FREE MOVING COST CALCULATOR
Use our free moving cost calculator to estimate the cost of your local or long-distance move. Enter your home size and city you are moving from and where you’re moving to. No Extra Space Storage account required.
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What’s the Difference Between Interstate & Intrastate Moving Costs?
Your moving costs will depend on several factors, but whether you're planning a local or long-distance move will have a major impact. Regardless of whether you're relocating for work, moving to be closer to family, or seeking a lower cost of living, it’s important to understand what kind of move you’re making. Interstate moves—any move that crosses state lines—are typically more expensive due to federal regulations, longer travel distances, higher fuel needs, and added insurance. Intrastate moves—which stay within one state—usually cost less because they involve simpler logistics, shorter travel, and fewer regulatory requirements. Movers calculate costs differently depending on the type of move, so knowing the difference can help you plan and budget more effectively.
How Much Do Local Movers Cost?
Local moves—that is, short-distance moves within the same town or to another relatively close town—can cost anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour, per mover. This means the rate you'll pay is dependent on how many people are needed for the moving team. This hourly cost range doesn't include fees for transportation, packing labor, moving supplies, and other associated costs, so you'll need to budget for those expenses.
How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Cost?
Long-distance moves—like moving out-of-state or cross-country moves—can cost anywhere from $800 to $12,000. This price is dependent on how much you're moving, how far you're moving, and what services are needed for your move. In many cases, a long-distance move requires a larger team, as well as fees for lodging, transportation, tolls, and other associated costs.
How to Save on Moving Costs
Want a more affordable move? The biggest savings usually come from reducing shipment weight, timing your move strategically, and choosing the right service level. Here are a few tips:
Opt for a do-it-yourself (DIY) move: DIY truck rentals are low-cost service tier and cross-country DIY moves typically cost $1,500-$3,500 depending on distance compared to $10,000+ for full-service on the same route.
Get help from friends and family
Find free moving boxes and supplies
Use your own car to transport your belongings
Declutter the number of items you have to move: Interstate movers charge by weight which would be around $0.50-$0.80 per pound so that every pound removed directly reduces cost. Also, make sure to leave heavy items behind.
Research different moving companies to find the lowest rate
Book with moving companies in advance
Choose a less busy time of year to move: The ideal window would be May-September and weekends since they are peak season. Booking October-April typically reduces costs 15-25% and improves mover availability.
Get at least three binding quotes from movers.
Get at least three binding quotes from licensed interstate movers: Verify each mover’s DOT registration on the FMCSA website before booking.
Consider temporary storage: Renting a storage unit between moves is often less expensive than paying for a double move or storing items with the moving company.
Rent a storage unit for items you don't immediately need: Renting a storage unit isn't just for special circumstances, it's one of the smartest moves you can make to take the pressure off moving day, avoid a costly double move, and unpack on your own schedule.
Lower the price with competitive price matching
See if your homeowners or renters insurance will cover moving costs
How Much Do Professional Movers Cost?
Professional movers can cost anywhere from $550 to $12,000.
It's important to note that there are a number of factors that can impact professional moving service costs, such as the distance of your move, whether you or the movers will be packing your belongings, the amount of packing supplies needed, the weight of your belongings, and the company you choose to hire.
How Do Moving Companies Calculate Costs?
Professional moving services determine moving costs based on several factors before submitting a quote to customers. It can help to estimate your relocation costs with a moving cost calculator before reaching out to a moving company. The factors considered including (but are not limited to):
Distance pricing model: local moves under 50-100 miles bill hourly at $50-$90 per mover per hour. Long-distance and interstate moves are charged by weight and mileage starting at 100 miles.
Service level tiers: Moving services fall into three categories: Full-Service, (pack, load, transport, unload, highest cost), moving container, DIY truck rental.
Weight and volume: Interstate moves price by weight. A 2,000 sq. ft. home typically ships 7,000-10,000 lbs, and movers charge approximately $0.50-$0.80 per pound for long-distance movers.
Time of year: May-September and weekends are peak moving season. October-April (excluding major holidays) typically reduces costs 15-25%.
Storage-in-transit fees: If your belongings need to be held between pickup and delivery.
Number of rooms to pack
Size of moving vehicle needed
Amount of time and labor needed to move
Amount of moving supplies needed
Additional fees, such as stairs, overweight items, assembling/disassembling furniture, etc.
Professional Movers vs. Containers
Professional moving companies are not the same thing as container moving companies, though they offer similar services. With professional movers, your move is covered by a team that packs your belongings, loads them into a moving van or truck, transports your items, and unloads them at your destination.
With container moving companies, a shipping container is delivered to your home. You'll be in charge of packing and loading your belongings into the container at your own pace before scheduling a pick-up date. The container moving company will then pick up and transport your container to your new home, where you can unpack at your leisure. Once you're done, the company comes back to retrieve the container.
Average Moving Cost Estimates
New York City to Orlando:
The average cost to move from New York City to Orlando, Florida ranges from $2,880 to $3,960 if you are moving yourself and $3,960 to $6,121 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from New York City to Orlando is 1,080 miles.
Los Angeles to Dallas:
The average cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, Texas ranges from $3,235 to $4,671 if you are moving yourself and $4,671 to $7,542 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from Los Angeles to Dallas is 1,435 miles.
