On average, a local move in LA for a 2-bedroom home average about $995. A long-distance move, on the other hand, will be significantly more, averaging about $2,000 depending on where you move, the items being moved, and more.
Average Local Moving Cost in Los Angeles
| Home Size | Average Price | No. of Movers | Ave Cost / Hr | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $278 – $ 599 | 2 movers | $95/hr | 2-4 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $389 – $750 | 2 movers | $95/hr | 3-6 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $750 – $1900 | 3 movers | $125/hr | 4-8 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1250– $3500 | 4 movers | $165/hr | 6-12 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,400 – $5100 | 4 movers | $165/hr | 8-14 hours |
| 5 Bedroom+ | $2500 – $8000 | 5 movers | $200/hr | 10-16 hours |
Average Long Distance Moving Cost in Los Angeles
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| 50 miles | $300 – $650 | $750 – $1,300 | $1,350 – $2,900 |
| 250 miles | $850 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $3,500 | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| 1000 miles+ | $900 – $2,700 | $2,100 – $6,900 | $5,500 – $7,900 |
| 2500 miles+ | $1,500 – $3,500 | $3,900 – $7,000 | $8,500+ |
There is a lot of planning to do for a LA move, and sorting out your budget is probably the first thing you’ll want to tackle. A big chunk of that budget will go towards paying for the move itself, but how much do Los Angeles movers cost?
A number of factors can influence how much it costs to hire movers. Let’s get into the financial aspect of moving in Los Angeles.
Moving Cost Factors in Los Angeles
As previously mentioned, there are a number of influential factors on moving costs in Los Angeles. Getting familiar with all of these can make the decision-making process simpler, so let’s go over each of the big elements in moving costs.
- Season of your move: Even in sunny Los Angeles, the season makes a difference in moving costs. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons for interstate movers, so finding available movers will be tougher. They’ll also be more expensive, as demand for moving services is higher. Moving in summer or winter can lower moving costs.
- Size and volume of move: These two factors are the biggest determinants of the cost of your move. The size of your residence along with the amount of items in it will be highly influential in calculating your moving quote. Smaller homes will be less expensive to move while larger homes will be more expensive to move.
- Date of your move: The period of the year from April to September is considered peak season for LA movers, so moving plans should be made ahead of time to avoid hiccups. Weekends, holidays, and the beginning and end of each month are also busier for movers, so you’ll see higher moving quotes.
- Location issues: Not every home or apartment will be in the perfect spot for moving vehicles, so some location issues may come up. Stairs, narrow entryways, and other issues with the building can make things more difficult for movers and more expensive for you. Let movers know about any obstacles they may face on moving day.
- Specialty items: Items that are complex to move, such as safes, heavy items, antiques, and pianos, will require specialty services from moving companies in Los Angeles. Movers use protective materials, wraps, and other packing items to keep belongings from getting damaged during the moving process.
- Premium services: If you’re in need of other services, such as a cleaning service for your moving date, these will be under premium services. Moving companies may offer some services you’d never expect (like pet sitters!), so get to know the long distance movers you choose and see how they can make the moving process even easier.
Full Service Moving Costs
If you’re moving within Los Angeles, this is considered a local move. For local moves within the state, moving companies use home size, hours to complete move, and the average weight of your items to determine the price on your moving quote.
Full service moves typically include services such as:
- Furniture assembly and disassembly
- Loading and unloading
- Transportation
- Packing and unpacking (for an extra fee)
Flat Rate Estimates
Flat rate estimates will be given in some situations, depending on the movers you work with. Moving companies use the aforementioned moving factors to figure out your estimate, so you’ll know what to expect once your in-home inventory has been completed.
Average prices for flat rate estimates start at around $400 and go up from there based on the specific criteria of your move. If you need an exact price, speak with Los Angeles movers to get more insight into your costs.
Hourly Estimates
Hourly estimates may also be provided by moving companies. Any additional services you require will be included in the quote and you’ll mainly have to focus on the hourly rate for conducting the move.
On average, two moving professionals will be needed for the typical move and will each be due an hourly rate for their services, which can fall anywhere between $60 and $120. Studio apartments take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours while a 4 bedroom home can take over 9 hours to move.
DIY Moving Costs
There’s a pretty simple formula when it comes to calculating the moving costs when conducting a DIY move: packing materials, truck expenses, and labor expenses.
- Packing materials: Packing materials are pretty standard – packing tape, boxes, and materials to protect items from bumps and breaks. Heavy duty boxes are available from different home improvement stores along with tape and other materials. You’re looking at spending about $50 to $100 on materials. Overall the packing supply cost to move out of NYC or LA are the same – unlike other moving costs.
- Truck expenses: A rental truck will need to be factored in to your DIY move as well. Trucks are rented per day and mileage costs are included along with gas fees. Unless you’re going far, a moving truck will cost in total anywhere from $60 to $150.
- Labor expenses: Unless you’re handling everything yourself, you’re going to have some labor expenses. Friends and family members can help keep costs low, but you may also consider labor-only movers. In essence, you could pay anywhere from $0 to $260 in labor.
Using this formula is the easiest way to calculate a DIY move, though there may still be unexpected expenses that come up during your move. Be prepared for anything to happen, such as needing an extra night in a hotel or requiring storage space for items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do movers need to go into my home?
Unless you’ve packed all your belongings and moved them outside of your home, movers will need to enter the home in order to conduct and complete the move. You’ll also want a final in-person estimate from the moving company you hire. If you don’t want movers to leave packages inside the home on delivery, let them know exactly where to place items so that they can ensure that your things are handled properly.
How many movers do I need to move in Los Angeles?
More often than not, moving companies send two moving professionals out to your home on the day of your move. In some cases, such as with complex or large moves, more movers will be required. You’ll be charged for additional movers if they are necessary, so speak with the company about what will be required to complete your move efficiently.
How much does it cost to have furniture moved?
If you don’t need full services or want a particular piece of furniture moved, movers are available for the task. For full-service moves, the average cost varies from $25 to $50 per mover. There are also small move services that specialize in moving single items, with costs dependent on the item being moved along with other factors.
Budget Your Los Angeles Move Like a Pro
It’s never too early to consider yourself a pro, especially when using our guide on moving in Los Angeles. As long as you’re organized, prepared, timely, and work with the best LA movers you can find, things will go smoother than you ever thought possible.
