How Much Does It Cost To Move a 5-Bedroom House?
Here’s the quick answer: The cost to move a 5-bedroom house is $1,287 – $3,581 for a local full-service move and $4,380 – $7,949 for a long-distance one, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Rental trucks and moving containers cost far less if you handle the packing and loading yourself. A local 5-bedroom move typically needs a four-person crew and up to 12 hours of labor, so compare quotes from the best moving companies before you book.
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rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
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Cost to move a 5-bedroom house locally
A local 5-bedroom move with full-service movers costs $1,287 – $3,581, based on moveBuddha’s monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points. Local moves are generally any move of 50 – 100 miles or less, usually within the same state.
Local movers charge an hourly rate based on crew size and how long the job takes. A 5-bedroom house typically needs a four-person crew and up to 12 hours of labor. At an example rate of $175 per hour for that crew, labor alone would cost $2,100 ($175 x 12 hours).
Moving containers and rental trucks are priced mainly by container or truck size, and truck rentals add a per-mile rate. Here’s how the three options compare for a local 5-bedroom move:
| Move type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service mover | $1,287 – $3,581 |
| Moving container | $564 – $1,309 |
| Rental truck | $60 – $132 |
Why use moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Cost to move a 5-bedroom house long-distance
A long-distance 5-bedroom move with full-service movers costs $4,380 – $7,949, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Long-distance moves are generally 400 miles or more, which differs from interstate moves that cross state lines at any distance.
Long-distance movers price your move by the estimated weight or volume of your belongings and the total distance, not by the hour. Fuel surcharges add 8% – 15% to transportation charges on these moves. Container and truck rental quotes are flat rates based on equipment size, mileage, and rental days.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so your range reflects your actual route instead of a national average. Here’s what each option costs for a long-distance 5-bedroom move:
| Move type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service mover | $4,380 – $7,949 |
| Moving container | $2,275 – $3,798 |
| Rental truck | $912 – $1,647 |
Extra fees & add-ons for a 5-bedroom move
Add-on services and access fees can push a 5-bedroom quote well past the averages above. Large homes tend to have more stairs, heavier furniture, and more rooms to pack.
Budget for these common charges:
- Professional packing: Full packing service costs $0.15 – $0.21 per pound on average. Paying for fragile-only packing keeps this cost lower.
- Bulky items: Safes, oversized sectionals, and large appliances add $150 – $400 per item for extra labor and equipment.
- Access fees: Stair carries, elevator carries, and long carries add $75 – $500+ when the truck can’t load right at your door.
- Shuttle service: If a full-size truck can’t reach your home, a smaller shuttle truck costs $0.08 – $0.12 per pound, with minimums often starting around $200.
- Storage-in-transit: Long-distance movers typically charge $0.50 per cubic foot per month to hold your belongings in their warehouse. You can’t access your items during that time.
- Valuation coverage: Basic released value protection comes at no extra charge but only covers 60 cents per pound per item under FMCSA valuation rules. Full value protection costs extra and is based on the value you declare for your shipment.
Pro tip: Ask every mover to list stair, long-carry, and shuttle fees in writing so you can compare quotes line by line, and read up on binding vs. non-binding estimates before you sign.
What affects the cost of a 5-bedroom move?
Your moving method is one of the biggest cost factors for a 5-bedroom move. Full-service movers do the most work and cost the most, while rental trucks cost the least because you do the work yourself.
Here’s how the three methods compare on a long-distance 5-bedroom move:
| Moving method | What you handle | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Nothing, with optional packing | $4,380 – $7,949 |
| Moving container | Packing, loading & unloading | $2,275 – $3,798 |
| Rental truck | Packing, loading, driving & unloading | $912 – $1,647 |
Pairing a rental truck with moving labor companies for loading help usually still costs less than hiring full-service movers.
Here are some other common cost factors:
- Move size: The more your belongings weigh, or the more truck space they fill, the more you pay. Local moves need more labor hours, and long-distance quotes build the extra weight into the price.
- Distance: Cross-country moves can take days or weeks to deliver, and movers build fuel, tolls, and driver hours into your estimate. Even on local moves, extra mileage adds hours or per-mile fees.
- Locations: Labor and fuel rates vary across the country, so your origin and destination change your quote. Check prices on popular moving routes to see how costs shift by region.
