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 148 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:

• New York local move costs range from $480 for a studio to $4,319 for a 5+ bedroom home. A 1-bedroom averages $663 and a 3-bedroom runs $2,451, based on moveBuddha's analysis of New York mover quotes.
• Hourly rates average $131/hour for a 2-mover crew. National carriers price by shipment weight and mileage, which adds cost on local distances where heavy loads offer no long-haul economies of scale.
• No national subcontractor network. Local crews operate within a defined service area, keeping the same team on your move start to finish and accountability with a single company.

What specialty moving services are available in New York?

Not every mover in New York offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 148 New York movers, here is what is available and how often:

• Piano moving: offered by 77.7% of New York movers, compared to 72.52% nationally.
• Antique handling: offered by 56.08% of New York movers, compared to 46.28% nationally.
• Art packing: offered by 62.16% of New York movers, compared to 45.83% nationally.
• Climate-controlled storage: offered by 43.92% of New York movers, compared to 33.25% nationally.
• Fragile-only packing: offered by 19.59% of New York movers, compared to 23.87% 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 148 New York movers (77.7%), compared to 72.52% 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.

Upright pianos weigh 400 to 800 lbs. Grand pianos exceed 1,200 lbs. Trained crews use piano boards, straps, and padded blankets to prevent structural damage that standard moving equipment cannot safely manage. Bundling a piano into a household move with full-service movers is usually cheaper than hiring a piano-only carrier.

How much does antique handling cost in New York?

Antique handling is available from 83 of 148 New York movers (56.08%), compared to 46.28% 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.

Standard released-value protection pays $0.60 per pound regardless of what an item is worth. A 50-lb antique valued at $5,000 yields a $30 claim under that policy. Antique movers close that gap with custom crating, acid-free padding, and white-glove loading protocols designed for high-value pieces. Full valuation coverage is worth requesting by name before signing any moving contract.

How much does art packing cost in New York?

Art packing is available from 92 of 148 New York movers (62.16%), compared to 45.83% 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.

Framed artwork and sculpture face 3 distinct risks in transit: UV exposure, humidity fluctuation, and impact fractures. Standard moving blankets mitigate only the third and only partially. Art movers use archival materials and custom crates sized to each piece to address all 3. Direct experience with the specific media, whether oil on canvas, bronze, or photography, matters more than general fine art credentials.

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

Climate-controlled storage is available from 65 of 148 New York movers (43.92%), compared to 33.25% 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.

Humidity does more damage to stored belongings than temperature in most cases. Wood furniture warps and joints loosen. Vinyl records warp and fuse. Electronics corrode. Mold develops on fabric and upholstery. Temperature-only storage units do not address any of these risks. Climate-controlled units regulate both temperature and humidity and are the appropriate choice for storage gaps longer than 30 days or any move that spans a seasonal weather shift.

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

Fragile-only packing is available from 29 of 148 New York movers (19.59%), compared to 23.87% 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.

Dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps are the items most frequently damaged in transit and the items that benefit most from professional packing materials and technique. Fragile-only packing covers those categories specifically, without the cost of a full-service contract that extends to furniture, clothing, and items you are fully capable of packing yourself. Before booking, confirm that the mover's valuation policy covers fragile-only packed items, since some companies exclude liability for items their crew did not pack.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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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