Moving Costs by City, 2026
We publish local moving rates for 104 US metros across 51 states. Every figure below, and on every metro page it links to, comes out of the same rate model that powers our moving cost calculator, so the numbers are directly comparable city to city. Nothing here is a quote, and nothing is behind an email gate.
Typical local move, 2-bedroom home
$875–$1,300
2-mover crew
$124/hr
3-mover crew
$186/hr
4-mover crew
$248/hr
Truck included · how we calculate
How to read the cost index
Each metro carries a local cost index: the multiplier applied to the 2026 national blended crew rate of $62 per mover per hour. An index of 1.00 means an hour of crew labor there costs what it costs nationally; 1.20 means it costs twenty percent more. The index is set from three things and nothing else, local labor cost, how much access difficulty the metro's typical housing adds to a job, and how many carriers compete for the volume. It is not a guess at what any particular company charges.
The 2-bedroom column is the benchmark we use everywhere on this site, because it is the most common local move and it sits in the middle of the size curve. A studio runs well under it and a five-bedroom house well over it; the ratio between them is the same in every market, which is exactly why comparing one size across cities tells you what you need to know.
One thing the index does not do is price your interstate move. Once a shipment leaves the metro, the bill is dominated by weight and distance on a national carrier basis, and the crew hours split between an origin market and a destination market. For those, use the long-distance cost guide or the calculator, not this table.
The most expensive metros we cover
The top of the range is remarkably consistent about why it is expensive. Every metro in this table combines high crew wages with housing that makes crews walk, climb, or wait: freight elevators booked by building management, certificates of insurance filed before move day, and streets where the truck cannot park at the door. Honolulu tops the list at $1,450 for a typical 2-bedroom local move, $375 above the national blend.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | 1.35 | $251/hr | $1,450 | $1,175–$1,750 |
| New York, NY | 1.28 | $238/hr | $1,375 | $1,125–$1,675 |
| San Jose, CA | 1.22 | $227/hr | $1,300 | $1,075–$1,575 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1.20 | $223/hr | $1,300 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.20 | $223/hr | $1,300 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 1.19 | $221/hr | $1,275 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| Boston, MA | 1.18 | $219/hr | $1,275 | $1,025–$1,525 |
| Stamford, CT | 1.18 | $219/hr | $1,275 | $1,025–$1,525 |
The most affordable metros we cover
The bottom of the range is the mirror image: modest wage bases, single-story housing with a garage and a driveway, and enough competing carriers that no one can hold rates up. A typical 2-bedroom local move in Jackson runs $950, $500 less than the same job in Honolulu. That gap is the single best argument for pricing your move where you are actually moving, rather than off a national average.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MS | 0.88 | $164/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| El Paso, TX | 0.88 | $164/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| Wichita, KS | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| Tulsa, OK | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| Little Rock, AR | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| San Antonio, TX | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Birmingham, AL | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
Every metro, by region
Grouped by US Census division, so the comparison is against a public standard rather than a carve-up of our own. The spread inside a division is usually the more useful number: two metros a few hours apart can sit on opposite sides of the national blend when their housing stock differs.
New England
The oldest housing stock in the country, and the bill shows it. Triple-deckers, walk-up brownstones, and narrow colonial staircases mean crews carry rather than roll, and street-parking permits have to be pulled before the truck arrives. Distances between markets are short, so most moves here stay hourly.
9 metros covered, averaging a 1.09 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $1,125 in Manchester and $1,275 in Stamford, a $150 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 1.18 | $219/hr | $1,275 | $1,025–$1,525 |
| Burlington, VT | 1.06 | $197/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,375 |
| Hartford, CT | 1.08 | $201/hr | $1,150 | $950–$1,400 |
| Manchester, NH | 1.04 | $193/hr | $1,125 | $900–$1,350 |
| New Haven, CT | 1.10 | $205/hr | $1,175 | $975–$1,425 |
| Portland, ME | 1.04 | $193/hr | $1,125 | $900–$1,350 |
| Providence, RI | 1.08 | $201/hr | $1,150 | $950–$1,400 |
| Stamford, CT | 1.18 | $219/hr | $1,275 | $1,025–$1,525 |
| Worcester, MA | 1.08 | $201/hr | $1,150 | $950–$1,400 |
Mid-Atlantic
Dense, elevator-governed, and expensive on labor. Buildings dictate the schedule here more than the inventory does: certificates of insurance, reserved freight elevators, and fixed move-in windows all convert into billable hours before a single box is lifted.
