Moving Cost Calculator

You should book your move at least six weeks in advance. Start researching options for your upcoming move around eight weeks in advance. Be sure to get quotes from at least three different movers to compare prices.

You can certainly try to move by yourself if you want to save money. A DIY move can save you thousands of dollars in comparison to using full-service movers. Be aware that while you’ll save money, your move will cost you in terms of time and effort. If you’re not sure about doing all the work yourself, consider a moving container company. With moving container companies, you’re still responsible for packing and loading the container, but they will take care of the transportation.

The cheapest moving company depends on the type of move you choose. For DIY moves, renting a truck with U-Haul is one of the cheapest options. For moving containers, U-Pack offers the best prices and quick, transparent quoting. If you’re looking for a full-service mover, North American Van Lines and Mayzlin Relocation are among the most affordable options. Don’t just look for the absolute cheapest rate you can find — make sure a cheap moving company also has a solid industry reputation.

No, moving quotes do not include car shipping. Not all moving companies provide car shipping services. If you need to ship your vehicle, you’ll typically need to get separate quotes from car shipping companies. Our car shipping cost calculator can give you a better idea of how this will affect your overall moving budget.

The cost of moving insurance will depend on which type of insurance you elect to get and how valuable you declare your items to be. Full-service moving companies typically offer two types of insurance: released value protection and full value protection.

Released value protection is the minimum amount of insurance mandated by federal law and is included for free on every move. However, it only covers your items at a rate of $0.60 per pound per item.

Full value protection is an add-on insurance option that provides reimbursement based on the value of each item rather than weight. This additional coverage can provide extra protection, especially for high-value items, but it will also significantly increase your moving costs.

International moving costs vary greatly based on the specific details of the move.Prices can range from $1,000 to $20,000 (or more) depending on the countries involved, the size of the move, and whether you ship by land, sea, or air. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from New York City to Paris by sea shipping will cost $5,400 to $7,400. Moving a one-bedroom apartment from New York City to Sydney, Australia will cost $6,200 to $9,900.

Yes, the moveBuddha moving cost calculator is reliable. It is designed to capture relevant details about your move, and transform these inputs into a reliable cost range. Its accuracy and dependability are a result of years of refinement based on real-world data and moving cost trends. While your actual moving expenses may vary, this cost range should give you a good idea of what to expect so you can budget appropriately for your move.

You should trust moveBuddha’s moving quotes because they’re the product of our years of experience and extensive knowledge of the moving industry. MoveBuddha has helped people move since 2015, serving more than 400,000 people per year. Our moving quote tool combines our tech focus with deep-dive analysis of hundreds of companies using our own unique methodology.

We rely on quotes obtained during our own research and the real-life, honest experiences of Better Moves Project participants to help provide a range of what you should expect to pay based on the details of your move.

How much you should pay someone to move depends on the distance and size of your move. Here’s a breakdown of typical moving costs:

• Local moves: For moves within the same city or a short distance, expect to pay between $25 and $100 per hour per moving crew member. On average, a local move can cost around $1,500.
• Long-distance moves: If you’re moving across state lines or further, the cost increases. Long-distance moves can cost $5,000 or more, depending on factors like the distance, size of the move, and additional services like packing.

Tip: To get accurate estimates and ensure you pay the lowest cost, you should always use a moving cost calculator to request quotes from multiple moving companies.

On average, it costs $900 to $1,500 to have a moving company pack you. Packing costs are calculated based on the size of the move. For example, full packing services for a one-bedroom apartment will range from $250 to $500 while the cost of packing for a three-bedroom home will range from $1,000 to $1,800. Fragile, specialty, and bulky items like expensive art or a safe can significantly increase packing costs.One major benefit of having a mover pack all your items is insurance. If the mover packs the boxes for you, then they will be liable for any damages resulting from improper packing.

Yes, you can definitely negotiate with moving companies. They usually have moving discounts or other options to lower your quote. You can also bring quotes you’ve received from competitors to see if they’ll outbid other companies or offer price matching. Ask your sales rep for advice on further reducing your costs. For example, being flexible with your move dates or ditching high-cost items like pool tables or heavy safes can help reduce overall moving expenses.

Budget for moving expenses based on three main factors: the size of your move, the distance of your move, and the type of mover you plan to use. For example, renting a moving truck for an in-town studio apartment move may only cost a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, you may need to budget up to $15,000 when using full-service movers for a four-bedroom home. The moving cost calculator on this page provides price ranges for each type of move based on the planned size and distance of your move so you can budget appropriately.

The most expensive part of moving is typically the cost of hiring a full-service moving company, especially for long-distance or out-of-state moves. Labor, transportation, and added services like packing, furniture disassembly, and specialty item handling can quickly add up. If you’re looking to cut costs, consider DIY options or hybrid moves that reduce the need for full-service movers.