How Much Do Movers Cost in 2025?

Moving Cost Factors

The cost to move depends mostly on the volume of your belongings and the distance, but there are other factors to consider. To figure out your budget, you'll need to factor in the size of your home, the weight of your belongings, and how far and where you need to go. 

Home Size

The size of your home offers a helpful way to estimate the total weight of your belongings and the number of hours required to load and move. This can help you gauge your total moving cost.

Mobile home moving costs tend to be measured differently since they typically include moving the entire mobile home unit. Costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Moving Truck and Van Prices

Renting a truck or van costs $50 to $2,000, depending on the size of the vehicle and the rental duration. Many local moving companies include a standard vehicle as part of the package, but it may cost extra for a larger one. 

Accessibility

A difficult-to-access unit can add an extra $200 to $500 to the total price of your move. For example, carrying furniture over several flights of stairs takes longer and often requires extra movers. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to request an in-person estimate to avoid surprises.

Timing

Moving companies are busiest in the summer and on weekends and holidays. If you relocate at these times, you can expect limited options and higher prices. The most affordable times to move are during fall and winter, on weekdays, and in the middle of the month.

Materials and Supplies 

If you want your movers to include packing material expenses, such as boxes, padding, and tape, your moving price will increase to anywhere from $270 to $2,200 or an average of $1,000. The number of bedrooms and the square footage significantly affect the materials you’ll need and the total cost.

Storage

If you require temporary storage, the cost to rent a storage unit is around $20 to $450 per month, on average. Rates depend on the size of your storage space. The average 1,200-square-foot home requires around a 12-foot container.

Labor

Local moving companies usually charge between $30 and $80 per hour for each worker. The number of movers you need depends on the size of your home and the number of belongings. Plan on hiring three or more pros if you have a larger house or heavy items, like a piano. For smaller homes, you can probably get away with hiring just one to two movers to do the job.

Long-Distance

The cost for a long-distance move ranges from $2,600 to $6,900, depending on the distance and weight of your possessions. The average home’s belongings weigh about 7,500 pounds.

The price of a local move typically ranges from $900 to $2,400. The estimate may include an hourly rate, a flat fee, or both. 

Other Cost Factors

In addition to key factors like home size and labor costs, it’s important to factor in moving insurance and tips. You may also want to consider additional support, like packing services.

Moving Insurance

Most professional moving companies provide basic liability insurance in the estimate, which covers about $0.60 per pound. You'll pay more if you want coverage that reimburses you for the item's full value. Expect to pay around 1% to 2% of your item’s value. Be sure to ask about moving insurance when you request a quote, as you may be unable to add it on the day of service.

Tipping

It’s customary to leave a 10% to 20% tip, particularly for local movers. Plan to give closer to 20% if the job is less than $500 or if the workers have done a great job taking care of your items.

Packing Services

Packing services cost $1,000, on average, but you can pay as little as $270 and as much as $2,200, depending on the size of the house and the number of belongings you need to move. 

Movers typically provide an estimate based on the number of rooms and total square footage. This price only includes packing your belongings and packing materials. You’ll pay extra for loading, unloading, or unpacking.

Full-Service

Hiring full-service movers costs $2,300 or more, depending on the distance and square footage. This service includes:

• Packing

• Furniture disassembly

• Loading

• Transportation

• Unloading

• Unpacking

• Furniture assembly

Keep in mind that a full-service move may spread out the process over a week or two. In most cases, movers pack items, store them for a few days, and then deliver them. Plan to transport your highest-priority items yourself so you’ll have immediate access to them as soon as you arrive at your new home. 

Specialty Moving Costs

If you have specialty items like a piano or pool table, you may want to consider specialty services. Large items like a car or piano cost an extra $400 to $2,000 on top of general relocation and furniture moving costs because they require specialized skills and moving precautions. These items may be heavier, cost more in fuel to transport, or require extra protection and insurance.

Car and Motorcycle Shipping

The cost to ship a car is around $1,200 and depends on weight, distance, dimensions, value, and insurance. You'll also pay more for express shipping, door-to-door service, and enclosed shipping. Motorcycle shipping prices for short distances fall between $300 and $500, depending on the size and weight of the motorcycle. 

Pianos

The average cost to move a piano is $400, which is higher than the cost of shipping everyday items of the same size and weight. A specialist’s skills and equipment are necessary to successfully transport a piano without damaging it, whether you're shipping a little upright piano or a luxurious grand piano.

Pool Table

Moving a pool table costs an average of $550, though rates range from $50 to $4,000. Costs vary depending on the size and weight of your pool table and the distance you’re planning to move.

Budgeting for Moving Costs

Moving is pricey no matter how you look at it, but there are ways to save money if you’re on a tight budget. Here are some tips for saving on your move:

• Book outside peak hours: Moving companies are busiest in spring and summer, weekends, and holidays. If you book on a weekday, you can save on moving rates.

• Donate unwanted items: Key factors in moving costs are the size and weight of your items, so going through your belongings and donating extras before the move can help keep costs to a minimum. If you need to remove large items, a full truckload of junk removal costs an average of between $400 to $800.

• Pack and unpack yourself: Full-service moves and packing services add to your bill, so packing basics by yourself can save a significant amount. However, if you have specialty items like musical instruments, leaving the packing to a pro can protect against costly damage.

• Shop around: Check out storage and moving companies to find the best rates on shipping and packing materials, or talk to your movers to see if they can provide a discount.

• Contact several companies: Reach out to multiple moving companies to compare quotes and find the best fit for your move.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.