Moving companies tend to earn between $75-128/hr. or between $206-352 per move
Based on HireAHelper data from 2022 so far, average mover earnings are $110/hr.
Seattle is potentially the most lucrative place to become a mover, with hourly earnings as high as $137/hr.
Movers in Maine and Iowa make an estimated $132/hr. — the highest rate in the country
Sherman-Dennison, TX has the biggest gap in the moving services market, with 608 moves per moving company registered in the metro area
As inflation continues to rise, many Americans are beginning to notice the prices of consumer goods are drifting out of reach. This is likely why, according to a recent study, nearly half (44%) of Americans are turning to side hustles to make ends meet.
And while the internet is awash with articles listing all kinds of side hustles to consider, there is one lucrative side gig few are talking about: starting a local moving company (or joining one).
Despite some real estate markets cooling off, the demand for moving services is high. Homes are still selling fast, and as rents climb higher, many are moving out of their homes to find cheaper accommodations or to live with family.
While starting a full-scale moving company with a fleet of trucks, drivers, and movers is an undertaking too big for a side hustle, starting a moving labor company is actually relatively simple.
All you need is a business license and some start-up costs. Ultimately, if you are comfortable with lifting heavy items and have time to spare, you could realistically start a moving labor business and earn upwards of $100/hr. by helping people move.
And the data shows that people who are currently doing it are doing quite well.
Moving Labor Companies: How Are They Defined and How Do They Work?
We often think of movers as folks that drive up in a truck, load up all your earthly belongings and deliver them to your new home. In the “biz”, these are known as “full-service movers”. And they tend to be more expensive.
This is why in reality, the overwhelming majority of moving companies that exist are what we call “labor-only” movers.
“…even if you charged at the lower end…at $250 per move, or roughly $90-100 per hour, you only need to pick up four moves to make $1,000. Not bad for a weekend, huh?”
Labor-only
The difference is that a moving labor company is a company that helps people with loading, unloading, and, sometimes, packing up people’s possessions — no driving. The average person often books their truck or container separately, as this is far cheaper.
Here are a few reasons local moving labor works as a side hustle:
In most states, you don’t need a special mover’s license
There are minimal start-up costs, as you don’t need to purchase a moving truck
Demand for moving services is highest on a weekend, meaning you can do it alongside your work or studies
Of course, it’s not quite as simple as registering as a moving labor company and watching business come flying through the door.
Here are the typical places movers tend to use to attract customers.
Craigslist
Craigslist
+ The most famous classified ads website, this is a typical starting point for moving labor hopefuls, with millions of people checking the website every day.
– Costs money to post ads in the moving section as a provider.
– Customers can also be flakey, often looking for bargain-basement pricing, and often end up being very hard to service.
Yelp
Yelp
+ Popular with people looking for local businesses, it’s a free place to get attention/find customers. Business owner tools allow you to upload logo/team photos of you and your crew to boost credibility.
– No actual online booking, you just accrue lots of “leads”. You’ll have to field lots and lots of messages, emails and phone calls from people looking for a price.
– Low rates of converting mean most of this work will not turn into orders.
HireAHelper
HireAHelper sign-up page
+ Completely free to list, no membership fees or cancellation fees. + Your very own landing page you can show to potential customers where you can easily display and edit your own rates/availability so people won’t call you to ask. + Insurance and 7-day-a-week customer service for both you and your customers.
– Insurance and customer service operate on a fee that is charged per order booked through the platform, which is how they pay for all of the above.
Your own website
+ Full control over how you present your new brand and services. + Direct booking puts every dollar right in your pocket.
– You need to create, design, and maintain the website. – You’re responsible for all the customer service, marketing, and insurance. – Cost of purchasing a domain, fees for website hosting.
Needless to say, you can also create a page for your moving labor company on Facebook and Instagram, or even list it on your local Yellow/White Pages. Oftentimes, a mixture of approaches is useful at the start, before you figure out which one works best for your moving side hustle.
Let’s face it, if you already have a job or other commitments, you’re probably not going to launch into moving as a full-time pursuit.
The good thing about moving as a side job is that nearly one in three (30%) moves takes place either on Saturday or Sunday. In other words, if you’re looking to casually work as a mover over the weekend, you’re in luck, because that’s when the demand is highest.
To calculate a ballpark number of how much local movers earn, we’re going to make the following assumptions:
You only work on weekends
You don’t work more than eight hours a day
You have a partner with whom you work as a two-person team and split earnings 50-50
With that said, the average take-home an individual moving job earned on HireAHelper in 2022 was $110 per hour (after fees).
That rate is based on the service of two movers loading and unloading a customer’s belongings (meaning, not counting potential tips, one mover will typically get about half of that, or $55 per hour.)
“The data show that 6 of the 20 metros where the demand for moving services most outmatches the current supply exists in Texas, especially in Sherman-Dennison, TX, where the ratio of moves to moving companies is roughly 600 to 1!”
Similarly, Yelp reported a local move quote average of $128. Forbes suggests local movers charge between $25 to $50 per mover, per hour, while ConsumerAffairs estimates the average cost for a local move is $80 to $100 per hour for a team of two movers.
The following graph shows how much you could be earning as a two-person team, using the reported average duration of a move of two hours and 45 minutes.
Please note that the above figures are indicative only. As a newly registered moving company, you probably won’t be able to charge high rates straight away. Moves also come in all shapes and sizes, affecting how much you could charge for them. This is just an average.
That said, even if you charged at the lower end of that scale at $250 per move, or roughly $90-100 per hour, you only need to pick up four moves to make $1,000. Not bad for a weekend, huh?
Cities & States Where Movers Earn the Most Money
Your earning potential, among other things, will depend on where you are in the country.
According to a recent estimate of moving costs, people pay the most for their moves in San Jose ($520) and Seattle ($495). But that’s just a broad snapshot. Let’s break it down more to see how services translate into mover earnings, and where it may actually be most lucrative to start a moving labor company.
Cities
Using data on moves booked through HireAHelper.com, taking into account commission rates and the typical duration of a move throughout different cities, here are the top 10 cities where movers make the most money per hour.
Looking at the data through this lens, Seattle grabs the top spot with an estimated $136/hr. net earnings. In cities like Columbus, OH ($126/hr.), San Francisco ($125/hr.), and Oakland, CA ($125/hr.) the earnings are all around the $125/hr. Mark.
States
Moving on to states’ potential mover earnings, we find Maine ($132/hr.) and Iowa ($132/hr.) with the joint highest earnings, with Utah and Washington closely behind ($129/hr.).
Going down the list, Arkansas is next with $128/hr. in potential net earnings. This highlights that moving is a universal need, and that small states can compete against states with big cities like San Jose or San Francisco, where the cost of living is highly expensive (and therefore potentially more lucrative). The average earnings for movers in California are comparatively middling in the take-home department, averaging around $110/hr. per move.
Check out the chart below to see what mover earnings are like in your state.
This section is based on data from moves booked through HireAHelper and their partner sites. Earning figures represent average estimates; actual earnings may vary.
Supply and Demand: Cities and States With the Greatest Need for New Moving Companies
High earnings are great to aim for, but it’s worth bearing in mind that crowded markets where earnings are high are often hard to compete in — especially for a brand new company.
Like with any kind of business, the supply and demand (and thus the price people are willing to pay for moving services) vary by location. If you’re just starting out as a moving company, ideally you’d like to start where there’s a gap in the market.
Cities
Based on our analysis of moving company data and the number of moves in America’s biggest metropolitan areas, here are 20 metros where the gap between potential demand for moving services and their supply is the biggest.
The data show that 6 of the 20 metros where the demand for moving services most outmatches the current supply exists in Texas, especially in Sherman-Dennison, TX, where the ratio of moves to moving companies is roughly 600 to 1!
Among larger metros with favorable demand-to-supply ratios are the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ area (393 moves per moving company), the Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX area (276), and the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area (255).
States
At the state level, the opportunity is greatest in Arizona and Missouri, where there are more than 200 moves per moving company. Kansas (188), Washington (187) and Texas (186) round off the top five.
To see what the supply and demand for moving services look like in your state, check the graph below:
Convinced? Here’s How You Can Get Started
If you think you have what it takes to safely move some couches, luckily, you don’t have to go in blind.
Mover earnings by state and city were calculated based solely on data from moves booked and completed through the HireAHelper platform and their partner sites. Earnings figures are indicative of the amount earned minus fees.
The number of moving companies was calculated using the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Business Survey (count of companies listed under “Transportation”) and Yelp (number of companies listed as “movers”).
It’s moving day, and the movers you hired are on the way… you hope?
If you’re ready to go, in between all the scrambling, you’re likely peeking out the window every ten seconds hoping to see your crew’s truck cresting over the horizon.
But ready to go or not, you’re at the mercy of your movers’ arrival time window. (All movers or move shipments typically arrive within a block of time that’s known as your “arrival window.”)
Yet what if your arrival window comes and goes and fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, forty-five minutes pass, and your movers still haven’t shown up?
First, call your movers directly!
If you hired your local movers directly…
You have their number, right? You should call them and check if your crew is on the way, or if they are simply tied up. (If they aren’t answering, keep reading.)
If you hired your movers through HireAHelper…
You still have the option of calling them directly, which if you’ve already been in contact with them leading up to moving day, will seem natural. (And even if you hadn’t been, go for it!)
However, if they aren’t answering or you don’t have their number, just call HireAHelper (1-800-995-5003). They will attempt to contact your movers for however long it takes to get you an updated ETA. And if your movers don’t show up or anything else is wrong, they’ll automatically go through the process of fixing it for you (more on that later).
If you hired your movers through a managed moving service…
If you hired a crew through a full-service moving service like MovingStaffers, MovingPlace, or if you’re using a vintage van line company, there typically is a ton of communication leading up to moving day. Even still, if something isn’t going right, these companies generally have a traditional customer service line that you should use right about now.
Pretty simple, right? Except this is where things can get… interesting.
If your movers STILL don’t arrive within an arrival window…
In my experience as a professional crew leader, there are generally three outcomes that happen if you can’t get ahold of your local moving crew.
Your crew is on their way! If they’re nice, they’ll apologize for being late. They may also offer any of a range of excuses – traffic, truck problems, someone late to work – but, as long as they’re on the way, that’s better than the next outcome.
Your crew “misscheduled” you! They’ll tell you (if they’re honest) that they forgot to put you on their schedule or they misplaced your request. Since their crews are all out on other jobs now, there’s nothing they can do except suggest you call someone else (or refer you back to HireAHelper to automatically begin the process of finding replacements). This is almost as inconvenient as the next outcome.
