Average Cost to Move a 4 Bedroom House

Quick answer: The average cost to move a four-bedroom house long-distance is between $2,470 and $13,000 or more, while local moves range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Moving costs depend on a handful of factors, but distance is the most important. Moving a larger four-bedroom home cross-country will be more expensive than relocating a smaller four-bedroom a few hundred miles.

We’ve reviewed dozens of moving companies, getting quotes and learning about their pricing. Check out our in-depth guide on the cost of moving a four-bedroom house, and use our moving cost calculator to see what your move might cost.

Cost to move a four-bedroom house long distance

Whether you’re relocating across town or the country, you have a few options for moving your four-bedroom home.

Pricing varies dramatically for local and long-distance (or cross-country) moves depending on whether you hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or DIY the whole thing with a rental truck.

Depending on your moving company’s policies, long-distance moves range anywhere from 250 to 2,500+ miles. We generally recommend hiring a moving company for long-distance moves, but plenty of folks opt for moving containers and rental trucks to save a few bucks.

Moving companies price long-distance and cross-country moves similarly, but the two move types aren’t quite the same.

For starters, cross-country and interstate moving companies need to have special permits and licenses to transport your stuff between states. As such, cross-country moves tend to be on the pricier side, so keep that in mind if you’re crossing state lines.

Cost to move with a professional moving company

This is by far the most hassle-free way to move a long distance. Long-distance moving companies typically charge based on the weight of your belongings and the distance of the move.

They provide the moving truck, equipment, and trained staff to handle everything from packing and loading to transportation and unloading at your new home.

On average, moving companies charge $2,470 to over $13,000 for long-distance moves. That’s a pretty big range, but it depends on factors like distance, time of year, and add-ons. Remember, you’re paying a premium to have the moving company take care of everything for you.

Cost to rent a truck (DIY)

Up for a road trip? If so, a rental truck might be right up your alley. For a long-distance move, you’ll need to plan for additional expenses beyond the truck, like hotels, food, gas, and tolls.

On average, rental trucks cost $471 to $4,381 for long-distance moves.

Cost to rent a moving container (DIY)

If you’re not up for driving (and we don’t blame you), go with a moving container company instead. It’s cheaper than hiring a full-service mover because you still handle loading, packing, and unloading, but the container company handles transportation and storage.

On average, we found that moving containers cost anywhere from $1,728 to $6,827 for long-distance moves.

Average cost to move a four-bedroom house locally

Are you relocating to a new home in the same area? Most local moves are anywhere from 50 to 100 miles, but every moving company has its own definition, so check with your mover to see where your move falls.

For local moves, you’ll need to decide between hiring a professional moving company or opting for a DIY move with a moving container or a rental truck.

Cost to move with a professional moving company

When you hire one of the best professional moving companies, you pay for convenience and expertise. The local mover crew will handle everything from packing and loading to unloading and unpacking.

Based on our cost data, the average cost for a local move ranges from $1,550 to $3,600, depending on the size of your home and the distance between your old and new residences.

Cost to move with a rental truck or container

Hiring a moving truck rental company or moving container company means you’re responsible for packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking your belongings.

Truck rental companies provide the vehicle while moving container companies drop off a portable container that you load, before they transport it to your new home.

On average, truck rentals cost $86 to $126 for local moves, while containers cost around $900 to $1,520.

Factors that affect the cost of moving a four-bedroom home

Whether you’re moving locally or cross-country, the circumstances of your move will be the biggest factor in determining the final price. The biggest factors are size and distance—and the variances can be huge.

It’s tough to predict pricing because the move size can vary drastically from customer to customer. Here’s a closer look at the factors that affect the cost of moving a four-bedroom home.

Home size

The industry standard for a four-bedroom house generally falls in the 2,000-square-foot or more category. That floor plan usually includes:

• Living room
• Dining room
• Kitchen
• Two or three bathrooms
• Four medium-sized bedrooms

However, not all four-bedroom homes are the same. Yours might be larger or smaller than the industry standard, which will affect your moving costs.

The time it takes to move

Full-service moving companies often charge a flat hourly rate for local moves. So, the longer it takes to move your things into the truck, get on the road, and unload them at your new home, the more you’ll likely pay.

You can speed things up by minimizing how much stuff you’re moving and packing everything efficiently. Check out our tips for when to start packing.

Your move date

Moves planned on short notice at the last minute will cost more because the movers put you at the front of the line.

Not all movers can pull off a move with 24 hours’ notice, though, so a tight move date will limit which movers are available for the job.

Similarly, seasonality matters. Summer is considered to be the peak moving season, so winter is the best time to move at an affordable cost.

Weight or cubic footage on the truck

How much stuff you move has a direct impact on your move pricing. If you hire a moving company for a long-distance move, they’ll charge you based on how much your stuff weighs or how much space it takes up on a truck (cubic feet).

Moving container companies charge by container, so as long as you can fit everything in the container within the weight limit, you’re golden. If you rent a truck, make sure to book the right moving truck size to transport your belongings.

