A local move with professional movers typically costs $500 to $2,500, while a long-distance move of a 2 to 3 bedroom home often runs $3,000 to $7,000. Doing it yourself with a rental truck can cut that by half or more if you have the time and helpers.
Enter your home size, distance and how you want to move. The calculator prices your move line by line and shows the same move done the other two ways, so you can see what the convenience of movers actually costs.
Moving Cost Calculator
Compare full-service movers, a portable container and a rental truck for your move, with packing, storage and extras included.
| Item | Typical | Range |
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| Method | Typical | Range |
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Estimates use 2026 national moving data: local crews bill about $100 to $500 an hour depending on crew size, and long-distance moves are priced by weight and miles. Get at least three in-home or video estimates, and be wary of any long-distance mover that will not give you a written binding or not-to-exceed quote.
Average moving costs by home size
| Home size | Local movers | 500 to 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | $340 to $460 | $1,845 to $4,020 |
| 2 to 3 bedrooms | $725 to $1,625 | $3,060 to $5,280 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,860 | $3,580 to $7,220 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,850 | $4,115 to $8,305 |
Ways to cut the cost
- Move off-peak. Weekdays from October to April are cheaper and easier to book.
- Declutter first. Long-distance moves are priced by weight.
- Pack yourself and save $250 to $2,000 on professional packing.
- Get three written estimates based on an in-home or video survey.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom house?
Locally, expect about $1,100 to $2,400 with movers. Long distance, a 3 bedroom move usually costs about $3,000 to $7,000 depending on miles and weight.
Is a portable container cheaper than movers?
Usually yes for long-distance moves, often 30 to 50 percent less, because you do the loading. Locally the savings are smaller.
How much should I tip movers?
A common guideline is $20 to $40 per mover for a half-day job and $40 to $60 for a full day, or 5 to 10 percent of the bill for a long-distance move.
What is full value protection?
By law, interstate movers must offer basic coverage of only 60 cents per pound per item. Full value protection costs extra but makes the mover repair or replace damaged items at current value.
More free calculators
How this calculator works: local costs use 2026 average crew rates and hours by home size, and long-distance costs use 2026 averages by distance band and home size. Container and truck figures scale with home size and miles. Figures are estimates as of October 2026, not a mover quote. See our disclaimer.
