Cost calculator

Moving Cost Calculator

Get a ballpark estimate for your move in seconds, then compare real quotes from vetted Pacific Northwest movers. Estimates are for planning — your binding quote may differ.

Local vs. long-distance pricing
Instant ballpark range
Then compare real binding quotes

Step 1

What size home are you moving?

Step 2

What type of move is this?

Step 3

What service level do you need?

What raises your price

↑Peak season (May–Sep): +15–25%
↑Stairs or no elevator: +$75–$200
↑Long carry to the truck: +$75–$200
↑Last-minute booking: +20–40%
↑Full packing service: +$400–$1,500

What lowers it

↓Midweek, mid-month move: −10–15%
↓Off-season (Oct–Apr): −15–25%
↓Declutter before you book: −$300–$1,200
↓Pack non-fragile items yourself: −$400–$1,000
↓Compare 3 binding quotes: −$400–$1,500

Labeled planning estimate for Idaho, Oregon & Washington. Use the form to get real binding quotes for your exact move — free, no obligation.

How to use this calculator

This tool answers one question fast: roughly what should my move cost? Make three choices and hit calculate.

Pick your home size. Home size is shorthand for how much stuff you're moving and how long loading takes — the single biggest driver of price. If you're between sizes or have a packed garage, round up.
Pick your move type. "Local" means within one metro (billed hourly). "Within state" is a longer haul inside Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. "Interstate" means crossing a state line — priced by weight and mileage.
Pick your service level. "Labor only" is the cheapest — movers load and unload a truck you drive. "Full service" is the market baseline — a crew handles loading, transport, and unloading. "White glove" adds packing, unpacking, and room placement.
Read the range as a ballpark. The result shows your selected level plus a budget and premium tier, so you can see the full spread. It's a planning estimate, not a quote — use it to sanity-check bids and budget, then request binding quotes for a real price.

The estimate assumes a straightforward move with standard access. Add stairs, a cross-town drive, full packing, or a summer weekend and the real figure lands higher in (or above) the range. That's normal — every home and route is a little different, which is exactly why reputable movers quote after seeing your inventory.

Typical moving costs by home size

Here's how the ranges break down across move types. These are labeled planning estimates for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, based on typical crew-and-truck rates and weight-based long-distance pricing.

Home size	Local (hourly)	Intrastate	Long-distance
Studio / 1 bedroom	$400 – $1,000	$900 – $2,200	$2,500 – $5,500
2 bedroom	$800 – $2,000	$1,500 – $3,500	$3,500 – $7,500
3 bedroom	$1,200 – $3,000	$2,200 – $5,000	$4,500 – $9,500
4+ bedroom	$1,800 – $4,500	$3,200 – $7,000	$6,500 – $13,000

Local moves are billed by the hour; long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance. Your binding quote may differ.

How movers actually price a move

There are two pricing models, and knowing which one applies to you explains almost everything about the number you'll see.

Local moves are billed by the hour

Within a single metro, movers charge for the crew and truck by the hour — commonly $110 to $210 per hour depending on crew size and market.

A two-person crew is cheaper per hour but slower; a three- or four-person crew costs more per hour but often finishes faster, so the total can be similar. Most companies also charge a travel fee — usually one hour — to cover the drive to and from their yard, and many have a two- or three-hour minimum.

Because you pay for time, anything that slows the crew down — stairs, a long carry, unlabeled boxes, furniture that isn't ready to go — directly raises the bill.

Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance

Once your shipment crosses a state line or travels a long way, hourly billing gives way to a rate based on how much your belongings weigh and how far they're going, plus any accessorial services like packing, stairs, shuttle, or storage-in-transit.

Interstate carriers are regulated by the FMCSA and must give you a written estimate. Insist on a binding or not-to-exceed one so the price is locked or capped.

The lighter you travel, the less you pay — which is why decluttering before a long-distance move saves real money.

What changes your moving cost

Two moves of the same size can differ by hundreds or thousands of dollars. These are the factors that move the number, roughly in order of impact:

Home size and volume. More rooms and a fuller home mean more to load, longer hours locally and more weight long-distance. Decluttering first is the cheapest way to cut the bill.
Distance. A cross-town move is a few hours; a cross-country move is priced by mileage and can run days of transit.
Access. Stairs, elevators, long walks from the door to the truck, and tight or distant parking all add labor time or flat fees at both ends.
Packing. Full-service packing is convenient but adds materials and hours. Packing yourself is the single biggest saving on most moves.
Timing. Summer (May–September), weekends, and month-end are peak and cost the most. Midweek, mid-month, off-season moves are cheaper and easier to book.
Specialty items. Pianos, safes, hot tubs, gun safes, and large appliances usually carry separate handling charges.
Valuation coverage. Basic released-value protection is minimal (often 60 cents per pound). Full-value protection costs more but actually covers your belongings.
Add-on services. Storage-in-transit, a shuttle truck for tight access, disassembly and reassembly, and debris removal all add line items.

