Clear Moving Cost Estimator
Compare hiring professional movers versus renting a truck yourself. Pick your home size and distance for an instant cost range.
| DIY truck rental | $0 |
| You save going DIY | $0 |
| Move type | — |
How it works
Estimates use national averages: professional movers charge a base by home size plus per-mile for long hauls (local moves under 100 miles use an hourly-style flat rate). DIY combines a truck rental base, per-mile rate, and fuel. Results show realistic low–high ranges.
Formula & worked example
Formula: Movers are modelled as a base range by home size (a 2-bedroom base is $1,400–$2,200): a local move under 100 miles costs 55% of the base, while a long-distance move adds $2.20–$3.40 per mile. The DIY figure is a truck base plus a per-mile rate plus fuel at about 10 mpg.
Worked example: A 2-bedroom move of 500 miles: movers come to $2,500–$3,900 against a DIY truck estimate of $704–$893. Done locally instead, the same movers would run about $770–$1,210.
When to use this
- You are planning a move and need a first budget range before asking any company for a quote.
- You are torn between hiring movers and renting a truck, and want the honest price gap for your size of home and distance.
- A job in another state is on the table and the relocation cost is part of judging the offer.
- You are moving locally and want to know why the estimate changes so much under a certain distance.
How to use it, step by step
- Select your home size, from studio to five-bedroom — in this estimator it sets the base price ranges for both movers and truck rental.
- Enter the distance in miles, door to door.
- Read the professional movers range, the DIY truck range, and the saving the tool shows for going DIY, which brackets the gap from both ends.
- Check the move type line: under 100 miles the estimator treats the move as local; at 100 or more it prices a long-distance move, so a distance near that line is worth running both ways.
- Use the range to budget, then get binding quotes — season, stairs, packing and heavy items all move a real quote inside or outside it.
What the inputs mean
| Input | What it is | Typical values |
|---|---|---|
| Home size | Studio through five-bedroom; sets the base ranges the estimate builds on | A 2-bedroom base for movers is $1,400–$2,200 before distance in this model |
| Distance | Miles between the old and new home | Under 100 miles is modelled as a local move; 100 and over as long-distance |
Another worked example
A 3-bedroom home moving 1,200 miles: professional movers estimate at $4,840 – $7,480, while the DIY truck route comes to $1,891 – $2,306, so the tool puts the saving from doing it yourself at $2,534 – $5,589. At this distance the per-mile charges dominate both figures — the movers' range adds $2.20–$3.40 a mile on top of the 3-bedroom base, and the truck's mileage and fuel do the same on a smaller scale.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to hire movers or do it yourself?
DIY is almost always cheaper in dollars — but factor in your time, risk of injury or damage, and whether friends will actually show up.
What counts as a long-distance move?
Generally over 100 miles (or crossing state lines). Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance; local moves are usually hourly.
When is the cheapest time to move?
Mid-month, mid-week, and fall through winter. Avoid June–August and the last weekend of any month.
What is not included in these estimates?
Packing services and materials, stairs and long-carry fees, piano or safe handling, storage between homes, and full-value insurance beyond basic carrier liability. On the DIY side, your own time, hired loading help and a second vehicle for the car are also outside the figure. Any of these can add hundreds to either route, so ask for them as named lines in a real quote.
Is the number a mover quotes me binding?
Not always. A non-binding estimate can change with the actual weight or time on the day; a binding or not-to-exceed estimate fixes the ceiling in writing. Compare the type of quote, not just the number, and be wary of a long-distance quote far below every other — the difference tends to reappear at delivery. This estimator's ranges are planning figures, not quotes.
How far ahead should I book, and does timing change the price?
Four to eight weeks ahead is typical, and timing changes price a lot: summer, month-end and weekends are peak, and both movers and truck rentals price to that demand. The same home and distance moved mid-week in a quiet month can land near the bottom of the ranges shown here, while a late-June Saturday pushes toward the top.
📦 Moving for a new job?
Convert your salary offer with the hourly-to-salary converter, or check how much house you can afford at the new address.