What Does a Local Move Cost? Typical Ranges by Home Size
Every move is a little different. But most local moves fall into the ranges below. Your actual price depends on crew size, access (stairs/elevators), prep, and move date.
Typical Range of Local Moving Costs
| Move Type | Typical Crew & Truck | Time Range | Most Moves Land Around | Typical Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Small 1-Bedroom Apartment | 2 movers + 1 truck | 2–4 hours | ≈ 3 hours | $600–$900 | Get My Quote |
| 1–2 Bedroom Apartment / Condo | 3 movers + 1 truck | 3–5 hours | ≈ 4 hours | $900–$1,500 | Get My Quote |
| 3-Bedroom Home (1,200–2,000 sq ft) |
3 movers + 1 truck
Most Popular |
6–8 hours | ≈ 7 hours | $1,500–$1,900 | Get My Quote |
| 4–5 Bedroom Home / Larger | 5–7 movers + 2–3 trucks | 8–12 hours | Full day | $2,200–$2,800+ | Get My Quote |
| Labor-Only Help (No Truck) | 2–3 movers, no truck | 2–4 hours | Varies | Call for availability | Get My Quote |
Why Do Moving Costs Vary So Much?
Two homes with the same square footage can have very different costs. Here’s what really changes the price.
Things That Keep Costs Lower
- Ground floor to ground floor (no elevators, minimal stairs)
- Easy truck parking close to your front door
- Moving house to house vs apartment to apartment
- Moving mid-month and on weekdays (Tue–Thu), outside the last & first week of the month
- Being fully packed, labeled, and organized when we arrive
- Accurate inventory list of what we’re actually moving
Things That Increase Cost
- Elevators (especially shared elevators or loading docks in big buildings)
- Long walks from truck to door, tight hallways, or difficult access
- Moving during peak times: last week of the month, first week of the next, and May–September
- Booking last minute and needing us to “save the day”
- Underestimating your move (“It’s just a 1-bedroom…”) that’s actually a 3-bedroom’s worth of stuff
- Doing zero prep: nothing in boxes, furniture not disassembled, house not staged for movers
Apartments & Condos Often Take Longer Than You Think
With studios and small apartments, the amount of stuff usually isn’t the problem—the building is.
Elevators, loading docks, tight parking, and other moving companies using the same space can add a lot of time.
Why we usually recommend 3 movers for apartments & condos
For most 1–2 bedroom apartments and condos, we usually recommend 3 movers instead of 2.
- They can work around elevator delays.
- They shorten the total time on site.
- You’re less likely to go over the time window you were hoping for.
It can feel like you’re “saving money” by choosing fewer movers — but in most apartment moves, the extra mover actually reduces your total bill.
When Adding a Mover Saves You Money
“I don’t need four movers” is one of the most expensive sentences on moving day.
Take a typical 3-bedroom home:
The total labor cost is often very similar — but with the larger crew:
- Your day finishes earlier
- There’s less risk of damage or injury from exhausted movers
- We can adapt if something unexpected happens (extra items, long carries, tricky stairs)
For bigger homes and complex apartment moves, we’ll often recommend more movers and/or an additional truck — not to upsell you, but because it’s the most efficient way to get you settled.
How to Keep Your Move on the Lower End of the Price Range
A little preparation goes a long way.
DO THESE BEFORE WE ARRIVE
- Pack everything into sturdy, closed boxes
- Stack boxes 3–4 high in one or two central areas
- Disassemble beds and any furniture that can be safely taken apart
- Consolidate loose items (no “tiny things everywhere” rooms)
- Move items from upper floors to the main floor or garage where possible
- Decide ahead of time what’s going to disposal, storage, and the new home
- Choose a mid-month, weekday move date if your schedule allows
AVOID THESE IF YOU DON’T WANT A BIG BILL
- Booking the last Saturday of the month and expecting a “quick” move
- Planning to pack, dispose, and move everything in one day for a large home
- Scheduling other major projects on moving day (contractors, deliveries, etc.)
- Assuming friends or family will help carry loads — and then they can’t make it
Want a Completely Hands-Off, No-Stress Move?
We specialize in full-service moves for people who’d rather not lift a finger.
If you’re more focused on convenience than cost, we can:
- Pack your home the day before
- Move everything to your new home (or our warehouse)
- Store items for a few days or weeks if needed
- Dispose of items you no longer want
For these moves, we’ll typically recommend a flat rate, so you know exactly what you’ll pay. Our team will build a custom plan and crew size around your home and schedule, then handle everything.
Tell us you want a full-service move when you reach out, and we’ll build a fixed-price plan for you on the first call.
FAQs & Fine Print (So There Are No Surprises)
A few key Q&As based directly on the pitfalls they mentioned:
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What happens if I add a lot more items on moving day?
Our quote is based on the video and item list you provide. If the scope of the move changes (for example, you decide we’re moving “everything” instead of just big furniture), we’ll adjust the price and crew size accordingly before we start.
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Can you hook up my washer, dryer, or mount my TV?
We’re happy to disconnect and move appliances and TVs. For liability reasons, we generally do not handle complex hookups or wall-mounting. We’ll make sure everything arrives safely — and you can decide how you want it installed.
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Do you offer storage?
Yes. If things get overwhelming, we can load items onto our truck, store them in our warehouse (often with 30 days free storage on qualifying moves), and bring them to you later.
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Is labor-only available?
We occasionally offer labor-only for unloading trucks, pods, or pack days. When our calendar is full, full-service moves with a truck get priority — so labor-only is always “call for availability.”
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When is the cheapest time to move?
Typically mid-month, Tuesday–Thursday, October–March. End-of-month and peak summer moves fill up quickly and have less flexibility for discounts.