Your crew ghosted you! They never answer. No-show.Or maybe they do, but they say they don’t know who you are, never heard of you, and you must have called some other moving company. No idea what you’re talking about, sorry! Good luck — “click.”
Now it’s your move (pun intended).
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
What to do if your movers are simply running late…
You may or may not believe the movers’ reasons as to why they’re late, but if they say they are on the way, ask them for a specific ETA. And if they don’t have one, make the person on the other end of the line explain in clear terms what they do know is going to happen and when.
As a former mover and operations manager, I can attest that unforeseen things do happen sometimes. We’re all imperfect human beings, and what we should want as a result is for everyone to know what’s going on.
If a crew really is on the way, whoever you’re speaking to won’t want to lose you, and by extension, lose a job for their workers. Plus, if they have a public-facing profile somewhere, they definitely don’t want a bad review, let alone a “no-show” permanently stamped onto their HireAHelper profile page!
What if I’m coordinating between two or more services?
If you are trying to coordinate your move between your movers and a service such as a moving container company, you need to call the other company’s customer service number ASAP.
Protip: A mover may negotiate a discount with you if things get out of hand, schedule-wise. (Trust me, the nicer you are, the more likely this is.) If you hired your movers through HireAHelper, they may automatically refund you a portion of your bill for the inconvenience, though typically this is a case-by-case scenario.
What to do if your movers are not going to show up…
If you find yourself in a worst-case scenario, it will be tough to put both of your functioning neurons together to come up with a plan. But last-minute mover possibilities do exist.
Call a mover marketplace ASAP!
An interconnected network of local movers is your most time-efficient next step.
Companies like HireAHelper maintain a living list of vetted professional movers, and they know all of their schedules.
Even if you didn’t book your movers through HireAHelper, call them (800-995-5003). They have a process in place for cancellations, mover replacements, and no-shows, and they may be able to find you last-minute movers. (This process is free with or without an order, but there may be different costs and/or policies associated with your new movers, so you may have to weigh the value.)
Otherwise, your best bet is to find a mover the same way you probably did the first time: Google “movers near me” and call every number you can find. Good luck.
It may not be of any use right now, but there are a few key things to make sure of in order to avoid a difficult moving day scenario in the future.
Look up your moving company online ahead of moving day. Especially make sure to look up where their office is physically located, and ideally, find out what their previous customers have said about them through their online reviews.
Create a rapport. In your pre-move interactions, be interested in your movers, both as professionals and as people. Nothing goes further than genuine investment and appreciation of their process, and it definitely will keep your moving day closer to the top of their minds.
Be willing to ask very specific questions. What type of equipment would they be supplying? Is there something you have that you’re worried they might not be able to move? Tell them about it. Make sure you understand the limits of their coverage against damage. The answers you get will tell you a lot, not just about their service but also about them as a company.
After you’ve booked your move, call to confirm a day or two ahead of time. Many, if not all, movers will actually do this themselves; but if something slips through the cracks, that call isn’t going to come, and neither will your movers. Making the call yourself is a good way to double-check everyone is on the same page.
Don’t book movers who aren’t vetted. You can actually look up a mover’s business license if they are driving a vehicle. But simply getting movers who want to uphold their reputation on a network of professional movers like those listed on HireAHelper is a great way to lower the chance of something going wrong.
How Many Movers Do You Actually Need? A Guide Based on 5 Real-Life Moves
Moving labor is typically charged by the hour, so if you’ve ever tried to book labor-only movers, you know pretty much the first thing they ask you is, “how many movers do you need?”
While it might seem daunting to realistically know the answer, have no fear! I spoke with several of my friends about their recent moves and straight-up asked them how much labor help they ultimately required. Because while moving size charts are great, there’s nothing like talking to someone who’s been through it themselves to tell it like it is.
How long do movers take to finish?
Generally, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours on average to move a house. That’s a huge spread!
The number of hours YOU will end up needing depends on how many movers you hire, how much stuff you have, and whether your move involves any special circumstances, like moving specialty items or navigating stairs.
Here are some things to consider when booking moving labor:
Consider the factors that could make your SPECIFIC move a pain. It’s pointless to rely on typical moving labor estimates if your apartment is on the eighth floor with no elevator, or you own five baby grand pianos
Keep in mind that for the sake of operational efficiency, it’s standard for moving companies to maintain a minimum of two movers for two hours, so that’s the lowest amount of labor you’ll be able to reserve. But that’s okay! You very likely won’t need less than this anyway
The general consensus seems to be: It takes longer to load than it does to unload. As you’ll see below, it usually took about an hour less for my friends to unload than it did to load up. Since you no longer have to worry about things like stacking boxes or arranging the furniture inside the truck, unloading is kind of like riding your bike downhill versus uphill
Why hire more movers when you could hire them for longer hours?
You’ll see some recommendations below for booking up to four (or more) movers at a time. While this might not seem cost-effective at first glance, it’s definitely time-effective, which should ultimately lead to a smaller moving bill at the end of the day.
This is because not surprisingly, even superhumanly strong moving professionals get tired after a while. Making sure you have enough helpers keeps the whole team from losing steam.
How Many People Do You Need to Help You Move? Here’s What My Friends Recommend
Studio/Small Apartment
Square feet: Up to 800
Recommendations:
Loading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
When a former colleague of mine decided to move out of her 800-square-foot Tampa apartment into a new one closer to work, she couldn’t believe how fast the actual move went after weeks of preparing for it.
As mentioned above, the minimum amount of moving labor she could hire was two movers for two hours, but she felt this was perfect for the size of her apartment. The only hiccup was that she forgot to tell the movers her apartment was upstairs — which most movers charge extra for — so her final bill was a little higher than she expected.
When collecting quotes, make sure you don’t forget to let your movers know if there will be stairs involved! (HireAHelper automatically accounts for this during your online booking.)
2-3 Bedroom Apartment
Square feet: 800–1200 square feet
Recommendations:
Loading time: 2 movers for 3 hours
Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
When my bestie moved from Big Bear, California back to her home in Los Angeles in order to be closer to family, she and her husband decided to go the budget-friendly route of hiring a U-Haul for the day.
Her 1,100-square-foot cabin had what she calls “two-and-a-half” bedrooms, the half bedroom being a hard-to-classify, den-like room that eventually became a storage room. While packing took over a week, the move itself was accomplished over the course of a very long day.
See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.
She hired two movers who loaded everything into their moving truck in three hours that morning. Unloading was definitely faster, especially since she was moving in temporarily with her parents and only had to unload her stuff into a storage unit, which took about two hours.
2-3 Bedroom House
Square feet: 1,000–1,500
Recommendations:
Loading time: 3 movers for 4 hours
Unloading time: 3 movers for 3 hours
Recently, my cousin stayed with us in our guest room for a bit after selling her 1,250-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home.
She decided to opt for a portable storage container since she would need to keep most of her things in storage for a few months, and she wanted to save herself time unloading and reloading her stuff. She did all of the packing herself and hired a few friends to help her finish loading her container on moving day.
“Think about other houses… Do you typically have more or less stuff than they do? Do you have an attic, garage, or basement filled with exercise equipment, tools, or holiday decorations? All of this factors into your moving labor calculations.”
While they weren’t professional packers and loaders per se, they were incredibly proficient (read: buff) and boasted some mad Tetris skills, so she’s confident they were fairly up-to-par with the pros. They had her container loaded in just four hours. Months later, when it was time for her to unload her items into her new apartment, it took about three hours to unload everything from her container.
3-4 Bedroom House
Square feet: 1,500–2,000
Recommendations:
Loading time: 4 movers for 4 hours
Unloading time: 4 movers for 3 hours
Some old friends of ours moved from Oregon to Florida using a full-service moving company, as they were not about to drive a rental truck with their three little ones across the country.
Their 1,700-square-foot home took about 4 hours to load with the help of their four-person moving team. Their loaders even helped with some last-minute packing. After racing across the country in their minivan to beat their movers to their new city, they quickly found a 3-bedroom home in just the nick of time so they could avoid being charged storage fees.
There were only three movers this time to help them unload the truck, and it took about 4 hours. If there had been a fourth mover, it most assuredly would have taken less time.
4+ Bedroom House
Square feet: 2,000–3,000+
Recommendations:
Loading time: 4+ movers for 5 hours
Unloading time: 4+ movers for 4 hours
After getting remarried last year, a family friend decided it was finally time to move out of his 3,200-square-foot Tampa Bay home, a place he had shared with his previous wife for nearly twenty years before she passed away. The kids were all grown, and Florida real estate prices are insane right now, so it was a great time to cash in.
His home was not only enormous — 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms — but it was also filled with stuff he had collected for decades. Months before the move, as soon as he listed his home for sale, our friend and his new wife began the “Great Purge”. But once they had sold and donated everything they needed to, they still had a decent amount of stuff on their hands.
“It’s pointless to rely on typical moving labor estimates if your apartment is on the eighth floor with no elevator, or you own five baby grand pianos.”
They hired a local full-service moving company for their move and a team of four was tasked with loading and unloading their items. It ended up taking the whole day (about 8 hours) to complete the move.
Something to keep in mind: our friend is a musician and collects guitars and other instruments. The movers didn’t feel comfortable moving these valuables, so he ended up having to take them in his own vehicle. Definitely make sure to let your moving help know ahead of time if you have any collectibles or other specialty items.
See prices for movers by the hour – instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
What about drive time?
It counts.
Regardless if you’re hiring moving company for labor-only OR if the company is driving their own truck, if both ends of the move are happening on the same day, incorporate the drive time into the hourly cost AND combine both estimations.
If you’re worried that might cost a fortune, the good news is that hiring movers by the hour for both your load and unload (the good ol’ Hybrid move!) is still incredibly cost- and time-effective, especially relative to full-service van lines or other huge moving companies. If you’re at all worried and want to know how to keep your costs down, you can chat with someone for free and they’ll quickly figure out what your situation might cost you.
Now it’s your turn: calculate your moving labor needs
HireAHelper.com
Admittedly, the examples above are all anecdotes from people I know. But the actual data from tens of thousands of moves match up with these estimates pretty well, as those who have been in the moving business for over a decade will tell you.
To make your own moving labor estimate as accurate as possible, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
How much stuff do you honestly have?Think about other houses you’ve visited. Do you typically have more or less stuff than they do? Do you have an attic, garage, or basement filled with exercise equipment, tools, or holiday decorations? All of this factors into your moving labor calculations. (Note: My friends above had a pretty average amount of stuff for the most part.)
