The Cost To Move a Three-Bedroom Home: Your Cheapest Options

Here’s the quick answer: The average cost to move a three-bedroom home is between $65 and $250 per hour for local moves and $1,000 to $14,000 for long-distance moves.

Several factors can influence the price of your three-bedroom move, including the weight of your belongings, the distance you’re moving, and additional services like packing help or custom crating for fragile items

We’ve evaluated 4,400 local and national moving companies at moveBuddha to help our readers make the best moves. Keep reading to learn more about what it costs to move a three-bedroom home.

The average cost to move a three-bedroom home long-distance

No matter the distance, moving is a significant life event, and understanding the costs involved is crucial to a smooth and successful transition.

As we stated earlier, the cost of moving a three-bedroom home typically falls  between $1,000 and $14,000 for long-distance moves—that’s a wide range.

That’s largely because a long-distance move could be anywhere from a few hundred miles away to thousands.

Factors that affect the cost of moving a three-bedroom home long-distance

You can better estimate your long-distance moving costs by considering the following factors:

• Truck rental or moving container: The size of your rental truck or container can be a major cost factor. Check out our top moving container companies to find the best value for your budget.
• Length of rental: If you choose a DIY moving project over full-service movers, you’ll need to consider the length of time you’ll need your rental truck or moving container.
• Full-service movers: Opting for packing, loading, or disassembly help can add to your total moving costs.
• Distance: Distance is one of the most important factors long-distance moving companies consider. Moving 500 miles is generally going to be cheaper than moving 1,000 or more miles.
• Storage services: It’s not uncommon for movers to have a short lag between living situations when relocating. If you need storage services in addition to moving help, you can expect to pay extra.

The average cost to move a three-bedroom home locally

The cost of a local move from a three-bedroom home ranges from $65 up to $250 per hour.

The cost of your move with a local moving company will change depending on whether you hire a professional moving company, opt for a DIY approach with a moving truck rental company or use a moving container company.

Also be sure to consult with our moving cost calculator to instantly compare estimates from the best moving companies and moving container companies.

Factors that affect the cost of moving a three-bedroom home locally

Local moving companies set their average costs based on a number of factors. Here are a few you can consider while you set your budget:

• DIY move vs. professional movers: A professional moving company will cost significantly more than small local movers because they have more overhead from employees and other operating expenses.
• Moving container and truck rental: Renting a moving container or moving truck can reduce your total costs even if you still pay for packing services or other loading labor. Consider the size you need carefully so you don’t overpay for space you don’t need.
• The complexity of your move: Movers charge based on the amount of logistical planning and labor necessary to complete your move efficiently. The more complex your move, the more they’ll need to plan.
• Demand: Certain times of year and locations have more demand for moving services. If your current or new home is in a high-demand location, you may pay extra.
• Weight of belongings: The amount of belongings you intend to bring to your new home will directly affect your prices. A one-bedroom apartment’s worth of stuff generally costs less than a three-bedroom home.

Common add-on costs for a three-bedroom move

Your moving quote may include one or more of the additional costs below:

• Insurance: Moving companies have to carry basic valuation insurance for moves, which pays $0.60 per pound of your belongings, but you can often upgrade to full-value protection, which will add to your total costs.
• Accessibility: If the movers have a hard time parking near your current or new home, you may see a charge for the extra labor.
• Packing/unpacking: Packing and unpacking services add to the total time required to complete your move, plus the cost of any provided packing materials.
• White-glove service: Many moving companies offer white-glove moving services, including electronic installation and furniture disassembly for a fee, creating a more seamless moving experience.
• Heavy items: Heavy or fragile items can add to your moving expenses if they require extra heavy lifting, present a hassle when loading the moving truck, or require special equipment.

How to lower the cost of moving a three-bedroom home

On a tight budget? Here are a few cost-saving tips to reduce your financial burden when you’re moving out of your three-bedroom home:

• Use a DIY/hybrid moving company: Handling some or all of the moving process yourself will undoubtedly trim your costs in the long run compared to professional movers. Consider renting a moving truck, trading favors with a friend, or packing yourself.
• Declutter as much as you can: Many interstate moving companies charge based on the weight or amount of space your belongings take up, so reducing your items can positively affect the cost of your move.
• Shop around: Don’t jump at the first moving estimate you get. Request as many free quotes as you can and take advantage of price-match guarantees if you happen to receive a lower quote elsewhere.
• Be flexible: If you don’t have specific moving dates in mind, giving your movers a flexible date range can help you find the most cost-effective bid for your desired services.
• Move outside of peak season: The spring and summer months have the most demand for moving services, so it can be helpful to move during the off-season if you can.
• Evaluate your existing insurance: If you have existing renters or homeowners insurance, your household goods may already have some degree of protection. Review your coverage before paying extra for full value protection from your moving company.
• Provide your own packing materials: Moving companies charge a premium for packing supplies, which can drastically increase your moving costs. Consider purchasing your own packing materials in bulk or asking local retailers for boxes and bubble wrap.
• Scope out your current home and new location: Avoid unexpected fees by ensuring your movers can easily pick up and drop off your items throughout the moving process.

