Hiring movers in the US typically costs $800–$2,500 for a local move and $2,500–$7,500+ for a long-distance move, depending on home size, distance, and services. Those ranges feel wide because the final bill is built from several stacking line items — and most people only see two or three of them until moving day. After 35+ years in this industry, we've watched perfectly good moves go sideways over a surprise fuel surcharge or a staircase fee nobody mentioned upfront. This guide breaks every piece down so you know exactly what you're agreeing to before you sign anything.
How do movers price a local move?
Local movers — generally defined as moves within the same state or under 50–100 miles — almost always charge by the hour, not by weight. The clock typically starts when the truck leaves the company's lot and stops when it returns.
Typical 2026 local hourly rates (US national range):
| Crew size | Hourly rate range |
|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $100 – $175 / hr |
| 3 movers + truck | $145 – $225 / hr |
| 4 movers + truck | $185 – $280 / hr |
On top of the hourly rate, most companies add a travel / truck fee of $50–$150 (sometimes called a "trip charge") to cover drive time to and from their facility. This is standard and legitimate — just make sure it's disclosed upfront.
Typical total costs by home size (local move, 2026):
| Home size | Estimated hours | Ballpark total |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-BR | 2–4 hrs | $300 – $700 |
| 2-BR apartment | 4–6 hrs | $600 – $1,200 |
| 3-BR house | 6–10 hrs | $900 – $2,000 |
| 4+ BR house | 10–14 hrs | $1,500 – $3,000+ |
Markets like New York, San Francisco, and Boston run at the high end of those ranges. Sun Belt cities like Charlotte, Tampa, and Nashville often come in closer to the middle.
How do movers price a long-distance move?
For interstate moves (and most intrastate moves over roughly 50–100 miles), pricing shifts to a weight-plus-distance model. The two core variables are:
- Shipment weight — your household goods, weighed on a certified scale
- Mileage — door-to-door distance between origin and destination
Typical 2026 long-distance rates:
| Shipment weight (lbs) | Rate range per 100 lbs / 1,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Under 2,000 lbs | $30 – $60 |
| 2,000 – 5,000 lbs | $20 – $40 |
| 5,000 – 10,000 lbs | $15 – $28 |
| 10,000+ lbs | $12 – $22 |
A 2-bedroom apartment typically weighs 3,000–5,000 lbs. A 4-bedroom house often hits 10,000–14,000 lbs. Those weight bands drive the biggest swings in long-distance quotes, which is why we always tell people: declutter before the estimate, not after.
For a deeper look at how interstate moves are regulated differently from local ones, check out our guide on local vs. long-distance movers — the legal and pricing frameworks are genuinely different.
What fees do movers not always advertise?
This is where the gap between your quote and your final bill tends to live. None of these are scams — most are real costs — but they should appear on your written estimate, not surprise you at delivery.
- Stair carry fee: Typically $50–$100 per flight above the first, per occurrence (pickup and delivery).
- Long carry fee: Charged when the truck can't park within 75 feet of your door. Often $75–$150+.
- Elevator fee: Common in high-rises — usually $75–$150 per use.
- Shuttle fee: If a large 18-wheeler can't access your street, the company brings a smaller vehicle. This can add $200–$600 to a long-distance move.
- Packing materials: Boxes, paper, and tape sold by the mover typically run 20–40% above retail. Supplying your own saves real money — see our packing tips guide for what's worth packing yourself.
- Full-value protection upgrade: Standard liability under federal FMCSA rules is 60 cents per pound per article — almost nothing for electronics or antiques. Full-value protection, which covers repair or replacement at current market value, typically costs 1–2% of your shipment's declared value.
- Storage-in-transit: If your new home isn't ready, most carriers charge $50–$150/month per 1,000 lbs for warehouse storage.
- Peak-season premium: Moves booked June through August, on weekends, or at month-end often carry a 10–20% surcharge.
Binding vs. non-binding estimates: what's the real difference?