What’s your mode of transport? If you’re moving with a portable container and take full advantage, you’ll likely load some of your items in advance of your move. In this case, you’ll want to shave off some loading time when estimating your moving labor needs
Does your move have any unique needs? If your movers have to specially handle unique items, or carry your stuff up or down stairs, or walk a city block to get to the moving truck, you’ll need to add some time to your move
Will you need help with packing or unpacking? Nearly all of my friends below did the packing themselves, although a couple of them had their pros help with some last-minute boxing on moving day. If you need any packing help on top of loading and unloading, make sure to keep this in mind
While this guide isn’t accurate down to the minute or a legally binding guarantee or anything like that, it should definitely give you a realistic idea of how much labor you might need for your home. With all this in mind, you can use your new moving labor estimate to calculate the cost of your move pretty quickly!
We’ve all seen it: that $19.95 per day deal that’s advertised on the side of seemingly every U-Haul truck and van across the country. And that price looks mighty nice.
But just like renting a truck is only one small part of your move, that $19.95 U-Haul rate is likely to end up being just a fraction of your final bill. We know, because we went out to rent a U-Haul with one question in mind: how much does a U-Haul really cost?
After trying to rent a truck on their website, we found out the $19.95 price point refers to local moves only, not a “one-way” move, where you drop off at a different location – aka a long-distance move. (More on those prices later.)
The famous $19.95 price point is also exclusive to any one of their three smallest options:
8’U-Haul pickup truck
9’U-Haul cargo van
10’ U-Haul Rental truck (what we rented)
UHaul.com
“To get your actual U-Haul cost, you need to add up all of their other fees that come with renting a U-Haul.”
And most importantly, the $19.95 only accounts for U-Haul’s “rental truck fee”. (And while this price is consistent for local moves, mileage rate and taxes can vary based on location.)
Here are the U-Haul fees that make up one (1) U-Haul bill
Rental truck fee ($19.95/day — subject to availability)
Mileage fee: rate varies by regional location/distance driven (Doesn’t apply to trailers)
How much did it cost for us to rent a U-Haul for a day?
Our final cost was $52.40 for the most bare-bones rental imaginable.
Below we break down how U-Haul gets their prices, what else we could have bought instead, as well as what we had to do to get our quotes.
How much do the bigger U-Haul trucks cost?
UHaul.com
It’s not possible to pinpoint the exact cost of a specific truck size because mileage and tax rates vary, but local U-Haul truck costs are consistent everywhere. There aresites that ballpark individual truck size costs, but if you want an estimate based on user-reported, real-time prices for U-Haul moves, click on the graph below.
Yes, you can (usually) extend your rental at the same daily rate if you need it longer than 24 hours (for a local move). All we had to do was call before the truck was due back and ask the store for an extension.
There’s also no limit to the number of days we could extend our rental. The only exception would be if our truck was reserved for the days we wanted. That’s why it’s best to extend your rental when you make your original reservation. Otherwise, you have to return your truck and get a new rental truck that isn’t reserved for the additional days you want.
If you wanted to extend your rental to multiple days and there were no rental trucks available, U-Haul would likely sell you on one of their moving containers as an alternative, if those are available in your area.
“Paying for a U-Haul in cash? We were told cash customers need to put down a $100 deposit or the estimated rental charges, whichever is more. (Yes, seriously.) This would eventually be reimbursed – minus our total cost – upon return of the vehicle.”
For long-distance moves, depending on the distance, U-Haul assigns a minimum number of days with your truck. This might just be a single day for a shorter distance like 150 miles or less. We asked and yes, you can add days to your long-distance rental — but only with advance coordination with your local U-Haul store, and only as long as your truck is still available.
Beware: U-Haul tacks on an ADDITIONAL $40 fee to every day you keep your truck after five days.
Here are the daily U-Haul rates for adding days to a U-Haul long-distance truck rental:
U-Haul trucks – $40 per day
U-Haul trailers – $20 per day
U-Haul towing devices – $20 per day
By the way, there are no discounts for returning the moving truck earlier than the minimum assigned number of days, but you still can return it earlier. Virtually the only advantages would be that it would reduce the likelihood of anything happening to the truck while in your care, and to get it off your to-do list.
Trailers and Hitches 101: How exactly does renting a U-Haul cargo trailer work?
We didn’t rent a cargo trailer with our truck, but we got all the info straight from U-Haul.
There are three types of trailers U-Haul offers:
Cargo
Utility
Car carrier (Available only at some locations)
For smaller loads or something super fragile (or heck, even quarantined), U-Haul offers trailers that hitch to cars and trucks, pending location availability. U-Haul likes to say they’re perfect for moving a dorm room.
Like their trucks, U-Haul advertises these as being as cheap as $14.95 (not including tax), and just like the trucks, that quote is only for the smallest versions of them AND only if you’re moving locally. There’s no limit to the number of days you can keep them, as long as availability permits. You generally get five days to use a U-Haul trailer for long-distance moves. Your quote will be based on your start and end locations.
Here’s $25 Off Movers
All trailers are subject to regular U-Haul fees (minus gas and mileage) and – most importantly – come with an installation fee if you don’t have the proper hitch.
How much does it cost to get a U-Haul hitch installed on my vehicle?
All types of U-Haul trailers require a proper hitch and lighting to hook to your vehicle.
You can use your own hitch if it’s compatible – a Class 2 or Class 3 with a 2-inch hitch ball (a Class 1 is kinda like a bike rack hitch, in case you’re curious). If you don’t have a proper hitch, you must have one installed. You can either get that done on your own, or make an appointment to have U-Haul install a hitch for a fee roughly around $100 or greater.
But note that U-Haul won’t install third-party hitches. Of course, trailer hitches and installation is an additional fee to your U-Haul rental bill.
For the heck of it, we asked U-Haul how much it would cost to get one of our cars modded for towing a trailer, and for pieces and installation. Wewere quoted $509.07 online to mod my incredible 2014 Kia Soul.
Hitch: $149.95
Hitch lifetime warranty: $5
Ball mount $24.95
Hitch ball $12.95
Pine & clip: $2.95
Wiring: $89.95
2-year wiring service plan: $10
Installation fee: $180
Taxes: $33.32
Total after taxes: $509.07
The U-Haul rep I spoke with about hitches told me that the cost of installation depends on the complexity of the installation. Installation tends to be cheaper on older cars because the electrical wiring is simpler than with more expensive, newer cars.
(Fun fact: we were actually quoted a better price over the phone – $458.80 – so you may want to give U-Haul a call, as well as run an online quote for the hitch.)
Either way, this isn’t exactly a steal, given that doesn’t even include the rental. But at least you’ll be good to go for the future. You will be buying all the pieces you need, but expect to get up-charged versus if you found the pieces elsewhere.
Let it be known that technically, you can actually rent a trailer for your U-Haul truck rental (which already has a hitch and lighting hook up on it) if for whatever reason you needed a little additional space.
What’s the difference between the three different U-Haul trailers?
There are actually three different kinds of trailers you can typically rent. (Note: there might be more at an official U-Haul dealership.)
U-Haul cargo trailers officially come in three different sizes and come with a built-in, lockable latch, so they’re secure.
UHaul.com
None of them generally come built with the U-Haul “EZ Ramp,” so prepare for that.
How much does a U-Haul Cargo Trailer cost?
For local moves, U-Haul trailer rentals generally cost as little as $14.95 before fees, and as much as $29.95 for the biggest size, after fees.
Without any hitch installation and for single-day use, the smallest cargo trailer (4’x8′) with no ramp was quoted to us at exactly $14.95, before taxes or miscellaneous fees. For their biggest cargo trailer (6’x12′), it was $29.95 under the same stipulations.
For a long-distance move, that quote goes out the window. Our quote from Florida to Texas for the smallest trailer (4′x8′), minus the taxes and miscellaneous fees and for up to seven days, was $114.00 plus tax. And the largest cargo trailer (6′x12′) was $257.00 plus tax! This is exactly how your U-Haul price can skyrocket fast.
Don’t forget the hitch installation charges if you need it, which adds another couple hundred, at minimum, depending on the year/make/model of your car.
U-Haul Utility Trailers
UHaul.com
Utility trailers are needed when you have to transport something tall or oddly shaped. So when you move your arcade cabinet (okay, probably a refrigerator), you can strap it to this and haul it behind your vehicle.
UHaul.com
Bring your own ramp, though, because only the 5′ x 9′ and 6′ x 12′ utility trailers come with U-Haul’s fold-out “EZ ramps”. (Careful, they rent a 6′ x 12′ trailer without a ramp, too.)
How much does a U-Haul Utility Trailer cost?
You may see this sticker inside your U-Haul
For local moves, prices generally begin at $14.95 and go up to $34.95 for the biggest size. The daily local rates don’t vary.
We were only able to get a quote for a long-distance move for a 5′ x 9′ Utility Trailer because it turns out the 4′ x7′, 5′ x 8′, and 6′ x12′ Utility Trailers are only available for local and roundtrip moves. Our quote was $153 plus the rental fee and taxes for five (5) days from Clearwater, FL to Arlington, TX. (Keep in mind this doesn’t include optional damage coverage or if you need to have a hitch installed.)
You can expect both larger and smaller utility trailers to scale roughly the same in cost as U-Haul Cargo Trailers.
Finally, if you need to tow a vehicle and aren’t looking to ship your car, check U-Haul’s car towing site, and maybe also call ahead to see if the U-Haul near you has any car and motorcycle trailers available.
UHaul.com
This type of move can definitely save you some cash compared to normal car shipping, but keep in mind that do-it-yourself car transport is not for moving rookies and requires a lot of time and some skill.
How much does a U-Haul Vehicle Trailer cost?
For our local move, U-Haul trailer rental rates for a tow dolly for a front-wheel drive vehicle started at $44.95/day and an auto transport trailer started at $54.95/day.
To get an idea for a hypothetical long-distance move, we came prepared with two faraway ZIP Codes. Before fees, our quote from Florida to Texas was quoted as $80 for a tow dolly and $222 for an auto transport trailer for 5 days. We thought this was pretty cheap, as long as you’re up for driving it yourself.
“…(W)e had to reproduce the same or another form of payment in person, regardless of what we used online to reserve it. Makes sense, but it might be a stumbling block for some people.”
Keep in mind that hitch installation, taxes and other fees are not included in this quote, which as you can see, can add hundreds more to this cost.
