How Much Do Lancaster Movers Cost?

Quick answer: The typical cost for hiring movers in Lancaster, PA is $138 per hour with a total move cost ranging from $531 to $4,578, on average. If you’re moving out of Pennsylvania, the cost of hiring long-distance movers in Lancaster really depends on where you’re moving.

Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of Lancaster, PA.

Average cost to hire a local moving company in Lancaster

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. If you want to save money, you can do some of the work yourself — by hiring a container company or renting a moving truck where you do the packing and loading and they transport your belongings in Lancaster for you.

Here’s how much it costs to move with different types of movers:

Destination Professional Movers Containers Rental Trucks
Kansas City, MO $2,832 - $6,620 $1,841 - $3,460 $878 - $1,727
Little Rock, AR $3,055 - $7,244 $1,713 - $3,712 $937 - $1,848
Boise, ID $4,123 - $8,888 $2,639 - $5,639 $1,603 - $3,408

And 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 $531 $193 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $724 $193 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $1,148 $270 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $2,612 $379 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $2,991 $379 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $4,578 $530 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Lancaster to move a studio apartment is $531. You'll need two movers for three hours at $193 per hour.
  • One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $724 for local Lancaster movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $193 per hour.
  • Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire Lancaster movers to move a two-bedroom home is $1,148. You'll need three movers for five hours at $270 per hour.
  • Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $2,612 for local Lancaster movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $379 per hour.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in Lancaster will cost $2,991, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $379 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring Lancaster movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $4,578. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $530 per hour.

It's worth noting 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 overall 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.

Best moving companies in Lancaster, PA

Our team of analysts has spent thousands of hours cross-referencing license data, insurance data, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in Lancaster.

Company Quote Rating Contact
Armstrong relocation Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
1074 East Main Street , Mount Joy, PA, 17552
(717) 492-4155
Zippy Shell Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
191 S Keim St Unit 2A1, Pottstown, PA, 19464
(484) 220-0499

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.

Consider these elements 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.

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Lancaster

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Lancaster will absolutely be easier on your wallet. 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: Dependent on driving distance.
  • Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): 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/
  • 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 a distance you drive the truck, how many days you have the truck rented and a number of additional costs like insurance, parking, and moving equipment rentals.

Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285

93% of users select this mover

At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

93% of users select this mover

Most Reliable
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Check prices (844) 847-9517

93% of users select this mover

At A Glance
  • Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
  • Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
  • Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
read our full review
Check prices (844) 847-9517

93% of users select this mover

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website

93% of users select this mover

At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Visit Website

93% of users select this mover

Average cost to rent a moving container in Lancaster

Lancaster has plenty of moving container companies to choose from. The containers are delivered, you load everything into them, the company picks it up, and it gets put in storage until you're ready for everything to be delivered to your new place.

Naturally, the advantage with containers like PODS and U-Pack is storage. These things will buy you time if you end up with a weird gap between leases.

Here's roughly what moving containers in Lancaster are going to cost:

  • Storage fee: $69.95 per 30 days
  • Initial delivery: $79.0
  • Final delivery fee: $89.0
  • Damage coverage: $10–$350 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): 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/
  • Door lock (if necessary): $10–$15
  • Equipment costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)

Storing everything in a one-bedroom will end up costing somewhere around $248–$628 door to door. Still, you might want to factor in a little extra in case you end up paying for labor.

Each large container holds about three rooms until it's completely full. You might end up needing more containers, but keep in mind that your cost will essentially double with each container you add.

Company Quote Rating Price
U-Pack U-Pack Logo Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
PODS PODS Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
1-800-Pack-Rat Check prices
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign

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