Estimate the total cost to move between any two US cities — DIY, container, or full-service.
How Moving Costs Are Calculated
Three factors drive the price of any interstate or local move: the distance between your origin and destination, the weight or volume of your belongings (estimated from home size), and the service type you choose. A studio moving across town will land in the low hundreds; a 4-bedroom cross-country move with a full-service crew can clear $12,000.
Our estimator multiplies a federal-data baseline by both your origin and destination cost-of-living indices, since labor rates at the load and unload ends both affect your final bill. Pick a from-city and to-city above to get a range.
Rough rules of thumb
Local move (under 100 miles): $400 – $2,500 depending on home size and crew.
Cross-country (1,000+ miles): $4,000 – $15,000 for full-service.
DIY savings: 50–70% off full-service, in exchange for your time and labor.
Moving Cost FAQ
How accurate is this estimator?
Estimates use industry baseline rates (per pound, per mile, per labor hour) adjusted for your origin and destination cost-of-living indices. Actual quotes vary with season, mover availability, stairs, long carries, and shuttle requirements. Use this as a budgeting starting point, not a binding quote.
What's the cheapest way to move long-distance?
For most households, a portable container (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT) lands between DIY and full-service in price but spares you driving a 26-foot truck across the country. Pure DIY is cheapest only if you already own or can borrow towing equipment.
Should I tip movers?
Tipping is customary in the US but not mandatory. A common guideline is $4–$6 per mover per hour, or 5–10% of the total bill split among the crew. Cash is preferred. Budget for it separately — it's rarely included in quotes.
When are moving costs lowest?
Mid-September through mid-May is the off-season. Mid-month and mid-week dates (Tuesday–Thursday, 10th–20th of the month) are cheaper than weekends and the start/end of the month. Avoid Memorial Day through Labor Day for the lowest rates.