Data-backed Moving Costs in Virginia (2026)
The average cost of movers in Virginia is $115 per hour, with the total for a typical move ranging from $443 - $3,810. Your exact costs will depend on factors like how long your move takes, the size of your moving crew, and any add-on services like packing or storage you choose.
Enter your anticipated move date and home size into our free moving cost calculator to get instant, no-hassle estimates catered to your needs and budget.
Moving costs in Virginia by home size
Moving costs in Virginia range from $443 for a studio apartment to $3,810 for 5 or more bedrooms. Local moves are billed hourly per crew member, so a bigger home means a bigger crew, more hours, and a higher total.
The average hourly rate for local moves in Virginia is $115, but most VA moving companies charge a 2-hour minimum. This means the baseline for a small move will be $230.
The table below shows the average total cost of a local move in Virginia by home size, along with the typical crew size and total hours for each:
| Home size | Moving crew size | # of hours | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | 2 | 3 | $443 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 | 4 | $604 |
| 2 bedrooms | 3 | 5 | $957 |
| 3 bedrooms | 4 | 8 | $2,172 |
| 4 bedrooms | 4 | 9 | $2,487 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 5 | 10 | $3,810 |
Virginia moving costs by type of mover
Full-service movers are the most expensive option in Virginia, costing $300 - $1,500 more than DIY moves on average, since the price covers labor, transportation, and equipment.
Rental trucks and moving containers cost less but require more hands-on work, and the gap narrows once you add in the fees that come with handling the move yourself:
- Fuel: Virginia's average gas price is $2.9 per gallon, which adds up quickly on longer routes.
- Equipment rentals: Dollies, furniture pads, and hand trucks run $50 - $300 per day.
- Labor-only help: Since rental trucks and containers do not include loading or unloading, hiring a labor-only crew adds $59 - $81.
Take a look at how the average cost of each move type in Virginia compares:
| Type of mover | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service movers | $443 - $3,810 |
| Moving containers | $207 - $7,561 |
| Rental trucks | $20 - $100 |
| Labor-only | $59 - $81 |
How much movers cost in Virginia by city
- Alexandria
- Annandale
- Arlington
- Ashburn
- Bailey's Crossroads
- Blacksburg
- Bon Air
- Brambleton
- Brandermill
- Bristol
- Broadlands
- Buckhall
- Bull Run
- Burke
- Burke Centre
- Cascades
- Cave Spring
- Centreville
- Chantilly
- Charlottesville
- Cherry Hill
- Chesapeake
- Chester
- Christiansburg
- Colonial Heights
- Culpeper
- Dale City
- Danville
- Difficult Run
- Dranesville
- East Highland Park
- Fair Oaks
- Fairfax
- Fairfax Station
- Falls Church
- Forest
- Fort Hunt
- Franconia
- Franklin Farm
- Fredericksburg
- Front Royal
- Gainesville
- Glen Allen
- Gloucester Point
- Great Falls
- Groveton
- Hampton
- Harrisonburg
- Herndon
- Highland Springs
- Hollins
- Hopewell
- Huntington
- Hybla Valley
- Idylwood
- Kings Park West
- Kingstowne
- Lake Barcroft
- Lake Monticello
- Lake Ridge
- Lakeside
- Lansdowne
- Laurel
- Leesburg
- Lincolnia
- Linton Hall
- Lorton
- Loudoun Valley Estates
- Lowes Island
- Lynchburg
- Madison Heights
- Manassas
- Manassas Park
- Manchester
- Martinsville
- McLean
- McNair
- Meadowbrook
- Mechanicsville
- Merrifield
- Midlothian
- Montclair
- Mount Vernon
- New Baltimore
- Newington
- Newington Forest
- Newport News
- Norfolk
- Oakton
- Petersburg
- Poquoson
- Portsmouth
- Radford
- Reston
- Richmond
- Roanoke
- Rose Hill
- Salem
- Short Pump
- South Riding
- Springfield
- Staunton
- Sterling
- Stone Ridge
- Stuarts Draft
- Sudley
- Suffolk
- Sugarland Run
- Timberlake
- Triangle
- Tuckahoe
- Tysons
- Vienna
- Virginia Beach
- Wakefield
- Warrenton
- Waynesboro
- West Falls Church
- West Springfield
- Williamsburg
- Winchester
- Wolf Trap
- Woodbridge
- Woodburn
- Woodlawn
- Wyndham
- Yorkshire
FAQs about Virginia moving costs
How much does it cost to hire movers in Virginia?
Hiring local movers in Virginia costs $443 - $3,810 depending on home size, with a 3-bedroom averaging $2,172. Long-distance moves out of Virginia are priced by weight and mileage and typically run higher.
For a personalized quote tailored to your move details, plug your home size and destination into our moving cost calculator.
What is the average hourly rate for movers in Virginia?
Local movers in Virginia charge an average of $115 per hour based on moveBuddha's analysis of Virginia-area mover pricing. Most movers enforce a 2-hour minimum, putting the floor for a small local move at $230.
Final cost depends on crew size, total billable hours, and access conditions like stairs and long carries.
What is the cheapest way to move in Virginia?
Rental trucks are typically the cheapest way to move in Virginia, saving $300 - $1,500 compared to full-service movers on average. Keep in mind that with rental trucks you will be responsible for loading, unloading, and driving, and will have related expenses like gas ($3 per gallon on average in Virginia) and equipment rentals ($50 - $300 per day).
How much does a long-distance move from Virginia cost?
Long-distance moves (100+ miles) from Virginia cost between $1,500 and $8,500+, with an average cost of $3,400 - $4,500 for 2-3 bedrooms. Long-distance move pricing is driven by shipment weight and total mileage rather than hours on the clock.
When is the cheapest time to move in Virginia?
The cheapest time to move in Virginia is mid-week, mid-month, between October and April. Avoid May through September, weekends, and the last 3 days of any month, when demand pushes rates 20% - 30% higher.
The more flexible your move window, the more leverage you have on price. See our guide to peak moving season for the full pricing calendar.
How much does packing add to a Virginia move?
Professional packing services in Virginia add $500 for a small 1-bedroom move and up to $5,000 for a 4-5 bedroom home. Final cost depends on how much you are moving and how fragile your belongings are.
Self-packing non-fragile items can keep that fee in check. See our packing tips guide for ways to box efficiently before moving day.