Straight answers about how the free calculator works, how we match you with a licensed mover, and what actually drives the price of a move.
How the numbers get built, and what they do and don't tell you.
MoveCost's calculator builds your estimate from the details you enter — origin and destination, distance, home size or inventory, move date, and any extra services like packing or storage. We run those numbers against real-world pricing patterns for moves like yours to give you a realistic range, not a guess.
It's a solid planning number, not a locked-in price. Two moves with the same square footage can cost differently based on access (stairs, elevators, parking), exact weight, and demand on your date. Treat the estimate as your starting budget — the mover you're matched with will confirm an exact price after learning the specifics.
Just the basics: where you're moving from and to, roughly how big your home is (or how much you're moving), your target move date, and which extra services you're considering. The more accurate your inputs, the tighter your estimate.
Yes, always. There's no cost, no credit card, and no catch to getting an estimate.
No. You can get an estimate anonymously. We only ask for contact details if you choose to move forward and want us to match you with a mover.
No — it's an estimate based on what you told us. Movers price a job after they know the exact inventory, access conditions and date, so your final quote can move up or down from the estimate.
We do the math and the introductions — the move itself is handled by a licensed carrier.
Once you submit your move details, we match them against our network of licensed, insured moving companies that service your route and your move type — local, long-distance, or specialty items. You get connected with movers who are actually equipped to do your job, instead of cold-calling companies one by one.
No. MoveCost is a calculator and matching service — we don't own trucks or send crews. We do the math from your details and connect you with a licensed, independent moving company that carries out the actual move.
Yes. We check for active operating licenses, valid insurance and a track record before a company stays in our network, and we monitor customer feedback on an ongoing basis.
We help you find and connect with the right licensed mover for your move — think of us as a matching layer, not a middleman handling your shipment. Matching is free for you, and you deal directly with the mover on pricing and booking.
A move specialist reviews your details and reaches out — usually by phone or email — to confirm specifics and give you one or more firm quotes from movers who fit your route and timeline. You decide who to book with; there's no obligation.
No. It's free for you to get matched. Moving companies pay us for the introduction, not the other way around.
What actually moves the price, and how to keep it down.
Distance is the biggest driver — local moves are priced hourly, long-distance by weight and miles. After that: home size or inventory, the season and exact date, and extra services like packing, stairs, long carries, or specialty items such as pianos and safes.
Local moves (typically under 50–100 miles) run about $500–$2,500 depending on home size and how many movers and hours you need. A 1-bedroom apartment is usually on the low end; a 4-bedroom house is on the high end.
Long-distance and cross-country moves typically range $2,000–$8,000 or more, priced mainly by the weight of your shipment and the mileage. A cross-country move for a full house can run $4,000–$12,000.
Book a flexible date and take a weekday or mid-month slot if you can, declutter before the move (you're often paying by weight or volume), and compare quotes from more than one licensed mover — prices for the same job can vary by hundreds of dollars.
Fall and winter weekdays, especially October through April, are the slowest — and cheapest — season for movers. Summer weekends and the last few days of any month are the priciest because that's when demand peaks.
A binding estimate locks in a set price regardless of final weight, as long as your inventory doesn't change. A non-binding estimate is just that — an estimate, with your final bill calculated after the move based on actual weight and services used. Ask any mover you book which type you're getting.
Where we operate and how to plan the timing.
Yes. We match local and long-distance moves anywhere in the continental US, including moves in and out of any state.
Many of the movers in our network offer full or partial packing, plus short- and long-term storage. Flag what you need when you submit your details and we'll match you accordingly.
For long-distance moves, 4–8 weeks out gives you the best pick of dates and pricing. Local moves can often be booked 1–2 weeks out, though summer weekends fill up fast.
That's normal — dates and details shift. Let the mover you're working with know as soon as possible; most can adjust the date or scope without a hassle, especially with a few days' notice.
Get a free estimate and we'll match you with a licensed, insured mover for an exact quote.
Get my free estimate →