Tell us about your move type, distance, and origin.
Professional Movers
$900
DIY Move
$471
DIY saves approximately $429 (48%), but requires your own labor and coordination.
Inputs
Result
A 2-bedroom local move takes approximately 6 hours at $150/hour ($900 base). October has a 1.1x season surcharge, bringing the total to $990. DIY costs $465: truck rental ($80) + gas ($10) + helpers ($150) + supplies ($225).
Inputs
Result
A cross-country 3-bedroom move: 9,000 lbs at $0.70/lb = $6,300 + 2,000 miles at $0.15/mile = $300, giving a base of $6,600. Full packing for 8 rooms adds $640 and an upright piano adds $350. The July summer multiplier of 1.25x brings the total to $9,488.
A local move (under 100 miles) typically costs $800–$2,500 for a 2-bedroom home. Costs are based on hourly rates of $100–$200 per hour for a crew of 2–3 movers plus a truck. A studio apartment may only cost $400–$800 while a 4-bedroom house can run $2,000–$4,000 depending on the amount of furniture and special items.
| Home Size | Hours | Crew Cost | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 3–4 hrs | $100–$150/hr | $400–$800 |
| 1-Bedroom | 4–5 hrs | $100–$150/hr | $500–$1,200 |
| 2-Bedroom | 5–7 hrs | $150–$200/hr | $800–$2,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | 7–10 hrs | $150–$200/hr | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 4-Bedroom | 8–12 hrs | $200–$250/hr | $2,000–$4,000 |
Long-distance moves (100–500 miles) cost $2,000–$8,000 on average, depending on the weight of your belongings and distance. Cross-country moves over 500 miles typically range from $4,000–$12,000. Costs are calculated by the pound plus a per-mile rate, with a 3-bedroom home averaging 9,000 lbs of household goods.
DIY moving is usually 40–60% cheaper than hiring professional movers. A DIY local move might cost $300–$800 for truck rental, gas, and supplies, while professionals charge $800–$2,500 for the same move. However, professionals handle heavy lifting, provide insurance, and save significant time and physical effort.
| Cost Factor | DIY Move | Professional Movers |
|---|---|---|
| Truck/Transport | $40–$100/day | Included |
| Labor | $0 (you) or $150–$300 | $100–$200/hr (crew) |
| Insurance | None (your risk) | $0.60/lb basic included |
| Supplies | $100–$250 | Often included or $200–$500 |
| Total (2BR local) | $300–$800 | $800–$2,500 |
January and February are typically the cheapest months to move, with rates 10–15% lower than average. Summer months (June–August) are the most expensive due to high demand, with prices 20–25% higher. Moving on a weekday instead of a weekend can also save 10–15% on your total cost.
Beyond the base moving cost, budget for packing supplies ($50–$200), packing services ($200–$1,000), storage if needed ($100–$300/month), moving insurance ($50–$500), tips for movers ($20–$50 per mover), and specialty item handling like pianos ($200–$800) or hot tubs ($300–$1,000).
Read our guide
Read our guide
Read our guide
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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