Most Affordable Moving Companies in 2024

Even if you’re trying to save every penny, you can book professional movers to deal with the heavy lifting. We’ll walk you through our most affordable options, and teach you a few other ways you can offset the cost of a move.

Want to move on a budget? Don’t want to throw your back out? Read on to see the best movers for the price, and learn a thing or two about keeping your costs down on the big day.

Can I Really Afford Pro Movers?

Short answer: Yes! Most people assume they’ll have to do their own packing and hauling, but there are plenty of affordable moving companies standing by to make your relocation easier than ever. If you swore you’d hire someone else to take care of your next move, you’re in luck.

Professional movers are only a luxury if you’re balling out and paying for tons of extra services (and a big-name brand). But with iMoving, you can shop around, compare prices, and book the best moving company for your needs - and your budget. No need to deal with any intrusive house calls, and no need to get grilled over the phone by some guy trying to earn a commission.

You may be trying to save some cash, but you don’t have to be miserable on moving day. Read on, and see how your pro movers won’t actually break the bank.


iMoving’s Best Movers for Moves on a Budget

You’ve seen the price, so let’s take a look at who’ll be doing the heavy lifting. Here are our most affordable moving companies of 2024…

1. Maxi Moving

2. Pro Movers

3. Affordable Texas Movers

4. MS Relocations

5. Logistic Pro, Inc.

1

Maxi Moving

Alternate Text
  • Transparent Pricing
  • Exceptional Service
  • Quality Assurance

If you’re looking for an affordable move, you don’t want to end up paying for a bunch of services you won’t even need. That’s why companies like Maxi Moving are a great option.

Maxi knows that every move is different, so you can pick and choose the exact services you’ll need on a moving day.

Maxi Moving is a New York-based mover, so if you’re moving in NYC, they’ll really know their way around!

Aside from the affordability, we really appreciate Maxi for their extra TLC. Their movers will show up with all that fancy gear for any complicated items, and they’ll make sure everything is packed away and protected. Not a bad show for a company you’d book when you’re trying to save every penny.

Pros

  • High ratings
  • 24-hour support
  • Special equipment for complicated items
  • Great customer service
  • Broad range of options

Cons

  • Extra services come at an extra price
2

Pro Movers

Alternate Text
  • Flexible Booking
  • Extensive Network
  • User-Friendly Platform

Pro Movers is based in Southern California, but they can handle out-of-state and cross-country moves, no problem.

These are typically the priciest type of move you can deal with, so it’s nice that Pro Movers doesn’t break the bank. They’re also highly rated on Yelp, and they’ll show up with their own teams and trucks!

We really like companies that keep their whole operation in-house. It means you’ll always know who’ll be handling the packing, loading, and hauling, and it’s not up to chance to decide whether you deal with a sketchy subcontractor or not.

An in-house shop that keeps its prices affordable is a rare treat, so Pro Movers definitely earns a spot on our list.

Pros

  • SoCal specialists
  • Highly-rated on Yelp
  • In-House moving teams and trucks
  • Dedicated to extra TLC
  • 24/7 Support

Cons

  • SoCal specialists
3

Affordable Texas Movers

Alternate Text
  • Labor-Only Specialists
  • Versatile Services
  • Nationwide Coverage

Trying to save money in the Lone Star State? Affordable Texas Movers is the team for you. (Don’t worry, they handle local and long-distance moves with no problem.)

Affordable Texas Movers is a family-owned company, and that mom-and-pop approach to moving means excellent customer service. Plus, their prices get even better if you qualify for some of their discounts!

Affordable Texas Movers can hook you up with a just-the-essentials relocation. If you’re moving to or from Texas, they’ve got you covered - and they’ll provide plenty of white glove service to keep all your stuff safe. You won’t break the bank, and you’ll get excellent service. Of course, we’re big fans!

Pros

  • Texas pros
  • Custom moving plans
  • Family-owned company
  • White glove service
  • 10% discount for seniors and service members

Cons

  • A little light on extras, but they have the essentials
4

MS Relocations

Alternate Text
  • Ideal for Small Moves
  • Convenient App-Based
  • On-Demand Efficiency

Continuing on our theme of affordable movers by region, MS Relocations is a great choice for moves in Florida and the rest of the South.

Their website makes it easy to get an instant quote, and they’re one of the few options we’ve seen that offer industrial moving. Need a warehouse full of equipment moved? MS Relocations is the team for you.

