10 Best Moving Companies in New York (2026 Reviews)

Who are the best local movers in New York?

New York's top-rated local mover is Zip to Zip Moving Inc, which earns a 4.66/5 moveBuddha rating based on moveBuddha's analysis of 149 movers in the state. For moves under 50 miles in Brooklyn, New York City, or elsewhere in New York, local movers are the lower-cost option.Keep the following in mind when moving locally in New York:

• Hourly pricing keeps local moves affordable. New York local movers charge an average of $131/hour for a 2-mover crew. National carriers bill by shipment weight and mileage regardless of distance, which inflates costs on short hauls.
• A studio move in New York averages $480. A 1-bedroom runs $663 and a 2-bedroom averages $1,066, based on moveBuddha's analysis of New York mover quotes.
• No subcontractor layer. Local crews operate within a fixed service area. The team that quotes your move is the team that shows up, with a local point of contact throughout.

What specialty moving services are available in New York?

Not every mover in New York offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 149 New York movers, here is what is available and how often:

• Piano moving: offered by 77.18% of New York movers, compared to 72.1% nationally.
• Antique handling: offered by 55.7% of New York movers, compared to 46.0% nationally.
• Art packing: offered by 61.74% of New York movers, compared to 45.56% nationally.
• Climate-controlled storage: offered by 43.62% of New York movers, compared to 33.03% nationally.
• Fragile-only packing: offered by 19.46% of New York movers, compared to 23.71% nationally.

Specialty service costs below use moveBuddha's pricing dataset adjusted for New York's cost of living.

How much does piano moving cost in New York?

Piano moving is available from 115 of 149 New York movers (77.18%), compared to 72.1% nationally. Zip to Zip Moving Inc leads New York piano movers with a 4.66/5 moveBuddha score, followed by Otter Moving & Storage at 4.5/5. A standalone piano move in New York typically costs $800 to $3,500, depending on instrument type.

A standard upright piano weighs 400 to 800 lbs and a grand piano tops 1,200 lbs, putting both well beyond what general moving equipment is built to handle safely. Purpose-built piano boards, padded blankets, and rigging straps are the minimum required to move the instrument without cracking the soundboard or damaging the legs. For most households, adding piano moving to a full-service move costs less than booking a dedicated piano-only carrier separately.

How much does antique handling cost in New York?

Antique handling is available from 83 of 149 New York movers (55.7%), compared to 46.0% nationally. Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.66/5) and Otter Moving & Storage (4.5/5) rate highest for antique care in New York. Adding antique handling to a household move adds $1,000 to $2,500 to the total cost.

A 50-lb antique valued at $5,000 is covered for just $30 under the default released-value policy movers are required to offer. Custom crating and acid-free padding reduce the physical risk of damage in transit, but the financial risk requires a separate solution. Full valuation coverage, which reimburses based on repair or replacement cost rather than weight, is the appropriate protection level for antiques and heirloom furniture.

How much does art packing cost in New York?

Art packing is available from 92 of 149 New York movers (61.74%), compared to 45.56% nationally. Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.66/5) and Otter Moving & Storage (4.5/5) rate highest for art packing in New York. Per-piece art handling in New York runs $50 to $500, with custom crates adding $150 to $200 per item.

Custom crates and archival materials are the baseline for art moving, not an upgrade. Standard blankets protect against surface scratches but offer no defense against UV exposure or humidity shifts that cause paint to crack, canvas to warp, or sculpture finishes to degrade. Before booking, confirm the mover has handled pieces in the same medium and ask whether crates are built in-house or outsourced to a third party.

How much does climate-controlled storage cost in New York?

Climate-controlled storage is available from 65 of 149 New York movers (43.62%), compared to 33.03% nationally. Otter Moving & Storage (4.5/5) and Flex Moving & Storage (4.34/5) rate highest for climate-controlled storage in New York. Storage-in-transit runs about $0.50 per cubic foot per month, putting a 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) at roughly $257/month in New York.

A temperature-only storage unit is not the same as climate-controlled storage. Temperature-only units manage heat fluctuation but leave humidity unregulated, the condition responsible for warping in wood furniture, degradation in vinyl records, corrosion in electronics, and mold growth across fabric and upholstery. Climate-controlled units regulate both. For moves involving a storage gap of 30 days or more, or any relocation that bridges a seasonal humidity change, climate-controlled is the appropriate specification to request.

How much does fragile-only packing cost in New York?

Fragile-only packing is available from 29 of 149 New York movers (19.46%), compared to 23.71% nationally. Otter Moving & Storage (4.5/5) and Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.72/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in New York. Full professional packing runs $0.15 to $0.21 per pound; fragile-only packing covers dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps at a fraction of that total.

Fragile-only packing targets dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps without a full-service packing contract. Limiting professional packing to breakables keeps total packing cost down while covering the items most likely to break in transit.

Who are the best interstate movers for moves out of New York?

The top-rated interstate moving companies for moves originating in New York, based on moveBuddha's national carrier ratings, are Safeway Moving (4.9/5), American Van Lines (4.9/5), North American Van Lines (4.8/5), Allied Van Lines (4.2/5), and Mayzlin Relocation (4.8/5). Safeway Moving leads on transparent pricing and consistent delivery performance. American Van Lines is the strongest pick for flat-rate pricing and certified professional crews.

