How Much Do Movers Cost in 2026? Two Men and a Truck vs. PODS vs. Full-Service
Moving costs can vary widely depending on how much you move, how far you travel, and how much of the physical work you want to handle yourself.
In 2026, hiring movers can cost anywhere from about $150 to $200 per hour for a two-person local moving crew. A PODS container can cost roughly $220 to $8,000, while full-service movers can cost $1,500 to $8,300 or more for longer moves.
The cheapest option is not always the best option. A DIY truck rental may save the most money, but it also means loading, driving, and unloading everything yourself. A moving container removes the driving, while full-service movers can handle almost the entire move for you.
Calculate Your Moving Costs
Compare your estimated moving costs based on distance, home size, truck rental, labor, and other moving expenses.
Calculate Your Moving Cost →How Much Do Movers Cost in 2026?
For a typical local move, professional movers often charge around $1,200 to $3,500 depending on the size of the home, number of movers, hours required, and location.
Long-distance moves cost considerably more. A move covering 500 to 1,000 miles can cost several thousand dollars, while a cross-country move can easily reach $5,000 to $8,300 or more.
There are also options between hiring a full-service moving company and doing everything yourself.
A PODS-style moving container lets you pack and load your belongings yourself while the company handles transportation. A labor-only moving crew can load and unload your belongings while you arrange the transportation separately.
Quick Comparison: Movers vs. PODS vs. DIY
The best moving method depends on your budget, distance, and how much work you are willing to do.
| Moving Method | Local Move | Long-Distance Move | Who Does the Labor? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Truck Rental | About $200 | $900–$3,000+ | You load, drive, and unload |
| PODS / Moving Container | $220–$870 | $2,000–$8,000 | You load and unload |
| Two Men and a Truck | $1,000–$2,800 | $5,000–$23,000 | Crew handles loading and unloading |
| Full-Service Movers | $1,200–$3,500 | $1,500–$8,300+ | Movers handle most or all of the work |
The Cheapest Option Isn't Always the Best Value
A DIY truck rental usually has the lowest upfront cost, but you have to provide the labor and drive the truck yourself.
PODS and other moving containers sit between DIY rentals and professional movers. You handle loading and unloading, but the container company handles transportation.
Full-service movers cost more because you're paying for labor, transportation, and convenience.
Two Men and a Truck Cost Breakdown
Two Men and a Truck is a well-known moving company with independently operated locations across the United States. Because individual locations set their own rates, the final price can vary by city and move.
For local moves, a typical two-person crew can cost around $150 to $200 per hour. Many locations also have a minimum number of hours.
The total cost depends on how many rooms you have, how much furniture needs to be moved, the distance between locations, and whether the movers need to use stairs or make long carries.
| Move Size | Typical Local Cost | Typical Long-Distance Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $600–$1,200 | $5,000–$9,000 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,500–$3,000 | $9,000–$16,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,500–$11,000+ | $16,000–$23,000+ |
Why Moving Crew Size Matters
A two-person crew may be enough for a small apartment, but a larger home can require three or more movers.
Adding another mover increases the hourly labor cost, but it can also reduce the total number of hours required.
For that reason, comparing only the hourly rate can be misleading. The more useful number is the estimated total cost for the entire move.
What's Included With a Moving Crew?
A typical local moving service includes loading your belongings, transporting them, and unloading them at the destination.
Additional services may cost extra. These can include packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, specialty-item handling, long carries, stairs, and storage.
Packing is one of the easiest ways to increase the final moving bill. If you have enough time, packing smaller household items yourself can reduce the number of labor hours required.
PODS Moving Container Cost Breakdown
PODS takes a different approach to moving.
Instead of having a moving crew load your belongings into a truck, the company delivers a storage container to your property. You load the container yourself, and the company transports it to the destination.
You can also use the container for temporary storage if your move-out and move-in dates do not line up.
| Container Size | Local Move | 500–1,000 Mile Move | Cross-Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-foot | $220–$430 | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,800–$5,800 |
| 12-foot | $300–$600 | $2,000–$3,500 | $3,800–$5,000 |
| 16-foot | $300–$870 | $2,500–$4,500 | $4,800–$7,800 |
Actual container pricing can vary significantly based on the moving distance, dates, container size, location, availability, and storage requirements.
Don't Compare the Container Price Alone
A moving container may look cheaper than professional movers, but remember that you still have to load and unload it.
You may also need to pay for packing supplies, loading help, storage, or additional containers if your belongings do not fit into one.
Full-Service Moving Company Costs
Full-service movers are the most convenient option because the moving company can handle most of the physical work from start to finish.
Depending on the company and package, services can include packing, loading, transportation, unloading, furniture assembly, and sometimes unpacking.
The convenience comes at a higher price. You are paying not only for transportation, but also for the time and labor required to complete the move.
| Move Type | Typical Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Local move | $1,200–$3,500 |
| 500–1,000 mile move | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Cross-country move | $5,000–$8,300+ |
These figures are general ranges rather than guaranteed quotes. A large home with many belongings can cost considerably more than a smaller home traveling the same distance.
