Moving is right up there on the list of things nobody loves doing, along with going to the DMV, mowing the lawn, and cleaning out the inside of the fridge. If you’re planning an upcoming move, you might be tempted to hire a moving company to literally shoulder the burden of moving your household. How much will booking a moving company cost you? In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of movers.

We’ll also dig into the factors that can impact the average moving cost, like the moving distance or special moving services you might need. 

The Average Cost To Move

Of course, every move is different, but knowing the average cost of relocation can help you begin to budget for your upcoming move or decide if hiring movers is right for you. According to Forbes.com, the average cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home locally is $1,250. 

By the hour, the average cost of movers is $38 to $75. Keep in mind that this only covers labor — not fuel, truck, and supply costs. In most cases, movers work in pairs, so you’ll pay a double hourly rate. 

Want to get a little more granular? Moving.com breaks down local average moving expenses by house size:

  • Studio or one-bedroom apartment: $501 to $985
  • Two to three bedrooms: $966 to $1,733
  • Four to five bedrooms: $1,941 to $2,988

Be aware that the average cost to move is just that: an average. Many factors will ultimately decide the true cost of your move. 

Factors That Affect Average Moving Expenses

Some of the major factors that affect the average cost of movers include:

The Distance of Your Move

Planning to move out of state or across the country? You’ll be looking at much higher costs. According to Moving.com, you’ll need to shell out an average of $4,890 to move a two- to three-bedroom home a distance of 1,000 miles. The farther the move, the greater the costs. 

The Size of Your Move

The more items you need to move, the more time and effort the moving company will require to complete the project. That’s why the average cost of moving a one-bedroom apartment is $424, while the cost of moving a five-bedroom home is $3,180. (These estimates are for a local move.) 

Add-On Services

If you need to relocate fast or if you simply hate everything to do with moving, you can pay most moving companies to take on more moving-related tasks. Some of the most common add-on services include packing, assembling furniture, reassembling furniture, and unpacking a household.

Moving Specialty Items

Can’t move without your grand piano, child’s swing set, or your chicken coop? You’ll almost certainly pay extra if your movers need to pack up and haul bulky, heavy, or fragile items. According to Forbes, some moving companies will also move your vehicles for you, though you can expect a fee of around $1,000 per vehicle.

When You Move

The timing of your move can impact the average cost of relocation. It shouldn’t be surprising that many people prefer to move on the weekend, but there are only so many weekends in a year. You may also pay more if you book your move during peak season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

If you want to save money and have some flexibility, try to target a move for mid-week and mid-month. Try to move outside of the summer season and avoid the holidays. (If you have to move during the holidays, here are some tips.)

Are Professional Movers Worth It?

Only you can decide if professional movers are worth the cost. A lot will depend on your budget and your tolerance for dealing with a move on your own. 

Movers do offer some big benefits, such as:

  • They can save you significant time, especially if you hire full-service movers who will pack and unpack for you.
  • They can reduce the stress of your move by taking the most difficult aspects of moving off your shoulders. (A moving checklist can also help reduce your stress.)
  • They may be necessary if you are physically unable to move heavy boxes and objects on your own.
  • They can better protect your possessions by using packing best practices.

That said, you may save a significant amount of money by doing the move yourself with the help of a few friends and a hired or borrowed truck. Forbes estimates that the cost of moving yourself will range from $150 to $250 for a local move and $1,550 to $2,350 for a long-distance move.

You can also choose a hybrid option by working with a company that delivers a container to your location. You can fill the container in your own time, and the company will then move the container to your destination. Costs generally include a monthly fee for the container and a fee for each pick-up.

Do You Need a Storage Unit During Your Move?

While you plan your move, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. First, if you haven’t found a home in your next location, you may need to store the bulk of your items until you have settled on a new property. Next, if you’re moving to downsize, a storage unit can allow you to keep valuable possessions that won’t fit in your new home.

Finally, a storage unit can help you save on your moving costs. Remember, one large factor in the average cost of movers is the number of possessions you need to move. By renting and filling a storage unit before your move, you can lower the number of items in your household and cut your moving costs. A less cluttered household will also help your move go more smoothly. 

You’ll need to consider the amount you’ll save on the move compared to the storage unit rental cost. At Price Self Storage, we offer month-to-month storage rentals, giving you the flexibility to store what you need for as long as you need to. Our storage cost per month is highly competitive and may help you save on moving costs. 

Find a Price Self Storage near you.