Moving Service Pricing Guide 2026
Moving pricing is hours for local jobs and weight for long-distance ones: the crew rate covers labor, the truck rate covers the asset, and the add-ons cover everything stairs, boxes, and fuel throw at you. Here are the numbers to anchor on.
Typical moving rates in 2026
These ranges reflect common US moving pricing and are here as a gut check, not a rate card. Region, season, stairs, and truck size move every number.
| Service | Common pricing method | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Local move, 2 movers + truck | Per hour | $120 – $200 / hr |
| Additional mover | Per hour | $35 – $60 / hr each |
| One-bedroom local move | Flat or hourly estimate | $300 – $600 |
| Three-bedroom local move | Flat or hourly estimate | $800 – $2,000 |
| Long-distance move | Per pound or per mile | $0.50 – $0.80 / lb |
| Packing service | Per hour per packer | $40 – $80 / hr |
| Materials (boxes, pads, wrap) | Per item or per room | $50 – $300 per move |
| Storage | Per month | $100 – $400 / mo |
Ranges are general market observations, not a recommendation for what to charge.
How to turn rates into a pricing structure
- Quote local moves hourly. Per mover plus the truck, in half-hour increments after the first hour. Stairs, packing, and layouts vary too much for a fair flat price on the phone.
- Price long-distance by weight or mile. Distance drives cost, not clock time. A per-pound or per-mile rate keeps estimates honest and scales cleanly across states.
- Itemize every add-on. Stairs, long carries, packing labor, materials, fuel, disassembly, storage, and weekend rates are real costs. Line items protect your margin and prevent 'why is this so much?' at the curb.
- State the estimate type. Binding estimates lock the price; non-binding ones rise with weight or hours. Print the type on the quote so the final invoice is never a surprise.
- Charge peak-season premiums. Summer and month-end moves deserve a premium. A small seasonal surcharge priced into the quote levels out your slow months.
When your pricing is structured, invoicing is mechanical: crew hours and truck logged, add-ons itemized, deposit credited, and the balance collected COD at delivery.
Software that makes moving billing painless
Moving companies juggle quotes, crews, and COD at the destination. The right tool turns estimate-to-invoice into one flow instead of paperwork on the truck tailgate.
| Software | Best for | Core features | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobber | Moving companies with recurring jobs and crews | Quotes, scheduling, invoicing, online payments | from $49/mo |
| Housecall Pro | Local moving and home-service crews | Scheduling, estimates, invoicing, payment on site | from $49/mo |
Starting prices were checked against vendor pages in October 2026; annual billing is usually cheaper. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through one of them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend, and we list tools we earn nothing on when they are the better fit.
Moving pricing questions
How much does a local move cost in 2026?
Local moves typically run $120 to $200 per hour for a crew of two movers plus a truck, with a one-bedroom move costing $300 to $600 and a three-bedroom move $800 to $2,000, varying by region, distance, stairs, and peak-season demand.
How much does a long-distance move cost in 2026?
Long-distance moves are usually priced per pound or per mile and run roughly $0.50 to $0.80 per pound for a partial or full-service move, or about $1,000 to $2,500 for a typical household crossing a few states, before packing, storage, and insurance.
Should a moving company price by the hour or by the job?
Local moves are almost always hourly — per mover plus the truck — because stairs, packing, and layout vary wildly. Long-distance moves use weight or flat-rate estimates because distance, not time, drives the cost. Offer flat rates only when you know the house and the route.
What extra moving fees should I charge for?
Itemize stairs or long carries, packing materials and packing labor, fuel or travel time, truck size upgrades, disassembly and reassembly, storage, and rush or weekend rates. Transparent add-ons protect your margin and prevent end-of-day disputes.
How do I set moving prices for my area?
Start from your target hourly crew cost — wages, truck, fuel, insurance, and margin — then align with local competitors. Charge more in peak season and for stairs and long carries, and always quote with a binding or clearly stated non-binding estimate type.