How we calculate moving costs
Last updated: October 1, 2026 · Model assumptions, not carrier quotes.
The calculator and engine-derived cost tables use one planning model, the same code that powers the calculator. Some guides also contain separately labelled editorial illustrations and external budgeting ranges; they are not outputs of this engine. The inputs below are model allowances, not a surveyed average of completed moves or quotes. This page lets you check the arithmetic, not establish a carrier's current prices.
Our modeled base cost combines two allowances: handling (the crew hours to load and unload, which depends on your home size, not your distance) plus transport (a per-mile carrier cost that scales with distance). There is no cliff between “local” and “long-distance”, the same formula runs at 5 miles and 2,500 miles, so price rises smoothly with every added mile.
1. Handling, crew hours to load & unload
Handling cost = crew size × typical hours × $62/mover/hour (our 2026 handling allowance). Transport is modeled separately below. This is the same whether you move across town or across the country, the effort to carry your belongings onto and off the truck doesn’t change with distance. Estimated shipment weight is shown for reference.
| Home size | Crew | Typical hours | Handling cost | Ref. weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3 | $372 | 1,800 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4 | $496 | 2,900 |
| 2 Bedroom | 3 movers | 5.5 | $1,023 | 5,500 |
| 3 Bedroom | 3 movers | 7.5 | $1,395 | 9,000 |
| 4 Bedroom | 4 movers | 9 | $2,232 | 13,500 |
| 5+ Bedroom | 4 movers | 11 | $2,728 | 18,500 |
2. Transport, tiered per-mile rates
Transport cost = each mile priced at the rate for its distance tier, then scaled by your home size. The per-mile rate steps down as the haul gets longer, because the fixed cost of sending a truck to your door is spread over more miles, the same economies of scale that make long-haul linehaul cheaper per mile. Rates below are for a 2-bedroom reference load; larger homes use a proportionally larger truck (roughly 0.55× for a studio up to 2.3× for a 5-bedroom).
| Distance tier | Rate ($/mi, 2BR ref.) |
|---|---|
| First 100 mi | $4.00 |
| 100–500 mi | $2.60 |
| 500–1,500 mi | $1.60 |
| Over 1,500 mi | $1.10 |
3. Seasonal & date multipliers
- May–September peak season: ×1.15 (a model demand adjustment, not a measured market premium).
- Last 5 days of any month: ×1.08 (a model date adjustment).
4. Extras
- Full packing service: $270 (studio) to $1,750 (5+ bedroom), scaled to home size.
- Storage: $220 first month, model allowance.
5. The range, and what we don't know
We display low/high as −18%/+22% around the computed midpoint. Real quotes vary with exact inventory, stairs and elevator access, long carries, shuttle requirements, and carrier scheduling, things no calculator can see. Distance is estimated from ZIP3-prefix centroids: major metro prefixes resolve to metro coordinates, everything else to a state centroid, and city names to exact metro coordinates, then straight-line distance is scaled by a 1.18 road factor.
We do not publish a representative quote dataset or carrier tariff supporting a measured national average. Treat the inputs as planning assumptions and obtain written mover estimates for your actual scope. FMCSA guidance explains consumer protections, not the price of your move. See estimate types and their limits.