2026 Moving Prices: Everything on the Table
How much do movers cost in 2026? A local move costs $400 to $6,000 depending on home size. A 2-bedroom apartment averages $800 to $1,600, and hourly rates run $120 to $180 for two movers and a truck. Long-distance moves start around $1,200. Updated August 2026, based on U.S. market rates.
Local moving costs by home size
For local moves (under 50 miles), the biggest price driver is simply how much stuff you have. Here's what a full-service local move costs in 2026, with crew, truck, furniture wrapping, and basic disassembly included.
| Home size | Price range | Typical crew & time |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $400–$800 | 2 movers · 3–5 hours |
| 1-bedroom | $500–$1,000 | 2 movers · 4–6 hours |
| 2-bedroom | $800–$1,600 | 3 movers · 5–7 hours |
| 3-bedroom | $1,500–$2,800 | 3–4 movers · 6–9 hours |
| 4-bedroom | $2,200–$4,500 | 4 movers · full day |
| Large house (5+ BR) | $3,000–$6,000+ | 4–6 movers · full day+ |
Prefer hourly? Typical 2026 hourly rates: 2 movers + truck $120–$180/hr · 3 movers $160–$240/hr · 4 movers $200–$300/hr. We'll quote it flat either way.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance moves are priced by your inventory and the distance, not the clock. These are typical flat-quote ranges for a 2–3 bedroom home in 2026.
| Distance | Price range | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 50–250 miles | $1,200–$2,500 | City to city, same region |
| 250–1,000 miles | $2,000–$4,500 | A state or two over |
| Cross-country (1,000+ miles) | $3,500–$7,500+ | Coast to coast |
Every long-distance quote is flat and all-in: fuel, tolls, loading, unloading, and a real delivery window.
Specialty & single-item moving costs
Just one big thing? Pianos, safes, pool tables, and single large items are each priced on their own. Here are the 2026 ranges.
| Item | Price range | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Single item (couch, fridge, mattress) | $150–$450 | Often same-day |
| Upright piano | $300–$600 | Specialty dollies + trained crew |
| Grand piano | $500–$1,200 | Disassembled, crated, padded |
| Safe | Custom quote | Priced by weight; text us a photo |
| Pool table | $350–$700 | Disassembly & leveling included |
| Hoisting (too big for the stairs) | $400–$900 | Through the window or balcony |
Add-on services & extras
Want us to do more of the work? Every add-on is priced up front and included in your written quote.
| Service | Price range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Disassembly & reassembly | $150–$400 | Beds, wardrobes, bunk beds, flat-pack furniture |
| Full packing service | +15%–25% | Or $60–$80/hr per packer · boxes $2–$5 each |
| Storage | $100–$400/month | By unit size; clean, dry, secure |
| Junk haul-away on move day | $150–$500 | Old couch out in the same trip |
What affects the price of a move?
Seven things decide what your move costs: how much stuff you have, how hard it is to get it out and in, how far it's going, when you're going, and what extras you want. Here's the full list, in order of impact:
- Home size & inventory. More stuff means a bigger crew, a bigger truck, and more hours. This is the biggest factor by far.
- Stairs & elevator access. A fourth-floor walk-up takes real muscle and real time. Elevators (especially reservable ones) keep costs down.
- Distance. Local moves are priced by size; long-distance moves are priced by inventory plus miles.
- Your move date. Mid-week and mid-month moves run 15% to 20% cheaper. The last week of the month, weekends, and the May to September summer peak all cost more.
- Packing. Full packing adds roughly 15% to 25% but saves you days of packing boxes yourself.
- Specialty items. Pianos, safes, pool tables, and anything that needs hoisting each add their own line item.
- Parking & access. A loading dock at the door is cheap; a truck parked half a block away with a long carry is not.
How to save money on your move
Six things that reliably shrink the bill:
- Move mid-week, mid-month. Tuesday the 14th beats Saturday the 31st by 15% to 20%, every time.
- Declutter first. Every box you don't move is money saved. Sell it, donate it, or let us haul it away, but don't pay to move it twice.
- Pack the easy stuff yourself. Books, clothes, and linens are beginner-friendly. Leave the dishes and the TV to us.
- Disassemble simple furniture ahead of time. Every bed frame you break down is crew time you don't pay for.
- Get the flat quote in writing. A locked number beats an hourly guess, and slow elevators become our problem instead of yours.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead. Booking early gets the best dates and the best rates. Last-minute moves work too, but peak dates cost more.
Moving cost FAQ
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Do movers charge for travel time?
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Want your exact number?
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