A better move starts
with a clear budget.
Understand what goes into the price, compare your options, and build a budget around the details of your move.
Calculate your budget →
Your moving budget planner
Start with sample assumptions, then replace them with rates and charges from your mover or rental provider. Everything is calculated in your browser; no contact details are collected.
Choose how you’re moving
Full service, container, or truck rental?
| Option | What you handle | What to budget for |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Inventory, scheduling, and any agreed self-packing | Transport, labor, packing choices, access, storage, and protection |
| Moving container | Packing and loading, unless you book help | Container rental, delivery, pickup, transport, storage, and labor |
| Rental truck | Packing, loading, driving, and unloading | Rental, fuel, mileage, coverage, equipment, travel, and labor |
Local moving: work through the hours
Ask whether the quoted hourly rate covers the whole crew or each mover. Check minimum hours and any truck, travel, or materials charges.
| Illustrative job | Crew × hours | Labor at $80 / mover / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment | 2 × 3 | $480 |
| Apartment with more items | 2 × 5 | $800 |
| Medium household | 3 × 6 | $1,440 |
| Larger household | 4 × 8 | $2,560 |
Arithmetic examples using the sample rate. Home size alone does not establish the crew size, time, or price. Separate charges are excluded.
Long-distance moving: inventory comes first
Interstate estimates depend on the shipment, route, services, and applicable pricing terms. This planner supports a cubic-foot quote; use it only when that matches the quote you received. It does not model weight-based tariffs or determine the price of a route.
Get specific
Provide furniture details, approximate box counts, specialty items, stairs, and parking access.
Check the estimate
Identify the price basis, included services, minimum shipment, and terms for changes.
Plan the timing
Ask for pickup and delivery windows, storage arrangements, and a written payment schedule.
Plan beyond the headline price
Confirm which cartons, materials, and packing labor are included.
Discuss stairs, elevators, long carries, and smaller-truck access.
Ask about the storage period, handling, redelivery, and later monthly charges.
Request destination-specific pricing for freight, customs, delivery, and exclusions.
Keep your budget under control
Reduce your inventory before requesting quotes. Compare the same inventory and services across movers. Pack suitable items yourself when practical, and ask how flexible dates might change the quote. Count fuel, travel, and paid help when comparing a DIY move.
Questions before you book
Is this calculator a moving quote?
No. It adds the assumptions you enter. A mover’s written estimate and applicable terms determine the quoted service and charges.
Does the contingency cover extra mover charges?
The contingency is money you choose to reserve for planning. It is separate from the mover’s quote and does not authorize additional charges.
What happens if my inventory changes?
Send an updated inventory to your coordinator and request an updated estimate before moving day.
Why aren’t there fixed prices for every state?
A state name does not define the route, shipment, access, or services. The state guides focus on useful planning details instead of unsupported averages.
Budget in place. Next, compare movers.
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Interstate planning reference: FMCSA, Protect Your Move — estimating charges and tips for a successful move. Original ReviewMyMover guide; October 19, 2026.