Moving Cost Calculator

Moving Cost Calculator

Does a big move have you feeling overwhelmed? We get it. Moving can be stressful for anyone, whether you’re finding a new apartment or moving states away. But here’s a helpful hint: moving is less hectic when you’re financially prepared. Starting the process with a well-calculated budget and an accurate moving quote will save countless headaches along the way.

Understanding Moving Cost Estimates

The cost of your next move will vary depending on several factors. The distance, house size, and moving services you include in your moving plan will have the biggest impact on the total cost. However, other outside factors like the time of year or day of the week can also cause fluctuations in price.

To cut costs, you'll want to start by downsizing. Most professional moving companies charge by the pound. Donating, recycling and getting rid of heavier items can help you save on your per-pound rate.

Spring and summer are considered peak seasons. If you're flexible, consider planning your move during the winter or fall. Relocating on a weekday can also have cost-saving advantages.

While hiring moving companies can come with a higher upfront cost, you'll likely save money and time hiring professional movers. The estimates will include all moving factors. The estimates also include fuel surcharges, labor, and transportation. Knowing the upfront costs before can also help you plan and budget more effectively.

Below is an estimate of what you can expect to pay for a local, long-distance, or cross-country relocation. Use our free online moving calculator for an accurate breakdown of expenses.

How Much Do Movers Cost? Estimates by Distance and Bedrooms

The bigger the home, the more you can expect to pay for your upcoming moving expenses. On average, moving out of a one-bedroom apartment or condo tends to be more affordable than moving out of a four or five-bedroom home. 

Most moves over 400 miles also have more fuel costs and transportation fees associated with the pricing. The best way to save on moving expenses is to downsize before you relocate.

Below are estimates of what you can expect to pay depending on how you're moving to or from and the size of your home. Use our moving calculator for an accurate breakdown of expenses.

How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Moving costs vary from one move to the next. While each move involves dozens of potential variables, there are a few fundamental factors that will always influence your cost of moving:

• Distance: Costs rise the further you travel.
• Load size: A larger load (like a four-bedroom house) will be more expensive than a small one (like a studio apartment).
• Job complexity: If the moving process is more risky or requires more time and effort (for example, if your items require custom boxes or special handling tools), the cost will increase. 
• Time of year: If you move during peak season (summer is the most common choice), prepare for higher costs due to increased demand.
• Moving date: It's more affordable to move in the middle of the month than at the beginning or end of the month, and it gets even cheaper if you move in the middle of the week.
• Liability coverage: If you work with professional movers, you’ll get some basic liability coverage for your items, but you can pay more to enjoy full-value protection of your items. This means if something breaks, the company refunds the total value of your item.
• Packing: If you hire professional movers to pack your belongings, expect additional costs based on the number of items, packing materials used, and the complexity of the job. Fragile or specialty items may require custom packing, increasing the total price. North American Van Lines offers a precise Packing Cost Calculator to ease your moving process.

After outlining all possible costs, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,500 to over $10,000, depending on the distance and size of the load.

Here are some examples:

• The typical cost of moving from a small one-bedroom apartment (about 2,000 lbs moving weight ) will be $1,500 if the distance is only a few hundred miles. When moving across the country, this cost could go upwards of $4,500.
• The average cost of moving from a 2–3 bedroom house with approximately 5,000 lbs moving weight comes to about $2,700, but could go beyond $7,000 if you're moving long-distance.
• For families with a large load, say an average of 7,400 lbs moving weight for a 2 –3 bedroom house, the cost of moving locally is about $3,800, or upwards of $5,300 for a long-distance move.

Interstate vs. Intrastate Moving Costs: What’s the Difference?

An interstate move is a move from one state to another, while an intrastate move refers to a move within a specific state. The cost of an interstate move is typically between $1,800 and $13,900. The actual price will depend on the size of your home and the overall distance. For example, a move from California to Maine will be significantly more than a move from Illinois to Ohio.

The typical cost for an interstate move is $2,200 to $16,900. Intrastate moves tend to be more affordable, mainly because the distance is shorter. However, moving from Northern California to Southern California can be just as expensive as moving from New York to New Jersey.

What’s the Cost of Hiring Local Movers?

