Enter your origin, destination, home size, and optional services for an instant, realistic estimate, full-service, container, freight, and DIY, built on the same transparent, distance-based rate model as our route pages. No emails, no lead forms, just honest numbers.
No personal data is collected or stored when you use this tool.Our free calculator gives you a realistic planning range in seconds. No email, no signup, no sales pressure.
It runs on the same distance-based rate model we use across our route pages. Enter your origin, destination, home size and any optional services such as packing, stairs, storage, a car, specialty items or a peak date. It then shows estimated costs for full-service movers, containers, freight and DIY side by side, so you can compare methods on equal terms.
Moving costs change with distance, home size, services and timing. The calculator reflects those factors instead of giving you a single national figure that ignores your move. The result is a clear range you can use when you evaluate quotes later.
A planning estimate, not a quote. The only number you can hold a mover to is a written binding or not-to-exceed estimate after an inventory survey. Use the calculator first, so you already know a fair range before you start talking to companies.
Run the calculator before you request quotes. Knowing a realistic range helps you spot lowball or padded quotes, ask better questions about what is driving the price, and avoid anchoring to whichever company reaches you first.
Where are you moving?
Auto-estimated from your states (road-adjusted). Edit it if you know your exact distance.
Home size
Optional services
Estimated full-service cost
National-average estimate for your move
Get a binding quote for your move →This is a planning estimate, not a quote. The only number you can hold a mover to is a written binding or Not-To-Exceed estimate after an inventory survey. Figures use national-average, distance-based rates, the same model behind our route pages.
Same load and distance, priced by how much of the work is yours.
In CMR's booking data, the median 2 bedroom long-distance move cost about 25% more in July than in January, and median prices for the same home size rose about 17% from 2024 to 2026. If your dates are flexible, moving between December and March is the simplest way to lower the price. See the CMR Moving Cost Report 2026.
Moving costs vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for a small local job to over $12,000 for a full-service, long-distance household move. The exact price depends on distance, home size, services, and timing. Our calculator uses transparent, distance-based pricing and clearly-labeled add-ons so you can see how each choice moves your total.
Get Free Quote →| Move type | Typical cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | $435 to $2,550 | Same city or under 50 miles |
| Long-distance (full-service) | $1,400 to $17,000+ | Interstate (500+ miles) |
| Moving container | $422 to $8,900+ | DIY packing + professional drive |
| Rental truck (DIY) | $29 to $5,900+ (plus gas) | Smaller / local moves |
Ranges span studio through 4-bedroom and short through cross-country lanes. Run the calculator above for your specific move.
Local moves are usually charged hourly, based on crew size and hours.
| Home size | Crew size | Est. hours | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | 2 | 3 | $480 to $950 |
| 1 to 2 BR apartment | 2 to 3 | 4 to 6 | $640 to $1,800 |
| 3 BR home | 3 to 4 | 6 to 8 | $1,440 to $2,800 |
| 4+ BR house | 4+ | 7 to 10 | $2,240 to $4,500 |
Based on roughly $80 to $120 per mover per hour. Peak season, stairs, or long carries add extra.
Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance. These full-service ranges are modeled the same way as our route pages.
| Distance | 1 to 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4+ bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 to 500 miles | $1,900 to $3,800 | $4,100 to $8,100 | $5,500 to $10,950 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $2,300 to $4,450 | $4,900 to $9,450 | $6,600 to $12,800 |
| 1,000+ miles | $3,050 to $5,700 | $6,450 to $12,150 | $8,750 to $16,450+ |
Pro tip: Use the calculator above for a lane-specific estimate based on your exact states and shipment weight.
$400 to $8,900+
You pack, they drive. Lower than full-service, on your own timeline.
$2,650 to $7,350
You load, they drive. Pro driving without full-service labor cost.
$29 to $5,900+
Cheapest upfront, but it's your time, fuel, and muscle.
| Route | Distance | Full-service range (studio → 4BR) |
|---|---|---|
| New York → Boston | Short | $1,100 to $6,400 |
| Los Angeles → San Diego | Short | $800 to $5,600 |
| Los Angeles → Dallas | Long | $1,800 to $11,800 |
| Seattle → Phoenix | Long | $1,900 to $12,700 |
Ranges span home sizes; smaller homes at the low end, larger at the high end. Browse your exact lane →
Five levers move almost every quote.
The single biggest factor for interstate moves, longer hauls cost more per pound.
Cubic feet or pounds of your belongings. Declutter and the number drops fast.
Packing, stairs, long carry, shuttle, and storage each add labor and cost.
Summer and weekends cost more; mid-week and off-season are cheapest.
Pianos, safes, and vehicles carry their own added fees.
Always request a binding estimate and verify the mover's FMCSA licensing before you book.
Small choices add up to real money.
Peace of mind and speed. Worth it for larger homes, tight timelines, and fragile or high-value items.
A middle path, you pack and load, a pro drives. Often meaningfully cheaper on long lanes.
Lowest out-of-pocket if you have the time, help, and muscle. Remember fuel, lodging, and your hours.
Toggle the calculator's method comparison to see all four side by side for your load.
Tell us your origin, destination, home size, and timeline, and we'll match you with CMR-vetted carriers that actually run your lane.
Get matched with a mover →It's a strong starting point based on current, distance-based industry rate models, the same approach we use across our route pages. Your final price depends on an in-home or video survey of exactly what you're moving.
No. The calculator is completely private and requires no signup. Nothing you type is collected or stored.
Run the calculator to set your expectation, then get three or more binding quotes and read reviews here on Consumer Moving Reviews before you book.
Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance, and both vary until a mover surveys your inventory. The range reflects the low and high of national averages for your load and lane.
Yes, toggle full packing, stairs, long carry, storage, a car, or specialty items like a piano or safe, and the breakdown updates live so you can see each one's impact.