Quick answer: HomeGuide puts a local move (under 50 miles) at $300–$800 for a studio or one-bedroom home, $900–$2,800 for two to three bedrooms and $1,800–$6,000 for four to five bedrooms. A long-distance move of 1,000 to 1,500 miles or more runs $3,000–$8,000 for two to three bedrooms. Local movers usually charge by the hour: $50 to $100 or more per mover (HomeGuide), or $80–$100 an hour for a team of two (ConsumerAffairs). All checked September 2026.
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Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteMoving prices in the US are shaped by three things: how much you own, how far it goes, and which rules the mover prices under. Local moves are usually billed by the hour; long-distance and interstate moves are usually priced by weight and distance. Every figure below names its source and was checked in September 2026. Where we could not find a source for an item, we have left it out rather than guess.
Local moving costs by home size
HomeGuide treats a local move as one under 50 miles within the same state. Its ranges assume a typical crew and hours for each home size:
| Home size | Typical crew | Typical hours | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | 2 movers | 2–4 | $300–$800 | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | 3–4 movers | 6–7 | $900–$2,800 | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| 4–5 bedrooms | 4–5 movers | 9–12 | $1,800–$6,000 | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
ConsumerAffairs gives lower single figures for local moves, for example $600–$1,000 for a local three-bedroom move based on 10,000 pounds and before packing. The difference is a reminder that these guides measure different things, so use them to sanity-check quotes, not to predict an exact price.
Long-distance moving costs
HomeGuide’s ranges for moves priced by weight and distance:
| Home size | 50 to 750+ miles | 1,000 to 1,500+ miles | 2,500+ miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $850–$2,500 | $1,500–$5,800 | $2,000–$7,000 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,300–$6,900 | $3,000–$8,000 | $4,500–$9,500 |
| 4–5 bedrooms | $1,500–$9,500 | $5,000–$17,500 | $7,000–$20,000 |
ConsumerAffairs puts the average long-distance move of more than 1,000 miles at around $5,000. If your move crosses a state line, the mover must be registered with the FMCSA; our guide to booking an interstate mover explains the checks.
Hourly rates, packing and extras
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Local movers, per mover | $50 to $100+ per hour, often with a 3–5 hour minimum | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Team of two movers | $80–$100 per hour | ConsumerAffairs (updated May 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Packing service (pack and dismantle large furniture) | $600–$2,500 | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Packing and unpacking on top of the move | $350–$600 extra | ConsumerAffairs (updated May 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Moving truck rental (DIY) | $20–$130 a day for local moves; $200–$500 a day long distance | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Parking permit for the truck, where required | $25–$100 on average | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Furniture disassembly and reassembly | $25–$50 per item | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Piano move | $150–$550 local; $450–$2,300 long distance | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
| Car shipping (1,500 to 2,000 miles) | $900–$1,800 | HomeGuide, checked September 2026 |
Tipping is common in the US and adds to the total: HomeGuide suggests about $5 per person per hour as a flat-rate guideline. For whether paying for packing is worth it, see our packing service guide.
How state rules change the way you are charged
The rules a mover prices under depend on where you move. These are the ones we checked for our city guides:
| Where | Pricing rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate (any state line) | On a non-binding estimate you pay no more than 110 percent at delivery; the rest is billed after 30 days. A binding estimate is the price | FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move |
| California | Moves under 100 miles can be charged by the hour; over 100 miles by weight and mileage. The agreement must show a not-to-exceed price | Bureau of Household Goods and Services |
| Illinois | Hourly pricing is allowed for moves under 50 miles or within Cook and the six collar counties; longer moves go by weight and distance. Be ready to pay 110 percent of the estimate | Illinois Commerce Commission |
| Texas | Proposals are either binding (exact price) or not-to-exceed (maximum price) | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| New York State | If the final cost substantially exceeds a written estimate, you can ask for 15 days to pay the excess | NYSDOT |
| Arizona | In-state moves are usually hourly; once you pay the total estimated price in the signed contract, the mover must unload | Arizona Attorney General; A.R.S. 44-1613 |
City rules can add costs too: a $25 CDOT permit for enforceable No Parking signs in Chicago, meter bagging in Houston, or building insurance certificates in New York. Our city guides set those out.
Local guides
Getting a fair price
Get at least three written estimates based on a survey of your home, in person or by video, and make sure each one lists the crew size, hours or weight, and every extra. Read how to compare quotes without missing extra charges, then ask for moving quotes or browse our removal and moving options.
Compare House Movers is a comparison and referral service, not a moving company. We do not carry out moves, and a listing here is not a recommendation.
Common questions
How much does a local move cost in the US?
HomeGuide puts it at $300–$800 for a studio or one-bedroom home and $900–$2,800 for two to three bedrooms, for moves under 50 miles (checked September 2026).
How much do movers charge per hour?
HomeGuide says $50 to $100 or more per mover per hour; ConsumerAffairs gives $80–$100 an hour for a team of two. Many firms have a 3–5 hour minimum.
How much does a cross-country move cost?
HomeGuide gives $4,500–$9,500 for two to three bedrooms over 2,500 miles, and $7,000–$20,000 for four to five bedrooms.
Is packing included in a moving quote?
Usually not. HomeGuide says estimates do not typically include packing or unpacking unless you ask, and puts a packing service at $600–$2,500.
What protects me if the final bill is higher than the estimate?
For interstate moves, you pay no more than 110 percent of a non-binding estimate at delivery. State rules vary; see the table above.
Sources
- How Much Do Movers Cost? (2026) (homeguide.com)
- How Much Do Movers Cost? (2026), updated May 2026 (consumeraffairs.com)
- Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, 49 CFR Part 375 Appendix A (ecfr.gov)
- Consumer Guide to Household Moving, Bureau of Household Goods and Services (bhgs.dca.ca.gov)
- Moving? You Will Want to Read This First, 2026 consumer guide, Illinois Commerce Commission (icc.illinois.gov)
- Don’t Make a Move Without Us, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (txdmv.gov)
- Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods, NYSDOT (dot.ny.gov)
- Attorney General Mayes Warns Consumers About Unscrupulous Moving Companies (azag.gov)
- Frequently Asked Questions, Chicago’s 49th Ward (49thward.org)
Last checked: September 2026. City fees and state rules change, so confirm the current position with the agency before you rely on it.