Guide · 3 min read · Updated October 9, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Move? A Simple Moving Cost Calculator
Local and long-distance moving costs, movers vs. DIY, and the hidden line items that blow up a moving budget.
The short answer
The cost to move depends mostly on distance, how much you own, and who does the work. As of 2026, moveBuddha's data puts a local move with professional movers at roughly $340 for a studio to $2,850 for a 5+ bedroom home, while long-distance moves commonly run from about $1,000 to $14,000 or more. Add hidden costs like deposits, double rent, travel, and time off work, and compare written quotes for your own move.
The moving company's quote is the number everyone looks at. It's rarely the number you end up paying. Here's how to find the real one.
How much does it cost to move locally?
A local move (usually under 100 miles) with professional movers typically costs a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on home size. Rough 2026 averages based on moveBuddha's cost guides (your quotes will vary):
| Home size | Average local move with movers |
|---|---|
| Studio | $340 |
| 1 bedroom | $460 |
| 2 bedroom | $725 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,625 |
| 4 bedroom | $1,860 |
| 5+ bedroom | $2,850 |
Most local movers charge by the hour, often with a 2- to 4-hour minimum (moveBuddha, 2026). Hourly rates vary a lot by area and crew size.
How much does a long-distance move cost?
A long-distance move (100+ miles) commonly costs about $1,000 to $14,000 or more, based on weight and miles. Here's moveBuddha's 2026 data for a 3-bedroom home:
| Distance | Movers | Container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 250 miles | $2,212–$5,300 | $1,539–$2,480 | $435–$758 |
| Under 1,000 miles | $4,200–$7,250 | $2,173–$3,639 | $999–$1,823 |
| Under 2,500 miles | $5,997–$14,191 | $3,441–$5,957 | $2,127–$3,954 |
Prices vary a lot by route and season. Spring and summer are usually busier and pricier.
Movers, rental truck, or container?
Hiring movers costs the most but saves your time and back. A rental truck or portable container costs less but shifts the work, and some costs, to you.
Full-service movers. They pack (if you pay for it), load, drive, and unload. Highest price, least work.
Rental truck. Usually the lowest price up front, plus fuel, mileage, and your own labor.
Portable container. Usually priced between a truck and full-service movers (see the table above). You pack and load. They drive.
Before you pick, count the costs of doing it yourself: fuel, hotel nights, meals on the road, helpers, and unpaid days off work.
What hidden moving costs should I budget for?
The costs that blow up a moving budget are usually the ones that aren't on the quote. Check each line for your move:
- Packing supplies: boxes, tape, wrap, mattress bags
- Stairs, long-carry, or shuttle fees
- Deposits on the new place, plus utility deposits
- Double rent or mortgage during the overlap
- Storage if the dates don't line up
- Cleaning the old place
- Pet boarding or childcare on moving day
- Tips for the crew
- Extra coverage for valuables
About coverage: the federal default "released value" for interstate movers is only 60 cents per pound per article (FMCSA, 2024). A 25-pound TV would get $15. Full Value Protection costs more but covers replacement value. Ask which one your quote includes.
How do I calculate my own moving cost?
The easiest way to calculate your moving cost is to price movers, a truck, and a container side by side, including hidden costs. We call this the LAND + HOME 3-column move compare.
| Cost | Movers | Truck | Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | |||
| Fuel + mileage | |||
| Lodging + meals | |||
| Supplies | |||
| Helpers + tips | |||
| Time off work | |||
| Total |
Example (hypothetical numbers): A family moving a 2-bedroom 600 miles gets a mover quote of $4,200. A truck rental is $1,500, but add $450 in fuel, $150 for one hotel night, $100 for meals, $200 for friends' pizza and gas money, and two unpaid days off at $400, and the truck lands at $2,800. Still cheaper, but not by $2,700.
Once you have a date, start the change of address checklist. Military family? See how the PPM move calculator works first.
The bottom line
Distance, weight, and who does the work set most of the price. Get at least three written quotes, price the hidden costs, and compare all three ways to move before you book. Prices vary a lot by location and season, so use these ranges as a starting point, not a quote.
Common questions
How much does it cost to move locally?
As of 2026, moveBuddha's averages for a local move with professional movers run from about $340 for a studio to about $1,625 for a 3-bedroom and $2,850 for a 5+ bedroom home. Your price depends on hours, crew size, and your area.
How much does a long-distance move cost?
Long-distance moves commonly run from about $1,000 to $14,000 or more in 2026, depending on home size and miles. For example, moveBuddha lists about $4,200 to $7,250 with movers for a 3-bedroom move of under 1,000 miles.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
A rental truck usually costs less up front, but once you add fuel, lodging, meals, helpers, and time off work, the gap can shrink. Price all three options, movers, a truck, and a container, side by side.
How much should I tip movers?
A common guideline is 10% to 20% of the moving cost, depending on the service. Some people tip a flat amount per mover instead for smaller jobs.
What is the cheapest way to move?
Moving fewer things is the biggest saver. After that, a DIY truck or a container, a weekday or off-season move date, and free boxes usually cost the least.
When you're ready for the next step
Keep reading
Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You MoveHow to file your USPS change of address and the full list of everyone else who needs your new address.
PPM Move Calculator: How Your Military PPM Payment Is FiguredA military spouse's walk-through of how a PPM incentive is calculated and what you actually keep after expenses and taxes.