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 senior editor at HireAHelper and a self-proclaimed professional DIY mover. Having packed, loaded, and hauled his way through more than 20 moves — including a white-knuckle haul from Washington State to North Carolina — he knows exactly where do-it-yourself moves go sideways, and why professional help is so often worth it. Daniel pairs nearly a decade of writing and editing experience with all those hard-won miles, pressure-testing every guide he reviews so the advice is accurate, practical, and battle-tested. His mission is simple: make moving easier, and help you skip the mistakes he's already made for you.
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.
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