How much does it cost to hire movers?

Local moves (under 100 miles) typically cost $300-$1,500, priced hourly by crew size. Long-distance moves typically cost $1,500-$10,000+, priced by shipment weight and distance.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?

A DIY truck rental is usually 50-70% cheaper than full-service movers for local moves, though the gap narrows considerably for long-distance moves once fuel, rental fees, and your own time and labor are factored in.

How much do moving containers cost?

Moving containers (like PODS or U-Pack) typically cost $400-$700 for local moves and $900-$4,500 for long-distance moves, sitting as a middle option between DIY truck rental and full-service movers.

How many boxes do I need to move?

As a rough guide, a 1-bedroom apartment needs about 20-30 boxes, a 2-bedroom home needs about 35-50 boxes, and a 3-bedroom home needs about 55-75 boxes, mixed across small, medium, and large sizes.

How much does moving storage cost?

Storage unit costs vary by size, typically $50-$70/month for a small 5x5 unit up to $150-$250/month for a large 10x20 unit, with climate-controlled units costing roughly 20-30% more.

What is considered a long-distance move?

Most moving companies consider any move over 100 miles, or one that crosses state lines, to be long-distance, which changes how the move is priced — from hourly labor to weight and distance based.

How much should I tip movers?

A common guideline is $20-40 per mover for a local move (half-day), $40-75 per mover for a full-day job, or $10-40 per mover per day for a multi-day long-distance move.

Moving Cost Calculator – Movers, Truck, Container & Storage (Free)

📦 Moving Cost Calculator

Home Size

Moving Distance (miles)

Hourly Rate Per Mover (local moves only)

Quick Examples

2BR, local (25 mi) 3BR, long-distance (800 mi) Studio, local (10 mi)

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Enter your details and click Calculate

Your moving cost estimate will appear here.

Calculating…

How It Works

How Movers Actually Price a Move

Local and long-distance moves are priced completely differently — knowing which formula applies helps you sanity-check any quote you receive.

Local Move (Under 100 Miles)

Cost = Crew Size × Hourly Rate × Hours

Priced by labor time, similar to hiring a service crew.

Long-Distance Move (100+ Miles)

Cost = Shipment Weight × Rate per Pound + Distance Charges

Priced like freight shipping, based on weight and mileage rather than time.

Worked Example: 2-Bedroom Local Move, 3 Movers, $40/hr, 5 Hours

3 movers × $40/hr = $120/hr crew rate

✓ $120/hr × 5 hours = $600 for full-service movers.

These are planning estimates based on typical industry pricing patterns, not a quote from any specific company. Always get written quotes from licensed movers before booking.

Quick Reference

Movers vs. Container vs. DIY Truck

Option	Typical Local Cost	Typical Long-Distance Cost	Effort Required
Full-service movers	$300-$1,500	$1,500-$10,000+	Lowest — they pack, load, drive, unload
Moving container	$400-$700	$900-$4,500	Medium — you pack, they drive
DIY truck rental	$30-$500	$1,500-$3,500+ fuel	Highest — you do everything

Often Forgotten Costs

Packing Supplies & Storage — The Line Items People Miss

Most moving budgets focus only on the truck or the movers, then get surprised by boxes, tape, and storage fees.

Home Size	Approx. Boxes Needed	Est. Supply Cost	Suggested Storage Unit
Studio	15-20	$40-$60	5×5
1 Bedroom	20-30	$60-$90	5×10
2 Bedroom	35-50	$100-$150	10×10
3 Bedroom	55-75	$150-$220	10×15
4+ Bedroom	80-100+	$220-$320	10×20 or larger

FAQ

Moving Cost Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about movers, DIY moving, and moving-related costs.