How to Plan Your Local Move on a Budget

Affordable Local Moving Options

When it comes to finding the cheapest way to move locally, the type of move you opt for will have the greatest impact on your overall moving costs. Unsurprisingly, the options that require you to do the least work are the most expensive, and the more effort you’re willing to shoulder, the more you can save.

DIY Move

A do-it-yourself move involves just that: doing it all yourself. From renting a moving truck or trailer to packing, loading, driving, and then unloading and unpacking at your destination — DIY moves take a lot of time and a lot of work. Friends and family who are willing to help out in exchange for some pizza and good karma can make a DIY move less overwhelming (and maybe even a little fun, although it will require some more planning and coordination). 

• Pros: Very affordable, and you’re in control of your entire move
• Cons: Requires a lot of time and effort
• Recommended for: People with time (and muscles) to spare, and friends and family to help

Move with Personal Vehicles

If you don’t have much to move or the distance is short, the cheapest way to move locally is with your own vehicle (or perhaps a friend’s truck). Making multiple trips is no big deal when you only have to drive 10–15 minutes. If the distance is longer but everything fits in the vehicle (and on the roof), that works too. However, with longer distances and multiple trips, you could end up spending as much or more on gas than you would on a rental truck. Not to mention all the extra time spent driving. 

• Pros: A very cheap and simple way to move
• Cons: Not feasible if you have a lot of stuff or you’re moving very far
• Recommended for: Studio-dwellers, minimalists, truck owners (or friends of truck owners), very short-distance moves

Labor-Only Moves

Hiring hourly labor to take care of the heavy lifting while you handle the rest (renting and driving the truck) is the most budget-friendly way to move without sacrificing all your time and energy. While doing it yourself can be cheaper on paper, it often takes much longer, requires more physical effort, and comes with a greater risk of damage to your belongings — all of which can outweigh the cost savings. 

Labor-only is a great option if you don’t have anyone to help with your move, don’t feel comfortable lifting heavy things, or don’t have the time to do all the loading and unloading on your own. If needed, moving labor can also help with packing as an add-on. 

One of the biggest benefits of using professional labor is that, since they’re pros, they know how to pack a moving truck or portable container better than even the most experienced DIYers. This means you can rent a smaller truck or fewer containers, which can significantly cut down on costs, and you’re also less likely to have to replace damaged items due to improper loading.

• Pros: Less work for you, faster than DIY moving, efficient packing means saving space and money
• Cons: More expensive than doing it all yourself
• Recommended for: Solo movers who need help

Full-Service Moving

With full-service moving, movers bring their own truck and take care of all the loading, driving, and unloading for you. Packing can usually be added as an extra service as well. What you spend in dollars, you save in time and effort. But while a full-service experience is the most hands-off option, it’s also the most expensive.

For some, the time savings may be worth the extra money. After all, it takes three movers about 4–5 hours to load a truck for a 3-bedroom move, plus another 3–4 hours to unload — and they’re pros. Doing it yourself could mean 25+ hours of exhausting labor. But it’s important to do your comparison shopping to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible, choosing a reliable moving company, and picking the best service for your needs and budget. 

• Pros: Expert loading and unloading, requires little work and time from you, protection against loss and damage (based on the coverage you choose)
• Cons: Most expensive option, rigid timelines
• Recommended for: Busy people whose time is valuable, people who aren’t comfortable moving on their own

Local Moving: Cost Comparison

The average cost for a local move is between $138 and $933, depending on the type of move. Of course, every move is different. If your home is heavily furnished or you’re moving into a high-rise apartment, it’ll cost more than a simple studio-to-studio relocation on the ground floor. When you move with MovingPlace, you’ll be given a short questionnaire that helps identify special circumstances (specialty items, stairs, etc.) so we can instantly connect you with affordable local moving options and provide an accurate quote. 

For a more in-depth look at different moving expenses, explore our Moving Costs guide. 

2025 Local Moving Costs

*This is an average calculated from MovingPlace internal data from 2024 and takes into account moves that have both loading and unloading labor, as well as moves that are only one or the other.

**This is the average for a move under 50 miles, but it could vary quite a bit based on the details of your move.

8 Local Move Cost-Saving Tips

Whether you go the DIY route, hire hourly labor, or opt for a full-service moving company, there are several cost-saving steps you can take to minimize your moving expenses.

