Moving is a huge decision, and the price you’ll pay to move is a small factor with a big price tag. But how much do movers cost? There are several factors that come into play when determining how much you’ll pay to move.

You can choose the best professional moving company for you, or simply pick up a moving truck and handle it yourself. The distance of your move will come into play as well; moving across the country will be significantly more expensive than moving across town.

In this article, we’ll help you figure out the average cost of movers, and what sort of moving assistance is right for you so that you can work through your moving budget and make it happen.

NOTE: The beginning half of 2021 has seen an unprecedented labor shortage as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with this, demand for drivers and trucky has skyrocketed. As a result, prices may be much higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both drivers and trucks. 

Average Cost of Movers

The national average cost of moving is about $1,400 with a range from $800 to $2,150. Note, however, that this price range is for a 2-person moving team completing a local move of less than 100 miles. For long-distance moves, the average cost of movers jumps to between $2,200 and $5,700. If you’ll be doing an out-of-state move, there are two things you’ll need to do when hiring a moving company:

• Ask if the company you’re considering completes long-distance moves (some don’t altogether, while others subcontract these jobs).
• Require that the company perform an in-person estimate (failing to complete this important step can leave you with an unhappy financial surprise on moving day).

Cost for Local Moves

If you’re moving from one town to another that’s relatively close, or even moving within the same town, your move is considered a short distance move. But that doesn’t mean you should underestimate the price tag. How much do movers cost for a local move? It depends on the size of your current home, the volume of items that you have and how large your team of movers will be.

Average Cost of Movers Per Hour

On average, movers charge between $25 to $50 per mover, per hour for local moves. So, a two-person team working for four hours will cost a minimum of $200 to $400, just for labor. But keep in mind that other expenses will be incurred as well, like transportation fees, materials and gas.

Below, we’ve included a table showing the average cost of movers (based only on the typical hourly rate of $50) for a short-distance move based on the number of bedrooms in your home.

Movers and Packers Cost

Hoping to outsource the less-than-glamorous task of packing up all your possessions? It’s possible to hire movers who will do your packing for you, but you’ll pay a premium for this type of service. The average movers and packers cost are typically determined by how much there is to pack, how heavy it is and how much packing materials are used. The average cost of movers, if you choose specialty moving services like full-service movers, can be $2,300 and up.

If you do choose this type of moving service, be aware that the moving company may pack up your belongings and hold them for a short period of time (a few days or weeks) before delivering and unloading. Therefore, you should pack items like clothing, medication and important documents yourself and keep these items with you.

Long-Distance Move Cost

Long-distance moves are much more complicated than short-distance moves. Your long-distance movers will have to factor in things like gas, tolls, lodging if the trip is more than one day and additional fees for drivers. Those costs will inevitably transfer to you, which will considerably increase the cost of the move.

The cost for a long-distance move can range from $600 to more than $10,000 depending on factors like the size and amount of your belongings and how long the move is.

Specialty Moving Services Cost

If your move includes large items like pianos, swing sets or animal pens, you’ll likely face an additional fee for these items. The average cost of movers for specialty services is between an additional $400 to $2,000.

Auto Moving and Shipping Cost

Long-distance moves often facilitate the need to have your car moved along with your possessions. If that’s the case, expect to pay an additional $1,000 per vehicle. This price should include the use of protective covering or wrapping to keep your car safe during the move.