$670 to $12,500 is a gigantic spread, and if we’re being honest, it probably doesn’t help much. To get a more accurate estimate of the cost to hire movers, you have to figure out whether you’ll be moving local (under 100 miles), long distance (over 100 miles, or across state lines), or cross country (coast to coast).
You’ll also need to figure out how much you’re hauling. Are you just moving a studio apartment’s worth of stuff, or are you moving a 5-bedroom McMansion? Whether you’re moving local or long distance, more items means more money.
Want to save some cash? Try to put together an inventory list of the big items you’ll have to move. This gives you a better idea of what you can get rid of, so you can whittle down the overall weight/cubic feet of your items.
Here are some other factors that affect your final price:
- Access fees
- Shuttle fees
- Packing and unpacking
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Monthly storage
Cost to Hire Local Movers in Philadelphia?
The cost of hiring movers in Philadelphia can range from $130 to $180 per hour for local moves. Small apartment moves typically cost between $670 and $790, while larger homes can range from $1,550 to $2,940.
Local moving companies usually charge per hour, and per mover. For every bedroom in your house, you’ll need about 2 movers.
Local moving is all about time, so any cost-saving measures boil down to maximizing efficiency. Put all your stuff in an easy-to-access corner or bedroom so your movers don’t have to waste time wrangling boxes from other parts of your house. And try to schedule your move when traffic is lightest, so you don’t get charged extra while your movers are stuck in traffic.
- Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment: Moving a small apartment in Philadelphia will typically cost between $670 and $790.
- Two-Bedroom Home: For a 2-bedroom home move, you can expect to pay anywhere from $790 to $1,050.
- Three-Bedroom Home: Moving a 3-bedroom home will generally cost between $1,050 and $1,450.
- Four-Bedroom Home: The cost for a 4-bedroom home move can range from $1,450 to $1,800.
- Five or More Bedrooms: For larger moves with 5 or more bedrooms, expect the price to range from $1,800 to $2,940.
| Home Size | Average Total Cost | Cost per Hour | Number of Movers |
| Studio or 1 Bedroom | $670–$790 | $130–$180 | 2 Movers |
| 2 Bedroom | $790–$1,050 | $130–$180 | 3 Movers |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,050–$1,450 | $130–$180 | 4 Movers |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,450–$1,800 | $130–$180 | 4 Movers |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $1,800–$2,940 | $130–$180 | 5 Movers |
Make Your Move Effortless – Get a Quote Today!
- 15% off seasonal discount
- 10% off for early reservations
- 10% off for flexible pickup windows
Call us now at 305-504-2383 or quickly get your free moving quote using our online cost calculator – it only takes seconds!
Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers in Philadelphia?
Long-distance moves from Philadelphia are priced according to distance and weight: If you’re moving over 100 miles, expect to pay from $2,200 to $12,770. Fortunately, if you’re moving less than 1,000 miles, you may not pay as much.
Long distance moving companies handle anything over 1,000 miles or across state lines – even if you’re just crossing the border to New Jersey.
A big part of your final price hinges on the weight (in pounds) or volume (in cubic feet) of all your stuff, so try to downsize before you shop for quotes.
All those unwanted, unused items are just going to increase your moving costs (and you still won’t want them when you get to your destination).
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,500
- 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,900
- 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,550
- 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,100–$8,350
- 5-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $6,500–$12,770
| # of Miles | 1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedrooms | 4-5 Bedrooms |
| 250 miles | $2,200–$3,500 | $2,500–$4,000 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| 500 miles | $2,500–$4,000 | $3,000–$5,500 | $4,000–$6,500 |
| 1,000 miles | $2,800–$4,500 | $3,100–$6,900 | $4,500–$7,550 |
| 1,500 miles | $3,500–$5,500 | $4,000–$7,000 | $5,500–$8,000 |
| 2,500 miles+ | $4,000–$6,500 | $5,000–$8,500 | $6,500–$12,770 |
Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs
- Storage: Varies, but can be as low as $150 per month
- Insurance: $200 on average
- Packing and unpacking: From a few hundred bucks to a few thousand
How much Does it Cost to Hire Cross Country Movers in Philadelphia?
Nationwide movers cost between $4,500 to $19,500. Unlike your standard long distance move, coast to coast moving requires extra coordination between moving agents and moving companies, and the long haul usually racks up an extra fuel surcharge.
Cross country moving is expensive, but you’ll be thankful you paid for the pros. Compared to a DIY move (more on that later), it’s a lot less stressful to work with a team who takes care of the heavy lifting for you.
- Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $4,500 to $6,500
- 2-Bedroom Home: $6,000 to $9,500
- 3-Bedroom Home: $8,000 to $13,000
- 4-Bedroom Home: $12,000 to $17,500
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 $500–$1,000 to your bill.
