Factors That Affect Moving Costs in Denver
While the averages above provide a great starting point, several key variables influence the final price of your move, from the size of your home to the distance you're traveling. Below, we'll walk through each of these factors so you know what to expect and where you can control costs.
Size of Your Home
Larger homes typically mean extra furniture handling, additional packing, and more labor — all of which drive costs up. A 2-person crew can handle a studio or one-bedroom move in a few hours. A larger house may need 3 movers, extra equipment, and additional time for disassembly, careful wrapping, and longer walks to the truck.
To give you a clearer idea, we've broken down the average costs for both labor-only and full-service moves based on different home sizes in the Denver area. Moving from a house usually costs more than moving from an apartment with the same number of bedrooms because houses often include basements, garages, or attics.
Denver Movers Costs by Home Size
| | Labor-Only | Local-Full Service |
|---|
| Average Cost | $339.17 | $1,190.92 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | $305.48 | $729.10 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | $356.28 | $909.92 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | $410.38 | $1,076.53 |
| 2 Bedroom House | $384.83 | $931.42 |
| 3 Bedroom House | $448.29 | $1,228.78 |
| 4 Bedroom House | $537.82 | $1,553.75 |
| 5 Bedroom House | $635.66 | $1,646.77 |
The Amount of Belongings You're Moving
The amount of stuff you have contributes to labor costs, since it determines how many movers you'll need and how many hours the job will take. If you hire too many movers, you're paying for idle hands, while too few can slow things down and increase your hourly costs.
To help you estimate, here's a general guideline for how many movers you'll likely need based on your home size.
How Many Movers You'll Need to Hire by Home Size in Denver
| Home Size | Average Number of Movers Needed |
|---|
| Studio Apartment | 2 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | 2 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | 2 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | 2–3 |
| 2 Bedroom House | 2 |
| 3 Bedroom House | 2–3 |
| 4 Bedroom House | 3 |
| 5 Bedroom House | 3 |
If you have heavy items, like a piano or a full gym setup, go for the higher number. And keep in mind that, in some cases, a 3-person crew can actually save money on larger moves by shortening the total hours compared to a 2-person team.
Distance of the Move
Distance is another key factor, especially for full-service moves where the moving company provides the truck. The further the crew has to travel, the more they will charge for fuel and the time spent in transit. Denver's metropolitan area includes many neighboring cities, such as Westminster and Littleton, where short moves tend to cost about the same. But longer intercity moves, like Denver to Colorado Springs, are more expensive because of added drive time and the crew's return trip.
The table below shows averages for common local routes to give you a sense of how distance and drive time can influence cost.
Average Price for Movers in Denver by Move Distance
| Moving Route | Labor-Only Average Cost | Full-Service Average Cost |
|---|
| Within Denver, CO | $339.17 | $1,190.92 |
| Denver, CO to Aurora, CO | $360.32 | $1,461.75 |
| Denver, CO to Westminster, CO | $359.70 | $1,236.75 |
| Denver, CO to Commerce City, CO | $399.79 | $1,315.92 |
| Denver, CO to Littleton, CO | $351.53 | $1,234.67 |
| Denver, CO to Arvada, CO | $356.36 | $1,245.09 |
| Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO | $359.71 | $1,482.59 |
Timing and Seasonality
When you choose to move can have a large impact on the cost. Moving companies determine prices based on supply and demand, so the cost increases when more people want to move. And according to our proprietary data on the best time of year to move, 45% of all moves in the United States happen between May and August. This peak season means higher demand and, consequently, higher prices. Moving on a weekend, especially at the end of the month, is also more expensive than moving on a weekday in the middle of the month.