The average cost to hire movers in 2026 is expected to range from $1,550 for local moves to $4,800 for long-distance relocations, reflecting a modest 3-4% increase from 2025 levels driven by stabilizing fuel costs, persistent labor shortages, and elevated insurance premiums. Most homeowners will spend between $900 and $11,000 depending on distance, home size, and services needed as the industry enters what experts call "The Great Housing Reset"—a multi-year period of gradual market normalization.

Understanding 2026's moving cost landscape before requesting quotes can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide breaks down what professional movers are projected to charge next year, the economic forces driving those rates, and strategies for managing your moving budget effectively.

Local movers will charge $85 to $210 per hour in 2026

Local moves—typically defined as relocations under 100 miles—continue to be priced by the hour rather than by weight or distance. Industry data suggests the national average hourly rate for a two-person crew with a truck will run $105 to $165 in 2026, with high-cost metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Boston, and New York City commanding $160 to $230 per hour.

Smaller cities and rural markets should see rates closer to $85 to $110 per hour. Individual movers average approximately $80 to $85 per hour, while larger crews command proportionally higher rates: three movers typically cost $160 to $290 per hour, and four-person crews run $210 to $330 per hour.

Most moving companies maintain minimum hour requirements of two to four hours, meaning even a small studio move will cost at least $210 to $440 before additional fees. Here's what to expect based on home size in 2026:



  • Studio apartment: $350 to $500 (2-3 hours, 2 movers)

  • 1-bedroom: $530 to $730 (3-4 hours, 2 movers)

  • 2-bedroom: $1,050 to $1,575 (5-6 hours, 3 movers)

  • 3-bedroom: $1,470 to $2,625 (6-8 hours, 4 movers)

  • 4-bedroom: $2,100 to $3,675 (7-10 hours, 4+ movers)

Long-distance moves projected at $2,850 to $10,800

Long-distance and interstate moving costs will continue to operate on weight-plus-distance pricing models in 2026. The industry standard is projected to run $0.52 to $0.83 per pound, with additional per-mile charges averaging $0.52 to $0.78.

Forecasters project the average long-distance move will cost approximately $3,250 in 2026, while cross-country relocations should range from $4,750 to $10,800 depending on home size and destination. A typical 1,000-mile move with 7,400 pounds of household goods—roughly a three-bedroom home—will cost approximately $4,500.

Distance significantly impacts your final bill. A move of 100 to 500 miles typically runs $1,600 to $4,700, while 500 to 1,000 mile relocations cost $3,700 to $7,350. Coast-to-coast moves spanning 2,000+ miles range from $8,400 to $17,850 for larger homes.

Major van lines like United Van Lines, Mayflower, Allied, and North American quote comparable rates, with binding estimates that protect consumers from surprise charges—critical protection given that most movers historically exceed initial budgets by an average of $1,000+.

Five key factors determining 2026 moving costs

Timing impacts pricing significantly. Peak season (May-September) sees 62% of annual moves, with rates 20-30% higher. Month-end weekends command premium prices. Mid-week moves during January-March offer lowest rates.

Additional services add significantly. Professional packing runs $290-$2,300. Packaging costs have surged: boxes up 35%, bubble wrap 45%. Pianos cost $210-$1,575 extra, stair fees $52-$157 per flight.

Insurance premiums have skyrocketed. Commercial auto insurance for movers increased 88% between 2020-2025. Basic coverage ($0.60/pound) is inadequate. Full-value protection costs 1-1.5% of shipment value.

Fuel surcharges remain substantial. The EIA projects diesel around $3.47/gallon in 2026, down 5% from 2025—relief after a 47% surge since 2020. Companies still add $52-$260 based on distance.

Labor shortages pressure wages. Transportation wages have grown 3.5-5.0% annually since 2020, making recruiting increasingly challenging.

DIY moving costs less but includes hidden expenses

Renting a truck yourself appears dramatically cheaper at first glance. U-Haul's base rates should start around $19.95 per day for a 10-foot truck and $52.95 for a 26-foot truck in 2026. However, actual costs run considerably higher once you factor in mileage charges of $0.82 to $1.34 per mile, insurance ($15 to $107), fuel (trucks average just 10-12 MPG), and equipment rentals.

For a local 50-mile move, that $19.95 truck rental realistically costs $105 to $165 after all fees. Cross-country truck rentals will run $1,575 to $2,625 including mileage allowances.

Moving containers like PODS offer a middle ground. Local container moves cost $315 to $865, while long-distance PODS relocations run $3,150 to $8,400—competitive with full-service movers for larger shipments. The advantage: flexible timelines and no driving stress.

The hybrid approach—renting a truck and hiring labor-only helpers—averages $140 per hour for two workers and often provides the best value for local moves, combining professional loading expertise with DIY transportation savings.

Realistic cost comparison for a 1,000-mile, three-bedroom move in 2026:



  • DIY truck rental: $850 to $1,600 (plus hidden costs adding 20-50%)

  • Moving container: $2,625 to $4,725

  • Full-service movers: $3,150 to $7,350

What's driving 2026 prices

Moving costs have increased approximately 30-80% in various categories since 2020, with the cumulative effect creating sustained upward pressure on consumer pricing. Key cost drivers include:



  • Trailer costs up 44.5% since 2020 (from $80,185 to $115,870 per new trailer)

  • Insurance premiums up 32-88% depending on coverage type

  • Warehouse lease rates up 50-70% nationally, with a 16.1% year-over-year increase from 2024 to 2025

  • Diesel fuel up 47% from 2020 levels, though projected to decrease slightly in 2026

  • Labor wages up 18-22% since 2020 for transportation and material moving occupations

The moving services market is expected to reach $147.7 billion globally by 2033, driven by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and corporate relocation demand. However, challenges including labor shortages, fluctuating fuel prices, and rising operational costs continue pressuring margins.

Getting accurate estimates

Request in-home or virtual surveys from three companies for binding estimates—not phone quotes. Binding "not-to-exceed" estimates guarantee maximum cost regardless of actual weight.

Verify USDOT numbers through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to avoid rogue operators. Strategic timing—off-peak months, mid-week dates, avoiding month-end—reduces bills by hundreds while securing better service from less-overbooked crews.