Oh, by the way, the rep told us U-Haul won’t let you rent any trailer of any kind if your vehicle doesn’t have a hardtop, SUV and Jeep included. They also strongly recommend you not exceed 55mph with any of this stuff attached to your vehicle.
How much do U-Haul U-Box containers cost?
UHaul.com
We also didn’t actually rent a storage container but were told they are available for long-distance moves. Here was our quote, though:
My U-Box Container Quote for Clearwater, FL to Arlington, TX
U-Box Container that fits about 1.5 rooms (+1-month use): $99.95 2-dozen furniture pads: FREE Gentle ride shipping (guaranteed delivery 13 days after pickup): $1,242 One-way transit fuel cost: FREE Truck delivery: $115 Subtotal (before taxes): $1,456.95
For a complete breakdown on all U-Box moving container costs before you make your U-Haul U-Box reservation, check out the Moving101 U-Box page.
How U-Haul Mileage and Gas Fees Work
How much does U-Haul charge for mileage?
In general, the price per mile is region-specific. Mileage rates are also higher for local moves.
For a rental truck:
Our quote was $1.09/mile for Los Angeles on a Wednesday. On a Saturday, the quote we got was $1.39/mile.
In the Midwest, it’s more common to find price points of $0.79 (for a truck) or $0.69 (for a van or pick-up) per mile on a weekday. On a Saturday, we found these rates were $1.49/mile and $0.99/mile, respectively.
Meanwhile, the mileage rate for either U-Haul rental pick-up trucks or U-Haul vans are typically $0.69–$0.79/mile on a weekday and $0.79–$0.99/mile on a Saturday.
We drove the U-Haul all of eight miles from and back to the U-Haul store to take pictures. For this, we were charged $0.99/mile, for a total of $7.92.
Imagine, now, how much your mileage fee will stack if you drive your rental 20, 50, maybe even 100 or more miles to and from the rental location? That’s why some call it “consumer-unfriendly“. Let’s hope there are U-Haul coupons out there somewhere.
“If returned with less than 1/4 tank, I agree to pay a $30.00 service fee.”
-U-Haul customer agreement receipt
What are the mileage rates for a long-distance/one-way U-Haul rental?
If you’re moving long-distance, a certain number of miles is accounted for and rolled into your final rate. There are technically no mileage limits, but if you drive more than this number, you’ll be charged $0.40/mile, which seems to be consistent for long-distance rentals regardless of location.
Remember, a one-way/long-distance to U-Haul simply means dropping it off at a different location than the one you rented it from. Technically, this could mean as near as a town over. Keep this in mind when typing in “U-Haul near me” into Google… just return it to where you got it.
Also, mileage is cheaper for long-distance moves, but other fees are way, way more expensive, so make sure you stick to local (in-town) rates, if possible.
Do U-Hauls have unlimited miles?
With U-Haul, there’s no limit to the number of miles you are allowed to drive.
But remember, for local, in-town rentals, miles are never included in the rate – you’re charged per mile. For long-distance moves, you’ll be charged $0.40/mile for anything beyond the expected mileage that U-Haul declares is necessary for your move.
If you do need to put on some extra miles, you’re better off looking at Penske or Budget. This area is where the $19.95 price promise really falls apart, unless you’re moving something across the street from your U-Haul store.
How do U-Haul gas fees work?
Simply put, you will pay for any gas you use. You gotta bring it back with at least as much gas as it started with.
The U-Haul clerk marked down the exact mileage and gave us their daily rate for gasoline. We had the choice of filling up what we used ourselves out in the wild, or paying U-Haul $6.25 a gallon (!) to do it for us after we returned it as a “convenience fee.”
And heed this warning straight from our receipt: “If returned with less than 1/4 tank, I agree to pay a $30.00 service fee.”
U-Haul mileage gauge
We spoke with a U-Haul rep who told us there’s no universal rule at U-Haul for this convenience fee, so this may be location-specific. (Oh, and in case you were wondering, U-Haul usually won’t reimburse you if you return the truck with more gas than you had to start with, so easy does it at the gas pump.)
A 10′ U-Haul truck should get in the neighborhood of about 7–10 mpg, although this can vary depending on what size truck you rent. The 15′ trucks and bigger are equipped with a fuel economy meter on the dashboard that shows you whether or not you’re getting the “Best MPG” in real-time. Our 10-footer had one too.
Protip:Normally, U-Haul is supposed to give you a truck with a full tank, but the tank can have less than this, and you’re only required to replace the gas you use. (We were given a truck with 5/16 of a tank of gas.) Make sure your truck’s tank is full when you take it off the lot. And by full, we mean full! (The fuel tank capacity for the 10′ truck is 33 gallons according to the equipment contract.)
When you pick up your truck, your U-Haul rep might think “full” means the needle on the gas gauge is more or less at full. But when you drop it off, that same rep will likely insist it isn’t full if there isn’t gas splashing out from under the gas cap.
U-Haul Insurance and Movers 101
What are my U-Haul insurance options?
U-Haul has two (2) main kinds of insurance. They’re called SafeMove and SafeMove Plus. Just like everything else, the added cost varies depending on whether you’re move is local or long-distance.
Keep in mind that absolutely no U-Haul insurance covers damages due to “…improper packing, normal shifting of cargo in transit or theft of cargo“. When in doubt, U-Haul will probably win out.
Here are the differences between their two insurances.
SafeMove
SafeMove is basically coverage for if someone hits your truck. It gives you:
Damage waiver: Covers most accident damage to the rental equipment (doesn’t include collision with an overhead object)
Cargo protection: For loss or damage to the stuff in the vehicle (cargo)
Medical/life protection: Life coverage for the people in the cab of a U-Haul rental truck
You’ll have to look to your own insurance if you hit someone else, or get Safemove Plus, which covers you against damage done to another vehicle. And your stuff inside is only covered if you get hit, there’s a fire, a windstorm, or if your truck literally overturns.
“There are no formal military, senior, or student discounts at U-Haul. However, it’s up to the discretion of the U-Haul store you’re renting at if they offer it for asking.”
SafeMove Plus
SafeMove Plus is basically the coverage for if you were to cause an accident:
Coverage for accidental damage of any kind
Limited coverage for the stuff in the vehicle (cargo coverage)
Life coverage for the people in the vehicle
Supplemental liability coverage
It covers overhead damage, like the kind you see on YouTube where people slam their trucks into low clearances, as well as tire protection. (You know, the two most likely things to go wrong if anything were to go wrong.) And as a “safeguard” to your personal insurance, if you were to cause an accident or mess up their equipment somehow, this covers up the first million dollars (literally) of losses.
For our tiny little “move,” we were scared by U-Haul customer service into picking up U-Haul’s regular SafeMove coverage for $14. SafeMove Plus would have cost us $28.
Do I have to buy insurance with my U-Haul?
No, you don’t have to buy insurance of any kind to rent a U-Haul.
Here’s the thing though. While you’re statistically in the clear, U-Haul’s policies are perfectly crafted to screw you if absolutely anything were to go wrong.
Your personal auto insurance policy most likely does not cover damages to rental trucks
Your credit card likely does not cover any damages to rental trucks
You are responsible for damages even if it’s not your fault, including things like vandalism
Some stores told us you have to pay U-Haul the exact moment you return the vehicle for any and all damages, while others told us it goes through insurance — so, uh, probably ask
Keep in mind that U-Haul only offers SafeMove for their rental trucks. Pickup trucks and vans have their own type of insurance they call Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).
“The difference between a move that takes you all day, breaks your back and your friendships, and keeps your stuff out of the hands of amateurs could be as little as $200 … Movers may be the most value you can get from any single add-on.”
U-Haul also offers SafeTrip for $5 extra per day, which means if you need roadside assistance they’ll send someone out to help. Kind of sad that you have to pay extra for this, but the option is there.
Bonus Insurance: SafeTow
SafeTow is U-Haul’s coverage for trailers, tow dollies, and auto transports. It’s available at different coverage levels from $8 per day up to $16 per day. Here’s what it covers:
Damage to the rental trailer or towing device
Damage to your cargo or vehicle while being transported with a U-Haul rental trailer, auto transport or tow dolly
Medical and life protection for you in case of an accident (passengers are covered only if they’re riding in the passenger area)
Damages and cleaning fees
Also, if you leave some kind of a noticeable mess, they will charge you up to $25. Maybe don’t eat while you drive … or transport hay.
U-Haul Equipment
We didn’t rent any equipment or buy any boxes or supplies, but we definitely had the option!
U-Haul stores give you a wide range of boxes and equipment to choose from online, and in person.
Sure, it’s possible to move without renting (or buying) any special equipment. But even if you hire a crew of movers to come in with all their hand trucks and dollies to load (and unload) your truck, you’ll at minimum still need your own blankets to protect your belongings.
Here’s how much the stuff cost for us.
Average* U-Haul equipment purchase prices:
Padlock: $4.95 to $16.96 (Best value is a 4-pack for $10) unless you want to get really fancy with a $49.95 braided steel cable lock
Stretch wrap: $9.49
Boxes: $1.09 to $16.95 per box (Wide varieties available)
Tie Down Rope: $3.95
Straps: $9.95 to $15.95
Roll of packing tape: $3.95
Furniture dolly: $19.95
Hand dolly: $75.75 online (but a different model was on sale in the store for $49.95)
Furniture pads: $7.95 each
Keep in mind that you can rent some equipment versus buying it. U-Haul has furniture pads for $5 per half dozen, as well as furniture dollies ($7 for local and $12 for one-way/long-distance moves) and appliance dollies ($10 for local and $15 for one-way/long-distance moves).
*These prices came from U-Haul’s website and may vary by location. You may want to check your local store first before buying online in case their prices are cheaper.
How much does moving labor cost?
When you go to a U-Haul shop, it’s likely they’ll try and sell you on movers. Even the inside of their trucks have advertisements for moving labor all over them.
How much are U-Haul movers? Movers prices will vary dramatically, depending on the number of hours booked, how many movers you book, whether they are doing a load, unload, or both, and how soon you need them. U-Haul’s rate is for two helpers, and there’s a two-hour minimum per location (your starting point and end point). But if both locations are near each other, you may be able to combine the loading and unloading at both locations into one two-hour block.
Moving equipment can sometimes add up to cost almost as much as local movers!
The way U-Haul’s movers work is that they have a network of local move helpers that sign up to receive job requests via their marketplace. But unlike HireAHelper’s $1,000 guarantee if anything goes wrong or gets broken during a mover, with U-Haul you’re mostly taking your chances. They’ll connect you with movers, but it’s beetween you and them after that.