- Complexity: Some movers charge extra for moving antiques or moving a gun safe, and pianos often call for dedicated piano movers. Multiple flights of stairs or a long carry to the truck also add charges.
- Timing: Moving during peak moving season, May through September, can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars more. Weekend moves also cost more than midweek moves.
Moving midweek in fall or winter usually gets you the lowest rates and best availability for a 5-bedroom move.
Learn MoreBest moving companies for a 5-bedroom house
Whether you want full-service help or the cheapest moving companies, these are our top picks for a 5-bedroom move.
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned long-distance mover that includes 30 days of free storage on interstate moves. Safeway locks in flat-rate pricing before your belongings leave your home, and it’s a moveBuddha Certified mover.
rating
4.9 / 5
PODS
The biggest name in moving containers, PODS includes 30 days of storage with every move. For a 5-bedroom house, PODS recommends two 16-foot containers plus one 8-foot container, or three 16-foot containers for larger homes.
rating
4.8 / 5
U-Pack
U-Pack gives you three business days to load and three to unload, which can work for a 5-bedroom long-distance move. Besides ReloCube containers, U-Pack offers freight trailers priced by the linear feet you use, so tight packing saves money.
rating
5 / 5
Penske Truck Rental
For DIY moves, Penske Truck Rental offers 26-foot trucks that fit five to seven rooms, plus free unlimited miles on one-way rentals in the U.S. Around-the-clock roadside assistance adds peace of mind on long drives.
rating
4 / 5
U-Haul Truck Rental
With more than 25,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada, U-Haul Truck Rental makes it easy to find a truck near you. U-Haul rates its largest 26-foot truck for 3 – 4 bedroom homes, so a 5-bedroom move may need a second trip or a trailer. U-Haul also offers U-Box containers, self-storage, and packing supplies.
Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin Relocation handles long-distance moves and includes 30 days of free storage, which helps if your closing dates don’t line up.
How to save money on a 5-bedroom move
A 5-bedroom move is expensive, but a few smart choices can cut hundreds or even thousands off your bill.
These five strategies lower the cost of a large move:
- Declutter before you get quotes. Sell, donate, or toss what you no longer need. Fewer belongings mean less labor and possibly a smaller truck.
- Get at least three quotes. Compare comparable movers, since many full-service companies will price match. The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace gets you up to five no-obligation quotes from one request, and movers competing for your move drive prices about 30% lower on average.
- Ask about discounts. Many movers offer moving discounts for seniors, students, military members, and first responders. Container companies have their own moving container discounts, and seasonal deals may apply.
- Pack yourself. Professional packing for a 5-bedroom house can add a few thousand dollars. Get your own supplies using our guide on where to buy moving boxes, and pay for fragile-only packing if you need help with valuables.
- Be flexible with your move date. Midweek moves often cost less than weekend moves. Fall and winter moves typically cost less than summer moves, so check the best time to move before you pick a date.
FAQs
What do moving costs include?
Moving costs with full-service movers include labor, transportation, fuel, and basic released value protection. Moving container fees cover transportation, but you load and unload the container yourself. Rental trucks charge a flat or daily rate plus mileage, and you pay for fuel.
How far in advance should I book movers for a 5-bedroom move?
Book movers for a long-distance 5-bedroom move 8 – 12 weeks ahead during peak season and 4 – 8 weeks ahead off-peak. Local moves need 4 – 8 weeks of notice during peak season. See our guide on how early to book movers for more timelines.
Should I get a binding estimate for a 5-bedroom move?
Yes, a binding estimate is the safest choice for a 5-bedroom move because it locks in your price for the listed services. With a non-binding estimate, be ready to pay up to 10% more at delivery. Federal rules also require an in-person survey if the mover is within 50 miles of your home, unless you waive it in writing.
Can you negotiate moving prices?
Yes, you can negotiate with a moving company to lower your price. Get quotes from at least three comparable movers, then ask your top choice to price match. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points collected monthly, so you have a real benchmark to measure each quote against.
How do I budget for a 5-bedroom move?
Budget for a 5-bedroom move by starting with your highest quote, then adding fees for packing, stairs, storage, and valuation coverage. A moving checklist helps you track every expense. Set aside extra cash for surprises like a delayed closing or last-minute storage.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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