Under FMCSA regulations (which govern all interstate movers), you have the right to one of three estimate types:
| Estimate type | What it means | Your risk |
|---|---|---|
| Non-binding | Final price can change based on actual weight | You could owe up to 110% of the estimate on delivery |
| Binding | Price is locked — even if weight differs | Low, but extras like packing are often excluded |
| Binding not-to-exceed | Final bill can only go down, never above the estimate | Lowest risk; worth asking for specifically |
Always request a binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing. Any licensed interstate mover is required to provide one if you ask. If a company refuses or pushes back hard, treat it as a red flag.
Also confirm your mover's USDOT number — you can verify it free at the FMCSA's SAFER database online. Every legitimate interstate carrier has one. State-only (intrastate) movers are regulated by state DOT or PUC agencies, rules vary, but reputable local companies will still carry proper licensing and liability insurance.
For a full checklist of what to confirm before you sign anything, our 10 questions to ask before hiring a moving company covers every licensing and insurance checkpoint worth verifying.
How to read a moving estimate line by line
When a written estimate arrives, scan it in this order:
- Confirm the estimate type — binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed. It must be stated explicitly.
- Check the weight or hours — is the assumed weight/time realistic for your home size? An unusually low weight estimate on a long-distance quote is often how "bait and switch" pricing starts.
- Find the accessorial charges section — stairs, long carry, shuttle, elevator. If your building has any of these features, they should already be listed.
- Identify what's excluded — packing labor, packing materials, and specialty items (pianos, safes, artwork) are frequently excluded from base quotes.
- Check the valuation/liability line — if it says "released value" at 60 cents/lb, you have minimal coverage. Ask about the upgrade cost.
- Look for the delivery window — long-distance moves rarely arrive on a single guaranteed date. A 7–14 day delivery spread is common. Expedited delivery typically costs extra.
Does location change what you'll pay?
Significantly, yes. Labor costs, fuel prices, and local demand all shift the baseline. Browse movers by state to see what's typical in your market, or find movers in your area to start collecting real local quotes. Reading verified mover reviews alongside pricing will tell you whether a low quote reflects efficiency or corners being cut.
States with large metro corridors — think California, Florida, Texas, and New York — have the widest pricing variance within the state itself. A move across Los Angeles in peak summer can cost twice what the same move costs in January.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire movers for a 2-bedroom apartment in 2026?
A local 2-bedroom apartment move typically costs $600–$1,200 depending on your city and crew size. Long-distance moves for the same home — roughly 4,000–5,000 lbs — generally run $2,500–$4,500 for moves under 1,000 miles, more for cross-country.
What is the cheapest day to hire movers?
Mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) and mid-month moves are typically 10–20% cheaper than weekend or end-of-month bookings. Avoiding June, July, and August entirely — or booking those months at least 6–8 weeks out — also helps keep pricing competitive.
Are moving estimates free?
Yes. Reputable movers provide written estimates at no charge, either via an in-home survey or a detailed video walkthrough. Be cautious of any company that charges for an estimate or refuses to provide one in writing before a deposit.
What does "released value" liability mean on a moving contract?
Released value is the default, no-additional-cost liability coverage: 60 cents per pound per item. If a 20-lb laptop is damaged, you'd receive $12. It's the bare minimum required by federal law for interstate moves. Full-value protection — which covers actual repair or replacement cost — is a separate upgrade you need to request and pay for.
Can a moving company charge more than the written estimate?
On a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate, the mover cannot exceed the quoted price for the services listed. On a non-binding estimate, the final charge can be higher based on actual weight — but under FMCSA rules, you only have to pay up to 110% of the non-binding estimate at delivery. Any remaining balance must be billed within 30 days.
How do I avoid moving scams?
Verify the mover's USDOT number, insist on a written binding estimate, and never pay a large deposit upfront — legitimate movers typically collect payment on delivery, not before. Cross-check the company name against their USDOT registration to confirm they're the same entity.
Getting clear on pricing before moving day is the single biggest thing you can do to protect yourself — and it usually takes less than an hour. Browse verified movers in your area to collect a few real quotes, then let Robert, our AI moving assistant on Majestic Moving Companies, help you compare them side by side and flag anything worth a second look.
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