As little as $90? As much as $15,000? If you’re trying to figure out the price of moving, there’s a pretty big window to work with. An $14,910 spread isn’t the most convenient tool for mapping out your budget, but there’s really no easy answer. Every move is different, and there are different prices for local, long distance, and cross-country moving.
The price of moving can be a little slippery, and unless you process moves every day, it’s hard to get an idea of how much people pay on average.
Fortunately, At Moving APT, we’ve been helping our customers move for over 20 years. Over all that time, we’ve seen cheap, in-town relocations, and super expensive, cross-country long-hauls.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the price of different moving options, from full-service nationwide movers to hands-on DIY moving. But before we continue, try to keep in mind that the price of every move is determined by a few key factors:
Factors Behind the Price of Your Move:
- Distance
- Physical size (How much are you moving?)
- Extras and add-ons
- Insurance
- Scheduling and availability
Cost to Hire Local Movers in San Antonio
Local moving companies in San Antonio can cost you as little as $90 per hour. That’s not a bad deal, but keep in mind, it’s just the baseline for a studio apartment. As the physical size of your move increases, so will your price – and it can get as high as $450 per hour.
But what counts as a local move in the first place?
In the moving industry, anything under 100 miles and within the same state counts as a local move. Local moving companies charge per hour, and per mover. General rule of thumb is two movers per bedroom.
We love local moving companies. They usually have a really ride-or-die approach to customer service, and their crews know their way around all those sneaky shortcuts to save time (and money). This is a huge help in a city like San Antonio, considering how bad traffic gets.
| Home Size | Average Total Cost | Cost per Hour | Number of Movers |
| Studio/1 Bedroom | $90 – $270 | $90 – $135/hr | 2 Movers |
| 2 Bedroom | $270 – $360 | $135 – $180/hr | 3 Movers |
| 3 Bedroom | $360 – $450 | $180 – $225 | 4 Movers |
| 4 Bedroom | $450 – $600 | $225 – $300/hr | 4 Movers |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $600 – $900 | $300 – $450/hr | 5 Movers |
Pro Tip
Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers in San Antonio
Long-distance moves from San Antonio can cost you as little as $500, and as much as $15,000. It’s a big ballpark, but “long distance moving” covers a lot of bases.
If you’re moving over 100 miles, you’ll have to work with a long distance moving company. And if you’re moving across state lines – even if the state line is just a mile away – you’ll have to work with a long distance moving company also.
Long distance moving companies charge per mile, and per pound. We’ve seen some movers who prefer to use cubic feet instead, but the basic principle is the same: More miles, more stuff, more money.
Every move is different, so we mathed out some moving costs for a 1,000-mile example. If you’re moving more than 1,000 miles, you’ll end up paying a little more. But if you’re moving less than 1,000 miles, you’re in luck – your movers will probably be a little cheaper.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,800
- 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,500
- 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,300
- 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,200–$8,600
Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs
- Storage fees: $200–$550/month
- Insurance: $600–$3,000
- Packing and unpacking services: $600–$1,100
- Access fees: $120–$500
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,800–$4,800 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $3,100–$6,500 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $4,500–$7,300 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $5,200–$8,600 |
| 5-Bedroom Home (Max Est.) | $6,500–$10,000 |
Pro Tip
You may not be able to do much about the distance, but you can certainly reduce the weight of your move. If you have a bunch of unwanted items lying around, get rid of them before you shop for quotes. You don’t want them anyway, so don’t pay to have them transported!
Cost to Hire Cross Country Movers in San Antonio
Cross-country moving ranges from $3,000 to $15,000. On the surface, a cross-country move may seem like a long-distance move only longer, but there’s a lot of coordination and prep that goes into nationwide moving.
First of all, depending on the route, you may have to deal with multiple carriers – all of whom will require dedicated coordination and management. You’ll also be on the hook for fuel surcharges, considering the extreme distances required.
And if you need extra services, your moving company will have to make sure each service is available for each leg of the trip!
- Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000–$5,000
- 2-Bedroom Home: $5,500–$7,500
- 3-Bedroom Home: $7,000–$10,000
- 4-Bedroom Home: $9,000–$15,000
Key Cost Factors
- Distance: The farther the move, the higher the transportation costs.
- Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800 depending on truck size.
- Specialty Services: Packing/unpacking, furniture assembly, and handling fragile items can add $600–$1,200 to your bill.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
| Studio or 1-Bedroom | $3,000–$5,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $5,500–$7,500 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $7,000–$10,000 |
| 4-5 Bedroom Home | $9,000–$15,000 |
Pro Tip
Cross-country moving is just about the most expensive kind of move we handle. Fortunately, you can still do plenty to save cash. Make sure you downsize (just like with a long-distance move), but also try to book WAY far in advance – at least two, three months. You can snag some sweet discounts, especially if you’re flexible on the delivery date.
How Much Does it Cost to Move if it’s DIY?
DIY moving in San Antonio can be as cheap as $90, $120. But that’s only assuming you’re moving local, moving small, and don’t need any help with the heavy lifting (spoiler: You will).
We’re professional movers, so we’re a little biased. But we can’t deny DIY moving is a budget-friendly approach – as long as you’re disciplined with your expenses.
If you end up spending all your savings on gas, food, and lodging, you may as well just pay a little more to have full-service movers handle everything.
Truck Rental Costs
Small truck: $30–$40/day
Medium truck: $50–$80/day
Large truck: $90–$130/day
Gas Expenses
Local move: $40–$70
Long-distance move: $250–$550 (depending on the mileage)
Packing Supplies
Boxes, tape, and other materials: $120–$275
Labor Costs (if hiring helpers)
$50–$70/hour per person
Pro Tip
You can make DIY moving cheaper by getting a little resourceful. Ask around for free boxes: Usually, liquor stores and bookstores are happy to donate some to the cause. You should also seriously consider bribing family and friends to help out with the heavy stuff, because beer and pizza is much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.
How Long Does Moving Take?
Moving takes between 1 and 21 days, but 21 days is a worst-case scenario. Much like the price of your move, it depends on how far you’re going and how much you’re transporting. But smaller moves aren’t always faster, and your movers have to obey rules and regulations.
First, the rules: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in charge of regulating how movers operate across state lines. They have rules for drivers, and they investigate drivers who have gone too far in one 11-hour shift.
A Note About Bundling
Next, industry practice: Smaller moves aren’t always faster. Moving companies don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the place. If your move doesn’t fill an entire truck, they’ll bundle multiple moves in the same trailer for maximum efficiency. (Don’t worry, everything stay separate and secure back there.)
Bundling keeps costs down. But it also means more delays for pickups and dropoffs along the way. If you want, you can pay for direct delivery, but it costs quite a bit extra.
Hire the Best with Moving APT
“How much does it cost to hire movers in San Antonio?” Now you know. And now, you can book with the best of the best.
At Moving APT, we’ve been helping customers for over 20 years. From local moving to cross country relocations, we’ve done it all. If you’re ready to get started, we’re here to get you packed. Tell us more about your move, and let’s get you on the road.