How to read a moving estimate

The estimate type decides who absorbs the risk if your move turns out heavier or more involved than expected. There are three:

Binding — a fixed price for the inventory and services listed. Predictable; you pay the agreed amount even if the load weighs more.
Not-to-exceed (guaranteed) — a cap. You pay less if the move is lighter, never more than the ceiling. The most consumer-friendly option.
Non-binding — an educated guess based on estimated weight. The final bill can rise, so it's the riskiest. Cheapest-sounding on paper, most likely to surprise you.

Whatever the type, get it in writing, make sure it's based on a real inventory (an in-person or video survey for larger moves), and keep a copy. If a company won't put the price in writing, treat it as a red flag.

Hidden fees to ask about

Surprises usually come from services that weren't in the original quote. Before you book, ask specifically about travel or fuel fees, stair and long-carry charges, and elevator fees.

Ask, too, about a shuttle truck if the big truck can't reach your door, packing materials, specialty-item handling, storage if delivery is delayed, and cancellation or rescheduling policies.

A trustworthy mover will answer all of these plainly and put the answers in the estimate.

How to lower your moving cost

You have more control over the final number than it seems. The highest-leverage moves:

Declutter first. You pay to move weight and volume — donate, sell, or toss what you won't want in the new place.
Move off-peak. Midweek and mid-month, outside summer, is meaningfully cheaper.
Pack yourself. Have everything boxed, labeled, and ready before the crew arrives so an hourly move doesn't run long.
Compare binding quotes. Get two or three and compare like-for-like. The middle bid from a well-reviewed crew usually beats the lowball.
Be flexible on dates. If you can give the mover a window instead of one fixed day, you'll often get a better rate.

From estimate to real quote

This calculator gets you a budget in seconds. The next step is a real price: tell us about your move once, and we'll match you with vetted, reviewed movers who serve your route across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Compare their binding quotes side by side — it's free, and there's no obligation to book. Not sure who to trust yet? Start with our moving company reviews or the best movers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use this moving cost calculator?+

Make three choices — home size, move type, and service level — then hit Calculate. Home size stands in for how much you're moving; move type sets the pricing model (local moves are billed hourly, while within-state and interstate moves are priced by weight and distance); service level scales the estimate from labor-only up to white glove. The result shows your selected level plus a budget and premium tier. Read it as a planning ballpark, then use the form to get real binding quotes for your exact move.

Is this estimate accurate?+

It's a planning ballpark, not a quote. The ranges reflect typical Pacific Northwest pricing for each home size and move type, but your real price depends on access (stairs, long carries), packing, the season, specialty items, and how far you're going. For an accurate number, get a binding written estimate from two or three movers.

What's included in the estimate?+

The ranges assume standard loading, transport, and unloading by a professional crew. They do not include full packing service and materials, long-term storage, specialty-item handling (pianos, hot tubs, safes), shuttle fees for tight access, or upgraded valuation coverage. Ask each mover exactly what their quote covers.

Why is my actual quote different from the estimate?+

Two moves of the same size can cost very differently. Stairs, a long walk from the door to the truck, elevator access, the month and day you move, how much you've decluttered, and whether you add packing all move the number. That's why we show a range and recommend comparing binding quotes.

How much does a local move cost?+

Local moves in the Pacific Northwest are billed hourly, usually $110–$210 per hour for a crew and truck. A studio or 1-bedroom often runs $400–$1,200; a 3-bedroom home commonly lands $1,200–$3,000, depending on crew size and access.

How much does a long-distance move cost?+

Interstate and long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance, not by the hour. A 3-bedroom home moving cross-country commonly runs $4,500–$12,000. Always get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate so the price can't balloon on delivery.

What's the cheapest way to move?+

A DIY truck rental is cheapest on paper, but you provide the labor and take on the risk. A middle path is hiring labor-only movers to load and unload a truck or container you drive. Full-service movers cost the most but do everything and carry liability coverage. Decluttering, packing yourself, and moving off-peak lower the cost of any option.

When is the cheapest time to move?+

Midweek days (Tuesday through Thursday) in the middle of the month, outside the May–September peak, are the cheapest. Summer weekends and the last few days of any month are the most in demand and the most expensive.

How far in advance should I book movers?+

Book four to eight weeks ahead for a local move, and six to eight weeks for a long-distance or summer move. The best-reviewed crews fill up first, especially on weekends and at month-end.

Do movers charge extra for stairs or a long carry?+

Often, yes. Stairs, long walks from the truck to the door, elevators, and difficult parking add labor time or a flat fee. Specialty items like pianos, safes, and appliances usually carry separate charges. Ask for these to be itemized in your written estimate.