How Much Does it Cost to Move if it’s DIY?
Is DIY moving worth it? In our opinion, not really – and we’re not just saying that because we’re a professional moving company. A lot of people are convinced to try it out because they think of all the savings, but in reality, those savings dry up quick unless you really luck out on deals.
First off, you’ll have to rent a truck. You’ll also need to pay for gas. And if you’re traveling long distance (or even worse, cross country) you’ll have to pay for food and lodging along the way. Add those expenses to all the paychecks you missed because you were taking an impromptu road trip, and it may be pretty darn close to paying for the pros, anyways.
Truck Rental Costs
- Small truck: $20–$30/day
- Medium truck: $40–$70/day
- Large truck: $80–$120/day
Gas Expenses
- Local move: $30–$60
- Long-distance move: $200–$500 (depending on the mileage)
Packing Supplies
- Boxes, tape, and other materials: $100–$250
Labor Costs (if hiring helpers)
- $40–$60/hour per person
Moving Routes from Philadelphia to Major U.S. Cities: Cost Insights
Moving from Philadelphia to other major U.S. cities involves various costs, influenced by factors such as the size of your residence and the distance traveled. Below are estimated moving costs for different home sizes to select destinations:
| Destination City | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom | 3-Bedroom | 4-Bedroom |
| Philadelphia to Atlanta | $2,300–$5,000 | $2,700–$5,800 | $3,450–$6,300 | $4,200–$7,100 |
| Philadelphia to Boston | $1,200–$3,100 | $1,650–$4,050 | $2,000–$4,600 | $2,350–$5,100 |
| Philadelphia to Chicago | $2,450–$5,100 | $2,800–$5,700 | $3,500–$6,200 | $4,200–$7,000 |
| Philadelphia to Denver | $3,200–$5,250 | $3,800–$6,400 | $4,250–$6,950 | $5,300–$8,600 |
| Philadelphia to Houston | $3,100–$5,000 | $3,600–$5,900 | $4,200–$6,700 | $5,200–$8,400 |
| Philadelphia to LA | $2,900–$5,600 | $3,950–$6,850 | $5,250–$8,100 | $7,350–$11,300 |
| Philadelphia to Seattle | $2,700–$5,500 | $3,800–$6,800 | $5,150–$7,950 | $7,200–$11,200 |
Factors Behind Your Moving Costs
1. Distance
This is one of (if not THE) biggest factor behind your moving cost. Longer distances mean higher expenses due to fuel, labor, and time requirements. Cross-country moves are generally more expensive than moves to the next state over.
2. Load Size
Along with distance, the weight of all your stuff is another major factor. Out of state movers charge per pound, and more stuff means a bigger price tag. We recommend downsizing before booking a mover.
3. Services
Do you need packing, furniture disassembly, or a completely hands-off move? While they distance and size take up the lion’s share of the price, additional services definitely add to the final bill. It may cost more, but it’s definitely convenient.
4. Insurance Coverage
Movers are federally required to provide a base level of insurance coverage, but it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of belongings lost, damaged, or destroyed. If you want full-value protection, you’ll have to pay extra.
5. Seasonal Demand
June, July, and August are the busiest months for moving, so moves scheduled during the summer are always more expensive. If you want to save some cash, avoid the summer and other major holidays.
6. Access Difficulties
If your place is an obstacle course of staircases, long carries, elevators, and tight corners, your movers will charge you extra for the joy of navigating their way through the gauntlet. Communicate these challenges in advance.
How Long Does Moving Take?
Your move can be as fast as a couple of hours, or as long as 21 days. Like the price of your move, it depends on how much you’re hauling, and how far you’re going.
A lot of people assume that since they’re not moving much stuff, their move will get done faster. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. It turns out small moves may take longer, thanks to the industrywide practice of bundling.
If your move doesn’t fill an entire truck, your movers usually bundle other moves with it to cut down on the empty space (and wasted gas). This saves you money, and they’ll take extra steps to keep everything separate. The downside is there’ll be some delays while they deal with dropoffs and deliveries along the way.
One more thing: Drivers are monitored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There are rules governing how many hours they can work per day (11), and if a driver logs too many miles in one day, he or she will be investigated for safety violations.
Hire the Best with Pricing Van Lines
How much does it cost to hire movers in Philadelphia? As cheap as $130 to $180 per hour, and as expensive as $4,500 to $19,500 for a cross country relocation.
Now that you’ve seen the prices (and our money-saving tips), it’s time to shop for movers. Fortunately, Pricing Van Lines has you covered – and you won’t break the bank, either. Tell us more about your move, and we’ll get you on the road for less.
