How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers in Philadelphia?

The cost to hire movers in Philadelphia varies, ranging from $130 per hour to $12,000. The important question is whether you’re looking for local movers, long-distance moving companies, or cross-country professional movers.

Local moving in Philadelphia can be as cheap as $130 per hour, assuming you’re only moving a studio apartment across town. But a cross-country move can reach as high as $12,000 if you’re taking a 5-bedroom home all the way to California.

Aside from the mileage and the amount of stuff you’re hauling, there are a few other factors behind the cost of hiring movers in Philadelphia:

Factors:

• Packing services
• Moving insurance
• Shuttle fees
• Access fees
• Specialty item shipping

On the other hand, long-distance moves in Philadelphia can reach $8,000 and more. Unlike local moves, long-distance relocations are anything over 100 miles or across state lines.

Long-distance moving companies typically charge per mile, and per pound. For this example, we’ll stick with a baseline of 1,000 miles. If you’re just moving to New Jersey, congrats - you’ll be paying a lot less (but you’ll still be stuck in New Jersey).

• 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,500
• 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,900
• 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,550
• 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,100–$8,350

Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs

• Storage fees: $150–$500/month
• Insurance: $100–$300
• Packing and unpacking services: $500–$1,000

Going across country? Expect to pay from $3000 to $12000 if you want coast to coast moving.

Long-distance moving is one thing, but cross country moving is a completely different animal. Aside from the price per pound and per mile, you’ll also have to pay for fuel surcharges, and a premium for move management with a nationwide network of agents and handlers.

• Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000–$5,000
• 2-Bedroom Home: $5,500–$7,500
• 3-Bedroom Home: $7,000–$10,000
• 4-Bedroom Home: $9,000–$12,000

Key Cost Factors:

• Distance: The farther the move, the higher the transportation costs.
• Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800 depending on truck size.
• Specialty Services: Packing/unpacking, furniture assembly, and handling fragile items can add $500–$1,000 to your bill.

DIY moves can be cheap, and optimistically, you can pay as little as $190 for the whole thing. Unfortunately, you may get slapped with extra fees that melt away your savings.

There’s truck rental fees, gas, packing supplies, and moving labor if you need help loading up heavy appliances and furniture. You may also have to pay for food and lodging if you’re travelling a long distance - not to mention those paychecks you missed during your impromptu road trip.

Truck Rental Costs

• Small truck: $20–$30/day
• Medium truck: $40–$70/day
• Large truck: $80–$120/day

Gas Expenses

• Local move: $30–$60
• Long-distance move: $200–$500 (depending on the mileage)

Packing Supplies

• Boxes, tape, and other materials: $100–$250

Labor Costs (if hiring helpers)

• $40–$60/hour per person

Moving can take between 1 and 21 days. Moving companies need to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules for driving, which include an 11-hour daily limit for drivers. If a driver gets a move done in suspiciously fast time, the FMCSA may investigate them for safety violations.

Aside from rules and regulations, moving companies oftentimes bundle smaller moves together in the same truck. This reduces empty (wasted) space, and the overall price. But it may take longer while they deal with pickups and deliveries en route.

Now that you know the cost of hiring movers in Philadelphia, it’s time to shop for the best in town. At iMoving, we have over 1000 vetted and verified moving companies to choose from. Just tell us more about your move, and we’ll get you on the road!