Best Apartment Moving Companies (2026)
Here’s the quick answer: Safeway Moving is our pick for the best apartment moving company overall, since its crews handle elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, and parking permits for you and quote flat-rate prices on local and long-distance moves with no minimums. The right mover still depends on your budget, distance, and how much help you need, so compare a few top-rated moving companies before you book.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
rating
4.83 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Jump to the apartment movers info you’re looking for:
What are the best apartment moving companies?
Narrow stairways, elevators, and tight parking lots make apartment moves different from house moves. We picked these apartment moving companies, also called apartment movers, for how well they handle those challenges:
How do the best apartment moving companies compare?
Here’s a quick look at what each of our top apartment movers offers before you dig into the full reviews.
| Company | Best for | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | Apartment moves | $$ | Local & long-distance in the lower 48 |
| Allied Van Lines | Downsizing | $$$ | Local & long-distance |
| North American Van Lines | Local moves | $$$ | Local, long-distance & international |
| PODS | Flexible moves | $$$ | Local & long-distance |
| U-Haul | Rural areas | $$ | U.S. & Canada |
| JK Moving | Customizable moves | $$$$ | Long-distance & international, local in DC, MD & VA |
Safeway Moving: Best for apartment moves
Why we chose it
We like Safeway Moving for apartment moves because its crews take on the building logistics that trip up most renters. Before moving day, Safeway handles elevator reservations, certificate of insurance requests, and parking permits, and its crews work around tight stairwells and parking restrictions every day.
Safeway is veteran-owned, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and owns its trucks and crews instead of subcontracting your move.
Services
Safeway offers full-service local and long-distance moves across the lower 48 with no minimums, so furniture-only moves and small apartments qualify. Every local move gets a firm flat-rate price instead of an hourly rate, and a barcode system logs each item at pickup and confirms it at delivery.
Customer reviews
When Isabel and her boyfriend moved from their California apartment to a smaller one in New York, they were impressed by Safeway’s communication throughout the move. Nothing was damaged, and Isabel felt the move was well worth the cost.
Pros & cons of Safeway Moving
- Elevator, COI & permit help
- Flat-rate local moves
- No minimums
- Barcode inventory tracking
- 24/7 support
- Lower 48 only
- No DIY container option
Read our full Safeway Moving review.
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
Allied Van Lines: Best for downsizing
Why we chose it
If you’re moving into a smaller apartment, Allied Van Lines makes downsizing easier with Allied Express, a service built for smaller shipments. You pay per shipment instead of renting a whole truck, and Allied’s steel containers have eyehooks to keep a partial load from shifting in transit.
Allied also backs Allied Express with an on-time guarantee. If your shipment arrives late, Allied pays $75 for each late day, up to 100% of the line-haul charge.
Services
Unlike a DIY container, Allied Express includes a crew of 2 - 4 professional movers who load and unload for you. Allied’s full-service moves add packing and unpacking, storage, and custom crating for local and long-distance moves.
Customer reviews
Customers often say Allied’s movers show up on time, act professionally, and take care when packing. Some report that the insurance claims process can be slow to resolve.
Pros & cons of Allied Van Lines
- Per-shipment pricing for small loads
- Crew loads & unloads containers
- On-time delivery guarantee
- Call or form required for quotes
- Claims can be slow
Read our full Allied Van Lines review.
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
North American Van Lines: Best for local moves
Why we chose it
Local apartment moves are where North American Van Lines shines, thanks to more than 500 agent locations across the U.S. and Canada. With that network, you can likely find a local NAVL agent near your apartment no matter which state you live in.
NAVL has been moving customers since 1933 and offers virtual move surveys, so you can get an estimate without scheduling an in-home visit.
Services
NAVL’s crews provide packing and unpacking, loading, and unloading for your apartment move. It also sells specialty packing supplies that suit small spaces, like mirror boxes, mattress boxes from crib to king size, and stand-up wardrobe cartons.
Customer reviews
When Marcie and her husband moved with North American Van Lines, they praised the crew’s professionalism and the accuracy of their quote. Her “guaranteed not-to-exceed” estimate set a maximum price, so she didn’t pay more when her shipment came in heavier than expected.
Pros & cons of North American Van Lines
- 500+ agent locations
- “Guaranteed not-to-exceed” estimates
- Specialty boxes for mirrors & mattresses
- Quality varies by local agent
- Storage varies by agent
Read our full North American Van Lines review.
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
PODS: Best for flexible moves
Why we chose it
Not sure exactly when you can move into your new apartment? PODS gives you breathing room, since every move includes a month of storage and you load the container at your own pace.
PODS is one of our best moving container companies for both local and cross-country apartment moves. Ask about current moving container discounts before you book.
Services
PODS delivers a container to your property, and you pack and load it whenever it suits your schedule. PODS offers three moving container sizes: an 8-foot container for studios, a 12-foot container for local moves of one or two bedrooms, and a 16-foot container for long-distance moves.
Check with your property manager before delivery day. Apartment complexes often limit where a container can sit, and street placement may require a permit.
Customer reviews
When Kyle moved his two-bedroom apartment 1,400 miles from Arizona to Washington, he compared quotes from four container companies. He chose PODS for its low quote and positive reviews, and he was happy with how well PODS communicated during the move.
Pros & cons of PODS
- Load at your own pace
- Month of storage included
- Three container sizes
- Only the 16-foot size goes long distance
- Needs space at your complex
Read our full PODS cost guide.
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
U-Haul: Best for moves to rural areas
Why we chose it
With more than 25,000 locations, U-Haul reaches the small towns and remote areas where full-service apartment movers rarely operate. If your move is taking you to or from a rural area, there’s a good chance a U-Haul location is nearby.
