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Moving Cost Calculator

Planning a move? Get an instant, honest estimate of what your move will really cost — compare DIY truck rental against full-service movers with a line-by-line breakdown in USD.

Bigger homes mean more crew hours and a larger truck.
Full-service covers loading, driving, and unloading. DIY means you drive the rental truck yourself.
One-way distance between your old and new address.
Used to price full-value insurance. Most 2-bedroom homes land between $15,000 and $30,000.
Add-on services
Estimated cost — full-service movers
$0 – $0
Typical market range for your move details (low to high bids)
Movers labor$0.00
Travel and fuel$0.00
Packing supplies$0.00
Add-on extras$0.00
Midpoint estimate$0
DIY truck rental
$0
Full-service movers
$0
100% private

Everything runs in your browser. Your move details never leave your device.

No signup

Use the calculator instantly — no account, no email, no hassle.

Free forever

Unlimited estimates with no paywalls and no trial periods.

How to use the moving cost calculator

  1. 1Pick your home size

    Select from studio to 5-bedroom. This sets the crew hours, truck size, and supply costs behind the estimate.

  2. 2Choose the move type and distance

    Compare full-service movers against a DIY truck rental, then enter your one-way distance in miles.

  3. 3Add optional extras

    Tick packing service, a month of storage, or full-value insurance to see how each one changes your total.

  4. 4Read your estimate

    Get a realistic low-to-high cost range plus a line-by-line breakdown, and see how DIY compares to hiring pros.

Why use this moving cost calculator

Instant, realistic estimates

Get a low-to-high range in seconds — not a vague "starting at" number that doubles when the truck shows up.

DIY vs pro side by side

See both options priced for your exact move, so you can decide if your time is worth the savings.

Real US market math

Built on typical American mover rates: around $165 per crew-hour, realistic truck rental fees, and per-mile costs.

Line-by-line breakdown

Labor, travel and fuel, supplies, and extras are itemized so you can spot where the money goes.

Add-ons priced in

Packing service, storage, and full-value insurance are optional but honest — no surprise fees on moving day.

Works on your phone

Get quotes while you walk through your home or stand at a rental counter. Fully mobile friendly.

Moving cost FAQs

How much does it cost to hire movers for a local move?
A local move (under 100 miles) typically costs $800 to $2,500 depending on home size. A studio or 1-bedroom usually lands around $500 to $1,000, while a 3-bedroom local move commonly runs $1,500 to $2,500 with a professional crew.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
Renting a truck yourself is almost always cheaper — often 50% to 70% less than full-service movers. The trade-off is your time and labor: you pack, load, drive, and unload everything yourself, and you carry the risk of damage.
How are long-distance moving costs calculated?
Long-distance movers (over 100 miles) usually charge based on shipment weight or volume plus mileage, often with a minimum charge. Expect roughly $2,500 to $5,000 for a 2-bedroom cross-country move, and $4,000 to $10,000+ for larger homes going coast to coast.
How much should I tip movers?
A common guideline is $20 to $40 per mover for a half-day job and $40 to $60 per mover for a full day, more for difficult moves. Tipping is optional but customary for good service in the US.
When is the cheapest time to move?
Mid-month weekdays between October and April are cheapest, when demand is lowest. Summer weekends and the first and last days of the month are the most expensive. Booking 4 to 8 weeks ahead also locks in better rates.
What does moving insurance actually cover?
Federal law includes free "released value" coverage of just 60 cents per pound per item — that means a damaged 50-pound TV pays out only $30. Full-value protection (about 1% to 1.5% of your declared value) requires the mover to repair, replace, or pay the current value of anything lost or damaged.
How far in advance should I book movers?
Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead for a local move and 8 to 12 weeks ahead for a long-distance move, especially between May and September. Last-minute bookings cost more and leave you with fewer reputable companies to choose from.

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