How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Congrats! You’re moving! And unless you’re in the stage of life when you can fit everything you own into the trunk of your car, you’re probably asking yourself, How much does it cost to move these days?

The average cost to hire pros for a local move is around $1,700.¹ The average cost of a long-distance move is about $4,800.² Keep in mind, there are many factors to consider that could radically impact these numbers. That’s why we’ve outlined different moving options and how to find the one that fits your budget and needs.

Types of Moving Costs

Here are some common types of moving options and moving costs people typically consider:

Type of Moving Service	Average Cost	Details
Renting a Moving Truck	$50–2,000	Depending on truck size and time of use3
Hiring a Moving Company	$900–2,400	Depending on number of workers and hourly rates.4
Hiring a Full-Service Moving Company	$2,300 or more	Depending on distance and square footage5
Renting a Moving Container	$700–5,000	Depending on container size and moving distance6

Now, that gives you an idea of moving costs to expect. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options so you can plan your move with confidence!

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck?

If you have the muscle (or some friends with muscles), a great way to lower your moving costs is to rent a truck and haul everything yourself. The average cost to rent a moving truck ranges from less than $50 to more than $2,000.⁷ We know that’s a wide range, but it depends on specific things like:

• How far you’ll travel
• How much truck space you’ll need
• How much your moving items weigh
• How long you’ll keep the rental (hours or days)
• How much you’ll pay in gas

How Much Does Moving a Car Cost?

If you’re driving the moving truck all by yourself, chances are you may have to pay to ship your car, which adds an average of $1,150 to your moving costs—with an average of $1 per mile for trips of more than 1,000 miles.⁸ You can probably knock that price down if you choose a truck rental company that offers a car trailer so you can tow the car yourself. Get ready for a wild road trip!

How Much Do Movers Cost?

Sure, it’d be great to save a bunch of cash by paying your friends in pizza to help you load a U-Haul and move everything yourself. But that’s not so easy if you’re moving a family-sized household of stuff. We get it. That’s why we’re going to break down what it takes to hire a moving company and how much movers cost.

Typically, movers cost between $900 and $2,400.⁹ Of course, this range is determined by factors like the size of your home and how far away you’re moving. So, let’s dig into those details.

Short-Distance Moving Costs

What’s the cost if you’re moving to a new town in your current state? Well, local movers usually charge an hourly rate. So, if you’re moving locally within the same state, you’ll probably pay an average hourly rate of $25 to $50 for each professional mover.¹⁰

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Using those hourly rates, here’s a breakdown of what moving costs could look like for you depending on the typical time it takes to move different home sizes (assuming you hire at least three workers):

• One-bedroom apartment: 4 hours, $300 to $600
• Two- to three-bedroom home: 6 hours, $450 to $900
• Four-bedroom home: 8 hours, $600 to $1,200¹¹

Long-Distance Moving Costs

Okay, now let’s see what moving costs look like for long-distance moves—including moving to another state. Long-distance moves with a moving company usually cost $2,700 to $6,900.¹²

The distance of your move isn’t the only thing that will cause a significant change in price. Movers might charge extra to move unique items like pianos. (The average cost to move a piano is $400.)¹³ So keep a lookout for any heavy items you own and have your moving company include them in the estimate up front so you can avoid the shock of being charged extra.

How Much Does a Full-Service Move Cost?

Too busy to pack? Wondering what it feels like to have a full-service team of movers come to your house and pack everything for you? Well, brace yourself, this is the most expensive way to move.

If you’re moving a three-bedroom house, the average cost for full-service movers ranges from $2,300 to $10,000 or more.^14,15 But full-service movers go beyond loading, transporting and unloading. They also pack and unpack all your boxes, take apart and reassemble furniture, and even handle cleanup—saving you an enormous amount of time and effort.

Since full-service movers cost the most of any option, ask your employer about a relocation package. Some companies offer employees enough money to cover most moving costs. If that’s not the case in your situation, you may be better off choosing a cheaper moving option.

Should I Tip Movers?

Let’s say you hired a good moving company and the movers didn’t scratch or break anything. In fact, they showed up on time and did a pretty darn good job! Should you tip them? Sure! A tip that’s 10% to 20% of the cost of your move will show your appreciation for their hard work.

How Much Do Moving Containers Cost?

What if you don’t want to run the risk of movers mishandling your stuff or deal with the hassle of driving a moving truck yourself? Then you’ll probably want to rent a container. A moving container is kind of like having the back of a moving truck dropped off at your house. You load all your stuff into the container on your own time, then you schedule a date for the container company to pick it up. They drop it off at your new location for you to unpack. Or they can keep it in storage for you until you’re ready for it.

The average cost to use a moving container ranges from $700–5,000 depending on how many you need and how far you’re going.¹⁶ But if you’re just doing a local move without too many items, prices could be even less.

How Much Does It Cost to Move an Actual House?

One genius way to cut the moving costs on things like containers, movers or trucks is to just up and move your whole freaking house . . . kidding. Moving a house is definitely a real option for a few brave souls, but it’s more complicated—and more expensive—than it’s worth.

The total cost of moving a home ranges from $15,000 all the way to $200,000.¹⁷ Keep in mind: different factors play into how much it costs to move a house—things like the size, shape, type, foundation and other features like balconies.¹⁸

Can I Deduct Moving Expenses?

Oh no. Are they going to talk about taxes? Yes. Sorry. We know taxes are the last thing you want to think about when you’re moving. But if you’re banking on a tax deduction to reimburse your moving expenses, we want to warn you—it won’t.

The tax reform bill dropped moving expenses as a tax deduction for the vast majority of people (some active military members can still claim moving expenses on their federal taxes). But there are still a few states that allow residents to claim moving expeneses on their state tax return, so check with your CPA or tax pro and see if that's an option for you. 

Find a Real Estate Agent to Help With Your Move

If you’re ready to put wheels on your moving plans, make sure you use a professional to help with your housing details. Get your house sold for the right price and find an affordable new home with the expertise of a trusted real estate agent.

To find the best agents near you, try our RamseyTrusted program. We make it easy to find the best agents for you by handpicking ones who perform at the top of their market and coaching them to serve you with excellence.

Find a trusted real estate agent today!