Estimate my move

Moving Cost Calculator: Local Move Estimate

Estimate a low and a high price for a local move from your home size, the distance and your quoted hourly rate.

MoveDayPlan Editorial Updated

Your move

Range: 1–100 mi

Range: 10–300 $/h

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How it works

Cost = movers × rate per mover-hour × (typical hours × packing factor + distance ÷ 30 mph + 1 h travel)

Local movers usually charge by the hour for the whole crew, and many also bill travel time to and from the depot, as a flat fee or on the clock. The calculator takes a typical crew and a typical range of loading and unloading hours for your home size (planning assumptions, not company data), multiplies those hours by 1.5 if the movers also pack, adds drive time between the homes at an average 30 mph and one hour of travel to and from the depot, and multiplies the result by the crew rate. A 2-bedroom move 15 miles across town with three movers at $50 per mover-hour comes to $825 – $1,125.

Local move estimates by home size
Home sizeTypical crewTypical hoursEstimate at $50/mover-hour*
Studio 2 movers 2–3 h $350 – $450
1 bedroom 2 movers 3–5 h $450 – $650
2 bedrooms 3 movers 4–6 h $825 – $1,125
3 bedrooms 3 movers 6–8 h $1,125 – $1,425
4 bedrooms 4 movers 7–10 h $1,700 – $2,300

* 15 miles between homes, self-packed, including drive time and one hour of travel. The $50 rate is a placeholder — enter the hourly rate from your own quotes, because rates differ widely by city, company and season.

Worked examples for each home size

Same inputs, with and without packing service (× 1.5 on handling hours)
Home sizeSelf-packedMovers packWhere the size changes the plan
Studio $350 – $450 $450 – $600 minimum hours can exceed the actual job
1 bedroom $450 – $650 $600 – $900 load usually outgrows a 10 ft truck
2 bedrooms $825 – $1,125 $1,125 – $1,575 third mover; box count decides 15 or 20 ft
3 bedrooms $1,125 – $1,425 $1,575 – $2,025 weight points to the 26 ft class
4 bedrooms $1,700 – $2,300 $2,400 – $3,300 four movers; packing can need a second day

Read across a row to see what packing service adds at the same rate; read down to see where the crew grows. Each home size has a cost guide that explains its example in detail — the crew and hours, the truck our size calculator picks, the box count and the estimated weight — and the points to settle with movers before you book.

Cost guide for each home size

What the estimate leaves out

Packing materials, stairs and long-carry fees, elevators, specialty items such as pianos and safes, valuation coverage above the basic level, and tips are not included. Moves between states, and other long moves, are usually priced by weight and distance instead of by the hour — see the long-distance cost guide.

For a long-distance move, this calculator is the wrong tool: estimate the weight of your household goods with the moving weight calculator, compare the options in the cheapest-way guide and read each written estimate for how the weight will be determined.

Moving out of state instead

Frequently asked questions

How much does a local move cost?

There is no official average, because every company sets its own hourly rate. At $50 per mover-hour, the calculator gives $350 – $450 for a studio and $1,700 – $2,300 for a 4-bedroom home 15 miles away when you pack yourself; your own quotes decide the real number. Larger homes and moves with packing service cost more.

Is there a minimum charge?

Many local movers bill a minimum number of hours even for a small job. Ask about it when you compare quotes for a studio or a few items.

How many moving quotes should I get?

At least three written quotes from licensed movers, ideally after an in-home survey of your belongings. Quotes given over the phone or online without seeing your things are the ones most likely to change on moving day.

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