HireAHelper has supported over 1 million moves for over 17 years, so that gives us a rich and unique dataset to pull from—one of the largest in the country for labor-only and local full-service moving.
We’ve recently published local cost data that gives insights into the average cost of moving in 2025 across both labor-only and local-full service moves. Using our first-party data and proprietary methodology, we’ve been able to extend these insights across 20,000 cities and 7 different sizes of moves.
Our local cost averages are best used for a ball-park estimate during initial research. They are based on real-world data, but every move is unique, so the best way to get an accurate estimate for your specific move is to fill out our quote form. You aren’t required to give us any personal information to get your free quote, and you won’t be spammed with follow-up sales calls.
Daniel Cobb is the a senior editor at HireHelper.com, where he combines nearly a decade of writing and editing experience with a personal passion for all things moving. A veteran of multiple DIY cross-country moves, Daniel has become a strong advocate for affordable, professional moving help. He now channels his hard-earned lessons into helping others avoid the pitfalls of DIY moving, making moving easier, safer, and less overwhelming.
We currently provide cost estimates for two main types of local moves:
Each type of move has different cost drivers, and we account for that in how we calculate our estimates.
The data used to power these averages is first-party data from moves completed using HireAHelper’s platform in 2024.
While we have a large, rich data set to work with, it doesn’t have 100% coverage across every city in the U.S., so we’ve developed a proprietary methodology to fill gaps and normalize our data.
If a city has at least 10 real completed moves of a specific home size and move type, we use that as the foundation for our estimate.
When a city doesn’t have enough data:
This helps ensure we can provide consistent, local-feeling averages—even in lower-volume areas.
To avoid outliers (like a 3-bedroom showing up cheaper than a 1-bedroom), we normalize the data and use weighted averages to smooth out inconsistencies.
On average, labor-only moves cost $452. Here’s the national averages for labor-only (LO) moves:
| Move Size | LO - Average Cost | LO - Average # of Movers | LO - Average Move Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | $331 | 2 | 2 hours |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | $383 | 2 | 2.5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | $443 | 2 | 2.5 hours |
| 2 Bedroom House | $415 | 2 | 2.5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom House | $485 | 2 | 2.5 hours |
| 4 Bedroom House | $584 | 3 | 3 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom House | $731 | 3 | 4 hours |
Estimates for local full-service moves include truck and transportation, and tend to be higher due to additional services. The national average cost for local-full service (LFS) moves is $1,168.
| Move Size | LFS - Average Cost | LFS - Average # of Movers | LFS - Average Move Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | $788 | 2 | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | $984 | 2 | 4.5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | $1,164 | 3 | 5.5 hours |
| 2 Bedroom House | $1,007 | 2 | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom House | $1,328 | 2 | 5.5 hours |
| 4 Bedroom House | $1,680 | 3 | 6 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom House | $1,780 | 3 | 6 hours |
Your actual move cost may be higher or lower depending on:
The best way to get exact pricing is to enter your details and see real availability in your area. It’s fast, free, and doesn’t require any commitment.
PODS costs around $500 for a single-container local move, to around $4600 for a long-distance move with two containers. This means PODS sits right between the DIY moving day with a rental truck and the high price... Read More
Karen BodkinFeb 20, 2026
Yes, movers will charge extra for stairs, but usually only past the first flight. Navigating stairs takes longer, requires more physical labor, and presents more difficulty, so movers usually add a fee to reflect... Read More
Melanie MorrisMar 30, 2026
If you’ve ever moved out of a home or apartment, you probably know how stressful cleaning can be when you’re already surrounded by boxes and deadlines. It’s no surprise that move-out cleanings are one of the most... Read More
Karen BodkinDec 12, 2025
Overall, we recommend U-Haul for most DIY movers because it offers significantly more locations, better local move availability, and lower overall prices. However, Penske tends to have a newer fleet and better... Read More
Karen BodkinFeb 12, 2026
Average junk removal costs range from $75 for a small load to $800 or more for a full truckload. That’s a big range, but prices vary so much because there are many factors that go into the price of junk removal,... Read More
Melanie MorrisFeb 12, 2026
In 2025, you can expect to pay around $1,167.76 for a full-service local move (everything included) and $451.87 for labor only (loading and unloading help). Long-distance moving costs vary much more, and can cost... Read More
Erin ScottSep 17, 2025