We found this part of their terms a little unsettling:
“Furthermore, the Moving Help request and its acceptance and if applicable, any resulting provision of Services, are solely between You and the Moving Helper. Therefore, when and where there are any claims, demands, liabilities, damages or losses incurred as a result of the same, You, your heirs, successors and assigns, do hereby waive and release Us (Our officers, directors, agents, parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies and employees) from any such claims, demands, liabilities, damages or losses.
You acknowledge and agree that both You and the Moving Helper each have the right to pursue a claim against one another in a Court of competent jurisdiction or in another similar forum of dispute resolution.”
This, compared to cheap movers through HireAHelper, which provides some insurance for free (and $1,000 service guarantee if anything goes wrong), plus additional insurance starting at $12.
And in case you were wondering, for us to add movers to our made-up, on-the-spot move, U-Haul quoted us $312.
Are movers actually worth it?
The difference between a move that takes you all day, breaks your back and your friendships, and keeps your stuff out of the hands of amateurs could be as little as $200, depending on how much stuff you have. Movers may be the most value you can get from any single add-on.
Other Factors That Affect Your U-Haul Cost
What actually happens at the U-Haul store after you reserve online or over the phone
Here is the reservation text you get after you reserve a vehicle
We went online and used a credit card to book a 10′ rental truck, and we thought the booking was all paid up. But it wasn’t — our card was just used to make the reservation.
While our vehicle was reserved online (thank goodness), we had to reproduce the same or another form of payment in person (cash was acceptable as well), regardless of what we used online to reserve it. Makes sense, but might be a stumbling block for some people.
After that, U-Haul put a hold on our bank account upfront for all the estimated costs (rental fee, environmental fee, tax, and mileage). They asked us how many miles they thought we’d drive for our local move and added that to the total cost for the hold. If you end up driving less, they’ll charge you less in the end. If you end up driving more, they’ll charge more. Plus they’ll add any applicable miscellaneous fees.
When we returned with the vehicle, they checked out the truck before charging us to verify gas level and mileage (and probably to check for damages). We were given a paper receipt with the total costs. Because we used a debit card already on file, no further action was needed.
Paying for a U-Haul in cash?
We were told cash customers need to put down a $100 deposit or the estimated rental charges, whichever is more. (Yes, seriously.) This would eventually be reimbursed – minus our total cost – upon return of the vehicle.
Here’s how the cash payment breakdown works, straight from their website:
“If you’re paying with cash, the following is due when you pick up your equipment:*
Local/in-town truck: $100 or estimated rental charges (whichever is greater)
One-way truck: $100 plus rental rate
*Cargo vans and pickup trucks must be reserved with a credit card. Deposits cannot be made in cash.
The total estimated charges for your rental are due when you pick up your equipment regardless of your method of payment. Payment can be made by credit card, debit card or cash.
Cash is accepted for pickup and van rentals. However, a valid credit or debit card with a major credit card logo will also need to be presented in the name of the renter.”
Haggling and U-Haul coupons
There are no formal military, senior, or student discounts at U-Haul. However, it’s up to the discretion of the U-Haul store you’re renting at if they offer it for asking. The rep let it leak that anywhere between 10-15% discount is what they’re allowed to apply to an order if they decide.
How old do you have to be to rent a U-Haul?
Wanting to test the age limits, we sent one of our 20-year-old team members to officially do the honors of picking up the vehicle. No matter, as U-Haul says you need only be 18 years old with a valid driver’s license, and just 16 years old to rent a trailer attachment.
The Cheapest We Were Able to Get Our U-Haul
Our final cost for our U-Haul was $52.40.
Rental Fee: $19.95
Mileage Charge: $7.92
SafeMove Insurance: $14.00
Environmental Fee: $1
1.6 Gallons of Gas from U-Haul: $7.51
Tax on Rental: $2.02
Total: $52.40
We got a 10′ truck, U-Haul’s smallest with no ramp, and drove it a “colossal” eight miles. We bought the cheapest insurance, absolutely zero equipment and zero labor, and got hit with no other fees (since we didn’t actually put anything in the truck).
Our bill was still almost three times the advertised price.
Of course, $52.40 isn’t a bad deal, depending on what you need it for. The problem is that if you needed only a quick lift to pick something up, $50+ can render a lot of good deals useless.
The $19.95 truck has raised wheel wells inside the vehicle, which takes up some serious space in your rental truck.
On the other hand, if you were seriously moving, odds are great you’d drive many more miles, and your mileage would probably be way higher, given you probably aren’t hauling air. And if it’s during the busy moving season, the rental rate will likely be greater than $19.95.
An extremely conservative estimate for a very small, local move is probably closer to around $125 for the rental. You’ll realistically need one of the larger trucks for a real move.
And that is strictly local. For long-distance moves, even a small load will be much closer to $1,000 or more. And that is assuming you don’t need a hitch installed.
The Bottom Line
Nobody pays $19.95 plus tax. How much you finally shell out will depend on your circumstances, your preferences and your requirements. Keep the above in mind as you plan out your move. You’ll probably save at least enough for some extra coffee on the drive to your new home!
On their own, breaking up and moving are both ranked on the list of life’s top stressors. Together, especially without proper planning, they add up to a special kind of terrible.
While it will likely take more time to move on versus move out, this detailed moving checklist will at least help you with all of life’s annoying details while you’re trying to focus on a divorce, separation, or just a plain-ol’-fashioned breakup.
Moving Checklist: How To Move Out After a Break-Up
Step 1: Assess your separation, then make a plan
The fact that you’re even reading a moving checklist tells me you’ve already decided who’s going to split — and you’re likely the one moving out.
But before you pick up the moving boxes, it helps to think through some logistics. If you’re in the tough situation of having to move after a breakup, most people opt in to one of these game plans:
Plan A: Get out quick!
The problem: Unless your ex is particularly understanding or has tons of space, you’ll likely need a quick place to store your stuff while you figure things out. And sometimes… you need to get out fast. You may find it best to couch it at a friend or family member’s house while you get your bearings, save up some cash, and come up with your actual plan.
Plan B: Temporary new place
The problem: So you need a new “non-forever” home that isn’t depressing? If the housing market is as crazy where you live as it is everywhere else, you probably need some time to shop around for your next home (especially if you’re planning on buying). You should consider:
A short-term rental (think AirBnb or Vrbo)
Month-to-month or 3-6 month apartment lease
Extended-stay hotel
A temporary home is also a great option when you have kids and don’t want to pull them out of school in the middle of the year, or if you’re waiting to move long-distance and want to line up a job first. (You may or may not need to store your stuff in this situation, depending on the size of your temporary pad.)
Plan C: Big change
The problem: Separation got you wanting to move to the mountains and live in a remote cabin? Maybe your breakup has put things into perspective and you’re ready for a markedly big change… or heck, maybe you’d rather move nearer to a support network instead of running into your ex at the grocery store.
This plan generally involves a long-distance move and/or storage, whether it’s to another city in your state, across the country, or across the world. (As it can take longer to realistically coordinate a relocation like this, it may be worth it to opt for Plan A, listed above, and sleep in a friend’s guestroom until you’re ready to go.)
Plan D: Take your time
The problem: Maybe your situation isn’t bad, but the housing market is?
Sometimes you get lucky and you can keep things civil long enough to choose your ideal next home, sort through your things, and make a direct point-A-to-point-B move without having to put anything in storage. (Hey, it happened to me!) If so, make a plan that takes advantage of this time.
Extra Special Considerations for a Break-Up Move
Kids:
The goal when you’re divorcing or breaking up with kids is to keep their lives as stable as possible. If you’re arguing a lot with your ex, it may be best to move out yourself first (Plan A above) to save your kiddos stress. You may also want to take some extra time to find an ideal kid-friendly setup or a place that’s near their school.
Of course, if there’s domestic violence or a threat of abuse, it’s best to remove yourself and your children as soon as you can. Lean on friends and family for support, and gain legal representation as soon as possible.
Pets:
Before you discuss splitting up your pets with your ex, take some time to reflect on whether you can truly offer your pet a fulfilling life when you’re on your own. Any decision you make should be in your pet’s best interest. By the way, I’ve known couples to work out a joint-custody agreement successfully! You may also opt to leave Buddy at home with your ex until you can snag a pet-friendly setup.
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
Step 2: Match your plan to its best moving option
After you know where and when you’re going next, it’s time to figure out how.
Maybe you’ve got money to burn. Maybe your breakup has left you flat on your back. Maybe you can bench press your couch in your sleep. Maybe your back goes out more than you do. Ultimately, every moving scenario is fairly different, including yours. Fortunately, there’s a moving option for whatever your budget and energy levels are.
DIY move
What it is: You’re taking the move into your own hands, from packing to unloading. This option involves renting a truck or borrowing one from a friend.
What it’s best for: Plan A, B
People who are on a budget, good old-fashioned DIYers, and/or those who need to move out quickly. (We have a checklist for that too!)
Insider tips: Moving is a lot of work, even under the best circumstances. This is the time to reach out to friends and family — especially if they’re into weightlifting. Ask them if you can borrow their truck, watch the kids on moving day, or get help with moving the heavy stuff.
Labor-only + Truck rental
What it is: A hybrid between a DIY move and hiring full-service help, this solution involves renting and driving the truck yourself but hiring professionals for loading and unloading.
Who it’s best for: Plan A, B
Movers by the hour are great if you aren’t up for heavy lifting or could use a helping hand with disassembling and reassembling furniture. Need a recommendation? Make sure to check mover marketplaces with transparent reviews.
Insider tips: This option is still great for those who want to move out quickly, but it might not be as nimble as a full-on DIY move. If you hire movers, remember to mention if you have stairs or specialty items such as pianos, as packers and loaders generally charge extra for these. And don’t feel pressured to go with the fastest or cheapest option just because you’re eager to get away from your ex! Ignoring red flags isn’t great in a relationship, and it’s not great for picking moving assistance either.
What it is: This is when a moving company delivers one or more portable storage containers to your driveway, you load your things into the container, then the company picks up the container and delivers it to either your new home or a storage facility.
Who it’s best for: Plan B, C, D
Typically, portable storage companies like PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT are flexible with timelines, which lets you load at your own pace. This is helpful for couples who are on decent terms and want to take some time to sort through logistics and their possessions. It’s also great for those making a big change via a long-distance move, as you don’t have to worry about driving, or necessarily even coordinating when you’ll arrive. Your stuff will just be whisked away and waiting for you, typically with monthly billing.
