How Much Do Movers Cost for a One-Bedroom Apartment

The Average Cost of Movers for a One-Bedroom Apartment

You generally have four options when it comes to moving: rent a truck, rent a moving container, hire a freight trailer, or use full-service movers.

Each option offers a different level of service, convenience, and cost. Here’s a quick look at how each of them works:

• DIY With a Rental Truck + Moving Labor ($510–$3,858): Rent the truck, pack your belongings, have movers load and unload, then you handle the unpacking. Renting a truck is the cheapest option but it’s also the most hands-on.
• Moving Container + Moving Labor ($596–$3,062): A container is delivered to your building, you pack, professional moving labor loads, it’s transported, and then your unit is unloaded at your new place. This moving method costs more than a rental truck and less than full-service movers—often comparable to a freight trailer move.
• Freight Trailer + Moving Labor ($2,190–$2,845): A trailer is dropped off, you pack, movers load, and it’s hauled to your new home for unloading. Freight trailer moving can be pricier than a container for shorter long-distance moves, but it’s often the cheapest for cross-country moves over 1,000 miles.
• Full-Service Movers (~$1,000–$7,000): Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading, with optional packing and unpacking for an extra fee. This is almost always the most expensive option since the movers are handling everything.

It’s difficult to pin down an “average” price, since so much depends on what service you choose. However, the average cost of labor-only movers for a 1-bedroom apartment is $357. That will get you the help of two movers for about 2.2 hours.

In the table below, we break down the cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment with each of the other four moving options (plus the cost of labor). We’ve procured quotes for a variety of moving distances and across several U.S. regions to compile these current pricing examples. Read on past the table for a closer look at each moving option.

Moving Costs for a One-Bedroom Apartment*

*Pricing is based on quotes procured for a variety of moving methods and distances, and across several U.S. regions.

Breaking Down the Average Cost to Move a One-Bedroom Apartment

There are many factors that go into the final price of a one-bedroom apartment move. Here’s a breakdown for each moving method, along with the average expected cost.

Moving Method ($153–$7,000+)

The cost of your moving method is based on whether you rent a moving truck, moving container, or freight trailer, or hire full-service movers.

$153 covers a basic truck rental from U-Haul, plus the cost of gas for a local move under 50 miles. $7,000 is the estimated cost of hiring full-service movers for a cross-country, 1-bedroom move.

Moving Labor ($357)

Whether your move is local or long-distance, the average cost for moving labor is the same, since it’s based on an hourly rate rather than miles traveled. This price covers the cost of 2 movers for 2.2 hours, which is the average time it takes to pack up a 1-bedroom apartment. Keep in mind that this cost doesn’t include a tip.

Packing Supplies ($100-200)

To simplify things, you could buy a moving kit, like the 30 Box Apartment Moving Kit from The Home Depot. It costs $99.98 and includes 30 boxes of various sizes, packing paper, bubble cushion, a mattress bag, a tape dispenser, a black marker, and two rolls of tape.

However, this is assuming you can fit all your belongings into those boxes. It also doesn't include other supplies for protecting furniture or specialty boxes for things like dishes and paintings. If you need any of these other items, it could bring your total closer to $200 or more.

Packing/Unpacking Labor (Optional, ~$80/hour)

The hourly cost for packing and unpacking labor is generally the same as it is for loading and unloading assistance.

How long it takes to pack up your 1-bedroom apartment, however, will vary based on the types of belongings you have and whether or not you have the movers disassemble and reassemble your furniture. If you’re a Marie-Kondo-loving minimalist, packing probably won’t take very long. If you’re an avid collector of porcelain figurines, plan for a few extra hours.

Additional Fees and Costs (Varies)

Special circumstances could mean additional moving fees. If you’re hiring full-service movers or moving labor, be sure to ask about the following situations and whether any additional fees will apply.

• A long carry fee may apply if the distance between the truck and your apartment is farther than usual.
• A stair fee may apply if movers are required to carry items up or down multiple flights instead of using an elevator.
• A specialty item fee may apply if you’re moving unusually large or specialty items, such as a piano or hardwood dresser.
• An extra stop fee may apply if you have the movers visit additional locations, such as a storage unit, during your move.
• A shuttle service fee will apply if the moving truck can’t access your building and the movers are required to transport your belongings between your apartment and the truck using a second, smaller vehicle.
• A rescheduling fee may apply if you make changes to your scheduled move without giving proper notice.
• You may be charged an overnight storage fee by the moving company if your local move can’t be completed in a single day due to scheduling conflicts or other issues.
• If you choose to purchase moving insurance or coverage to protect your belongings during the move, this will be an additional cost.
• It’s common courtesy (and standard practice) to tip movers at the end of the day. This can be a percentage of the final bill or a crisp $20 bill for each mover, depending on your preference.
• Moving into a city apartment might require a parking permit to park your moving truck or container on the street while loading or unloading.