9 metros covered, averaging a 1.06 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $1,025 in Rochester and $1,375 in New York, a $350 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, NY | 1.00 | $186/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,300 |
| Allentown, PA | 0.97 | $180/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,250 |
| Buffalo, NY | 0.97 | $180/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,250 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 1.19 | $221/hr | $1,275 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| New York, NY | 1.28 | $238/hr | $1,375 | $1,125–$1,675 |
| Newark, NJ | 1.12 | $208/hr | $1,200 | $975–$1,450 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1.08 | $201/hr | $1,150 | $950–$1,400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1.01 | $188/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,325 |
| Rochester, NY | 0.96 | $179/hr | $1,025 | $850–$1,250 |
East North Central
The industrial Midwest prices close to the national blend. Housing is mostly detached with driveways and, distinctively, full basements, which quietly add a flight of stairs at both ends of a great many jobs in this division.
11 metros covered, averaging a 0.97 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $975 in Dayton and $1,150 in Chicago, a $175 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 1.02 | $190/hr | $1,100 | $900–$1,325 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.07 | $199/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,400 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Cleveland, OH | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Columbus, OH | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Dayton, OH | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Detroit, MI | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Madison, WI | 1.01 | $188/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,325 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
West North Central
Low wage bases and easy suburban access make this the cheapest labor in the country to hire by the hour. The offsetting factor is geography: metros sit far apart, so an in-state move that would be local elsewhere often crosses into per-mile transport pricing here.
8 metros covered, averaging a 0.95 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $950 in Wichita and $1,100 in Minneapolis, a $150 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Fargo, ND | 0.96 | $179/hr | $1,025 | $850–$1,250 |
| Kansas City, MO | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1.03 | $192/hr | $1,100 | $900–$1,350 |
| Omaha, NE | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| St. Louis, MO | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Wichita, KS | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
South Atlantic
The country's busiest inbound corridor, and the widest internal spread of any division. Carolina and Georgia crews are among the cheapest in the East, while Washington, D.C. and the South Florida condo towers price like the Northeast because their access rules are the same.
23 metros covered, averaging a 0.98 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $975 in Augusta and $1,225 in Washington, a $250 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 0.96 | $179/hr | $1,025 | $850–$1,250 |
| Augusta, GA | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Baltimore, MD | 1.09 | $203/hr | $1,175 | $950–$1,425 |
| Charleston, SC | 0.97 | $180/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,250 |
| Charleston, WV | 0.92 | $171/hr | $1,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| Charlotte, NC | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Columbia, SC | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1.06 | $197/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,375 |
| Fort Myers, FL | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Greensboro, NC | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Greenville, SC | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Miami, FL | 1.08 | $201/hr | $1,150 | $950–$1,400 |
| Orlando, FL | 0.96 | $179/hr | $1,025 | $850–$1,250 |
| Raleigh, NC | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Richmond, VA | 0.97 | $180/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,250 |
| Sarasota, FL | 1.01 | $188/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,325 |
| Savannah, GA | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Tampa, FL | 1.00 | $186/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,300 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 0.98 | $182/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,275 |
| Washington, DC | 1.14 | $212/hr | $1,225 | $1,000–$1,475 |
| West Palm Beach, FL | 1.06 | $197/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,375 |
| Wilmington, DE | 1.02 | $190/hr | $1,100 | $900–$1,325 |
East South Central
Low hourly rates across the division, with one exception that matters: Nashville's demand has outrun its crew supply, and the tall-and-skinny infill houses there are three floors of narrow staircase on lots with no driveway.
9 metros covered, averaging a 0.92 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $950 in Jackson and $1,075 in Nashville, a $125 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Huntsville, AL | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Jackson, MS | 0.88 | $164/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| Knoxville, TN | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Lexington, KY | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Louisville, KY | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Memphis, TN | 0.92 | $171/hr | $1,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| Nashville, TN | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
West South Central
Texas anchors the division with the deepest mover market in the country, which keeps hourly rates below the national blend despite enormous relocation volume. Sprawl is the real cost here: drive time between an origin and a destination 40 miles apart is billable.