And although it’s potentially pricey for a temporary new place, it can be a luxury for the heartbroken needing a short-term, temporary move that requires storage.
Insider tips: If you’re unsure where you’ll be living long-term, get two containers! One can be loaded up with the essentials and delivered to a family member’s home or a short-term rental. The other can be kept in storage until you close on a new house or find a more permanent living solution. If you need help with the heavy lifting, portable containers pair super well with hourly packing and loading assistance.
Moving far away?
Do it cheaper.
HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.
What it is: Get comprehensive professional help moving from start to finish. We’re talking packing, unpacking, loading, unloading — the whole shebang! You won’t have to lift a finger, except to enter your credit card information. (Did I mention this option is usually the priciest?)
Who it’s best for: Plan C, D
If you’re able, this is best if you need support in more ways than one. It’s also a great fit for people who have a lot of stuff, are moving long-distance, or just want the peace of mind that comes with a full-service provider.
Insider tips: While this option can be the most convenient, it often takes the longest, as you’ll be moving on the company’s schedule — not your own. You may want to stay with a friend until moving day, especially if you’re planning on moving long-distance or during the busy summertime months. You might be tempted given the circumstances to book the first mover you talk to, but make sure to do your due diligence when picking out a company.
Real Talk
If you’re trying to safely remove yourself from an abusive relationship, there are professionals who are dedicated to helping people in your situation.
To get started, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, learn where your local shelters are (just in case), then click here to seek out moving companies near you who might be able to move domestic abusive victims for free.
Step #3: Self-care is vital while you pack and separate
Before you start throwing your things into boxes — and burning that little box of dating mementos — take a step back to get some operational things in place. It may take a little more work on the front end, but it’ll make the transition to your new place a lot easier.
If you bought something with your ex-partner, consider selling it back to them: If you don’t have it, you don’t have to pack it. If you want to cut your moving costs or move out in record time, clean out that closet, donate your things to a local charity, or, if you have time, host a garage sale (just don’t sell your ex’s stuff without permission).
Save sentimentals for dead last: This is good advice for any move, but it goes double during a breakup. For untold amounts of reasons, dump sentimental stuff in a box and deal with it last.
Don’t get petty: Trust me, it’s best to take the high road. No arguing over knick-knacks! It’s not worth it.
Get ahead of having to pick up your mail: It can be easy in our digital age to forget about this step, but it’s better to take care of this now to avoid having to pick up your mail from your ex’s place after you move out.
Short on time? Hire professional movers by the hour. There’s a reason they’re the professionals; they can deal with all of the heavy stuff for only a couple hundred bucks, which is HUGE since you’re probably stressed out to the max.
Stock up on supplies: Proper moving supplies can mean all the difference between having your stuff arrive intact or in pieces. Forgo throwing things into a garbage bag and get some quality moving supplies, like boxes, packing tape, markers, and bubble wrap. Like free stuff? Here are some tips for getting free boxes.
Just because your move is behind you doesn’t mean your ex is. Here are some tips for moving on after moving out:
Meet people near where you’re going: Get back into the social scene by starting close to home. This may be especially helpful if you’re not used to being alone, as you may be able to lean on your new neighbors for support with childcare or even handyman tasks if that’s not your thing.
Don’t sweat the small stuff with your ex: After you’ve moved, you may realize that you left behind your favorite coffee mug or that you didn’t get reimbursed for half of the last utility bill. If it’s not a make-or-break situation, let bygones be bygones. It’s time to move on.
Overprioritize decorating your new space: Nothing spells a fresh start like a new place does. Put extra energy into picking out curtains, new furniture, and art for the new pad.
You need a new routine: This is especially true if you have kiddos or pets. Create a sense of normalcy by establishing a new pattern. Just for funsies, throw in some things you wouldn’t have been able to enjoy when you were attached — cook with gluten, watch your guilty-pleasure Netflix show, or heck, let the dog sleep in bed with you.
More of a visual learner? Screenshot or download the official break-up moving checklist™ below!
If there’s one thing that people in Denver have in common is that most of them have a strong Instagram game.
Who can blame them? If I could be pictured in classy wine tasting one night and then hiking along the trails of the Rocky Mountains the next morning, I too would be the mountain queen of social media. It’s no wonder the Mile High City population grew by 1.22% in 2021 and rents for Denver apartments have risen nearly 16% over the past year. The metropolitan Denver area is now approaching 3 million, from Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and beyond.
Over the years, we’ve overseen thousands of local moves into or within Denver, discovering who Denver’s top movers are in the process. And that’s not just our opinion; here are what newly minted Denverites say are the best movers in Denver.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Policies:
No same-day moving requests
Next-day moves will have regular rates
Refund up to one hour of unused time
Availability to stay 1 hour of overbooked time
Why Customers Love Them:
Customers can’t say enough good things about LeDoux’s professionality and their dexterity for packing a whole house into a truck. LeDoux Moving specializes in senior citizens, but their ability to accommodate any type of move has earned them over 762 verified reviews and an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Services Available: Move help / day labor / Movers with a truck
Equipment Available:
Furniture dolly
Hand truck
Rope $10.00/ea.
Plastic wrap $25.00/ ea.
Hand tools for assembly
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Policies:
Additional 15% charge for same-day requests
Next-day moves will have regular rates
Refund up to one hour of unused time
Availability to stay 1 hour of overbooked time
Why Customers Love Them:
They’ve amassed 4,500 moves on HireAHelper with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars, so it’s safe to say that they know a thing or two about moving in the Denver metropolitan area, including Commerce City. In their reviews, customers have praised their ability to handle big tricky objects and fragile items.
Their trademark is friendly, capable, and experienced movers that go above and beyond to make their customers happy (which would sound a little on the nose, but read their reviews!). They have an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars — and they even work on Sundays!
Genesys started 5 years ago, but they have poured their heart into their moving services, so every customer can experience an easy, carefree move. They can fulfill your needs for local household moves, business moves and are specialized in moving extra heavy items like pianos and gun safes. Genesys prides itself on its continuous training so every single one of its movers does an excellent job.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Thursday-Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Policies:
No same-day requests
Next-day moves will have regular rates
Refund up to one hour of unused time
Availability to stay 1-hour overbooked time
Why Customers Love Them:
Based in Aurora, they are “the backbone for Colorado residents and companies”. They provided moving services to those in need during the heaviest part of the Covid-19 pandemic, and at budget-friendly prices. They are relatively new to the game, but they already have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after 196 jobs done through HireAHelper!
Denver Moving Stats
How much would it cost to hire movers in Denver?
$463 is the average cost of a local moving company in Denver.
Plan on a window of 3 hours with 2 movers, on average.
Of course, that will depend on the size of your house and any other special items that may require special attention, but this estimate is a good starting point. Some of these movers can also provide a truck. On average, people book a 16’ truck to carry their belongings. If you’re renting your own truck, here’s a rental truck comparison guide with real-time pricing.
Protip: Moving and parking a truck in Downtown Denver can be a nightmare on weekdays and rush hour. If you can, aim for a weekend move. That’s when the streets tend to be less crowded. (Just make sure there aren’t any special events happening!)
Want more options?
The mover you need will depend on the distance you’re moving, your schedule, and the size of your move… so do your research.
Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
Make sure to get a few estimates before booking. Luckily, the HireAHelper network is a great place to start! You can compare the movers with the better rating and prices, and since most of them service Dever’s metropolitan area plus suburbs, you’re likely to have several great options.
Last year, 230 moving scams were reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)—nearly double the number reported in 2019.
That might not seem like a lot, but consider the BBB estimates that only about 10% of scams actually get reported. And if you were one of those victims, even one scam would feel like one too many.
Here’s the story of one couple who ended up the victims of a terrible moving experience, what they did, plus what you can do to avoid fraud on your next big move.
How Moving Scams Happen
When Mary and Will* needed to move long-distance across the state of Georgia to St. Simons Island, they didn’t realize how tough it would be to find movers.
The larger moving companies weren’t returning their calls due to high volume, and local movers couldn’t accommodate the over 300-mile move. (The couple also looked into moving container companies, but the cost didn’t fit their budget.) Yet eventually, a Google search connected them with a moving company called Nation Relocation.
This company responded quickly to Will’s call and sent someone out to do an estimate. “That meeting went well enough, so we had no reason to distrust the company,” Mary explained to HireAHelper. “As a retired Army family having had only great moving experiences, it didn’t cross our mind that this one would be any different.”
Suspicions mounting
The problems started when the owner of the moving company was leaving Mary and Will’s home after one day of packing. The mover veered the moving truck off the driveway and onto the lawn, breaking a sprinkler head and leaving a large divot in the lawn. Afterward, he dismissed it as not his fault and quickly left with all his employees.
The emergency repair to the sprinkler cost the couple $642. “When he came back the next day to finish packing, my husband presented him with the invoice for the emergency repair and he asked him if he was going to pay for it,” Mary recounted. “His response was ‘that’s not going to happen.’”
Still, Mary said they expected that the move itself would be handled properly, having no past bad experiences. Unfortunately, things only got worse from there. After the couple’s items were unpacked in their new home, they discovered extensive damage to their belongings. An antique mirror that has been in Mary’s family since the 1940s was alarmingly handled. ”There was literally one sheet of packing paper wrapped around it for protection,” she said. Additionally, an antique vase that was given to Mary by her late mother-in-law was wrapped in a thin sheet of paper and jammed into a box with heavy items.
Also damaged were the couple’s flatscreen TV, washing machine, two bikes (one was damaged beyond use, and another simply disappeared), a brand-new cabinet, antique furniture and dishes, and more. In fact, entire rooms of items went missing during the move, including a 24-foot extension ladder, compound miter saw, electric chain saw, circular saw, hand sander, power drill, kitchen chair, car jack, garden wagon, moving dolly, and 40-50 DVDs.
“The owner was belligerent and disrespectful and showed little care for our personal property, both in hearing about damages as well as how things were packed,” Mary recounted. The couple filed a written claim with the company over a week before our interview, but they still haven’t received a response.
Not an isolated incident
Mary and Will are far from the only people who have been scammed by a moving company.
In just one of a plethora of potential examples, Konami Moving and Storage, a moving company operating out of Las Vegas, made headlines when multiple customerscame forward with claims they were taken advantage of during their moves. One local TV news station interviewed a woman who claimed her belongings were actually held hostage by the company, as they refused to return them unless their customer paid an exorbitant, undisclosed fee. Another customer shared that he was out $4,500 after half his items went missing and several more were broken as a result of working with Konami. A look at Konami’s online reviews reveals many other angry customers complaining of everything from damaged property to extortion.
