Average cost of a moving company
Updated September 5, 2026
A full-service interstate move averages roughly $3,500–$6,500 for a typical 2-3 bedroom household — but the real range runs from about $1,800 for a small studio move up to $12,000+ for a large home moving cross-country. "Average" is a useful anchor, not a quote for your specific move.
On this page
- What drives interstate moving cost above or below average
- Local vs. interstate moving cost averages
- Why published "averages" don't always agree
- Average cost isn't limited to full-service movers
- How published moving company cost averages actually compare
- Common moving company add-on fees that push you above the average
- Fewer people are moving at all — which matters for pricing
- Frequently asked questions
What drives interstate moving cost above or below average
- Distance — the single biggest factor after home size; a 300-mile move and a 2,500-mile move aren't remotely comparable even for identical households
- Home size / total weight — see our full cost by home size breakdown
- Time of year — summer and month-end moves run meaningfully above average; off-season, midweek moves run below it
- Services included — full packing, storage-in-transit, and specialty-item handling all add to the baseline transport cost
- Access and logistics — stairs, long carries, and limited truck access at either end add labor time and sometimes fees
Local vs. interstate moving cost averages
| Move type | Typical average |
|---|---|
| Local move (hourly, under ~100 miles) | $900–$2,500 |
| Interstate move (500-1,000 miles) | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Interstate move (1,000+ miles / cross-country) | $5,000–$9,000+ |
Why published "averages" don't always agree
Different sources calculate averages from different data sets — some blend DIY and full-service pricing together, others only survey full-service quotes; some weight by region, home size, or season differently. Use any published average as a rough starting point, then get real quotes for your specific move using the moving cost calculator and written estimates from actual movers.
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Average cost isn't limited to full-service movers
"Average cost of a moving company" usually refers to full-service pricing, but it's worth comparing against moving containers, freight trailers, and DIY truck rental, which can run significantly below these averages for the right household — see our full method-by-method cost comparison if a full-service average is above your budget.
How published moving company cost averages actually compare
Different moving sites publish noticeably different average figures, which is exactly why treating any single number as a quote is a mistake. One site might list a national average around $4,000 for a cross-country move while another puts the same distance closer to $6,000, depending on whether they are pulling from consumer-reported totals or company-generated estimates. A few examples, side by side:
| Source | Local move average | Long-distance average |
|---|---|---|
| Moving.com | $1,400 | $5,450 (~1,000 miles) |
| U.S. News | $85–$210/hr for a 2-person crew | ~$7,500 (3-bedroom interstate) |
| Moving Muscle | $1,250 ($260–$1,495 range) | $4,890 |
The spread exists because each source samples different move sizes, regions, and service levels. (Sources: Moving.com, U.S. News Real Estate, Moving Muscle)
Fewer people are moving at all — which matters for pricing
Cost isn't the only number worth tracking; how many people are moving affects it too. The Census Bureau's Current Population Survey put the share of Americans who moved to a different residence at just 11.8% in 2024, down from 12.1% in 2023 — including a drop in moves to a different state, from 2.3% to 2.1%. That's a continuation of a long-running decline, not a one-year blip. Lower overall mover volume doesn't guarantee lower prices on any individual move, but it does mean movers nationally are competing for a shrinking pool of customers, which is part of why negotiating and comparing multiple quotes (see our discounts guide) carries more leverage than it used to. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
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Frequently asked questions
A local move (under ~100 miles, billed hourly) typically averages $900-$2,500 for a 2-3 person crew working 3-6 hours, depending on home size and how much packing is included.
An interstate move averages roughly $3,500-$6,500 for a 2-3 bedroom home, but ranges from about $1,800 for a small studio moving a short interstate distance up to $12,000+ for a large home moving cross-country.
Different sources average different data — some include DIY and container moves, others only full-service quotes; some weight by region or home size differently. Treat any 'average' as a rough anchor, not a quote, and get real estimates for your specific move.
It depends on whether it's binding and includes the same services as other quotes you've gotten. A dramatically low non-binding estimate is more often a sign of an eventual price increase than a genuine deal — compare line by line, not just the bottom-line number.