If you’re down south, we really recommend MS Relocations. They’ve got over 20 years of experience, and it shows.

Excellent movers for Florida and the neighboring states, and excellent movers for those long hauls that go coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Plus, they’ve got some helpful services that are pretty hard to find elsewhere.

Pros

  • Instant quotes available
  • Industrial moving
  • South Florida specialists
  • Over 20 years of experience
  • Storage available

Cons

  • May have to call in for a quote
5

Logistic Pro, Inc.

Alternate Text
  • Integrated Moving Solutions
  • Abundant User Reviews
  • Economical Pricing

Logistic Pro, Inc. is based in Denver, and they can handle moves to and from Colorado and beyond. Founded by a pilot, Logistic Pro is all about precision, timeliness, and safe handling.

This is especially helpful if you’re moving a lot of fragile stuff, and if you need to make it to your destination within a reasonable timeframe.

We’re fans of Logistic Pro, Inc, and it’s all thanks to their commitment to safe handling. Their movers will carefully load and pack all of your stuff, and since their trucks are all maintained and operated in-house, you know they’ll be driven with extra care. Trying to save money but still want a VIP experience? Ask them about their full-service moving options.

Pros

  • Denver and Colorado pros
  • Committed to safety
  • Excellent handling and transport
  • In-house fleet
  • Full packing and full service

Cons

  • A little light on specialty services

How Much Do Movers Cost?

Movers will typically cost you from $500 to $8,000, but we’ve seen some moves that were higher or lower. It’s a pretty huge window, but to be fair, that price range includes moving studio apartments down the block and moving mansions across the country.

Long distance movers will charge per pound (or cubic feet) and per mile. On the other hand, local movers will charge per mover, and per hour. When you’re planning a move, the biggest factors behind your price are your distance and the amount of stuff you have to transport. 

No matter what kind of move you’re dealing with, it’s always a good idea to downsize if you’re trying to save cash. If you don’t want it, don’t move it - and definitely don’t pay to have it moved for you! Pawn it off, sell it to a friend, hand it down, or just plain junk it. Just don’t waste money moving unwanted, unused, or worn-out belongings.

Choose Item

No. of Movers:2 movers

# Hours:2 – 4 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$80/hr

Average Price:$80/hr

No. of Movers:2 movers

# Hours:3 – 6 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$80/hr

Average Price:$80/hr

No. of Movers:3 movers

# Hours:4 – 8 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$125/hr

Average Price:$125/hr

No. of Movers:4 movers

# Hours:6 – 12 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$165/hr

Average Price:$165/hr

No. of Movers:4 movers

# Hours:8 – 14 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$165/hr

Average Price:$165/hr

No. of Movers:5 movers

# Hours:10 – 16 hours

Ave Cost / Hr:$200/hr

Average Price:$200/hr


Factors Behind Your Final Price

Size and distance are the biggest factors behind your moving price, but there are a couple of other reasons your move may end up breaking the bank. Take a look at these additional factors, and learn how you can avoid extra charges (or at least prepare your wallet accordingly):

  • Packing Services: Packing is one of the most time-consuming (and frustrating) parts of a move. If you’re really strapped for cash, you can do this yourself, but packing services are worth the investment if you value your time and your sanity.
  • Access Fees: Long driveways, gates, multiple flights of stairs, elevators… these are all obstacles for your movers, and they’ll charge you accordingly. You may not be able to avoid these fees, but if you communicate clearly, you’ll avoid any surprises.
  • Shuttle Fees: Your movers will use a big semi truck to transport your stuff long distance, but cities don’t always like it when big rigs park on the street. Instead, your movers will have to park on the outskirts and use a smaller truck to ferry everything back and forth.
  • Time of Year: Want to save some serious cash? Avoid a summer move at all costs. Basically any time the kids are out of school, expect steep rates for local and long-distance moves. Shoot for a mid-month, mid-week move, and far from holidays.
  • Specialty Services: Need any fragile, bulky, or just plain awkward stuff transported? You’ll have to pay extra for that, too. Your movers will come with the right tools for the job, but it ain’t free. Think long and hard about whether you really need that old couch.

A Note on DIYing

You’re trying to move on the cheap, so you may be considering a complete DIY job. Renting a truck and doing all the loading and hauling yourself is arguably the cheapest way to relocate, but you should still think about your expenses along the way.

