Moving Cost Calculator
Planning a move without a budget is a recipe for sticker shock. Professional movers charge by the hour for local moves and by weight and distance for long-distance relocations, with truck rental, packing supplies, and tips adding to the total. This calculator provides a cost estimate based on your move distance, home size, number of movers, estimated hours, and hourly labor rate. Enter the distance in miles and the calculator automatically suggests a flat truck rental estimate for your distance band (under 50 miles, 50 to 250 miles, 250 to 500 miles, or 500 miles and over). These truck estimates are rough planning figures only, not quotes. Labor cost is calculated as movers multiplied by hours multiplied by the hourly rate per mover. The output shows a cost range with a low estimate (truck rental at 80% of the estimate) and a high estimate (truck rental at 120%), reflecting real-world price variability. Use this tool to set a moving budget before requesting quotes from licensed moving companies. For a long-distance interstate move, always obtain at least three binding quotes from FMCSA-licensed carriers.
Labor: -- | Truck estimate: -- | Total range: --
Truck rental estimates are planning guides only. Actual costs depend on your carrier, move date, and truck size. Obtain quotes from licensed movers for accurate pricing.
How moving costs are calculated
For local moves, professional movers charge an hourly rate per mover. A two-mover team costs roughly twice the per-mover rate and covers most small to medium moves. Larger homes and heavier furniture benefit from three or four movers, which can reduce total hours enough to offset the higher per-hour cost. The labor cost formula is simply: number of movers multiplied by estimated hours multiplied by the hourly rate per mover.
Truck rental costs are flat estimates by distance band in this calculator. Real-world truck costs depend on the rental company, truck size (10-foot, 15-foot, 20-foot, or 26-foot), one-way versus round-trip rental, season, and fuel prices. The estimates here bracket typical costs: your actual quote may fall anywhere in the range or outside it.
Suggested hours by home size
| Home size | Suggested hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 3 hrs | Minimal furniture, few boxes |
| 1 Bedroom | 4 hrs | Typical single-person apartment |
| 2 Bedroom | 6 hrs | Couple or small family |
| 3 Bedroom | 8 hrs | Family home with full furniture |
| 4+ Bedroom | 10 hrs | Large home; may require two trips |
These are starting-point estimates. Add time for stairs, long carry distances, disassembly, or a large number of boxes. Subtract time if you pre-pack and stage everything at the door.
Moving cost calculator: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move locally?
Local moves (typically under 50 miles) are usually priced by the hour. A two-mover team commonly runs $80 to $120 per hour, while three or four movers cost more per hour but may finish faster. A local move for a one-bedroom apartment might take 3 to 5 hours, putting total labor in the range of $240 to $600. Adding a truck rental (often $50 to $150 for local use) and supplies (boxes, tape, padding) typically brings the total to $300 to $1,000 for small local moves.
How much does a long-distance move cost?
Long-distance moves (over 100 miles) are priced by weight and distance rather than hourly labor. Costs vary enormously: a studio or one-bedroom apartment moved 500 miles might run $1,500 to $3,000, while a larger home moved across the country can cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more. The calculator provides a rough estimate based on labor and truck rental; for a precise quote, contact at least three licensed interstate movers.
Do I need to tip movers?
Tipping movers is customary but not required. A common guideline is $20 to $50 per mover for a local move, or $50 to $100 per mover for a long-distance or particularly demanding move. Tip in cash at the end of the job. For larger moves, some people tip 5% to 10% of the total move cost. Always tip based on the quality of service and difficulty of the job.
What does a moving truck rental cost?
Rental truck costs vary by company, truck size, distance, and season. For local moves, rental companies often charge a base daily rate ($20 to $50) plus a per-mile fee ($0.59 to $1.00 per mile). For one-way long-distance moves, expect to pay $200 to $1,500 or more depending on distance and truck size. Fuel is an additional cost: larger trucks typically get 6 to 10 miles per gallon. The estimates in this calculator are rough guides for planning purposes.
How do I reduce moving costs?
Move during off-peak times (mid-week, mid-month, winter months outside December) when moving companies and truck rental agencies often charge less. Declutter before moving to reduce the volume of belongings. Pack yourself rather than paying for packing services. Get at least three quotes from licensed movers. Recruit friends and family to help, providing food and drinks as compensation. Rent a portable container if a full-service move is too expensive.
References
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), "Protect Your Move," fmcsa.dot.gov
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. All cost figures are rough estimates for budgeting purposes. Obtain binding quotes from licensed movers before committing. See our methodology.