Estimate Your Complete Moving Budget
Calculate an estimated moving budget based on your home size, moving distance, labor, transportation, and other common moving expenses.
Calculate Your Moving Cost →Why Full-Service Moving Costs More
With a full-service move, you are paying for more than a truck.
The price can include several movers, packing materials, loading and unloading labor, transportation, fuel, equipment, and the additional time required to complete the move.
If you choose professional packing and unpacking, the total can increase substantially.
What Affects Your Final Moving Cost?
The advertised price is only a starting point. Your actual moving quote can change based on several details.
Two homes with the same number of bedrooms can have very different moving costs if one household owns significantly more furniture and belongings.
1. Home Size and Number of Belongings
The amount of stuff being moved is one of the biggest factors in the final price.
A small apartment with minimal furniture may require only a few hours of labor. A four-bedroom house filled with furniture, appliances, boxes, and other possessions can take an entire day or longer.
Decluttering before the move can therefore reduce both labor time and transportation costs.
2. Moving Distance
Distance affects almost every type of move.
Local movers commonly charge by the hour, while long-distance moves may use weight, mileage, volume, or a combination of factors when calculating the price.
A longer distance also means more fuel, driver time, and transportation expenses.
3. Moving Date and Season
When you move can be almost as important as where you move.
Summer is generally the busiest period for the moving industry. Demand can be especially high around weekends, holidays, and the end of the month.
If your schedule is flexible, moving during a less busy period may give you more availability and potentially lower rates.
Simple Way to Potentially Reduce Your Moving Bill
Ask movers for quotes on multiple dates instead of requesting only one specific day.
A weekday or less popular moving date may give you more options than a Saturday at the end of the month.
4. Stairs, Elevators and Long Carries
Access to both properties can affect the amount of labor required.
A home with several flights of stairs can take considerably longer to move than a ground-floor property with easy truck access.
Some movers also charge additional fees for long carries when the truck cannot park close to the entrance.
Before accepting a quote, ask whether stairs, elevators, long carries, or difficult access are already included.
5. Packing Services
Packing everything yourself can reduce the amount of professional labor you need.
Professional packing is convenient, but it adds both labor and packing-material costs.
If you are trying to keep the budget low, consider packing clothes, books, kitchenware, and other everyday items yourself while leaving fragile or specialty items to professionals.
6. Storage Requirements
Storage can become a significant part of your moving budget if your new home is not ready immediately.
A moving container can be useful when you need temporary storage because the container can remain stored until you are ready for delivery.
Traditional movers may also offer storage, but the pricing structure can be different. Always ask whether storage, transportation to the storage facility, and final delivery are included in the quoted price.
Which Moving Option Is Right for Your Move?
There is no single best moving method for everyone.
The right choice depends on your budget, distance, schedule, physical ability, and how much work you want to handle yourself.
| Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Truck Rental | Budget-conscious local moves | Lowest overall cost | You drive and handle the labor |
| PODS | Flexible moves and storage | No long-distance truck driving | You still load and unload |
| Moving Crew | People who need physical help | Professionals handle the heavy lifting | Higher labor cost |
| Full-Service Movers | Hands-off moves | Most of the work is handled for you | Highest overall cost |
Choose a DIY Truck Rental If...
A DIY truck rental can make sense when keeping the cost as low as possible is your main priority.
It works particularly well for smaller local moves when you have friends or family available to help with loading and unloading.
The trade-off is your time and effort. You are responsible for driving the truck and handling the physical work.
Choose PODS If...
A moving container can be a good middle-ground option when you do not want to drive a large rental truck but are comfortable loading and unloading your belongings.
It can also be useful when there is a gap between selling one home and moving into another because the container can provide temporary storage.
Choose a Moving Crew If...
A labor-and-truck service such as Two Men and a Truck can make sense when you want professionals to handle the heavy lifting but do not necessarily need a complete packing and unpacking service.
This can be especially useful for local and regional moves where hourly pricing is common.
Choose Full-Service Movers If...
Full-service moving is usually the best choice when convenience matters more than minimizing the cost.
It can be particularly valuable for large households, long-distance moves, seniors, busy families, or anyone who does not want to handle heavy furniture and boxes.
Think About More Than the Price
The cheapest quote is not necessarily the cheapest move.
Consider the value of your time, the physical work involved, fuel, packing supplies, equipment, storage, and the risk of unexpected charges.
Comparing the total estimated cost is more useful than comparing one advertised rate.
How Much Can You Save by Doing Some of the Work Yourself?
You do not necessarily have to choose between doing everything yourself and hiring a full-service moving company.
A hybrid approach can reduce the cost while still giving you professional help where you need it.
For example, you could pack your own boxes, hire movers to load the truck, use a moving company for transportation, and handle the unpacking yourself.