Common add-on costs to consider

Moving a four-bedroom home is no small task. These additional services might increase your move costs, but some customers happily spend the money to avoid the hassle:

• Packing materials and services: The cost of boxes, tape, bubble wrap, blankets, and packing paper add up. If you don’t want to deal with packing yourself, you can always hire a professional mover to do it for you, although this level of white-glove service doesn’t come cheap.
• Furniture assembly and disassembly: You might need to disassemble furniture into smaller pieces for the move. If you don’t want to relive the trauma of assembling IKEA furniture, you can always pay the movers to disassemble and reassemble everything.
• Storage: Not everyone is ready to move into a new place right away. Storage is a popular add-on that gives you more wiggle room with move dates. Moving container companies sometimes include this for free, while some moving companies offer storage for a flat monthly rate.
• Insurance coverage: Your renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policy will probably cover some of your move. Most moving companies also include basic value protection, but you can always buy additional moving insurance, especially for valuable or fragile items.
• Expedited service and guaranteed delivery dates: If you need your stuff delivered by a specific date, you’ll likely pay a rush fee. The same goes for guaranteed delivery dates, since most moving companies work within date ranges, not guaranteed dates.
• Tips: People don’t always remember to budget for this expense, but it’s kind to tip your movers for a job well done.

How to cut the cost of moving a four-bedroom home

No matter how you slice it, moving a four-bedroom home will cost you. However, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the cost of moving.

Plan a DIY move

DIY moves come in all shapes and sizes. If you want to balance affordability with convenience, compare truck or container companies to find the best price and options for your budget.

We also recommend reserving your truck or container early to secure a better rate. Here are a few ways you can pull off an affordable DIY move:

• Persuade a friend with a truck or trailer to help you move
• Rent a moving truck
• Hire a moving container company to handle the transportation
• Use your own car and make multiple trips (for local moves only)
• Pay for labor-only services, where movers provide manpower to help you unload

Make a moving checklist and budget

Come up with a game plan for your four-bedroom move, and use a moving costs checklist to ensure you’re factoring in all the relevant costs.

It’s not unusual for moves to go over budget, but even then, it’s still a good idea to have a rough ballpark budget. This will keep you from spending too much on the move.

Get started: Take a second to enter your info in our moving cost calculator to see moving estimates for the journey to your new location.

Get multiple moving quotes

Don’t go with the first quote you see. Get estimates from at least three moving companies to compare moving quotes.

If you aren’t sure whether you want to hire a moving company or rent a truck or container, get at least three quotes for each option. This way, you have a better idea of fair pricing for each type of move.

Move during off-peak times

Summer and weekends are the most common time to move. If you can swing it, try to move during the off-peak season or even on weekdays. Movers will sometimes cut you a break on pricing if you move when business is slow.

Declutter

The less stuff you move, the less you’ll pay. Decluttering for a move will help. You can sell, donate, or recycle items you no longer need to reduce the weight or volume of your move.

Score cheap packing supplies

Packing supplies are an often unexpected moving cost, so plan for packing materials right now. Look for free and cheap moving boxes at local grocery stores.

Use newspaper and clothing to pack non-breakable items and save the more expensive bubble wrap and packing supplies for fragile items. Check out our guide on where to buy moving boxes.

Should you DIY your move or hire a professional moving company?

Deciding whether to DIY your four-bedroom move or hire a professional moving company comes down to weighing your priorities.  Are you looking to save money or time?

Do you have the physical ability and resources to handle heavy lifting and logistics on your own, or would you rather pay for convenience and expertise?

Doing it yourself might seem like a cost-effective choice, but consider the potential pitfalls: rental truck fees, fuel costs, and the risk of damaging your belongings during the move.

On the flip side, hiring a moving company can take the load off your shoulders. Professionals bring experience, efficiency, and equipment, ensuring your items are packed, transported, and delivered with care.

They also offer varying levels of insurance, giving you added peace of mind. But this convenience comes at a price.

Ultimately, you need to assess your personal situation, including your budget, schedule, and moving distance, to determine the best fit for your move. 

Get started: Explore first-hand customer reviews from our Better Moves Project.

FAQs about the cost to move a four-bedroom house

How do you calculate the cost of moving?

Several factors affect the cost of your move. The best way to get a ballpark estimate is to use a moving cost calculator, which gives estimates for hiring professionals, buying a container, or renting a truck.

What is the average cost to move a 2,000 sq. ft house locally?

Local moves usually charge by the hour. For a four-bedroom house of around 2,000 sq. ft, you can expect to pay between $900 and $3,600, depending on how much you’re moving, time of year, and moving method.

What is the average cost per mile for moving a four-bedroom house long-distance?

Long-distance moves are usually priced based on the distance of the move and the weight or volume of your belongings. Costs range from around $3,000 to more than $13,000.

You can expect to pay around $0.75 per mile, although most long-distance movers will cut you a better deal on the per-mile rate the further you move.

What factors affect the cost of moving a four-bedroom home?

The most common factors that affect the cost of moving a four-bedroom home include:

• The volume and weight of what you’re moving
• Distance
• Labor costs
• Add-on services like packing, storage, or assembly

How much do you tip movers?

It depends on how long the move takes. The general rule of thumb is that you should tip $20 per person for a half-day move, $40 per person for a full-day move, and $60 per person for a move that takes 12 hours or longer.