Best Cheap Moving Companies (Updated Review)

Finding affordable movers can give you much-needed peace of mind as you go through the moving process. While moving costs aren’t the only thing you should consider when choosing a cheap mover, saving money on your move is never a bad thing.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best cheap moving companies in the industry for several different types of moves so you can make the right pick for your next move.

Best cheap moving companies

No matter which type of move you have in mind, finding cheap movers doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality service. Here are moveBuddha’s rankings for the best cheap moving companies. You can count on these experts for both quality moving services and competitive pricing:

• North American Van Lines: Cheapest long-distance
• Mayzlin Relocation: Cheapest interstate movers
• American Van Lines: Best customer service
• U-Haul: Cheapest for DIY moves
• JK Moving Services: Cheapest local mover
• HireAHelper: Cheapest packers and movers
• U-Pack: Cheapest moving containers
• Safeway Moving: Cheapest for hybrid moves
• Zippy Shell: Cheapest for city-to-city moves
• Allied Van Lines: Best add-on services

Comparing the best cheap moving companies

Here’s a quick overview of the best cheap moving companies and what they can offer for your move:

Cheapest long-distance movers: North American Van Lines

If you’re planning a cross-country or long-distance move, North American Van Lines is a great choice. Their competitive pricing is backed by “not-to-exceed” quote options — meaning your total costs won’t exceed your initial quote. Their agents can even help assist with international moves, and their average long-distance move costs $3,500.

Founded in 1933, North American Van Line’s full-service moves include professional packing (as well as packing supplies), furniture disassembly, and custom crating for specialty items. They can also help with shipping cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Most importantly, however, they offer flexibility in choosing services to match your needs and budget.

Services:

• Household moving
• International moving
• Cross-country moving
• Packing and loading
• Corporate relocation
• Storage
• Vehicle transportation
• Packing and supplies

Pros/Cons

Check out our full North American Van Lines review here.

Cheapest interstate movers: Mayzlin Relocation

For help with interstate moves, Mayzlin Relocation is a solid, budget-friendly option. Although they’ve only been in business since 2016, Mayzlin has already built a reputation for quality customer service at a competitive price. In fact, if you find a better price with another pro mover, Mayzlin will match it.

Mayzlin also offers white-glove services — like a personal moving coordinator and 30 days of free storage — without charging white-glove rates. And with 24/7 customer support, you have access to help whenever you need it. You also get more bang for your buck with Mayzlin’s standard contents protection plan, which covers your household items at twice the amount most moving companies provide.

Services:

• Local and long-distance moves
• Corporate relocation
• Packing and unpacking
• Short- and long-term storage
• Government and military moves
• Professional moving consultant
• 24/7 customer service

Pros/Cons

Check out our full Mayzlin Relocation review here.

Best customer service: American Van Lines

moveBuddha readers consistently rate American Van Lines (AVL) as one of the best interstate moving companies. With more than 20 years of experience, this full-service moving company offers both local and long-distance moves within the Lower 48. The company is also equipped to handle international moves and vehicle shipping, which could be helpful for major moves.

moveBuddha readers like AVL’s upfront, flat-rate quotes and the fact that the company can accommodate last-minute moves.

They also have high customer satisfaction ratings. Customers like that they can call American Van Lines and speak to a real person about their move. And AVL assigns a move coordinator as the go-to person for any questions or concerns.

Services:

• Local moves
• Long-distance moves
• International moving
• Military moves
• Commercial moving
• Corporate relocation
• Storage options
• Special item transport
• Moving boxes and supplies
• Variety of truck sizes available

Check out our full American Van Lines review here.

Cheapest for DIY moves: U-Haul

For many budget-conscious movers, the common conundrum is moving company vs. truck rental. A lot of times, people opt to rent a moving truck and do the work themselves — and few names are more well-known for this option than U-Haul.

U-Haul rental trucks are an excellent option for local DIY moves. Their rental trucks typically come with a flat daily rate of $19.95-$39.95 per day, with an additional per-mile charge. With several truck sizes available at most locations, it’s easy to find one that works well for your move.

By renting a truck and doing the rest of the work yourself, you can expect moving costs to be a fraction of what you’d pay for full-service movers. However, while you can also buy and rent moving supplies from U-Haul, those tend to be more expensive than buying them elsewhere.

Services:

• Pickup truck rentals
• Cargo van rentals
• Moving truck rentals
• U-Haul truck share
• One-way truck rentals
• Trailer rentals
• Moving help

Pros/Cons

Check out our full U-Haul review here.

Cheapest local mover: JK Moving Services

If you need help with local moving within the D.C.,Virginia, and Maryland areas, JK Moving Services is a great option. Each move comes with a personal move coordinator and a 100% background-checked moving crew. They also offer a small move program, which is great if you only need to move the contents of a one-room or studio apartment.