With a national increase in home sales driving heightened demand for movers, some experts warn that moving scams like these will increase. Thus, it pays to know the warning signs coming from a fraudulent moving company.
Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
How To Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Moving Scam
If you hire movers, it may feel stressful when virtual strangers enter your home and handle all your items. While the vast majority of moving companies employ courteous and professional workers, there’s always a chance you could get stuck with ones who aren’t.
From avoiding being overcharged to making sure your belongings aren’t damaged or stolen, here are some important steps you can take to stay safe.
1. Get several quotes
One way to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off or working with a questionable company is to look at more than one quote for the move. (This is very simple to do entirely online using a mover marketplace.) This can help you compare offers and be sure you’re getting a good deal.
Some red flags to look out for when comparing quotes:
One number is way lower than everyone else’s quote: If any one quote is significantly lower (or higher) compared to the others, it’s a sign there’s something amiss. You want to get the lowest price possible, but avoid anything that seems too good to be true.
It’s hard to get concrete details: This includes pricing, license numbers, insurance information, and more. “If there is any pushback from requests for this information, that could be a red flag that you are working with a fraudulent moving company,” explains Kristen Bolig, founder of SecurityNerd.
They won’t put it in writing: It’s best to avoid any verbal agreements that don’t include a written contract. Without the terms of your contract in writing, it’s easy to change or go back on what was originally promised.
A large down-payment is required: Be wary of companies that want you to pay a lot of the principal before the move takes place. This is a practice amongst scammers who take the money and run.
2. Check out the company’s online presence
Most businesses want to make it easier for potential new customers to find them and for existing customers to engage with them… not harder.
It’s expected that any legitimate moving company will at least have a basic website and additional listings on websites like Yelp or HireAHelper that feature pictures, company details, and reviews. A complete lack of online presence, as well as a history of name changes, is a red flag that a company may be hiding something.
“Movers need to be licensed with the state, and if they’re doing interstate moves, they need to be federally licensed too.”
For example, the aforementioned Nation Relocation (whose website is not currently active) has also done business under another company name: “Region Relocation”. “They have no social media presence either, and it is the opinion of myself and multiple others whom they have scammed that they’ve done this intentionally to minimize their traceability and their accountability footprint,” Mary said.
3. Look up verified customer reviews (that means the moves really happened)
Before choosing a moving company, see what past customers have to say about them. A couple of negative reviews are to be expected, but a long history of dissatisfied customers should make you look elsewhere.
“Looking back, we would have started our market research earlier in the moving process and looked at online reviews and Better Business Bureau reports,” Mary said. Nation Relocation, for example, has a one-star rating on Yelp, with multiple customer complaints ranging from damages to harassment. Meanwhile, Region Relocation has an F rating from the BBB fueled by 48 customer complaints.
4. Keep a detailed inventory
To be sure that none of your items go missing without you realizing it, keep a detailed list of what was packed. For high-value items, you may also want to take photographs. “Moving can be hectic, but being organized will help mitigate any risk of theft,” Kristen Bolig advises. “Keeping inventory of your belongings will allow you to know if anything is missing once the move is done.”
5. Lock your most expensive valuables
As an added measure against tampering or theft, Bolig recommends using lockable moving boxes and totes for extra security. Just be sure that if you do, you properly pad anything fragile so it doesn’t break during transit.
6. Consider buying moving insurance
Though moving insurance can’t bring back irreplaceable items that were broken, lost or stolen, insurance can ensure that you don’t take a major financial hit from the loss. “This kind of insurance covers the costs of any damaged or lost items during a move,” Bolig said.
Though your moving company may offer its own protection, you may want to purchase insurance through a third-party in case the company ends up being fraudulent. “Even if you do fall victim to a scam, you can have this insurance to fall back on,” Bolig said.
Generally, the more useful third-party liability coverage costs around $1.25 per pound. So if you move 2,000 pounds of belongings, you could expect to pay $2,500. It’s a significant added cost, but depending on what you’re moving, it could be worth the peace of mind that you’re financially protected against moving damages.
Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
What To Do if You Just Got Scammed
Of course, no one wants to get ripped off, but it still happens. So if despite your best efforts, if you end up getting scammed by a moving company, here’s what you should do.
There are a few benefits to doing this. For one, investigators can help you track down missing belongings or get compensation for damaged items. Plus, they can take unlicensed and illegal movers off the streets so no one else falls victim. Movers need to be licensed with the state, and if they’re doing interstate moves, they need to be federally licensed too. Cross-checking these licenses and reporting an unlicensed mover is a quick way to get an investigation started.
2. Call your local police station
The police are sometimes limited in what they can do when a moving scam occurs. At the very least, you should file a police report for any damages or harassment you experience. In some cases, depending on state laws, the police can actually mediate a dispute. For example, if a moving company holds your belongings hostage in demand for more money, the police can step in and help you get your stuff back, especially if it involves an interstate move. But again, the level of involvement by police will be dictated by state law, so do your research and learn what’s allowed where you’re moving
3. Consider contacting a news outlet
One of the best ways to put pressure on a company to resolve your complaint (and protect future customers) is to contact a local newspaper or TV station and see if they’ll do a report on your incident. This does involve putting yourself and your misfortune in the public eye. But if you don’t mind taking the spotlight for the greater good, it can be worth it.
Ultimately, when choosing a moving company, it’s important to trust your gut. If anything about the quote, contract, or communication feels off, it’s probably a sign that you should work with someone else. When in doubt, trusted, established moving services with consumer-friendly policies are always the better choice.
*Names have been changed in order to protect the couple’s privacy.
During my time in Southern California, I’ve seen more and more of my friends happily jumping into new stages of their lives. And because I’m a great friend, I’ve helped most of them with their moves.
While I do my best, my abilities (and those of my friends) are a far cry from professional movers. (Los Angeles, in particular, requires next-level agility to load and unload, and carry furniture through tight apartment buildings.)
And unfortunately, not every single moving service in Los Angeles is equally great. With that in mind, we put together a list of the top five ranked movers in Los Angeles using tens of thousands of verified reviews from people in LA who were in the same boat as you are.
The 5 Best Movers in Los Angeles by Reviews
Without further ado, let’s get right into the best of the best, rated by thousands of people in Los Angeles and ranked using an algorithm that combines both affordability and quality.
Services available: Move help/day labor/movers with a truck
Equipment available without fee:
Furniture dolly
Hand truck
Rope
Plastic wrap
Hand tools for assembly.
Hours: Monday-Sunday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Policies:
No same day moving requests
Next-day moves will have a special price
No refunds for unused time
Availability to stay min. 2 hours overbooked time
Why customers love them:
Rigo’s Moving & Storage, Inc. is based in Los Angeles and serves the greater Southern California area. They are not only the best voted moving service providers in Los Angeles, but they are also one of HireAHelper’s top mover’s nationwide, among those with most jobs completed in the entire HireAHelper Network. They guarantee that every job is done by professionally trained movers and plenty of tools to make moving day go as smoothly as possible.
Availability to stay at least. 2 hours over pre-booked time
Why customers love them:
“Reliable, dependable and honest” are the first words Patriot One Movers uses to describe their services, and the fact that they’ve been in business for a whopping 13 years seems to back up that claim. (Not to mention, they have hundreds of glowing 5-star reviews!) Patriot One Movers handle moves up to 50-mile radius of North Hollywood, CA.
They also maintain a very flexible policy that doesn’t charge extra fees for same-day or next-day jobs.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Saturday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM / Sunday: 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Policies:
Same-day requests at a 15% extra rate
Next-day moves at regular rates
Do not refund unused time
Can’t guarantee availability past pre-booked time
Why customers love them:
They specialize in all types of moving help, from “Movers + Truck” services to simply rearranging heavy furniture around your home or office. They’ve handled moves for nearly 300 people in the Los Angeles Area, and have an impressive record of 5-star reviews. Though as a trade-off for such high reviews, make sure you carefully plan your move if you decide to go with them since they don’t refund unused time.
Services available: Move help/day labor/movers with a truck
Equipment available without fee:
Face covering and gloves
Furniture dolly
Hand truck
Rope
Plastic wrap
Hand tools for assembly
Hours: Monday-Sunday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Policies:
20% extra charge for same-day requests
Next-day moves will have regular rates
Refund up to one hour of unused time over minimum
Availability to stay at least. 2 hours over pre-booked time
Why customers love them:
Lucky Movers Company can take care of your commercial or residential move at a very reasonable budget. They offer the full package, including labor, packing, wrapping, and unwrapping. They also cover a large swath of land, with service in the Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. They state they have the flexibility to accommodate many moves, from detailed scheduling to a forgiving cancellation policy.
For them, they say a happy customer is their best form of advertising, so you may be able to get one of those 5-star reviews yourself.
You don’t necessarily have to choose between budget-friendly or top-notch professional moving help. Helpful 5 Moving Co. are fully trained and equipped for LA moves. We’ve read the reviews, and a very important detail emerged: they are always on time!
See prices for movers by the hour – instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
Moving in Los Angeles, by the Numbers
First, the movers you ultimately pick will depend on not only the price, but the move you need. Here’s what moving within Los Angeles takes, in terms of time, cost, and services to choose from.
Average moving cost in Los Angeles
If you opt to hire professional labor, you should expect to shell out an average of $485 for a move in Los Angeles.
This number is based on thousands of local moves booked within Los Angeles, and includes data from both labor-only jobs, as well as more expensive moves where the movers offer local transportation. (The actual amount you pay, of course, will ultimately depend on the size of your home, distance traveled, heavy items, and whether or not you need a vehicle.)
“…the movers you ultimately pick will depend on not only the price, but the move you need.”
But whenyou move matters too. Summer moves tend to be more expensive than any other season, and bookings fill up quickly, so expect to maybe pay a little extra for locking down a crew during these months. But if you’re somehow free to choose when to move, doing it in thespring or winter will usually net you a better deal.
Average moving requirements in Los Angeles
On average, most people moving in LA usually hire two movers for three hours.
Yet knowing exactly how many movers you need will depend on multiple factors. If you get a quote from someone over the phone, you’ll be asked questions like:
How many square feet is your place?
How many rooms does your home have?
How far is your door from your loading truck?
How many stairs are there?
This chart is a pretty accurate estimation of how many movers you’ll need going by the size of your house. (It was built using the data from hundreds of thousands of moves nationwide!)
