How much will your move actually cost?
An instant, no-signup moving cost estimate. Just your home size and distance — no phone number, no email, no calls from movers.
No email. No phone number. No calls from movers. Just a number.
Why moving cost calculators usually cost you your phone number
Search for a "moving cost calculator" and almost every result works the same way: you enter your name, phone number, email, and the addresses you're moving from and to — and only then does it show you a number. In practice, that number is often secondary to the real product, which is your contact information. Many of these sites are lead-generation funnels that pass your details on to networks of moving companies, which is why people who use them report a wave of calls and texts from movers they never actually contacted.
That trade-off makes sense for the businesses running those calculators, but it's a bad deal if you just want a ballpark number to plan a budget. This tool exists to fill that specific gap: an estimate you can get in a few seconds, using only your home size and the distance of your move, with nothing collected and nothing sold.
How the estimate is calculated
The calculator uses two different pricing models depending on your move, mirroring how the moving industry actually prices jobs:
- Local moves (under 100 miles) are priced hourly. The estimate factors in typical crew size for your home size, average hourly labor rates, and a flat truck fee.
- Long-distance moves (100+ miles) are priced by weight and distance, similar to how interstate movers calculate binding estimates — heavier shipments and longer distances cost more, with an industry-standard minimum charge applied to short/light long-distance moves.
Home size is used as a stand-in for the total weight of your belongings, since that's the single biggest driver of cost in both pricing models — a studio apartment and a 4-bedroom house require very different amounts of labor and truck space, even over the same distance. Optional packing service adds an industry-typical per-pound rate on top.
Every estimate is shown as a range, not a single number, because real quotes vary by mover, season, building access (stairs, elevators, long carries from the truck), and exactly how much you own. Think of this as the number to have in mind before you start calling movers for real quotes — not a replacement for one.
DIY truck rental vs. full-service movers
Alongside the full-service estimate, the calculator shows a rough DIY cost — renting a truck and doing the move yourself. It's almost always the cheaper option in raw dollars, sometimes by half or more, but it doesn't account for your own time, physical effort, or the risk of driving a large rental truck if you're not used to it. Seeing both numbers side by side is meant to make that trade-off concrete rather than abstract.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a 2 bedroom apartment?+
A local move (under 100 miles) for a 2 bedroom apartment typically runs $800–$1,500 with professional movers, depending on labor rates and how many hours the move takes. A long-distance 2 bedroom move can range from $1,800 to $4,500+ depending on distance.
How much does a long-distance move cost per mile?+
Long-distance movers generally price by the weight of your belongings and the distance traveled, not a flat per-mile rate. As a rough guide, expect $0.50-$0.90 per pound once distance surcharges are factored in, which is why our calculator asks for home size (a proxy for weight) rather than just miles.
Is it cheaper to hire movers or rent a truck myself?+
Renting a truck and doing the move yourself is almost always cheaper in direct cost — often 50-70% less than full-service movers — but it does not include your own labor, time off work, or the physical effort of loading and driving. Our calculator shows both numbers side by side so you can weigh the trade-off.
Do I have to give my phone number to get a moving cost estimate?+
No. Unlike most moving cost calculators, this tool doesn't ask for your name, phone number, or email. Many moving-quote sites are lead-generation forms that sell your contact details to mover networks, which is why you start getting calls and texts right after using them. This calculator only asks for your home size and distance, and never sends that anywhere.
What is the average cost of movers for a local move?+
Local moves (under 100 miles) are typically billed hourly. For a studio or 1-bedroom, expect $300-$700. For a 2-3 bedroom home, $800-$2,000. Larger homes with 4+ bedrooms often run $2,000-$3,500, mainly driven by the number of movers and hours needed.
How much should I budget for packing services?+
Full packing service (movers pack everything for you) typically adds 15-20% of your total shipment weight cost, roughly $0.20 per pound of belongings. For a 2 bedroom home (~5,000 lbs), that's usually an extra $800-$1,200 on top of the base move cost.