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What are the Average Hourly Rates of Movers?
Expect to pay anywhere from $95 to $200 per hour, depending on where you are moving to and how many boxes, furniture, and other possessions need to be transported.
The chart below will give you a general idea of the average mover rates per hour based on the size of your home. You can use this as a guide, but make sure you get an accurate quote before you hire your local movers.
| 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 |
When it comes to moving, there is no one-size-fits-all mover hourly rate. The cost can vary significantly depending on where you are located and how far you are moving.
The amount of belongings that you have as well as the size and specifications of your current and new homes are also taken into account.
For example, if the movers have to carry boxes up and down several flights of stairs, your move may cost more than if there’s an elevator in the building.
What Factors Can Affect Movers’ Hourly Rate?
Most movers will have a baseline hourly rate that they start from that takes into account the approximate size of your current and new homes, the number and weight of boxes and furniture, as well as the distance that has to be traveled.
There are also a number of other factors that come into play and that can increase the average moving cost per hour, including:
- Truck access – if you’re moving out of a single-family house with a wide driveway, it’s much easier for the moving truck to pull in and park as compared to a move from an urban apartment building with no parking. The more difficult it is for the truck to physically access your location, the more expensive your total cost might be.
- Long carry – if the movers are unable to drive the truck up close to the entrance of your home, they may add an additional surcharge per hour based on how far they have to carry items from your home to the truck.
- Elevators – if you are moving out of or into an apartment building with an elevator, movers are likely to charge more due to the need to carry the boxes and furniture between your apartment and the elevator.
- Packing and unpacking services – many long distance movers will offer an optional add-on service if you’d like assistance with packing before the move and/or unpacking after. This could be a great time-saver for you, but can also add a significant amount to the mover rates per hour.
- Furniture disassembly/assembly – most movers will charge more if you’d like them to take apart larger pieces of furniture and then reassemble them in your new home.
- Stairs – whether it’s an apartment building without an elevator or a single-family home with multiple levels, there may be an additional charge depending on the number of flights of stairs.
FAQ
How much does moving labor cost?
The cost of moving labor will depend on a variety of factors including moving distance, the amount and weight of the belongings to move, and more. The average moving labor cost per hour is $30-40 per mover.
How much does a typical local move cost?
On average, a typical local move (usually around 50-100 miles) costs around $1400 for a standard 2-3 bedroom home. The overall range in prices for this type of move is between $800 and $2500.
How much does it cost to move long distance?
A long distance move (generally defined as over 100 miles) is likely to cost on average anywhere from $2200 to $5700. The price will vary depending on how far the move is and the weight of what needs to be transported.
What is the cheapest way to move?
The cheapest way to move is to get a few of your strongest friends or family members to help you pack and move all of your belongings on your own without hiring professionals.
You may need to rent a truck or a U-Haul, but that will be much less than hiring professional movers. You can also consider lower cost options like renting a moving container that you load and unload on your own and just pay for the delivery.
How much to tip movers?
Tipping is really up to your discretion, but it’s generally recommended to tip each mover between $6-$12 per hour and don’t forget to also tip the driver.
Click here for more information on tipping.
Is it worth it to hire movers?
It’s worth it to hire movers if you can afford it and want the peace of mind knowing that someone else is responsible for moving your belongings from one place to another.
If, for example, you have a lot of breakable and valuable items you may prefer having professionals who know how to pack and transport such things without damaging them.
If, on the other hand, you are only moving a few blocks away and don’t have too many boxes or lots of furniture, it might be worth doing it yourself with the help of a few able-bodied friends.
So, How Much Can You Expect to Spend on Your Move?
The hourly cost of your movers will primarily depend on a number of factors including the distance of the move and the number and weight of furniture and boxes and other belongings to transport. The prices will also take into account the workload on the movers – for example, if they are going to be carrying boxes up and down a few flights of stairs, the price will reflect that.
On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from $95-$200 per hour on your move.
You can use our moving cost calculator to get a better sense of what your specific move will cost.