When you DIY an entire move, you end up sacrificing time for money. You’ll have to spend a lot of weekends boxing and packing your stuff, and you’ll have to spend quite a few late nights planning and preparing. But aside from all the planning and prep, a DIY move can actually cost you quite a bit of money.

Let’s say you rent a truck. That’s already money down, not to mention all the fuel you’ll have to pay for. If you have to travel a long distance, you’ll also need to pay for food and lodging along the way. And if you’re taking time off work to take care of your move, you’ll have to factor in all those missed paychecks.

A DIY move is your cheapest option - but only if you do it right. Hiring professional movers may end up costing you a little more, but the extra money you invest in your movers pays you back insanity, free time, and efficiency. It’s a balancing act, and before you go running to rent a truck, make sure you really run the numbers.


FAQ About Budget-Friendly Moving Companies

Depending on how far you have to travel, you more can take anywhere from 1 to 21 days. Long distance movers can’t log more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day.

Also, if your move doesn’t fill an entire truck by itself, your movers will bundle multiple smaller moves in the same trailer. It’s good for efficiency (read: price), but those extra deliveries will take more time.

Most movers charge between $60 and $155 per hour, depending on the location, size of the crew, and services needed.

Moving a 3-bedroom house locally typically costs between $1,230 and $3,550, depending on the distance and services required.

Weekdays, especially mid-month, are usually the cheapest days to hire movers, as demand is lower.

The cheapest way to ship is often by consolidating items into fewer boxes, using economy shipping services, or sharing a moving container.

$20to $30 per mover is a reasonable tip for small jobs, but consider tipping more for larger or more complex moves.

$5,000 is generally enough for a typical move, covering movers, supplies, and basic expenses, especially for local or regional moves.

We recommend booking your movers 2 to 3 months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to plan and prepare, and your movers may throw in a sweet discount for getting in touch with them so early. The closer to your deadline you end up booking, the more expensive it’ll be.

You should never pay the full price of your move up front. A couple hundred bucks or a few percent is a perfectly acceptable down payment.

But if your movers ask for the WHOLE PRICE before they lift a single box? You should run the other way and find a legit moving company that’s not trying to scam you or steal your stuff.

Yes, you can often negotiate with movers, especially if you have multiple quotes or are flexible with your moving date.

A good moving budget should include estimates for movers, packing supplies, insurance, and a contingency fund for unexpected costs.

The best months to move house are typically in the fall or spring, avoiding the busy summer season when demand and prices are higher.

Use free boxes from local stores, recycle packing materials, and pack strategically to reduce the need for extra supplies.

Paying for full-value insurance is always a good idea. There’s also basic coverage, which is completely free. The only downside? Basic coverage is only good for $0.60 per pound.

If a 4-pound laptop gets broken, you’ll only get $2.40 back. Moving insurance is one of those cases where cheaping out can actually end up more expensive in the long run!

BTW: If you’re really hard up for cash, check in with your homeowners or renters insurance provider. There’s a chance that your move may already be covered!

Moving containers is a good mid-point between an entire DIY job and paying for full-service movers. These containers, also known as moving pods, are basically portable storage units. The container company (usually PODS or U-Haul) will drop off the container at your place.

Then, you’ll be able to load it up at your own pace. When you’re all packed up, let the company know, and they can pick up the container and either move it to your destination, or a secure on-site storage center until you’re ready to unpack.

Consider asking for help from friends, selling items to raise funds, or exploring financial assistance options to cover moving costs.


Save Money and Book with the Pros!

You’ve made it to the end! Thanks for sticking with us so far. By now, you should have some good ideas about how you can keep your costs down on a moving day - and you should have a better idea of who you can trust with all your stuff.

Ready to get moving? iMoving makes it easier than ever. All you have to do is tell us a little more about your move, and you can shop from our marketplace of affordable moving companies. No house calls or phone calls are required. Share some deets, and let’s get you on the road!


Harrison Gough

Harrison has been writing for real estate and moving companies for the past three years, but his knowledge isn't just from behind a desk. Having moved over a dozen times himself, sometimes with professional help and sometimes on his own, he's learned firsthand what makes moving smooth and what makes it stressful. When he's not writing, he's looking into ways to make his next move simpler.

Get all moving services you need in one place

Shop Our Services