1. Plan Early To Save Costs

Planning your move weeks or even months in advance has several advantages. It allows plenty of time to get organized, choose the best moving company, and create a detailed moving timeline and checklist so you don’t forget anything. If you’re hiring hourly labor, booking early may save you some money, too. In general, waiting until the last minute to plan your move could mean higher pricing, limited availability, and more stress. 

2. Declutter Before Packing

Moving companies typically base their rates on the weight or volume of the load being moved, so the more you have to move, the more expensive it will be. Even if you’re moving everything yourself with a rental truck, an abundance of belongings means a bigger truck, more moving supplies, worse gas mileage, and more time and effort. 

You can reduce costs by decluttering before your move, or you could even make a little money by selling unwanted items of value. Consider organizing a garage sale or listing items online through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, Poshmark, or ThredUp.

3. Time Your Move Strategically

Summer is the peak moving season, and, due to high demand, moving services are most expensive during this time. Other popular times to move include the beginning and end of each month and weekends. If you want to take advantage of the cheapest time to move, schedule in the middle of the week, in the middle of the month, between September and April. 

4. Research and Compare Local Movers

When the goal is to find the best short-distance movers that are also affordable, the only option is to research and compare different companies and services. MovingPlace makes this step easy, providing accurate quotes based on what you need for your move. Simply provide basic details of your move, and our Smart Match Technology instantly delivers a selection of top-rated, vetted, and insured movers for you to compare. Alternatively, you can visit various moving websites to request quotes — which often means having to make multiple phone calls to talk to multiple salespeople.

5. Use Discounts and Deals

Take advantage of the discounts offered by moving companies, such as those for members of the military, seniors, students, teachers, and AAA members. Seasonal discounts are pretty common as well and are usually advertised on a company’s website. If you don’t see any discounts with a company you’re interested in, just ask for one. There’s usually some flexibility with the pricing, and (if you’re friendly) the salesperson may be generous enough to help you out. 

If all else fails, check your credit card benefits — some cards offer promotions or discounts through partnerships with moving truck rental companies or have a generous cash back program.

6. Use Free or Low-Cost Packing Materials

While you may need to buy some packing materials (e.g., a good roll of packing tape), there are plenty of packing supplies you can get for free or cheap from friends, family, and your community. Here are a few ideas:

• Ask friends and family if they have a packing tape dispenser you can borrow. The good ones are usually $20 or more, but most people only use them when they move, so borrowing one is reasonable. 
• Check Facebook Marketplace and online community groups for free boxes. You can also ask local grocery and liquor stores if they have any empty boxes. 
• Use linens, blankets, and dish towels instead of bubble wrap to protect fragile items. 
• Pack books in rolling suitcases to make them easier to move, even if they’re heavy. 

7. Use Efficient Packing Techniques

Packing things efficiently can reduce the number of boxes you use, save space in the moving truck, and streamline the unpacking process. Here are some tried-and-true tips for efficient packing.

• Clearly label each box on two sides with the following:
  • Number (starting with #1) 
  • Shorthand for where the box will go (e.g., “kit” for kitchen, “bed” for bedroom)
  • Brief description of what’s inside
• Keep a detailed inventory of everything as you pack, so you’ll know right away if something goes missing.
• Pack boxes tightly to reduce the number of boxes you’ll need and to keep things from shifting in transit.
• When you unload, direct your movers to deliver boxes to their respective rooms for easy unpacking.
• Pack an “essentials” box or bag with all the things you’ll need access to on moving day (so you don’t have to go rummaging through the “bath #4” box to find your face wash). 

8. Check for Tax Deductions

If you’re an active member of the Armed Forces and are moving due to a permanent change of station (PCS), you can deduct moving expenses on your federal tax return. Otherwise, you may be able to take deductions on your state return (depending on the state and your occupation). 

Anybody living in New York, California, or Arkansas can deduct moving expenses on their state tax return. Some other states allow deductions for members of the military or public safety officers. We recommend consulting with an accountant or checking your local tax laws to see what qualifies as a moving expense.

Plan a Budget-Friendly Local Move With MovingPlace

With this arsenal of cost-saving tips in your pocket, you’re ready to tackle a budget-friendly local move. Remember, the top points include moving during the off-season, checking for discounts, and hiring hourly labor with MovingPlace to turn a DIY move into an affordable alternative to full-service moving. 

When you’re ready to compare moving services, simply provide a few details of your move, and we’ll present the best options with accurate quotes for you to compare side by side. We have thousands of top-rated, vetted, and insured movers ready to help you accomplish a budget-friendly local move just the way you want it.