Advantages of hiring a moving company vs a DIY move

If you have the time and ability to move your own belongings, you could significantly save money with a DIY move. That being said, sometimes hiring a moving company is worth the cost. It can save you tons of time and manual labor, especially if you’re moving a larger three-bedroom home.

Professional movers handle all the packing and heavy lifting so you can focus on other things. They have the expertise to pack your stuff efficiently, reducing the risk of damage during the move.

When you hire movers, they usually offer multiple insurance options, giving you peace of mind. Plus, they have the right equipment, which means they’re able to move larger items safely and without hassle.

Another perk moving companies offer is logistics. These companies know how to navigate city streets, find the best routes, and plan for parking restrictions and other considerations.

The best moving companies for a three-bedroom move

No three-bedroom house is exactly the same. As such, you’ll need to carefully consider all the types of moving companies you have access to in order to pick the right one for your needs.

Full-service movers

Full-service movers can do it all and then some, but you may pay a pretty penny for it.

When booking a full-service move, you may work with a broker, an intermediary who vets and organizes movers on your behalf, or a carrier, a private company that handles all parts of the move themselves.

Brokers tend to have further reach and more availability, while carriers have a more personalized approach.

Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned long-distance moving company that gives back a portion of its profits to charity each year. While it doesn’t service most local moves, it offers a full range of packing, loading, and moving services that it will price match to its competitors if you receive a lower price elsewhere.

Mayzlin Relocation

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned moving carrier that services all its reservations with its own employees. It has a stellar BBB rating and handles everything from small local moves to logistically complicated military and corporate relocations.

Moving containers

Moving containers allow you to maintain control—and cut costs—throughout the moving process. They’re especially convenient if you’re willing to do some or all of the labor on your own, but you’ll need to confirm you have enough space for the container, especially if you live in a busy urban center.

The biggest benefit of moving containers is that you have at least a few days to load them before they’re picked up. Other moving solutions tend to have much tighter timelines.

PODS

PODS is available in most corners of the United States, and its competitively low prices make it a convenient solution for cost-conscious customers. It offers multiple container sizes to accommodate various move sizes and types, including 30 days of free storage with every reservation.

U-Pack

Compared to PODS, U-Pack has a broader reach, but it doesn’t take reservations for local moves. That said, it service rural areas and even international locations, so it can be a compelling cost-saving measure for even the most complex moves.

Moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most affordable option, but you’ll have to do nearly everything on your own from start to finish, including driving, packing, and loading.

Moving trucks may be your frontrunner if you’re confident driving and have plenty of friends to help with the heavy lifting.

Budget Truck Rental

Budget Truck Rental is the most affordable moving truck rental in the game. It has over 2,800 locations nationwide, with three different truck sizes and a well-built online reservation tool that can handle even last-minute bookings.

Penske Truck Rental

Penske Truck Rental is competitively priced and doesn’t sacrifice customer service to save costs. All bookings come with free roadside assistance.

It offers compelling discounts for one-way rentals and military members (among many others) and add-ons to customize your reservation.

FAQs

What is the average cost of a long-distance move for a three-bedroom home?

The average cost of a long-distance move for a three-bedroom home depends on the distance, truck size, and add-on services.

You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,700 for a long-distance move from a three-bedroom home before adding packing services or insurance.

What is the average cost of a local move for a three-bedroom home?

The average cost of a local full-service move for a three-bedroom home is between $1,250 and $2,100, but your costs may vary based on total distance, number of labor hours required, and any add-on services you select.

How do I budget for a long-distance move?

You can budget for a long-distance move by requesting multiple quotes and planning in advance. We recommend you have at least $4,000 in savings for a long-distance move from a third-bedroom home, so you have the flexibility to shop around, purchase optimal insurance, and add services that save you time and energy.

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

Several factors affect the cost of moving a three-bedroom home, including:

• The weight of your household goods
• The distance of the move
• Ease of access at the origin and delivery locations
• Time of year
• Additional services
• Your chosen moving company
• Insurance coverage
• The hourly rate of moving labor
• The size of your home/flights of stairs