Written By Daniel Cobb
How We Define Move Types and Sizes
When it comes to local moving, the two biggest drivers of cost are the type of moving service you choose and the size of your home. To provide estimates that are consistent and easy to compare, we break moves into two service types and three size categories.
Move Types
- Labor-Only (LO) Moves: A moving crew helps with loading and unloading, but you provide the transportation—such as a rental truck, moving container, or freight trailer. This option works well for customers who want to save on costs but still get professional help with the heavy lifting.
- Local Full-Service (LFS) Moves: A professional moving crew provides the truck and handles the entire process: loading, transportation, and unloading. This option is designed for customers who prefer a more hands-off experience.
Move Sizes
To simplify comparisons across different types of homes, we classify local moves into three size categories:
- Small Moves: 1–2 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom homes
- Medium Moves: 3 bedroom apartments and homes
- Large Moves: 4+ bedroom homes
These categories reflect the most common household sizes and allow us to apply our data consistently, even in locations with fewer completed moves.
Our Data Methodology
MovingPlace’s cost estimates are built on one of the largest first-party moving datasets in the country, drawn from over 1 million completed moves across our platforms.
While no single city has perfect coverage, our methodology is designed to balance local accuracy with national consistency. We start with the strongest available local data, then apply a structured process to fill gaps, normalize results, and group homes into meaningful size categories.
- Local Data First
If a city has at least 10 completed moves of a specific size and type, that becomes the foundation of our estimate. - Addressing Data Gaps
Where local data is limited, we apply a hierarchy of substitutes—starting with county or regional data, then state averages, and finally, cities with comparable household income levels. - Ensuring Consistency
To prevent skewed results (like a large home appearing cheaper than a small one), we normalize our averages and apply weighted calculations across categories.
The National Average Cost of Moving
Labor-only moves tend to be cheaper than local-full service moves, since transportation isn’t included, and they can incorporate only loading, only unloading, or both. According to our data, labor-only moves cost an average of $452 in the United States.
Here’s the national averages for labor-only (LO) moves:
| Move Size | LO – Average Cost | LO – Average # of Movers | LO – Average Move Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $379 | 2 | 2 hours |
| Medium | $469 | 2 | 3 hours |
| Large | $642 | 3 | 3 hours |
Estimates for local full-service moves include truck and transportation, and tend to be higher due to additional services. The national average cost for local-full service (LFS) moves is $1,168.
| Move Size | LFS – Average Cost | LFS – Average # of Movers | LFS – Average Move Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $935 | 2 | 4 hours |
| Medium | $1,256 | 3 | 5 hours |
| Large | $1,739 | 3 | 7 hours |
How Your Move Details Impact Pricing
While our averages provide a reliable baseline, the actual cost of your move can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- Seasonality: Summer and weekends typically come with higher demand (and higher rates).
- Preparation: Moves go faster—and cost less—if items are packed, disassembled, and ready to load.
- Accessibility: Stairs, elevators, or long walks between your door and the truck can increase time and cost.
- Timing: Same-day or last-minute bookings often carry a premium.
- Specialty Items: Large or delicate items—like pianos, safes, or oversized furniture—require extra care and labor.
As you can see, normalized averages can never fully account for all the uniqueness of your move. That’s why we recommend getting a personalized quote.
Simply enter your move details, and you’ll see availability price comparisons for real movers in your local area. No commitment or sales calls required!
Karen Bodkin