Best overall value

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.9 / 5

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(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

• Best overall value
• Veteran owned
• Portion to charity

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(855) 650-0657

Most experienced mover

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.9 / 5

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(866) 835-2392

At A Glance

• Certified crews
• Flat-rate pricing
• Family-owned

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(866) 835-2392

Best customized plans

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.8 / 5

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(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

• 1,800 trucks
• Storage available
• Customized moving plans

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(844) 950-2963

Best for contents coverage

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.2 / 5

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(866) 825-0554

At A Glance

• Specialty packing services
• White-glove reputation
• 80+ years' experience

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(866) 825-0554

Best customer service

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.8 / 5

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(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

• Family owned
• East coast focus
• Affordable pricing

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(980) 217-6841

What are the best moving containers in New York?

The best moving container companies available in New York are Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5), U-Pack (5.0/5), and MovingYourself (5.0/5), based on moveBuddha's ratings. Container moves work by dropping a portable unit at your door, giving you several days to load at your own pace, then the company handles pickup and delivery. They cost significantly less than full-service movers and carry none of the one-way mileage risk of rental trucks. See our full moving container company guide for cost comparisons by move size.

Best for locally owned service Units Moving and Portable Storage rating 4.3 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Flexible timelines Local franchise support Fits tight spaces Check prices (866) 345-1919

Best value container U-Pack rating 5.0 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Fast delivery Nationwide 100+ miles moves Check prices (844) 362-5303

Best for large moves MovingYourself rating 5.0 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Affordable pricing Offers car shipping No hidden fees Get A Quote (352) 322-2920

What are the best rental trucks in New York?

Going the DIY route in New York? Budget Truck Rental, U-Haul, and Penske Truck Rental are the strongest options. Budget earns a 4.3/5 for its transparent pricing and solid discount availability. It's the best overall value among New York rental truck options. U-Haul scores 4.2/5 with the broadest availability and seven truck sizes, plus one-way rentals for moves that won't bring you back. Penske comes in at 4.0/5 with a reliably maintained fleet and unlimited mileage options on select routes that pay off on longer hauls.

You take on all the labor, but you'll pay less for the privilege. For long-distance moves out of New York, do the full math on gas and mileage fees before committing.

Best value rental Budget Truck Rental rating 4.3 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Affordable pricing Online pricing Several discounts Check prices Visit Website

Most reliable Penske Truck Rental rating 4.0 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Most expensive 4 truck sizes Unlimited mileage Check prices (844) 847-9517

Best availability U-Haul Truck Rental rating 4.2 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Greatest coverage 7 truck sizes One way rentals Check prices (800) 468-4285

Who are the best labor-only hourly movers in New York?

The best labor-only movers in New York start with Dumbo Moving and Storage and Triangle Movers Inc., both offering loading, packing, and assembly services. At a national average of $130.88/hour for a 2-person crew, labor-only is the most affordable way to get professional help on moving day.

You drive, they lift. Rent a truck, put these crews on the loading and unloading, and keep full control of your timeline and route.

Take a look at these highly recommended labor-only movers for your New York move:

Dumbo Moving and Storage rating 4.72 / 5 Years in Business: 19 Yelp: 3.1 / 5 BBB: A+ Get A Quote (718) 222-8282

Triangle Movers Inc. rating 4.7 / 5 Years in Business: 28 Yelp: 4.7 / 5 BBB: A+ Get A Quote (845) 566-0288

Zip to Zip Moving Inc rating 4.66 / 5 Years in Business: 7 Yelp: 4.8 / 5 BBB: A- Get A Quote (929) 990-2060

How much do movers cost in New York?

The cost of a local move in New York ranges between $480 for a studio (2 movers, 3 hours at $183/hour) and $4,319 for a 5+ bedroom home (5 movers, 10 hours), according to moveBuddha's analysis of New York mover quotes collected in 2025. Note that these ranges apply to intrastate moves only. Out-of-state moves are priced differently and typically cost more.

The pricing chart below gives average local move costs by home size. Your quote may vary based on distance, access conditions, and the company's pricing model.

For a more precise estimate, use our free moving cost calculator.

What affects the cost of a move in New York?

Below are the main cost factors that determine the price of a move involving New York:

• Access conditions: Stairs, elevators, long carries, and shuttle requirements add $75–$500 or more in New York when the truck cannot load directly. Shuttle service alone adds $0.08–$0.12 per pound, with minimums that often start around $200.
• Additional services: Storage-in-transit runs approximately $0.50 per cubic foot per month. A 1-bedroom shipment at roughly 514 cubic feet averages $257/month in New York. Bulky items like safes, sectionals, and large appliances add $150–$400 per item for specialized handling.
• Distance: Local moves in New York are priced by the hour at an average of $131/hour for a 2-mover crew. Interstate moves switch to weight-and-mileage pricing, and fuel surcharges add 8%–15% to transportation charges on long-distance moves, or $100–$400 on many full-service relocations in New York.
• Home size: A studio move in New York averages $480 with 2 movers over 3 hours. A 3-bedroom runs $2,451 and a 5+ bedroom home averages $4,319, based on moveBuddha's analysis of New York mover quotes.
• Packing services: Professional packing adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound on average to your total cost. A fragile-only packing service covers dishes, glassware, and lamps without a full-service packing contract, reducing the add-on cost while protecting the items most likely to break in transit.
• Time of year: Peak moving season runs May through September in New York, with the highest rates concentrated in June and July. Booking midweek or in the off-season (October through April) typically yields lower rates and more scheduling flexibility.

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