How Much Does It Cost to Move?
Estimate moving costs based on distance, home size, and whether you hire movers or DIY with a truck rental.
Moving Costs by Method (2026)
DIY truck rental: $300-1,500 for local, $1,500-4,000 cross-country. Plus gas ($200-800), insurance, and your own labor. Portable containers (PODS): $500-5,500. You pack, they transport. Good middle ground. Full-service movers: $800-8,500+. They load, drive, and unload. Most convenient but most expensive. White glove: $1,500-14,000+. Packing, crating, assembly/disassembly, specialized item handling.
Hidden Moving Costs
Budget for: packing supplies ($50-200), tips for movers (15-20% is standard), insurance/valuation coverage (3-5% of move cost), cleaning the old place ($100-300), utility setup fees ($50-200), and temporary storage if needed ($100-300/month). These add 20-30% to the base moving cost.
How to Save on Moving
Declutter before moving (less stuff = lower cost), move mid-month and mid-week (avoid first/last of month premiums), get 3+ quotes from licensed movers, pack yourself to save $500-1,500, and ship books/heavy items via USPS Media Mail ($20-50 per box vs. $100+ by weight with movers).
The first and last days of the month are the most expensive times to move — 70% of leases begin/end on the 1st, creating peak demand and premium pricing. Moving mid-month can save 20-30% on mover rates.