To help make your move more affordable, JK Moving Services also offers financing, with rates as low as 0%. This allows you to pay for your move in a series of monthly installments, rather than in one large lump sum.

To find the best local movers in your area, check out our list of the best moving companies.

Services:

• Local moving
• Interstate moving
• International moving
• Third-party furniture assembly and disassembly
• Storage services
• Full-service packing services
• Financing
• Employee relocations
• Vehicle transport
• Commercial moving, storage, and relocation services
• Valuation coverage

Pros/Cons

Check out our full JK Moving Services review here.

Cheapest packers and movers: HireAHelper

If you need help with packing and unpacking, you don’t necessarily have to pay an arm and a leg! HireAHelper is a unique service that connects you with local movers and packers to load and unload your moving truck or storage container.

They also offer a tool to help you the cheapest rental truck companies. With instant quotes and online booking, this tends to be easier and cheaper than using a full-service moving company. According to their website, the average cost for hiring movers through HireAHelper is $452.

Services:

• Packing
• Loading and unloading
• Furniture moving
• Day labor
• Specialty movers
• Rental trucks
• Semi-trailer rental
• Corporate relocation
• Moving containers
• Military relocation

Pros/Cons

Check out our full HireAHelper review here.

Cheapest moving containers: U-Pack

Moving containers allow you to make a DIY move without worrying about driving a rental truck — and U-Pack is our pick for the cheapest moving container solution.

U-Pack will drop off ReloCube moving containers or a larger trailer at your property, after which you’ll have three business days to load your stuff. Once that’s done, the company will pick up your containers and take them to your new home. Upon delivery, you’ll have three days to unload everything

What really sets U-Pack apart is that you only pay for the space you use, making it one of the cheapest moving containers in the industry. If you rent a trailer, you only pay for the space you use inside the trailer. If you rent multiple ReloCubes and end up not using one of them, you won’t have to pay for the extra unused container.

Services:

• Portable storage container (ReloCube)
• 28-foot freight trailers
• Moving supplies

Pros/Cons

Check out our full U-Pack review here.

Cheapest for hybrid moves: Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is a unique hybrid mover. They’re a carrier, not a broker, but they also work with vetted partners in some areas. This means that they use both their own in-house movers as well as partner companies for nationwide service.

Safeway offers upfront pricing with over-the-phone estimatesThey even price-match certain competitors such as Atlas Van Lines and Mayflower. Online quotes aren’t available, however. But their personalized, customizable services mean you can get support for your long-distance move if necessary.

Services:

• Long-distance moves
• International moves
• Custom crating
• Loading and unloading
• Packing and unpacking
• Insurance
• Storage options
• Flat-rate pricing
• Price-matching
• 24/7 customer service
• Senior moves

Pros/Cons

Check out our full Safeway Moving review here.

Cheapest for city-to-city moves: Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell is an excellent pick for city-to-city moves, offering moving container sizes that work well for local moves. Similar to U-Pack, Zippy Shell delivers a moving container to your property, and give you three days to load it. Their drivers will then pick up the container and transport it to your new home or to one of their secure warehouses for short- or long-term storage.

What sets Zippy Shell apart is the unique design of their containers, which look and function more like trailers than container boxes. These street-legal containers are especially helpful for cities, where parking could potentially become an issue with other providers.

In our analysis, we found that local moves with Zippy Shell typically cost $190-$750, depending on the size of your home and other factors.

Services:

• Door-to-door service
• Terminal-to-terminal service

Pros/Cons

Check out our full Zippy Shell review here.

Best add-ons: Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines has more than 85 years of experience and nationwide and international availability, so it’s no wonder the company made it to our list of top long-distance movers, as well.

Customers say Allied Van Lines offers some of the most robust add-on services that make moving more comfortable. Full-service packing, temporary storage, additional moving insurance, and vehicle transportation will cost extra, but many movers say it’s worth the peace of mind to work with just one moving company.

Services:

• Household moving
• International moving
• Cross-country moving
• Packing and loading
• Corporate relocation
• Storage
• Vehicle transportation
• Moving containers
• Packing and supplies
• Insurance coverage

Pros:

• Services local and cross-country moves
• Options for international moves
• Short- and long-term storage solutions
• 24/7 move-tracking tool
• Donates unwanted items to Salvation Army
• Offers portable storage containers

Cons:

• You have to speak to a representative to get a quote
• Many customers complain about damaged items
• Customers say there are technical issues with filing insurance claims
• More expensive than competitors

Check out our full Allied Van Lines review here.

