How much does it cost to move in 2026?

For a typical 2–3 bedroom household moving 1,000+ miles in 2026: full-service movers average $4,000–$8,000, moving containers run roughly 30% less, and a DIY truck rental is usually $1,500–$4,000 all-in including fuel. The calculator above tailors a range to your home size and distance.

For long-distance moves they're close: PODS averaged about $3,900 and U-Pack about $4,000 across home sizes and distances in September 2026 data (Move.org). PODS includes ~30 days of storage; U-Pack is often faster with pay-for-what-you-use trailer pricing. U-Pack generally doesn't serve local moves under ~100 miles.

In 2026, local movers typically charge $80–$160 per hour for a two- to three-person crew with a truck, with a 2–3 hour minimum. That puts a local studio move at $200–$400 and a 3-bedroom home at $1,000–$2,000.

A DIY truck rental is almost always cheapest on paper — often half the cost of full-service movers. The catches: one-way pricing swings hard by route, fuel at 2026 prices adds hundreds of dollars, and you're trading money for days of hard labor plus driving a 26-foot truck.

Book long-distance movers 6–8 weeks ahead — industry data suggests that alone can cut rates 10–20% versus last-minute booking. For summer moves, book even earlier.

Distance, shipment weight, season, route demand, and access (stairs, long carries, elevators) all move the price. Summer, weekends, and end-of-month dates consistently cost 20–30% more. That's why every estimate here is a range — always get three or more binding written quotes.