Average Moving Costs in 2026: A Complete Guide
From local studios to coast-to-coast moves, here's exactly what to budget for your 2026 move.
Published 2026-05-22 · 8 min read · Pricing
How much does the average move cost in 2026?
The average local move (under 100 miles) for a 2-bedroom home in 2026 ranges from $1,200 to $2,800, depending on your city, the floor your home is on, and the volume of your belongings. Long-distance moves typically run between $4,000 and $12,000 for the same home size — a wide range driven by distance, season, and any specialty handling required.
What drives moving cost up or down?
Five factors do most of the heavy lifting: total volume (cubic feet), distance, time of year (June–August premiums can run 20–30%), accessibility (stairs, narrow streets, elevator reservations), and any specialty items — pianos, art, oversized antiques. Climate-controlled storage adds roughly $200–$500 per month for an average home's worth of belongings.
Should you choose flat-fee or hourly?
Flat-fee pricing protects you from time overruns — what we quote is what you pay. Hourly works well for short, predictable moves, especially in-building or under two hours of work. For most full-home moves, flat-fee is the safer bet because it removes the incentive to slow down.
How to get an accurate estimate
Detailed estimates commonly use a video walkthrough or in-home survey rather than only a brief phone call. Ask which pricing basis applies and review included services and possible additional charges in writing.
More moving guides
- How to Pack Like a Pro: 12 Tips From Our Senior Crew Leads — Practical packing techniques for a more organized senior move.
- Moving With Seniors: A Family Guide — How to navigate one of life's most emotional transitions with care, respect, and patience.
- The Ultimate Move Day Checklist (Free Printable) — Twenty-eight tasks our crews wish every customer did the week before move day.
- Long Distance Moving: 9 Things Most Movers Won't Tell You — The honest truths about cross-country moves that even good companies forget to mention.
- How to Choose a Moving Company (Without Getting Burned) — Eight questions that separate real movers from broker-resellers and scammers.