($155+) Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ Movers
Moving from Albany, NY, to Jersey City, NJ, runs anywhere from $155 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $3,734 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 148 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $613, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $3,734 or more.
- Moving containers run $714 - $1,984, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $155 - $333.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albany, NY, to Jersey City, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,030 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
Moving options from Albany to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,030 - $2,967 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 13% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 84% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 148 miles and typically takes 1 to 2 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 148-mile route from Albany to Jersey City, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $613 - $2,463 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($714 - $1,159), rental truck ($155 - $250), or freight trailer ($629 - $1,098). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,030 - $2,967 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $3,734.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 148-mile move from Albany, New York, to Jersey City, New Jersey, with costs ranging from $613 - $3,734. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $346 - $2,308. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Albany and Jersey City. Local movers in Albany typically start around $295 as a base rate plus $115/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Albany to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $613 - $2,463
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,030 - $2,967
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,502 - $3,734
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Albany to Jersey City.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Albany movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jersey City, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing56% of local movers | $577 - $5,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mabey's Moving & Storage | $231 - $1,385/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $346 - $2,770 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs27% of local movers | $1,154 - $3,462 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,885 - $11,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $864 - $1,642 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items5% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Arnoff Moving & Storage | $1,154 - $2,885 |
| Piano | Any piano type18% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Don's Moving & Storage | $923 - $4,039 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $346 - $1,731 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Pioneer Moving Group | $750 - $2,308 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $346 - $17,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $346 - $4,039+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albany to Jersey City?
New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Jersey, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Albany, NY?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Albany to Jersey City with a local mover averages $1,060 - $3,056. Working with a local mover based in Albany, NY often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Clark Moving & Storage (4.56/5 stars) is a local mover in Albany, based on our analysis of feedback from 150 customers, 89.3% of which is positive.
Address: 198 Morris Road, Schenectady, NY, 12303 | Founded: 1993
Moving container costs from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from Albany, New York, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $714 and $1,984. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Albany typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Albany to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,159
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $898 - $1,613
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,144 - $1,984
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Albany, NY, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $808, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $87 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $173 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Albany, NY, and Jersey City, NJ, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New York to New Jersey move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $714. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $898 - $1,613.
What are the best moving containers Albany to Jersey City?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Albany to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Albany:
- Ashline Moving Help, 108 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
Truck rentals from Albany, New York, to Jersey City, New Jersey, range from $155 - $333 for the 148-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $54 - $62
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Albany daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Albany to Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $155 - $250
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $161 - $288
- 4+ bedrooms: $199 - $333
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $155 - $333 when pricing out a rental truck from Albany to Jersey City. Fuel alone runs $54 - $62, and overnight lodging ($173/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $87 and $404.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $173.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $54 and $62 for the 148-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $808 for 2 movers in Albany, New York, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albany to Jersey City?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ
If you're moving a larger household from Albany, New York, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Jersey City, New Jersey.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $697 and $1,330.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albany to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $629 - $1,098
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $697 - $1,330
- 4+ bedrooms: $906 - $1,586
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Albany, New York, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $808.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $87 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Albany to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Albany to Jersey City. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Albany, NY vs Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with Albany on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Albany, NY | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 140 |
| Average rent | $1,450/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $222,741 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $59,485/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 65/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 49.65/100 | 56.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jersey City, NJ to Albany, NY guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New York to New Jersey, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 520 movers in New York, so you have real options to compare for this 148-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 148-mile route from Albany, NY, to Jersey City, NJ, run $613 - $3,734 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $714 - $1,984, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $155 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,030, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from Albany, NY, to Jersey City, NJ
What is the best time of year to move from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Jersey City a safe place to live?
Jersey City has a safety index of 56.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 43.21, compared to 49.65 and 10.0 in Albany. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Albany, NY to Jersey City, NJ?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $161 - $288. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Jersey City?
For families, Greenville, Mcginley Square, and West Side are worth a look in Jersey City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Journal Square, Mcginley Square, and The Heights tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Albany movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 18% of movers in Albany handle piano moves, and 5% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.