How Much Do Montana Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The average cost of hiring movers in Montana is $128 per hour, with an average total move cost between $485 and $4,223. The exact cost of your move will depend on how many belongings you have and how far you’re relocating.
Of course, it’s crucial to get a personalized moving quote for your Montana move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.
To figure out how much your Montana move will cost, it’s a good idea to compare multiple quotes. With our cost calculator, you can get pricing information from the best moving companies in MT — including Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, Mayzlin Relocation, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services, and some of the top national moving companies provided below.
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Average cost to hire a moving company in Montana
The cost to hire a Montana moving company depends primarily on the size of your home, how many belongings you have, and the distance of your move. Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional movers in Montana.
Cost to move a home in Montana
Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
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Studio | $485 | $179 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 bedroom | $664 | $179 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 bedrooms | $1,057 | $250 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 bedrooms | $2,407 | $350 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 bedrooms | $2,757 | $350 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ bedrooms | $4,223 | $490 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Montana to move a studio apartment is $485. You'll need two movers for three hours at $179 per hour.
- One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $664 for local Montana movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $179 per hour.
- Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire Montana movers to move a two-bedroom home is $1,057. You'll need three movers for five hours at $250 per hour.
- Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $2,407 for local Montana movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $350 per hour.
- Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in Montana will cost $2,757, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $350 per hour.
- Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring Montana movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $4,223. You'll need five movers for 10 hours at $490 per hour.
City moving costs in Montana
Average cost to hire an interstate mover in Montana
The cost of an interstate move from Montana to another state has even more variables than a local move.
Out-of-state, or Interstate, moves mean longer distances, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices. Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and time of year are additional cost factors that can drive up your overall expenses. Rather than pay an hourly rate (like you would with local movers), an interstate moving company will charge you based on the total weight of your belongings.
Below are some cost examples from popular moving routes.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of Montana
- Montana to California: $3,416–$7,556
- Montana to New York: $4,147–$8,086
- Montana to Illinois: $3,677–$6,999
- Montana to Texas: $3,697–$7,685
- Montana to Arizona: $3,266–$7,011
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Montana should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance moving movers in Montana.
Best interstate moving companies in Montana
These are the best interstate moving companies available in Montana:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5
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Best local moving companies in Montana
Staying in Montana and moving just a short distance? Check out the best moving companies in Montana.
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.58 out of 5
- InterWest Moving and Storage: 4.58 out of 5
- Mesa Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5
- All Lanes Moving & Storage: 4.38 out of 5
- Montana Transfer: 4.28 out of 5
Factors that affect the cost of your Montana move
The following common factors will affect the cost of your Montana move:
- The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor means you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure that you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in Montana.
- The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from Montana to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
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The type of move:
You have four main options for your Montana move:
- Hiring a full-service moving company
- Renting a moving truck
- Getting a moving container
- Using a freight trailer
- Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
- Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your Montana move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
- The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of Montana between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.
The average cost of living in Montana
- The cost index in Montana is 100. This means it's similar to the national average.
- The average rent in Montana for a one-bedroom apartment is $836 which is 36.95% lower than the national average.
- The average home value in Montana is $446,483 which is about 25.41% more expensive than the national average.
- The average income in Montana is $66,341 which is about 2.07% higher than the national average.
Options you have when moving in Montana
Hire a professional moving company
Hiring a professional mover in Montana is most likely going to be the most expensive option, but you are paying for some extra convenience, like not having to load and drive a truck yourself.
Below is a list of the best moving companies in Montana to hire for your move.
Moving truck rental
Rent a moving truck from a company like U-Haul to pack, load, and transport your belongings from one Montana location to another or to another state. This is the cheapest option but will require the most amount of work — you’ll need to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place.
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
Moving containers or PODS
Rent a moving container if you’re looking for a balance of affordability and convenience. With this moving option, you load the container and the professionals drive it to your new location in Montana for you. Moving containers typically cost more than a rental truck but less than hiring a professional mover.
This is also a great option if you need storage with your move. Many container companies like PODS include 30-days of free storage with all moves.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Hire a freight shipper
Use freight shipping if you are moving a large amount of stuff across the country from Montana. With a freight shipper, you pack a large 28-foot trailer at your house and they drive it for you. This is a good option for large cross-country moves.
How do I ship a car in Montana?
Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move. Here are the top car shippers in MT:
Company | Our take | Rating | Price |
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Easy Auto Ship |
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Sherpa Auto Transport |
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Ship A Car Direct |
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Montway Auto Transport |
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AmeriFreight Car Transport |
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Things to know about your Montana move
Although cost is certainly important, there are other factors that you should consider about your move.
- State Licensing: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
- Mover's Insurance: Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Weather: Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
Tips to save money on your Montana move
Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your Montana move:
- Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
- Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
- Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
- Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
- Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your Montana move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.
What is the cheapest way to move in Montana?
The cheapest way to move within Montana is by using a DIY option. For some people in Montana, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.
While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of Montana, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can save you money on shorter-distance moves. But for out-of-state relocations, hidden or unexpected expenses like gas, mileage, toll charges, and even food and accommodations on your trip can add up quickly and even push the price of your truck rental above what it would cost to use a full-service mover.
To help you decide, use our moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.
Helpful Montana resources
Montana Moving services
City moving costs
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