Cost to move by home size
Home size is the single biggest driver of interstate moving cost after distance — but it's really a proxy for weight, not square footage. Here's the typical range for a 500+ mile interstate move, by bedroom count.
Interstate moving cost by home size
| Home size | Typical weight | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000–3,500 lbs | $1,800–$3,200 |
| 1 bedroom | 2,500–4,000 lbs | $2,200–$3,800 |
| 2 bedroom | 4,000–6,000 lbs | $3,200–$5,800 |
| 3 bedroom | 6,000–8,500 lbs | $4,500–$8,200 |
| 4+ bedroom | 8,500–12,000+ lbs | $7,000–$12,000+ |
These are general ranges — see the moving cost calculator for a number based on your exact distance.
Why "home size" really means weight
Movers price interstate shipments by weight or cubic feet, not floor area. Bedroom count is a useful shorthand because it correlates with how much furniture and belongings a household typically has, but it's not the actual pricing factor. A minimally furnished 3-bedroom home can cost less to move than a densely packed 2-bedroom one — see our guide on how movers calculate cost for the full explanation.
What adds cost beyond bedroom count
- A home office, workshop, or hobby room with a lot of extra equipment
- A garage full of tools, sports gear, or storage bins
- Bulky or specialty items — a piano, gun safe, pool table, or large appliance beyond the standard set
- Full packing service, if you're not packing yourself
- Stairs, long carries, or limited truck access at either end
Home size isn't the whole picture — distance compounds it
These ranges assume a 500+ mile move. The same home size costs meaningfully less over a shorter interstate distance and more over a genuinely cross-country one — a 3-bedroom home moving 400 miles and the same home moving 2,200 miles are not the same price despite identical weight. Combine the home-size ranges here with the distance guidance on our moving cost calculator for a sharper estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why does home size matter more than square footage for moving cost?
Movers price by weight or cubic feet, not floor area — a sparsely furnished large home can cost less to move than a densely packed smaller one. Bedroom count is a useful shorthand, but how much you actually own matters more.
How much more does each additional bedroom typically add to the cost?
Roughly $1,000-$2,000 more per bedroom on an interstate move, though it varies by how furnished each room is and the total distance. A home office or a room used mainly for storage adds less than a fully furnished bedroom.
Does a studio really cost that much less than a 1-bedroom?
Usually yes, meaningfully — studios average less total weight than even a modestly furnished 1-bedroom, and the cost difference compounds with distance on a long interstate move.
How can I estimate my specific cost more accurately than a general range?
Use our moving cost calculator with your actual distance and home size, and get an in-home or video walkthrough estimate from at least one mover — general ranges are a starting point, not a substitute for a real quote based on what you actually own.