Another option is to use a moving container and hire local labor only for loading and unloading.
These combinations can be worth considering when you want to reduce the moving bill without taking responsibility for every part of the move.
How to Get an Accurate Moving Estimate
Online moving cost averages are useful for planning, but they cannot replace a quote based on your actual move.
The final price depends on your home size, belongings, moving distance, access conditions, moving date, and the services you select.
Before choosing a mover, collect several detailed estimates and compare what each company includes.
Get at Least Three Written Quotes
Try to get at least three written estimates before booking a moving company.
Do not compare only the final dollar amount. Check whether each estimate includes packing, loading, transportation, unloading, stairs, long carries, fuel, storage, and other potential charges.
Ask for an Itemized Estimate
An itemized quote makes it easier to see exactly what you are paying for.
If one company is significantly cheaper than the others, ask why. A low quote may exclude services or fees that another company has already included.
Confirm How Long-Distance Pricing Works
Long-distance moving quotes can be calculated differently from local moves.
Depending on the company, the price may consider the weight of your belongings, shipment volume, distance, origin and destination, or a combination of these factors.
Ask the mover exactly how your estimate was calculated before signing a contract.
Ask About Extra Charges
Unexpected charges can turn an affordable-looking estimate into a much larger final bill.
Ask about stairs, elevators, long carries, packing materials, furniture assembly, storage, additional stops, bulky items, and difficult access.
It is much easier to compare quotes when you know what is included from the beginning.
Book Early During Peak Moving Season
If you plan to move during the busy summer season, start requesting quotes several weeks before your preferred moving date.
Late May through September is generally a busy period for movers. Availability can become limited around weekends and the end of the month.
Booking earlier gives you more opportunities to compare companies and choose a date that fits your budget.
Compare Your Moving Costs
Estimate your moving budget based on your move distance, home size, labor requirements, and other common moving expenses.
Calculate Your Moving Cost →Movers vs. PODS vs. DIY: Which Is Cheapest?
For most people, the answer depends on how much labor they are willing to provide.
A DIY truck rental usually has the lowest direct cost because you handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself.
PODS can cost more than a basic truck rental, but you do not have to drive a large moving truck over a long distance. You still handle the loading and unloading.
Professional moving crews cost more because you are paying for labor and transportation. Full-service movers generally cost the most because they can handle packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and other parts of the move.
| Priority | Option to Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest possible cost | DIY truck rental | You handle most of the work |
| No long-distance truck driving | PODS | The company transports the container |
| Help with heavy lifting | Moving crew | Professionals handle loading and unloading |
| Maximum convenience | Full-service movers | Most moving tasks are handled for you |
The Best Choice Depends on Your Time and Budget
If money is the biggest concern, DIY is usually the starting point.
If you want a balance between cost and convenience, a moving container or labor-only service can make sense.
If you want to avoid physical work altogether, full-service movers may justify the higher price.
Ways to Reduce Your Moving Costs
Even if you decide to hire professional movers, there are several ways to keep your total cost under control.
Declutter Before Moving
Do not pay to move things you no longer need.
Sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of unwanted items before the movers arrive. Fewer belongings can mean fewer boxes, less labor, and potentially lower transportation costs.
Pack What You Can Yourself
Professional packing can save time, but it adds to the bill.
If you have enough time, pack everyday household items yourself and reserve professional packing for fragile or difficult items.
Move During a Flexible Date
Ask whether the mover offers different pricing for different dates.
If you can avoid weekends, holidays, and peak periods, you may have more choices and potentially lower rates.
Compare Different Moving Methods
Do not assume that a traditional moving company is your only option.
Compare a professional moving crew, PODS or another container service, and a DIY truck rental using the same move details.
The difference can be thousands of dollars for a long-distance move.
Final Takeaway: How Much Should You Budget for Movers?
For a local move, a reasonable starting budget is around $1,200 to $3,500 for professional movers, although smaller moves can cost less and larger homes can cost considerably more.
A PODS container may cost around $220 to $870 for some local moves and several thousand dollars for long-distance transportation and storage.
For long-distance moves, professional moving costs can range from roughly $3,000 to more than $8,000, depending on the size of the home, distance, services, and moving company.
The most important thing is to compare the complete cost rather than one advertised rate.
A cheap hourly rate can become expensive if the move takes longer than expected. Likewise, a moving container that looks affordable may require additional labor, storage, or packing costs.
Get several written estimates, check exactly what each quote includes, and choose the option that gives you the right balance between cost, convenience, and the amount of work you want to handle yourself.
Additional Resources
For additional information about moving companies and consumer protection, consider checking the resources below.
- American Moving & Storage Association
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Protect Your Move
Before You Book a Moving Company
Check the company's credentials, read the estimate carefully, and make sure you understand how the final price can change.
Never choose a mover based solely on an unusually low quote. A detailed estimate and clear terms can help prevent expensive surprises later.