Looking for apartment moving tips? Check out the following articles:

• Tips on Moving to a New Apartment
• Can You Hire Movers Within the Same Building?

Factors That Influence the Cost of Moving a One-Bedroom Apartment

There are several factors that influence the final cost of moving a 1-bedroom apartment. By understanding these factors, you can make decisions that can reduce your individual moving expenses and your final bill.

The Distance of Your Move

This isn’t something you’re likely to change, but it has the greatest impact on your final moving bill. It should come as no surprise that the cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment cross-country is more than it would be locally.

Volume and Weight of Your Belongings

The more stuff you have to move, the more it’s going to cost. The volume of your belongings is most important since you’re typically dealing with a finite amount of space in a truck, trailer, or moving container. Not to mention, it will simply take more time for any movers you hire to move more stuff, which, when they’re billed hourly, will increase the final price. In addition, if you have particularly heavy items, you may have to pay additional fees to have them moved.

Time of Year

Summer is the most popular time to move and, as a result, the most expensive. Moving on a weekend rather than the middle of the week is also pricier for the same reason.

Accessibility

If movers have to go above and beyond to get to your apartment due to a broken elevator or limited access roads, you may be charged more for your 1-bedroom move.

Additional Services

Hiring movers to pack and unpack your belongings or disassemble and reassemble furniture will increase the cost of your move.

Insurance and Coverage

Moving companies generally offer several tiers of moving coverage, and each one offers an added level of protection for your belongings — at an increased cost.

Moving Labor

Moving labor for a 1-bedroom apartment costs $357 on average, but that’s based on an hourly rate of about $80 and the average amount of time (2.2 hours) it takes two movers to get the job done.

If you have extra-heavy, bulky, or specialty items — or a heavily furnished apartment — it could take longer and would cost you more. If your apartment is relatively empty or minimalistic and you’re thinking it won't take movers more than an hour to load up, not so fast. Most moving companies impose a 2- to 3-hour minimum for small moves.

DIY vs Professional Movers for a One-Bedroom Apartment

Two of the more popular moving options are renting a truck for a DIY move and hiring full-service movers. As you can see in the table below, full-service movers cost more than renting a truck for a DIY move. Still, there are pros and cons to both options, so let’s take a closer look.

DIY vs. Full-Service Moving Costs for a One-Bedroom Apartment

Pros and Cons of a DIY Move

The main benefits of a DIY move with a rental truck are cost savings, a flexible moving schedule, and total control over your move. The downsides? What you save in money, you lose in time, sweat, and (possibly) tears — because a DIY move is a lot of work. If you have a car to transport, you’ll be towing it behind a very large moving truck. Not to mention, there’s the risk of damage to your belongings if you fail to pack and load them correctly.

Hiring moving labor removes several of the cons of a DIY move. Loading is done by professionals, saving you time and effort and alleviating the worry that things will be damaged in transit.

Pros and Cons of Hiring Full-Service Movers

The top pro of hiring full-service movers is that it is simple. The pros expertly load your belongings into the truck, take care of the driving, and unload everything at your new apartment. The cons are that it’s usually the most expensive way to move, and you’re on the mover’s schedule, so things are less flexible.

Local vs. Long-Distance One-Bedroom Apartment Moves

It’s easy to understand why a short, local move would cost less than an extensive, long-distance move. Transporting the contents of even a small home — such as a one-bedroom apartment — takes more time and fuel as the distance increases.

So, how much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment locally vs. long-distance? In the tables below, we break down sample costs for different moving methods based on the distance of the move.

Notice that you can generally save the most time and money by pairing moving labor with either a truck rental, moving container, or a freight trailer — rather than hiring full-service movers.

Local Move Costs With Moving Labor (under 50 miles)

Mid-Range Move Costs With Moving Labor (up to 1,000 miles)

Long-Distance Move Costs With Moving Labor (over 1,000 miles)

How To Book Hourly Movers

Whether you’re renting a truck, moving container, or freight trailer, hiring hourly moving help is the best way to save time and money on your 1-bedroom apartment move. Use the following tips to find trustworthy, professional, and fairly-priced moving labor for your move.