The average cost of a local move varies from $800 to $2,500. Local moving costs may fluctuate depending on home size, the weight of your belongings and services added to your plan. The cost of moving a five-bedroom home to a new neighborhood will be more expensive than moving into an apartment or condo. 

Local relocations are typically more affordable because they involve fewer transportation costs. There are shorter travel distances, and the movers don't have to work as many hours.

What’s the Cost of Hiring Long-Distance Movers?

The average cost of hiring movers for a long-distance move is around $2,500 to $10,000. Long-distance relocations require more resources than local or interstate moves. You can expect to pay more because there are more transportation costs and movers tend to work longer hours. 

Long-distance moves can get expensive, especially with larger homes. Most moving companies charge by the weight of the item. When using a moving costs estimator, it’s important to be honest about the number of items and the weight, for an accurate breakdown of expenses. To save on your moving costs, consider downsizing before relocating. You can also consider moving some of your belongings with a portable storage container. 

Is Hiring Movers Worth It Compared to DIY Moving?

So, is hiring movers worth it? The short answer is yes. While a moving estimate for hiring movers may seem expensive at first glance, the cost tends to be more manageable and easier to predict than a DIY move. Once you receive a quote for your moving costs, you'll know exactly how much you'll need to pay. This way, you can budget and plan accordingly.

You also can't put a price on peace of mind. Movers are fully insured and certified, so if anything breaks or someone gets hurt, everything will be covered. You can also add more coverage if necessary. This will provide you with more reassurance and ensure your belongings are safe and secure during the journey.

Popular Moving Routes

Trends in the U.S. indicate that some routes are more popular than others. Whether it's for job opportunities, better weather, or a lower cost of living, people are packing up and heading to new states all the time. Here are some of the busiest state-to-state moving routes:

Additional Costs of Moving

Many people make the mistake of underestimating their moving costs by assuming they only need to consider the cost of the truck and the movers’ hourly rates. Neglecting these lesser-known expenses can cause unpleasant surprises when you receive your final quote:

• Cost of moving special items: Motorcycles, pianos, safes, pool tables, and other bulky items can be more expensive to move because of their weight.
• Unpacking services fees: Movers typically transport your items and leave them for you to unbox on your own time, but most are happy to unpack them for you for an additional cost.
• Elevator fees: You may have to pay the movers extra if your new residence has a narrow elevator that will increase the number of trips. Some companies also charge extra if the elevator ride is lengthy.
• Stair carry fees: Similarly, most companies charge stair carry fees for each additional staircase after the first one. The cost of this can rack up, especially if the load is large and there are many staircases.
• Storage fees: If you’re moving long-distance or your new home isn’t quite ready yet, factor long- or short-term storage options into your budget. 
• Stops: Most moving companies expect to make a one-way trip without any stops. If you need to make a detour to a storage unit or a relative's house, the movers may charge an additional fee.
• Tips: Moving is a tiring job, so tips are always appreciated to show you value the movers’ hard work. The amount typically depends on the work it takes to move.

Tips to Bring Down Moving Costs

Want to make your move without breaking the bank? Here are some ways to bring down your moving costs:

• Downsize: Sort through your property and identify items you can trash, donate or sell. This reduces your moving weight and brings down the cost of moving. 
• Borrow packaging supplies: Free packing supplies could save you hundreds of dollars in expenses. Ask around to see if friends and family have any boxes, tape or packing paper they’re willing to donate to your move.
• Book early: Book moving services 90 days in advance, if possible. If you wait till the last minute, the mover may charge you high prices or , worse still, not be available at all.
• Take up the DIY alternative: Many moving companies offer Do-It-Yourself options. Instead of hiring professionals to pack and move your belongings, you can simply purchase moving containers or rent a truck. This option is much cheaper, but requires some heavy lifting on your part.
• Get multiple quotes: Moving companies’ prices differ, sometimes by significant amounts. Don't just settle for the first mover you find. Consider at least three price estimates and weigh between them. 

When you prepare for your next move, begin the process with the North American Van Lines estimated relocation cost calculator for an accurate assessment based on your moving needs. Getting started is easy: Just enter where you’re moving from and where you’re moving to!

Frequently Asked Questions