🏠 Trusted Moving Cost Estimator

Plan Your Move.
Know Your Exact Cost
Before Moving Day.

Whether you're moving across town or across the country, our free moving cost calculator gives you an instant, accurate estimate — plus expert tips to save money and reduce stress.

Calculate My Move → How It Works

Free Tool

Moving Cost Calculator

Fill in the details below for an instant cost estimate. No sign-up required.

Move Type

Home Size

Distance (miles)

Moving Month

Number of Floors

Add-On Services

📦 Full Packing Service 🏬 Temporary Storage 🎹 Piano / Heavy Items 🛡️ Full Value Insurance 🔧 Furniture Disassembly 🧹 Cleaning Service

Estimated Moving Cost

Enter your details and click Calculate

Base moving rate —

Distance charge —

Add-on services —

Season adjustment —

*Estimates are approximate and may vary. Get multiple quotes for accuracy.

💡 Money-Saving Tips

Book your movers 6–8 weeks in advance
Move mid-week to avoid weekend surcharges
Declutter before the move to reduce volume
Compare at least 3 moving company quotes

Simple Process

How It Works

Plan your move in three easy steps — no hidden fees, no guessing.

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Enter Your Details

Tell us your move type, home size, distance, and any extra services you need. Our form is quick and simple.

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Get Your Estimate

Receive an instant, itemized cost breakdown covering base rates, distance, season, and all your selected add-ons.

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Plan & Move

Use our tips and checklist to stay organized. Compare quotes from local movers and move with total confidence.

What We Cover

Our Moving Services

Whether you're moving next door or across the country, we have cost data and planning tools for every scenario.

Local Moving

Moves within the same city or up to 50 miles. Typically charged by hourly rate with a minimum number of hours.

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Hourly pricing from $80–$150/hr for 2 movers + truck

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Studio to 1-bed: typically 3–5 hours ($240–$750)

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2-3 bed: typically 5–8 hours ($400–$1,200)

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No fuel surcharges for short distances

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Easier to schedule same-week availability

Get Local Estimate →

Intercity Moving

Moves between cities or across state lines, from 50 to 3,000+ miles. Priced by weight and mileage.

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Priced by weight × distance ($/cwt per mile)

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50–500 miles: avg $1,000–$3,000 for 2-bed

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500–1,500 miles: avg $2,500–$5,500

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1,500+ miles: avg $4,000–$10,000+

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Binding vs non-binding estimates explained

Get Intercity Estimate →

Long Distance Moving

Moves 500+ miles. Coast-to-coast or across regions. Priced by weight, distance, and home size.

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500–1,000 miles: often $2,500–$5,000

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1,000–2,000 miles: often $4,000–$7,000

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2,000+ miles: often $6,000–$12,000+

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Book 6–8 weeks ahead during peak season

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Different crew for loading vs delivery possible

Get Long Distance Estimate →

Packing & Full Service

Professional packing, fragile handling, disassembly, and complete white-glove service. Let the pros handle every detail.

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Full-service packing: $400–$1,500+ depending on home size

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Partial packing: kitchen, fragile, specialty items

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Materials (boxes, tape, wrap) usually included

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Room-by-room packing with labels

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Disassembly, piano, antiques add-ons available

Estimate Packing Costs →

Expert Advice

Moving Tips & Checklist

Follow these proven strategies to make your move smoother, faster, and more affordable. From 8 weeks out to moving day.

📅 8-Week Plan

✅ 40+ Tips

💵 Cost-Saving

📦 Packing Strategies

Start packing non-essentials 6–8 weeks before your move
Use color-coded labels for each room to speed up unpacking
Pack heavy items (books, tools) in small boxes
Wrap fragile items in clothing or towels to save on bubble wrap
Take photos of electronics wiring before disconnecting

💰 Saving Money on Your Move

Move in the middle of the month — prices are lower than month-end
Move mid-week (Tue–Thu) instead of weekends for discounts
Get at least 3 binding quotes before choosing a mover
Sell or donate large furniture instead of paying to move it
Ask your employer about relocation reimbursement benefits

📋 Pre-Move Admin Checklist

Change your address with USPS at least 2 weeks in advance
Notify your bank, employer, and subscriptions of new address
Transfer or cancel local services: gym, library, utilities
Update your driver's license within 30 days of arrival
Research schools, hospitals, and services in your new area

🚚 Moving Day Preparation

Confirm your mover's arrival time the night before
Keep an "essentials box" accessible: toiletries, snacks, chargers
Protect floors and walls with moving blankets or cardboard
Do a final walk-through of every room and closet
Read and sign the Bill of Lading carefully before movers leave

🏠 Settling Into Your New Home

Change locks and garage codes before you move in
Test all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and appliances
Prioritize setting up: bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen first
Locate main water shut-off and breaker box immediately
Introduce yourself to neighbors — a good first impression pays off

Real Movers

What Our Users Say

Thousands of families have used MovingCostPlanner to budget and plan smarter moves.

"The calculator was spot-on! We budgeted $1,800 for our 2-bed local move and ended up paying $1,750. Saved us from the stress of unexpected costs."

Jessica L.

📍 Austin, TX — Local Move

"Moving from Chicago to Denver seemed overwhelming. The intercity cost guide explained everything clearly and I saved nearly $600 by moving off-peak."

Marcus R.

📍 Chicago → Denver — Intercity

"The packing checklist alone was worth it. No more forgetting things. The add-ons section helped us decide whether the piano move was worth the extra cost."

Sarah K.

📍 Miami, FL — Local Move

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about moving costs, planning timelines, and how our calculator works.

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Average local move cost in the US (2024)

$4,300

Average long-distance move cost (2024)

How much does a local move cost?

Local moves typically cost $300–$1,500 for a 1–3 bedroom home. Most local movers charge an hourly rate of $80–$150 for a 2-person crew with a truck. Factors like floor count, heavy items, and distance within the city will affect the total.

What is the average cost of an intercity move?

Intercity moves range from $1,000 to $5,000+ depending on distance and home size. Cross-country moves can reach $10,000 or more for larger homes. Long-distance moves are priced by the weight of your belongings and total mileage.

How far in advance should I book movers?

We recommend booking 4–8 weeks in advance, especially during peak season (May–September). For off-peak months you may find availability 1–2 weeks out, but last-minute bookings carry higher rates and fewer choices.

What factors affect my moving cost?

The main factors are: distance, home size, volume/weight of belongings, number of stairs/floors, special items (pianos, safes), packing services, time of year, and additional insurance. Our calculator accounts for all of these.

Is it cheaper to move during winter?

Yes! Moving between October and April (off-peak season) can save you 15–25% compared to summer rates. Additionally, moving mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) vs. weekends can further reduce your bill.

Should I tip my movers?

Tipping is customary but not required. A common guideline is $20–$50 per mover per day for local moves, or 5–10% of the total bill for long-distance moves. Tip more for exceptional service, extra-heavy loads, or stairs.

Moving Resources