How Much Does PODS Cost? (2026 Data)

How much do moving pods cost?

PODS costs $220 – $813 per container for a local move and $2,068 – $7,448 per container for a cross-country move, depending on container size, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Storage-only rentals start at $150 per month, plus delivery and pickup fees.

Below, we break down every PODS fee and show how PODS stacks up against the other best moving container companies.

PODS storage costs $150 – $359 per month per container, plus delivery and pickup fees. Many people rent PODS for storage during a renovation, between leases, or while staging a home for sale.

Here’s how storage-only pricing works:

• Monthly rates: PODS storage typically runs $150 – $359 per month per container, depending on your region and container size.
• Delivery & pickup fees: Expect to pay $75 – $150 per trip for PODS to drop off the container and retrieve it when you’re done.
• Storage location options: You can keep the container on your property or have PODS store it at one of its 240+ storage centers. Facility storage helps if you face HOA restrictions or limited driveway space.
• Billing cycle: PODS charges rent on the same date each month as your original delivery and doesn’t prorate by the day. Plan your timeline so you don’t pay for a full extra month you barely use.

PODS costs more per month than traditional self-storage, but you get door-to-door delivery without renting a truck.

Distance, container size, and move date drive most of a PODS quote. PODS doesn’t price by weight, so these six factors move your total the most:

• Timing: Spring and summer are peak moving season, so prices run higher. Weekend dates also fill fastest, which can push Saturday and Sunday rates up.
• Starting & ending locations: PODS factors in how far its drivers travel to deliver and pick up your container, plus local demand and container availability.
• Move size: More belongings mean a bigger container or a second one, and each container adds its own rental and transport costs.
• Add-on services: PODS sells packing supplies and can refer you to third-party loading help. PODS doesn’t ship cars itself, so see our guide to moving companies that ship cars if you need vehicle transport.
• Delivery & pickup fees: These fees vary by location and date. Flexible move dates give you the best shot at a lower rate.
• Storage facility fees: Storing your container at a PODS facility costs more than keeping it on your property. The upgrade buys extra security, weather protection, and time if your new home isn’t ready.

PODS pricing looks simple: container delivery plus monthly rent. Extra fees can add up fast, though.

Watch for these charges:

• Access & handling: Locks, moving supplies, and loading and unloading help all cost extra. PODS may also charge a fee to place a container on an unpaved or unlevel surface like gravel, dirt, or grass.
• Cancellations: Cancel by 4 p.m. local time three days before delivery to avoid a $150 fee. PODS only accepts cancellations by live chat or phone, not email, social media, or voicemail.
• Nonrefundable charges: Once your container arrives, the delivery fee, first month’s rent, and contents protection are nonrefundable.
• Contents protection: Some markets include $10,000 of PODS Contents Protection Option coverage in the quote, while others don’t. Federal rules require basic released value coverage of $0.60 per pound per item at no charge, which rarely covers what your belongings are worth.
• Monthly billing: PODS bills by the month, not by the day. If your move crosses into a new billing cycle, expect to pay for another full month.
• Parking & permits: HOAs, apartment complexes, and cities may require placement permits. If PODS can’t complete a delivery because of your site, you can be charged up to $150 for the attempted service.
• Per-trip charges: PODS bills each leg separately: initial delivery, transport to your new city, redelivery, and final pickup. Make sure every leg is itemized.
• Taxes & promos: Sales tax applies in many areas, and a promo may only discount part of the move, such as initial delivery but not pickup.

A standard PODS quote includes your first month of rental, delivery and pickup, and transportation between your two addresses. Protection and add-ons vary by market, so check every line item.

Here’s what each part of the quote covers:

• First month of rental: Every quote includes one month, counted from the day PODS delivers your container. Loading and transit days count too, so plan your timeline before you schedule delivery.
• Delivery & pickup fees: The quote covers bringing the container to your origin address and retrieving it at your destination. Fees vary by location and schedule.
• Transportation costs: Moving the container from your origin to your destination is included and is the largest single cost on a long-distance move.
• Protection & add-ons: Some markets include contents or container protection, and packing supplies and loading help cost extra. Check the itemized quote rather than assuming coverage is in or out.

Long-distance moves often require a call or live chat before PODS emails a written quote. See how the full process works in our PODS review.

PODS competes most directly with U-Haul U-Box, U-Pack, Zippy Shell, and 1-800-PACK-RAT. The tables below compare average costs by home size for local, long-distance, and cross-country moves, based on moveBuddha pricing data.

These are averages, not quotes, so get personalized quotes from every company you’re considering. See our full breakdown of PODS competitors for service differences.

A few simple moves can cut hundreds off your PODS bill:

• Downsize. Decluttering for a move makes relocating easier and cheaper. Cut enough and you may fit into a smaller PODS container.
• Ask about deals and promotions. PODS regularly runs promotions, and active and inactive military members get up to 10% off with code SERV10. Check our list of moving container discounts before you book.
• Compare prices. Get quotes from at least two other container companies in your area to compare price and availability. Our moving cost calculator is the fastest place to start.
• Avoid peak times. Container demand peaks in summer, which raises prices and limits availability. Book your move for the off-season or midweek when you can.
• Skip the add-ons. Buying boxes and moving supplies elsewhere, using free moving boxes, and loading yourself all save money. Just don’t skimp on moving insurance for your belongings.

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