Moving Cost by Home Size in 2026 (Studio to 5-Bedroom)
Home size is the single biggest predictor of moving cost. Locally, a studio runs $400–$900 and a 5-bedroom $3,500–$7,000; long-distance, the same homes range from $1,500 to $20,000+. Size translates to hours on local moves and to shipment weight on long-distance moves. Here’s the master table and how to estimate your own move.
How Much Does Moving Cost by Home Size?
| Home Size | Local Cost | ~1,000 mi | Cross-Country (2,500+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $400 – $900 | $1,200 – $2,800 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| 1-bedroom | $500 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $3,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| 2-bedroom | $800 – $2,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,500 – $3,500 | $4,500 – $9,000 | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,500 – $5,000 | $7,000 – $14,000 | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| 5+ bedroom | $3,500 – $7,000 | $9,000 – $17,000 | $12,000 – $20,000+ |
Where these numbers come from: Local costs are crew-hours priced on mover wages tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025), marked up 2–3× for trucks, fuel, insurance, and overhead. Long-distance figures reflect weight-times-distance quotes from FMCSA-registered interstate carriers.
Drill into local moving cost, long-distance moving cost, and the full moving cost guide.
How Much Does Each Home Size Weigh?
Interstate movers price by weight, so these estimates drive long-distance quotes:
| Home Size | Typical Weight | Crew & Hours (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1,800 – 2,500 lbs | 2 movers, 2–4 hrs |
| 1-bedroom | 2,500 – 3,500 lbs | 2 movers, 3–5 hrs |
| 2-bedroom | 5,000 – 6,000 lbs | 2–3 movers, 5–7 hrs |
| 3-bedroom | 8,000 – 10,000 lbs | 3–4 movers, 7–9 hrs |
| 4-bedroom | 11,000 – 14,000 lbs | 4 movers, 8–10 hrs |
| 5+ bedroom | 15,000+ lbs | 4–5 movers, 10+ hrs |
The rule of thumb movers use: roughly 1,000–1,500 lbs per furnished room. The FMCSA requires interstate weights to come from certified scales — the truck is weighed empty and full, and you pay for the difference.
How Do You Estimate Your Own Move by Room Count?
Use the per-room method movers use for quick quotes:
- Count furnished rooms — bedrooms, living room, dining room, plus kitchen. Count a packed garage, attic, or basement as 1–2 extra rooms.
- Multiply by 1,000–1,500 lbs per room for a weight estimate (long-distance) or by ~1.5 crew-hours per room (local).
- Adjust for density — minimalists subtract 20–30%; collectors, families with kids’ gear, or home gyms add 20–30%.
- Add specialty items separately — a piano, safe, or hot tub is quoted on its own line.
- Sanity-check against the table above, then confirm with a video or in-home survey. The FMCSA’s Protect Your Move guidance says written estimates should follow an actual inventory, not a phone guess.
When Does Size Tip You From Hourly to Flat-Rate?
Small local moves are almost always hourly. But as size grows, the math shifts:
- Studio–2 bedroom, local: hourly nearly always wins — the job is predictable and short. See movers cost per hour.
- 3 bedroom and up, local: ask for a flat-rate (binding) quote. Big homes have more variance — a slow elevator or a third-floor walk-up can add hours, and a flat rate transfers that risk to the mover.
- Any size, long-distance: insist on a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate; non-binding estimates can balloon at the scale. Details in long-distance moving cost.
Industry guidance at Moving.org recommends comparing at least three written estimates of the same type — comparing one hourly quote against one flat-rate quote tells you nothing.
What Else Moves the Estimate Besides Size?
- Actual stuff, not rooms — a sparse 3-bedroom can quote like a 2-bedroom; see the dedicated 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom guides.
- Access — stairs, elevators, long carries, and parking add hours or fees.
- Packing services — $300–$4,000 depending on size.
- Distance and season — summer month-end runs 20–30% over winter mid-month.
How Can You Save at Any Home Size?
- Declutter — the only tactic that scales with your home: fewer pounds and fewer hours.
- Pack yourself and stage boxes by the exit.
- Move off-season, mid-week, mid-month.
- Get 3 matching quotes — see the moving cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a 2-bedroom? $800–$2,000 locally; $3,000–$8,000 long-distance depending on miles. Typical shipment weight is 5,000–6,000 lbs.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house? $1,500–$3,500 locally; $4,500–$12,000 long-distance. Typical weight is 8,000–10,000 lbs.
How do movers estimate weight from home size? Roughly 1,000–1,500 lbs per furnished room, confirmed by certified scale weights on interstate moves per FMCSA rules.
Does home size or amount of stuff matter more? Amount of stuff. Home size is the shortcut, but the survey-based inventory sets the real price — which is why decluttering works at every size.
When should I ask for a flat rate instead of hourly? For local moves of 3 bedrooms or more, and always for long-distance — get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (May 2025) · FMCSA Protect Your Move · Moving.org (ATA Moving & Storage Conference)
Last updated: June 2026. National averages for informational purposes only.