How much do movers cost?
Local movers cost $80 to $100 per hour for a two-person crew (more in big cities), so a typical local move runs $500 to $3,500. Long-distance moves average around $5,000 and range from $1,500 to $8,500 or more.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local crew (2 movers) | $80–$100/hr | Standard markets; most companies have a 2–4 hour minimum. |
| Big-city rate (per mover) | $80–$150/hr | NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and similar. |
| Typical local move total | $500–$3,500 | Under 100 miles, studio to large home. |
| Long-distance (500–1,000 mi, 2–3 BR) | $3,060–$5,280 | Priced by weight plus mileage. |
| Long-distance (1,000+ mi) | $1,500–$8,500+ | Wide range; ~$5,000 average for a full household. |
Local vs. long-distance pricing
Local moves are billed by the hour — a two-person crew at $80–$100/hour, plus a truck fee, with a minimum of 2–4 hours. A small apartment might take 3–4 hours; a larger home, most of a day.
Long-distance moves are priced differently: by the weight of your shipment plus the mileage, then adjusted for service level. That's why a cross-country move of a full household commonly lands around $5,000.
What drives the cost
The big factors are how much you're moving (weight and number of rooms), how far, and when. Add-on services — packing, fragile-only packing, disassembly, storage, and bulky-item handling for pianos or safes — each raise the bill.
Timing matters more than people expect. Summer, weekends, and the first and last few days of the month are peak demand and cost the most.
How to pay less
Move mid-week, mid-month, and outside summer if you can — off-peak dates are noticeably cheaper. Declutter before you get quotes, since long-distance pricing is weight-based.
Get at least three written estimates, and do your own packing to avoid packing labor. For tight budgets, a portable container or rental truck costs far less than full-service movers, trading money for effort.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to move a 2-bedroom?
- Locally, about $600–$1,500 depending on hours and city. Long-distance, a 2–3 bedroom move of 500–1,000 miles typically runs $3,060–$5,280.
- What's the cheapest time to move?
- Mid-week and mid-month during fall or winter. Avoid summer weekends and the start and end of the month, when demand and prices peak.
- Should I tip movers?
- It's customary but optional. A common guideline is $4–$5 per mover per hour, or 10%–15% of the total split among the crew for a job well done.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.