Full-service vs. DIY movers

When choosing a moving company, you’ll need to decide between full-service movers and a DIY move.

Full-service movers are the most comprehensive moving solution. They handle virtually every aspect of the move, including:

• Packing
• Loading
• Transportation
• Unloading
• Unpacking

Some companies even offer add-on services like storage or furniture assembly.

Customers opt for full-service movers for the added convenience and peace of mind. Full-service movers cost more than DIY moves, but some customers say the saved time and effort are worth the higher cost.

DIY moving, on the other hand, is budget-friendly. The downside is that you’re not paying for convenience, so you handle all of the planning and execution. This option usually requires renting a moving truck, packing everything yourself, driving to your new home, and unloading and unpacking everything. Since you can’t move a couch solo, you’ll also need to persuade friends and family to help you.

DIY moves are popular because they usually cost less than full-service movers and give you more control over the process. But DIY requires a lot of time and labor, so it isn’t right for everyone.

What to look for in a cheap moving company

A low price alone doesn’t guarantee a positive moving experience. After all, it won’t do you much good to hire the cheapest professional movers if they break all your stuff!

To ensure a stress-free experience, it helps to do a little background research into the companies you’re considering. Start by looking at the basics, like our reviews as well as customer reviews on sites like Yelp or the BBB, and their years of experience. Just remember that online reviews tend to skew more negative than the average moving experience — though this is still a good way to identify potential red flags.

Depending on your needs, you should also be mindful of any additional services the company offers. Whether you require specific storage solutions or help with moving specialty items, make sure the moving company you choose offers all your desired services!

Finally, be aware of the type of estimate the moving company gives you. Generally speaking, binding estimates are best by setting a flat rate for your move, so even if unexpected extra costs pop up, you won’t pay more than the estimate you were given.

On the other hand, if a mover offers a non-binding estimate or charges hourly rates, you could end up paying much more than expected. Beware of any hidden fees that might not be included in an instant quote — always ask if any services aren’t included in the price!

Tips for cutting moving costs

Why pay more than you need to? Follow moveBuddha’s expert tips to trim your moving costs:

• Declutter first. Decluttering for a move is a good first step to lowering your overall moving costs. Try to donate or recycle your stuff to avoid sending junk to the landfill.
• Request multiple quotes. Don’t settle for the first quote you get. Shop around and compare quotes so you get the best deal.
• Move during the slow season. You might not have control over your move date, but if you’re flexible, try to move during the fall or spring. The summer is the busiest time of year, and the increased demand drives up prices.
• Pack yourself. If you’re using a moving service, save money by packing your belongings yourself. Gather free boxes from local stores or friends. Use affordable moving materials, like linens and towels, for padding.
• Check for discounts. You never know unless you ask! Most companies offer moving discounts for AAA members, military service members,veterans, seniors, and students. They often run seasonal or limited-time discounts, so always ask if there are promotions available.

FAQs about cheap moving companies

Is it cheaper to buy new furniture or move it?

It’s usually cheaper to move your furniture rather than getting rid of it and buying new stuff when you arrive at your new place. That being said, the cost of moving furniture goes up when moving long-distance or when you need to keep furniture in a storage unit.

Depending on its age and value (and the quotes you get from movers), you may find paring down helps you get a cheaper estimate or a smaller moving truck.

What’s the cheapest way to move?

Generally speaking, going the DIY route of renting a moving truck and packing everything yourself will be the cheapest way to move. Yes, you’ll have to do a lot of heavy lifting — but all the extra help offered by a full-service moving company can really add up!

It may feel like more of a hassle to do the work yourself, but the more you do on your own, the cheaper your move will be. Remember this when choosing the best cheap moving companies for your move.

Where can I find cheap or free moving boxes?

Cheap moving boxes are a must for budget-friendly moves. You’re free to buy boxes from moving companies like U-Haul, but these can be expensive. You can find cheap or free moving boxes by:

• Asking neighbors on Nextdoor
• Looking on Craigslist
• Consulting your local Freecycle group
• Checking local businesses, like big box stores
• Asking friends and family for boxes

When is the cheapest time to hire movers?

Even when hiring movers for a full-service move, you can still save money by hiring them at the right time. Generally speaking, it’s cheaper to hire movers during the week rather than on the weekend.

You can also save by scheduling your move during the fall or winter rather than the peak moving seasons of spring and summer. Lower demand means lower prices for your move.

What’s the cheapest way to ship a car?

Depending on the type of move you’re making, your cheapest options are usually either to drive your car yourself or tow it behind your moving truck as part of a DIY move.

However, there are also car shipping companies that can ship your vehicle to your new home. When using a professional car shipping company, open auto transport is usually the cheapest option.