Estimate what your move will cost — DIY truck, full-service movers, or a container — based on your home size, distance, and the details that actually change the price.
Moving is priced three completely different ways, so we model all three from the same inputs:
We then apply the things that actually move the price: a peak-season bump (May–September runs ~15% higher), a stairs / long-carry surcharge, and an optional professional packing add-on.
Important — this is an estimate, not a quote. Real prices swing a lot with the exact company, date, route, and how much stuff you actually have. Treat the ranges as a planning guide and get three real quotes before you book. Rates last updated 2026-08-06.
| Home size | Est. shipment weight | Local crew × hours | DIY truck | Containers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / small 1BR | 1,800 lb | 2 movers × 3 hr | 10 ft | 1 |
| 1 bedroom | 3,500 lb | 2 movers × 4 hr | 10–15 ft | 1 |
| 2 bedrooms | 5,500 lb | 3 movers × 5 hr | 15–20 ft | 2 |
| 3 bedrooms | 9,000 lb | 4 movers × 7 hr | 20–26 ft | 2 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 12,500 lb | 5 movers × 9 hr | 26 ft | 3 |
Treat it as a planning range, not a quote. Local hourly moves depend on how fast the crew works and how ready you are; long-distance depends on your actual shipment weight and the exact route. Companies also price the same move differently, which is why getting three quotes almost always saves money.
For interstate moves the truck is on the road for days, so movers charge by how heavy your shipment is and how far it goes — not by labor hours. We estimate your weight from your home size using the standard mover volume-to-weight tables.
Usually yes — you're only paying for the truck, fuel, and supplies instead of a crew. The trade-off is you do all the lifting and driving. A moving container splits the difference: you load it, they drive it.
Meaningfully. Roughly 70% of moves happen May–September, so movers, trucks, and containers all cost more then — we add about 15% for peak season. Booking mid-week and off-peak (October–April) is the easiest way to cut the bill.
Stairs, long carries from the truck to the door, elevators, bulky or heavy specialty items, and last-minute packing. We add a stairs / long-carry surcharge; ask any mover to put access details in writing so the quote holds.
For long-distance, ask for a binding or “not-to-exceed” estimate rather than a non-binding one, and make sure the inventory list is complete. For local hourly moves, confirm the crew size, the hourly rate, the travel fee, and whether there's a minimum.