Moving Costs: What to Expect When Hiring Movers (2026)

Alright, let’s talk about moving. I don’t know about you, but just the thought of it makes me need to lie down. It’s chaos. It’s cardboard paper cuts and the sudden realization that you own far, far too many mugs.

And the biggest headache of all? Deciding whether to hire movers.

You’re stuck between two terrible options: bribing your friends with pizza and hoping your friendship survives the broken lamp… or opening your wallet to a crew of professionals.

If you’re leaning toward the pros (honestly, a great call for your sanity and your friendships), your next thought is probably: “Okay, but what’s this really going to cost me?”

It’s a tricky question because the number on the initial quote is rarely the number you actually pay. Let’s break down the real cost of hiring movers, so you can walk into it with your eyes wide open.

First, How Do They Even Charge You?

Movers typically use one of two main methods. Knowing which one you’re dealing with is your first step to avoiding sticker shock.

1. The Hourly Rate (The Local Move Classic)

This is standard for moves within the same city or town. The clock starts when the truck pulls up to your curb and doesn’t stop until the last box is sitting in your new living room.

• What you’re paying for: You’re paying for the time of the crew (usually 2-3 people) and the truck itself.
• What it really means: Everything that takes time, costs money. Traffic jams? That’s on the clock. The fact that your new apartment is a fifth-floor walk-up? Yep, that too. A straightforward local move can take a team 4-8 hours, with rates ranging from $90 to $150+ per hour.

2. The Weight & Distance Rate (The Long-Haul Move)

If you’re trekking across the state or the country, this is the norm. The price is based on two things: how much your life weighs (seriously) and how many miles it has to travel.

• What you’re paying for: You’re paying for the fuel and the space your stuff occupies in that giant 18-wheeler.
• What it really means: This is where that “pre-move purge” becomes absolutely crucial. That box of old college textbooks? You’re about to pay someone a lot of money to move it. A reputable company will do a visual survey of your home to give a “binding estimate,” which should protect you from the price magically doubling later.

The “Gotcha” Fees (That Don’t Have to Be a Surprise)

This is where most people get burned. They see a decent quote and then the final bill arrives and they just about fall over. These fees are usually legit, but a good mover will be transparent about them upfront. You just have to know to ask.

• The “Flight of Stairs” Fee: No elevator? If those movers have to hike up and down three flights of stairs with your sofa on their backs, that’s extra. It’s brutal work and they charge for it.
• The “Long Carry” Fee: If the truck can’t park within a certain distance of your door—say, you have a long driveway or there’s only street parking half a block away—you’ll get charged for every extra foot they have to carry your things.
• Packing Supplies: This one adds up fast! If you don’t want to hunt for boxes, they’ll provide them. But you’ll pay for every box, every roll of tape, and every sheet of that delicious bubble wrap. Specialty boxes for your TV or your wardrobe are even more.
• The Big Boys: Got a piano? A pool table? A giant antique armoire? Moving these isn’t just heavy, it’s a skilled job. It requires special equipment and extra care, and you will 100% see a separate fee for each of these items.
• Overtime & Premium Days: Moving on a weekend? That’s the most popular time, so it often comes with a premium rate. Need them to work past a certain hour? That’s often overtime. If you can swing a weekday move, you’ll almost always save money.

How to Keep Your Bill from Spiraling Out of Control

You have more power here than you think. A little prep work can save you hundreds of dollars.

• Be Ruthless. Purge: I cannot stress this enough. Go through every closet, every drawer. Do you really want to pay someone $50 to move a box of clothes you haven’t worn since 2015? Have a garage sale, donate, recycle. Less stuff is a cheaper move. It’s that simple.
• Pack Yourself (Mostly): You can save a ton by packing all your non-fragile items yourself. Pack your books, your linens, your clothes. Leave the super delicate stuff—like your grandma’s china or your fancy TV—to the pros if you’re nervous. The cost of them packing a few boxes is less than the cost of something shattering.
• Be Ready. Like, REALLY Ready: On moving day, time is money. Have every single box packed, sealed, and labeled. Disassemble your own bed frames and tables. The goal is to have the movers walk in and just… start loading. If they’re standing around waiting for you to finish packing the kitchen, you’re just watching your money evaporate.

Here’s a Game-Changer: Use Storage to Your Advantage

Let me let you in on a little secret that makes the entire process smoother and can actually save you cash: using a storage unit as a middle ground.

Instead of trying to perfectly align the closing date on your old home with the move-in date for your new one (a logistical nightmare that almost never works), move your things into a storage unit.

This gives you the ultimate flexibility. You can move your boxes over a week, little by little, at your own pace. Then, you only need to hire the movers for a few hours to get the big furniture from your old place to the unit, and then again from the unit to your new place later. This can be way cheaper than paying for a full day of their time while you figure out your keys.

We see people do this all the time at our storage facilities. They get a climate-controlled unit for a month or two. It becomes a secure holding pen for their life while they get everything else sorted. It takes the insane time pressure off and gives you back a sense of control.

So, when you’re budgeting for your movers, think beyond the quote. Ask about those fees, be ruthless with your clutter, and remember that sometimes, the smartest way to move is to just push pause with a storage unit in between. Your wallet—and your stress levels—will thank you for it.