1. Do Your Research

• Search online for local moving labor
• Compare services and reviews
• Call each prospect and ask about availability, services, and additional fees
• Keep an eye out for both the red flags and the green flags
  • Green flags: High rating, service guarantees, good reviews, highly responsive, good communication over the phone
  • Red flags: Low ratings, no service guarantees, poor reviews (or fake reviews), delayed response, poor communication
• If that sounds like too much work, you can save yourself all that time wasted calling around and just use HireAHelper to find 5-star moving companies that are insured, licensed, and fully vetted — and come with a $1,000 Service Guarantee.

2. Get Three Accurate Quotes

• Get quotes from your top three contenders
• Provide the specific details of your move to ensure the quotes are accurate and that there aren’t additional fees that will get tacked on later
  • The company may require a virtual walkthrough, an inventory list, building details, etc., especially if you’re moving long-distance
• Keep in mind that how much movers cost for a 1-bedroom apartment is an average of $357. Anything significantly lower than that raises red flags, and might be an unscrupulous company that will tack on unspecified charges later.
• You can also get accurate quote comparisons from HireAHelper after providing specifics about your move.

3. Check the Fine Print

• Once you’ve settled on a moving company, read over the contract and ask as many questions as you need to understand the agreement (and the fine print).

How To Save Money on Your Move

Here are our top tips for how to save money on your move.

• Declutter your apartment before moving. The less stuff you have, the less it will cost to move. Short on time? Focus on larger, bulky items that you no longer need or want.
• Get multiple moving quotes. You might be surprised how much moving quotes can vary. Get at least three quotes to ensure you’re getting a fair price and avoid scams.
• Be flexible with your moving date. It costs less to move during the off-season (October–April) rather than in the summer. It’s also usually cheaper to move in the middle of the week and the middle of the month.
• Handle the packing yourself. As nice as it is to have someone else handle all the packing, it’s more of a luxury than a necessity. By packing everything yourself, you can save hundreds.
• Use free or recycled packing supplies. Get free moving boxes from stores, friends, Facebook marketplace, or even your local U-Haul. Use dishtowels, linens, and t-shirts to cushion fragile dishware and other items instead of buying bubble wrap.

Knowing When to Hire Movers vs. DIY

There are a couple of questions you should ask yourself when deciding between fully DIYing your move and hiring movers to help with the loading and unloading.

• How much is my time worth?
• Do I really want to be doing this?

Loading a moving truck isn’t just about strength and stamina (though those are a big part of it). It also requires strategy and knowing where to put what and how to secure things so they don’t shift and break in transit.

While it takes just 2.2 hours on average for two professional movers to load a moving truck for a 1-bedroom move, it could take a non-professional working alone as long as 8.8 hours. Plus, with professional movers, you can relax knowing your things were loaded properly and will remain secure while being transported to your new abode.

How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment locally?

Based on our proprietary research, the cost of moving a 1-bedroom apartment locally (less than 50 miles) will land between $153 and $1,000, depending on the level of service you choose:

• DIY (Truck Rental Only): $153–$178
• DIY (Truck Rental + Moving Labor): $510–$535
• Full-Service Movers: Around $1,000

If you’re on a tight budget, a simple truck rental is the cheapest option, but hiring moving labor can save you time and heavy lifting for a modest increase in cost.

How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment cross-country?

A cross-country move (1,000+ miles) is more expensive, generally falling between $2,820 and $7,000. The exact price depends on how much help you hire:

• DIY (Truck Rental Only): $2,820–$3,501
• DIY (Truck Rental + Moving Labor): $3,177–$3,858
• Full-Service Movers: $5,000–$7,000

Driving a rental truck yourself keeps costs on the lower end, while full-service movers offer convenience but at a much higher price.

How many movers do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment?

For most 1-bedroom apartments, two movers for 2 hours are typically enough. With two professionals, loading and unloading usually takes 3–5 hours, depending on stairs, elevator access, and how much furniture you have. If your apartment is larger, has heavy items (like a sleeper sofa or large appliances), or you want the move done more quickly, hiring three movers can speed things up.

Other Helpful Articles:

• Moving into Your First Apartment: The Complete Guide
• Can You Hire Movers Within the Same Building?
• How Much Does it Cost for Movers to Pack and Move