11 metros covered, averaging a 0.92 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $950 in El Paso and $1,050 in Austin, a $100 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 0.98 | $182/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,275 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Dallas, TX | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| El Paso, TX | 0.88 | $164/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| Fayetteville, AR | 0.92 | $171/hr | $1,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| Houston, TX | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
| Little Rock, AR | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
| New Orleans, LA | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 0.91 | $169/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| San Antonio, TX | 0.90 | $167/hr | $975 | $800–$1,175 |
| Tulsa, OK | 0.89 | $166/hr | $950 | $775–$1,150 |
Mountain
Thin carrier networks and long hauls between markets. Local rates run from well below the blend in the desert metros to well above it along the Front Range and in the resort towns, where seasonal-resident demand competes for a small pool of crews.
11 metros covered, averaging a 0.97 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $1,000 in Tucson and $1,125 in Denver, a $125 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Billings, MT | 0.95 | $177/hr | $1,025 | $825–$1,225 |
| Boise, ID | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 0.94 | $175/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,225 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Denver, CO | 1.05 | $195/hr | $1,125 | $925–$1,375 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 0.96 | $179/hr | $1,025 | $850–$1,250 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 0.97 | $180/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,250 |
| Reno, NV | 1.02 | $190/hr | $1,100 | $900–$1,325 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 0.98 | $182/hr | $1,050 | $850–$1,275 |
| Tucson, AZ | 0.93 | $173/hr | $1,000 | $825–$1,200 |
Pacific
The most expensive labor in the country, plus the two states where household goods often travel by sea rather than road. California hillside carries and street-only parking add hours; Alaska and Hawaii price like freight rather than like moving.
13 metros covered, averaging a 1.12 local index. A 2-bedroom local move runs $1,075 in Fresno and $1,450 in Honolulu, a $375 spread inside one division.
| Metro | Cost index | 3-mover crew | 2BR typical | 2BR range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 1.20 | $223/hr | $1,300 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| Fresno, CA | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Honolulu, HI | 1.35 | $251/hr | $1,450 | $1,175–$1,750 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.16 | $216/hr | $1,250 | $1,025–$1,500 |
| Portland, OR | 1.06 | $197/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,375 |
| Riverside, CA | 1.07 | $199/hr | $1,150 | $925–$1,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | 1.02 | $190/hr | $1,100 | $900–$1,325 |
| San Diego, CA | 1.10 | $205/hr | $1,175 | $975–$1,425 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.20 | $223/hr | $1,300 | $1,050–$1,550 |
| San Jose, CA | 1.22 | $227/hr | $1,300 | $1,075–$1,575 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.12 | $208/hr | $1,200 | $975–$1,450 |
| Spokane, WA | 0.99 | $184/hr | $1,075 | $875–$1,275 |
| Stockton, CA | 1.04 | $193/hr | $1,125 | $900–$1,350 |
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Moving cost by city FAQ
A 3-mover crew with a truck runs about $186/hour at the 2026 national blend, but the spread between metros is real: the same crew bills less in the cheapest markets on this page and more in the most expensive. Each metro page shows its own 2-, 3-, and 4-mover rates.
Of the 104 metros we publish rates for, Honolulu is the most expensive for a typical 2-bedroom local move at $1,450, followed by New York and San Jose. Dense housing, elevator and certificate-of-insurance rules, and high crew wages drive all three.
Jackson is the cheapest metro we cover, at about $950 for a typical 2-bedroom local move, with El Paso and Wichita close behind. Low wage bases and single-story housing with driveway access do most of that work.
A local move is crew hours, so the cost follows two things: what an hour of crew labor costs in that market, and how many hours the local housing stock forces the crew to spend. A walk-up with street-only parking and a single-story house with a driveway are not the same job, even with identical inventory.
No. Every figure here is an informational estimate computed from one published rate model, documented on our methodology page. Your actual cost is set by the moving company you hire, after an inventory review.