New York to Nashville:
The average cost to move from New York City to Nashville, Tennessee ranges from $2,685 to $3,571 if you are moving yourself and $3,571 to $5,342 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from New York City to Nashville is 885 miles.
Chicago to Charlotte:
The average cost to move from Chicago, Illinois to Charlotte, North Carolina ranges from $2,553 to $3,307 if you are moving yourself and $3,307 to $4,814 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from Chicago to Charlotte is 753 miles.
New York City to Los Angeles:
The average cost to move from New York City to Los Angeles, California ranges from $4,579 to $7,358 if you are moving yourself and $7,358 to $12,916 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from New York City to Los Angeles is 2,779 miles.
Los Angeles to Salt Lake City:
The average cost to move from Los Angeles, California to Salt Lake City, Utah ranges from $2,488 to $3,176 if you are moving yourself and $3,176 to $4,553 if you are using a moving company. The moving distance from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City is 688 miles.
Is It Better to Hire Movers or Move Yourself?
Considering whether to hire a professional moving service or just do it yourself? Below, we break down the pros and cons of each option so you can make the best choice for your moving needs!
Hiring Professional Movers
Pros
Movers can help you pack: Full-service movers can save you time and effort by packing, loading, transporting, and unloading all of your belongings for you.
Supplies are often included: Many moving companies provide boxes, packing paper, mats, tape, and more either for free or a small fee with the cost of your move.
You avoid heavy lifting: Letting someone else pack and move your belongings saves you from potential injury and gives you time to coordinate the rest of your move.
Cons
It can be expensive: Between possible fees for moving supplies and additional service or mileage fees, your moving costs can add up quickly when you hire professional movers. Make sure to read through the moving quote that they provide to ensure you know exactly what is included and the services you are paying for.
Items can get damaged: There's always a chance that something could get damaged in the process. Even if you have moving insurance, it's still inconvenient to replace broken items.
You have less control: Depending on traffic and other deliveries the company is making, you may just get an estimate for which day your belongings will be delivered rather than an exact date.
Moving Yourself
Pros
It's typically less expensive: Moving van rentals are much less costly than full-service movers—and DIY moving can be even more affordable if you find and use free moving boxes!
You control your schedule: Moving by yourself gives you the freedom to move over many days in smaller, more manageable trips. You'll never have to worry about your items getting to your destination.
You can pack the way you like: When you pack your own things, you can organize and label everything the way you want, preventing items from getting temporarily lost or misplaced.
Cons
You do the heavy lifting: You may have heavy and bulky furniture that you can't carry by yourself, and moving all of those boxes alone can lead to a lot of soreness or even injury.
You're liable for damage: Moving insurance won't cover any broken or damaged belongings in a solo move, so it'll be up to you to replace your belongings out of pocket should something happen.
It can take longer: Getting settled in your new home takes time, and you could be using that time to coordinate other aspects of your setup instead of doing the moving yourself.
Price Ranges for Moving Yourself
Type of Move | # of Miles | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom | 5+ Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Local | 0-50 | $200 - $400 | $300 - $600 | $700 - $1,400 | $1,000 - $2,000 | $1,500 - $3,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
Long-Distance | 150-250 | $300 - $900 | $400 - $1,100 | $800 - $1,900 | $1,100 - $2,500 | $1,600 - $3,500 | $2,100 - $4,500 |
Cross-Country | 250-500 | $400 - $1,525 | $500 - $1,725 | $900 - $2,525 | $1,200 - $3,125 | $1,700 - $4,125 | $2,200 - $5,125 |
Cross-Country | 500-1000 | $650 - $2,775 | $750 - $2,975 | $1,150 - $3,775 | $1,450 - $4,375 | $1,950 - $5,375 | $2,450 - $6,375 |
Cross-Country | 1000-1500 | $1,150- $4,025 | $1,250 - $4,225 | $1,650 - $4,625 | $1,950 - $5,625 | $2,450 - $6,625 | $2,950 - $7,625 |
Cross-Country | 1500-2500 | $1,650 - $6,525 | $1,750 - $6,725 | $1,950 - $7,525 | $2,450 - $8,125 | $2,950 - $9,125 | $3,450 - $10,125 |
Price Ranges for Hiring A Moving Company
Type of Move | # of Miles | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom | 5+ Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Local | 0-50 | $200 - $400 | $300 - $600 | $700 - $1,400 | $1,000 - $2,000 | $1,500 - $3,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
Long-Distance | 150-250 | $500 - $1,400 | $600 - $1,600 | $1,000 - $2,400 | $1,300 - $3,000 | $1,800 - $4,000 | $2,300 - $5,000 |
Long-Distance | 250-500 | $800 - $2,650 | $900 - $2,850 | $1,300 - $3,650 | $1,600 - $4,250 | $2,100 - $5,250 | $2,600 - $6,250 |
Cross-Country | 500-1000 | $1,550 - $5,150 | $1,650 - $5,350 | $2,050 - $6,150 | $2,350 - $6,750 | $2,850 - $7,750 | $3,350 - $8,750 |
Cross-Country | 1000-1500 | $3,050 - $7,650 | $3,150 - $7,850 | $3,550 - $8,650 | $3,850 - $9,250 | $4,350 - $10,250 | $4,850 - $11,250 |
Cross-Country | 1500-2500 | $4,550 - $12,650 | $4,650 - $12,850 | $5,050 - $13,650 | $5,350 - $14,250 | $5,850 - $15,250 | $6,350 - $16,250 |
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