Services
U-Haul is best known for DIY truck rentals, but you don’t have to drive a moving truck yourself. With U-Box, you pack portable containers and U-Haul handles the driving.
U-Box containers are smaller than most moving containers, so you may need several for a full apartment. You can pick them up yourself or have them delivered to your apartment.
Customer reviews
Jarom moved his one-bedroom apartment from Utah to Florida with U-Box and was impressed by the overall cost, the clear communication, and the condition of his belongings on arrival.
Pros & cons of U-Haul
- 25,000+ locations
- Truck & container options
- Storage with U-Box moves
- You pack & load everything
- Reservations aren’t guaranteed
Read our full U-Haul review.
JK Moving: Best for customizable moves
Why we chose it
For apartment moves that need extra planning, JK Moving builds a package around exactly what you need. Its AI-powered virtual surveys give you a detailed quote without an in-home visit, which helps when your apartment building limits access.
Services
JK Moving offers tailored long-distance and international residential moves, plus local moves in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. You also get 24/7/365 live support and an online customer portal to manage your move.
Customer reviews
When Jose used JK Moving for his long-distance move, he was impressed by how well the company stayed in touch and how carefully the crew wrapped and packed his belongings.
Pros & cons of JK Moving
- AI-powered virtual surveys
- 24/7/365 live support
- Online customer portal
- Premium pricing
- Local moves only in DC, MD & VA
Read our full JK Moving review.
How do you choose the best apartment moving companies?
Choosing apartment moving companies takes more than clicking the first search result. Compare these factors before you book.
- Services: What your quote includes, like unpacking or furniture disassembly. Plus add-ons for last-minute help.
- Flight charge: An extra fee for carrying items up or down stairs. Worth asking about above the first floor.
- Licenses & insurance: Required by state and federal rules. U.S. DOT registration for every interstate moving company.
- Availability: Open dates that fit your building’s move-in and move-out hours.
- Customer reviews: Common problems and strengths for each mover. Often skewed negative, even for reputable companies.
- Moving quotes: At least three estimates from different full-service moving companies. Same quote type for a fair comparison.
- Price: Differences of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Price matching from your preferred mover, if offered.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.83 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
rating
4.3 / 5
- Affordable pricing
- Online pricing
- Several discounts
How much do apartment movers cost?
A local apartment move typically costs $350 - $3,000, while a move to a neighboring state or across the country runs $900 - $6,000, according to moveBuddha’s guide to the cost to move an apartment. Smaller apartments usually cost less because movers base quotes on how much you’re moving.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so your estimate reflects your apartment move instead of a flat average.
What affects the cost of an apartment move?
Several factors shape your apartment moving quote:
- Distance: Local apartment moves cost much less than long-distance moves because movers spend less on fuel and labor.
- Size of the move: More belongings mean a bigger truck and more labor, so moving a one-bedroom apartment costs less than moving a four-bedroom home.
- Type of move: A full-service move costs more than renting a truck, and the more work you do yourself, the less you’ll pay.
- Add-on services: Packing, storage, and other extras often cost more, so ask which services your base quote includes.
- Accessibility: Stairs, elevators, and long carries from your door to the truck usually add fees.
- Time of year and week: Movers see the most demand on weekends and in spring and summer, so a midweek or off-season move can lower your price.
How do you prepare for an apartment move?
Moving from one apartment to another is still a lot of work. These steps help keep it stress-free.
- Use a moving checklist: Utilities, renters insurance, and mover coordination in one place. Our moving checklist covers each stage.
- Declutter: Items to donate, sell, or toss before packing. Less to move, lower cost.
- Take lots of photos: Proof for damage claims against movers. Protection against landlord damage charges, too.
- Contact landlords for both apartments: Notice to vacate, often 30 - 90 days. Paperwork and truck parking at your new place.
- Set up renters insurance: Often required before move-in. Coverage transferred to your new address on move-in day.
- Consider parking & access: Room for the moving truck in your lot. Parking permits, if your city requires them.
Apartment movers FAQ
What is the best apartment moving company?
The best apartment moving company overall is Safeway Moving, which handles elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, and parking permits for you. Safeway also quotes flat-rate prices with no minimums. The right pick still depends on your budget and distance.
How much do apartment movers cost?
Apartment movers typically cost $350 - $3,000 for a local move. A move to a neighboring state or across the country usually runs $900 - $6,000. Stairs, packing, and storage can add to your bill.
Do apartment movers charge extra for stairs?
Many apartment movers charge extra for stairs through a fee called a flight charge. Elevators and long carries from your door to the truck can also add fees. Ask each mover about these charges before you book.
Is a moving container cheaper than hiring professional movers?
A moving container is usually cheaper than hiring professional movers because you load and unload everything yourself. The container company only transports your belongings. Get quotes from both to compare costs for your apartment.
Do apartment movers offer coverage for my belongings?
Yes, apartment movers offer basic coverage that reimburses you based on the weight of a damaged item. You can usually upgrade to full value coverage for more complete protection. Ask your mover which option your quote includes.
Is there anything apartment moving companies won’t move?
Apartment moving companies won’t move hazardous items like fireworks, paint, paint thinner, cleaning supplies, batteries, or chemicals. Most also won’t move perishable food or live plants. Ask your mover if you’re unsure about an item.
What’s the first thing you should do when moving into a new apartment?
The first thing you should do when moving into a new apartment is photograph and document any existing damage. That record keeps your landlord from charging you for it later. If you can, clean the space before you unpack.
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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