useful way to get the most reliable estimate of how much your move will cost, as it’s an estimate based on time needed.
Getting an estimate over the phone? That’s cool, but keep these two things in mind:
First, if someone can’t see all the things you want moved, no matter how pure their intentions, it is ultimately a guesstimate.
Why should I avoid “move brokers”?
Secondly, unfortunately, it’s a very real possibility that the “moving company” you quickly searched for on the internet is actually just a move broker. That’s another term for a middleman who will assure you that they can give you an accurate quote – which will sound too good to be true – then sell your move to the highest bidder who will, in turn, come out (most likely in a rental truck) and load up your stuff … before telling tell you that your final bill will be a lot higher than you were originally told.
It happens every single day. Don’t let it happen to you.
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That’s why after 20 plus years of experience moving people, I write for HireAHelper, a moving labor marketplace. All the movers are real movers with real reviews, which means absolutely zero of them are move brokers. Everyone here is the real deal.
Still, marketplace or not, keep in mind that the more stuff you have, the more important it is to get an in-person estimate so your movers can give you a good idea of how many people you’ll need for how many hours.
Extra, hidden mover costs.
How much stuff you have isn’t the only thing that determines the cost of your move. Here are some other important factors that some moving companies take into consideration when giving quotes:
- If the path from your door to the truck involves stairs or an elevator
- If the distance from your door to where the truck will be parked is particularly long (meaning 75 feet or more)
- If your movers can’t get their tractor-trailer anywhere near your place and they have to use a smaller truck to shuttle your stuff from your driveway to the big rig
- If you have any (or a lot of) heavy, bulky or unusual items, like pool tables or gun safes
All or some combination of these will likely bring your quote up. This is another reason an in-person estimate is important. But if you do find yourself having to give movers a run-down of your stuff over the phone, be sure to let them know the lay of the land so no one ends up surprised. Also, don’t forget to potentially tip your movers.
Optional, Accidental and Potentially Hefty Costs
There are some potentially optional costs that can add up quickly.
Packing costs.
Doing your own packing? Be aware that boxes can get expensive – a couple of bucks a pop on average.
Meanwhile, packing paper goes for around $30 per 25-pound bundle, and box tape runs at minimum a dollar per roll.
Thinking of using bubble wrap? Plan on dropping anywhere from $20-$50 a shot.
You’ll save some cash by doing your own packing, but your packing supplies can run you a couple hundred bucks, at least.
Rental Trucks.
Renting a truck? You may find one for $20 or $30 or $50 a day, but add gas, tolls, equipment rental, liability insurance, mileage charges and any fees included in the fine print of your rental agreement add up fast. (Read this rental truck guide for more info.) If you are moving long-distance, you also need to factor in food and lodging. And by the way, if you’re driving that truck, how are you going to get your car to your new home? Get a quote on a moving truck early.
How much does insurance cost?
Planning on getting your stuff insured? Full-service moving companies offer free basic coverage against loss or damage, equaling 60 cents per pound for any lost or damaged item. If you are okay with getting fifteen bucks in return for your newly-smashed flat screen TV, then this is the plan for you. Otherwise, you’ll want to consider paying for coverage that actually means something – which will cost you a percentage of what your stuff is worth in total.
(And why it might not help you!)
Storage and lodging.
And if your new home isn’t ready when you are? This unfortunate possibility comes with having to shell out more cash for the extra time your stuff has to sit on the moving truck, the extra time you have to hold onto your rental truck, or the storage space you have to rent until your home is finally ready for you. You might not include such expenses in your moving budget, but be aware of the potential for things to go wrong.
And what if you don’t get your life all packed up on time? You’ll have to hire packers last-minute. Obviously, this situation is entirely avoidable. All you have to do is make a careful and calculated estimate as to how long it will take you to pack everything. Then whatever time frame you come up with, multiply by two and a half. (Seriously.)
Incidental Costs
After moving people day in and day out for decades, I’ve heard everything under the sun when it comes to random moving costs the customers weren’t expecting. But the thing is, they almost are never random, just unexpected. The list of sometimes surprising incidental costs include:
- Restocking your pantry/kitchen, and replacing items you got rid of
- Paying deposits on utilities, cable, and public services at your new home
- Sucking up any cancellation fees or broken contract penalties for things like cable, phone and health club membership
- Repairing damage in your old home – or losing your security deposit if you don’t
- Changing your driver’s license and car registration
- Running a credit check to pass along to your new landlord and new utility companies
- Picking up all the little things you need for your new home: light bulbs, shower curtain, shades/curtains for the windows, cleaning supplies because you used up and wore out everything cleaning your old place so you could get at least some of your security deposit back
- Getting socked with penalties for being late paying bills because your mail didn’t get forwarded promptly, or you missed a bill altogether
Apartment costs.
Also, are you renting a new apartment? Obviously, don’t forget you have a security deposit as well as first and last months’ rent to shell out. Those can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to the value of the entire month’s rent. Buying a new home? That’s another topic altogether, but with that comes closing costs, realtor fees, appraisal costs, inspection fees, attorney fees and more. Yay!
Long-term costs.
There’s another part to this incidental list, which includes moving costs that are repeating or more long-term in nature.
- Does parking cost where you live, and how much?
- What are the average car and health insurance rates in your new state?
- With your new home will you be subjected to building maintenance fees? Property fees? Homeowners’ association fees? Do you have to buy special trash and recycling bins?
That’s a lot of stuff to take into account, huh?
Figuring out what your own move will cost is all about specifics, not averages. So get that in-person estimate (more than one, if you are able). Use a moving cost calculator. Find a deal on a reliable rental truck (and remember to read the fine print). Check out rates for coverage against damage. Keep an eye on all those incidental charges and keep a list of things you’ll need at your new place.
And please, leave yourself plenty of time to pack!
