How Much Do Lancaster, PA Movers Cost?
Quick answer: Expect to pay about $138 per hour for movers in Lancaster. A full move will typically cost $541 to $4,588. For out-of-state moves from Pennsylvania, check long-distance moving prices from Lancaster—costs depend heavily on the destination.
Fact Checked by: 
Let's get moving.
-
Zip to Zip Moving Inc
-
Safeway Moving
-
PODS
-
Budget Truck Rental
-
HireAHelper
Our track record
Average cost of local movers in Lancaster, PA
Hiring a full-service Lancaster mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Lancaster move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Lancaster based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $541 | $193 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $734 | $193 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,158 | $270 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $2,622 | $379 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $3,001 | $379 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $4,588 | $530 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Lancaster movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $193 per hour for two movers to $530 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher total cost.
Overall, hiring local Lancaster movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Lancaster move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Lancaster, PA
Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Lancaster.
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Packhorse Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Armstrong relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Mountain Movers, LLC: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Good communication (29%)
- Unexpected charges (23%)
- Lack of communication (19%)
- Damage to items (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 8925314
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 2969363
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (32%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Good communication (28%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 3
DOT #: 3524666
Alternate Names: Packhorse Moving LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Good communication (27%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (35%)
- Unexpected charges (31%)
- Damage to items (29%)
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
DOT #: 2878240
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Unexpected charges (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 8917264
Years in Business: 74
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Jack Treier Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (50%)
- Professional and polite staff (45%)
- Good communication (38%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
- Unexpected charges (10%)
- Lack of communication (10%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3130912
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Visit our best movers in Lancaster page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Lancaster, consider one of Lancaster's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby Pennsylvania cities
Average cost of moving containers in Lancaster, PA
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Lancaster. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Lancaster move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Lancaster can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Lancaster based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Lancaster, PA
The best Lancaster moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
|
|
|
|
rating
Average cost to rent a moving truck in Lancaster, PA
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Lancaster will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Lancaster ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Lancaster rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.79–$0.99 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Lancaster, PA
The best moving truck rentals in Lancaster provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
|
|
|
|
Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Lancaster, PA
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Lancaster is an hourly rate of $69 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $138.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Lancaster.
Best labor-only moving companies in Lancaster
The best Lancaster labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
|
|
|
Factors that affect the cost of movers in Lancaster, PA
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Lancaster, PA, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). In order to acquire a parking permit, the individual who owns the vehicle is required to present their driver's license, along with the current registration and insurance card for the vehicle that is intended to be permitted. For more information, please visit the local city government or visit their website: https://www.cityoflancasterpa.gov/residential-permit-parking/
- Check state licensing laws. For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly.
- Invest in moving insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move to Lancaster?
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Lancaster for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Lancaster to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $2,973 - $7,347 | $1,711 - $3,691 | $817 - $1,831 |
| Albuquerque | $3,738 - $8,476 | $2,403 - $4,779 | $1,409 - $3,103 |
| Phoenix | $4,268 - $8,784 | $2,667 - $5,248 | $1,599 - $3,614 |
Helpful Lancaster resources
Lancaster moving services
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