Average moving transportation option in Los Angeles
The average move in LA opts to use a 24 foot-long truck.
Some movers in LA will offer the mover plus moving truck combos, but that will mostly depend on the kind of move you’re looking for.
It might also be convenient to rent a moving container for any storage needs, so it’s important to do more research. Some companies like PODS have specialized City Services designed to navigate metropolitan areas with crowded streets, parking limitations, and tight space. This might be a good option if your moving origin or destination is located in the heart of LA.
There’s nothing more comforting than starting a new stage in your life knowing you’ve got a trustworthy mover who knows all the insider tips and tricks for a seamless move. (I mean, this is LA we’re talking about.)
Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution for moving, we recommend taking the time to gather some quotes from these (or other) professionals, and see which one feels best for you based on availability, prices, equipment offered, and any added value they might provide. In the end, we’re sure your stuff (and your non-mover-friends) will appreciate it.
How Much Does It Cost To Move to California in 2021?
California has a lot to offer its residents: beautiful people and beaches, famous attractions, and yearlong sunshine. It’s no wonder people pay a premium to live there (overall, California has the fourth-highest cost of living, behind Hawaii, Washington D.C., and New York).
But how much does moving and living in California cost? Below are moving and price of living costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates*.
California Moving Costs in 2021
Avg. Cost of a California Move (Labor-only) – $465
Avg. Cost of a Long-Distance Move w/ CA Destination – $5,600
The average cost of a cross-country move to California is $5,600 according to Unpakt. A long-distance move to California varies wildly in cost, measured by both distance and size of move. You can expect anywhere between $2,000 from a state over, to over $10,000 to move multiple bedrooms from New York City to California. (See how much we can save you.)
Avg. Time and Distance of a California Move – 3 Hours
Avg. Distance of a California Move – 58 Miles
The average length of time of a move that features an origin, destination, or both within California is three hours, while the average distance traveled is just under 58 miles. (Most moves are local.)
How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?
$67 higher, on avg.
The average cost of Californian moving labor services is higherby $67.17, compared to the U.S. as a whole.
Across all move types and services, it costs $397.83 to move locally anywhere within the country, on average.
The national average timeframe for moving is also three hours, and items are transported an average of 36 miles. What service you order for your move makes a difference, though.
The Current State of Moving to California in 2021
The previous year (2020) was a big one for moving, thanks in large part to COVID-19. Last year, a quarter of Americans who moved did so because of the pandemic.
With massive business shutdowns, millions of Americans found themselves out of work. In California alone, 2.7 million jobs were wiped out between March and April of 2020. That meant people downsized their living situations to account for decreased income and to absorb new pandemic-era expenses. According to one HireAHelper poll, about 35% of people in the U.S. who moved due to the pandemic cited financial hardship as their main reason for moving.
Millions of people also shifted to remote work—many of whom also had to juggle childcare and remote learning on top of their jobs. While this came with new financial challenges, it also presented the newfound flexibility to move away from major cities where physical offices were located to lower cost-of-living towns, which negatively impacted California’s typical business appeal.
Not too surprisingly, California lost more residents than it gained last year. That’s likely due to its higher tax burden and cost of living in general. Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose were the cities that lost the most residents in California. This is not a coincidence; they’re also among the cities with the highest costs of living—not just in California, but the whole country.
In San Francisco, for instance, median home prices are above $1.4 million. A family of four would need $111,136 in household income just to get by.
Moving far away?
Do it cheaper.
HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.
Given multiple moving options available to you, there are many pros and cons to each, including the price. The average California moving service costs in 2021 were as follows:
Transportation Type
Avg. Labor Cost
Avg. Transportation Cost
Total Cost
Container
$461
$2,762
$3,223
Truck
$478
$345
$823
Freight Trailer
$574
$1,500*
$2,074**
**Expressed as a national average, as state-specific data is not available.
Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in California by Job Type
Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which end of the move you hire for statistically makes a difference. The average cost of moving services by job type versus the U.S. average is as follows:
U.S. Average
CA Average
Moving on-site only
$309
$328
Moves with only unloading help
$343
$451
Moves with only loading help
$396
$461
Full move w/ both loading and unloading booked together
$573
$727
Least Expensive Long-Distance Move (50+ Miles) in California by Origin/Destination* City (Avg.)
City
Average Move Cost
Chula Vista, CA
$516
Burbank, CA
$531
Panorama City, CA
$637
Santa Ana, CA
$648
Vista, CA
$672
Most Expensive Long-Distance Move (50+ Miles) in California by Origin/Destination* City (Avg.)
City
Average Move Cost
San Jose, CA
$1,288
Sacramento, CA
$1,252
Fremont, CA
$1,129
Hayward, CA
$1,109
Long Beach, CA
$1,056
*California moves in the above graphs are calculated using booked moves where the origin city, destination city, or both reside within California and are at least 50 miles apart.
Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck
See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.
Read real customer reviews.
Easily book your help online.
Which Cities in California Are Growing and Shrinking?
Most popular Californian city by population net-gain ratio – El Dorado Hills, CA
This is a rural town just over 20 miles east of the state’s capital, Sacramento, CA.
Least popular Californian city by population net-loss ratio – San Jose, CA
As a major tech hub, it makes sense that workers in the Bay Area, who now have the ability to work from home, might be migrating to states and cities with a cheaper cost of living.
Most Affordable Calfornia Cities (by Median Home Value and Household Income)
Here’s a closer look at how seven of the most affordable cities’ income and housing numbers compare to the state average, according to various sources, including Cost of Living Index and U.S. Census data available as of 2021*.
Median Home Value
Median Household Income
Bakersfield
$214,600
$63,139
Chico
$286,700
$45,337
Clovis
$284,200
$68,682
Eureka
$249,300
$39,720
Oxnard
$390,000
$64,837
Redlands
$350,900
$68,956
Temecula
$394,600
$87,115
Vacaville
$354,600
$77,807
California Avg.
$578,267
$80,440
*Based on 2020 Census data expressed in 2019 dollars (2020-21 Census data releases in September 2021)
Cost of Moving WITHIN California (NorCal Versus SoCal)
Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.
That said, Southern California is home to the most expensive city for moving in the entire country: Riverside. On average, state moves originating in Riverside totaled $538, more than anywhere else.
Least Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)
City
Average Move Cost
Region
Oceanside, CA
$383
SoCal
Long Beach, CA
$395
SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA
$402
SoCal
Roseville, CA
$414
NorCal
San Diego, CA
$415
SoCal
Sacramento, CA
$423
NorCal
San Francisco, CA
$432
NorCal
Most Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)
City
Average Move Cost
Region
Riverside, CA
$538
SoCal
Oakland, CA
$487
NorCal
Santa Monica, CA
$487
SoCal
Carlsbad, CA
$477
SoCal
San Jose, CA
$457
NorCal
Los Angeles, CA
$454
SoCal
Irvine, CA
$437
SoCal
What Are California’s 2021 Tax Rates?
The costs of moving to and within California aren’t just about hiring movers, buying packing supplies, or renting self storage. Your purchases are also subject to income tax, which average particularly high in California, as compared to other states. (And if you’re coming from another state, there could be higher long-term costs of living by moving to California in the form of income taxes.)
Below is a breakdown of California tax rates.
Sales taxes in California include:
California sales tax rate: 7.25% (highest in the U.S.)
Average local sales tax rate: 1.43%
California gasoline tax rate: 60.6¢
California cigarette tax rate: $2.87 (per 20-pack)
California income tax rates are as follows:
$1,000,000+$1,000,000+13.30%
Taxable Income
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Married Filing Sep.
Head of Household
Tax Rate
$0 – $8,809
$0 – $17,618
$0 – $8,809
$0 – $17,629
1.00%
$8,809 – $20,883
$17,618 – $41,766
$8,809 – $20,883
$17,629 – $41,768
2.00%
$20,883 – $32,960
$41,766 – $65,920
$20,883 – $32,960
$41,768 – $53,843
4.00%
$32,960 – $45,753
$65,920 – $91,506
$32,960 – $45,753
$53,843 – $66,636
6.00%
$45,753 – $57,824
$91,506 – $115,648
$45,753 – $57,824
$66,636 – $78,710
8.00%
$57,824 – $295,373
$115,648 – $590,746
$57,824 – $295,373
$78,710 – $401,705
9.30%
$295,373 – $354,445
$590,746 – $708,890
$295,373 – $354,445
$401,705 – $482,047
10.30%
$354,445 – $590,742
$708,890 – $1,181,484
$354,445 – $590,742
$482,047 – $803,410
11.30%
$590,742 – $999,999
$1,181,484 – $1,999,999
$590,742 – $999,999
$803,410 – $999,999
12.30%
$1,000,000+
$2,000,000+
$1,000,000+
13.30%
If you’re considering moving to California, carefully consider the city’s cost of living compared to your salary. Even if you’re moving for a job, it may not be necessary to relocate to one of the big, expensive cities listed above. There are plenty of smaller, more affordable California cities—which aren’t necessarily in the middle of nowhere—including Eureka, Oxnard, Redlands, and Temecula.
*Unless otherwise indicated, the previous statistics are based on thousands of moves carried out by the halfway point of 2021. These data points are calculations of average and median costs of “labor-only” and/or “Mover + Truck” moving services booked through HireAHelper.com, as well as “Long Distance Move” moving services from MovingPlace.com, and may also include additional related moving data from industry partners and affiliates collected between 2020 and 2021.
Moving? Thinking about moving? Whether your move is off in the distance or you already have one foot out the door, you'll learn about everything you should expect through our useful how-to's, cool articles and much more. It's all specially curated for you in our "I'm Moving" section.
For rookies or veterans alike, our "I'm a Mover" section is filled with extensive industry news, crucial protips and in-depth guides written by industry professionals. Sharing our decade of moving knowledge is just one way we help keep our professional movers at the top of their game.
And while the internet is awash with articles listing all kinds of side hustles to consider, there is one lucrative side gig few are talking about: starting a local moving company (or joining one).
You may or may not believe the movers’ reasons as to why they’re late, but if they say they are on the way, 
The problem: So you need a new “non-forever” home that isn’t depressing? If the housing market is as crazy where you live as it is everywhere else, you probably need some time to shop around for your next home (especially if you’re planning on buying). You should consider:
The emergency repair to the sprinkler cost the couple $642. “When he came back the next day to finish packing, my husband presented him with the invoice for the emergency repair and he asked him if he was going to pay for it,” Mary recounted. “His response was ‘that’s not going to happen.’”
Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.