Moving Cost by State: Average Prices Across All 50 States (2025)

Moving costs vary dramatically across the US — from $380 in Mississippi to over $5,000 in New York City for the same size move. Labor rates, fuel prices, traffic, and local demand all affect what movers charge. Use this guide to understand fair market prices in your state, then get a personalized estimate by ZIP code.

Cheapest State

~$380

Mississippi avg

Most Expensive

~$5,000

New York avg

National Average

$120/hr

local labor rate

Peak Season

May–Sep

+15–25% rates

Get Your Exact Moving Cost by ZIP Code

Enter your origin and destination ZIP codes for a real price range — specific to your home size and services.

Average Moving Cost by State — All 50 States

Local move estimates for a 2-bedroom home. Rates reflect a 2-person crew including the truck. Click a state for a detailed guide.

State	Hourly Rate	2-Bed Local Move
Alabama	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide
Alaska	$130–$175/hr	$800–$3,800	Full guide
Arizona	$100–$140/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
Arkansas	$90–$120/hr	$400–$1,900	Full guide
California	$140–$200/hr	$900–$4,500	Full guide
Colorado	$115–$160/hr	$650–$3,000	Full guide
Connecticut	$130–$175/hr	$800–$3,600	Full guide
Delaware	$120–$165/hr	$700–$3,200	Full guide
Florida	$110–$150/hr	$600–$2,800	Full guide
Georgia	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,600	Full guide
Hawaii	$145–$195/hr	$950–$4,800	Full guide
Idaho	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide
Illinois	$120–$165/hr	$700–$3,200	Full guide
Indiana	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,200	Full guide
Iowa	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Kansas	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Kentucky	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Louisiana	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,200	Full guide
Maine	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
Maryland	$130–$175/hr	$800–$3,600	Full guide
Massachusetts	$145–$200/hr	$900–$4,200	Full guide
Michigan	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
Minnesota	$110–$150/hr	$600–$2,700	Full guide
Mississippi	$85–$115/hr	$380–$1,800	Full guide
Missouri	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Montana	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide
Nebraska	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Nevada	$110–$150/hr	$600–$2,700	Full guide
New Hampshire	$115–$155/hr	$650–$2,900	Full guide
New Jersey	$145–$195/hr	$950–$4,200	Full guide
New Mexico	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide
New York	$160–$220/hr	$1,100–$5,000	Full guide
North Carolina	$100–$140/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
North Dakota	$90–$125/hr	$420–$1,900	Full guide
Ohio	$100–$140/hr	$500–$2,400	Full guide
Oklahoma	$90–$125/hr	$420–$2,000	Full guide
Oregon	$120–$165/hr	$700–$3,100	Full guide
Pennsylvania	$115–$160/hr	$650–$2,900	Full guide
Rhode Island	$120–$165/hr	$700–$3,100	Full guide
South Carolina	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide
South Dakota	$90–$125/hr	$400–$1,900	Full guide
Tennessee	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,200	Full guide
Texas	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,700	Full guide
Utah	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
Vermont	$105–$145/hr	$550–$2,500	Full guide
Virginia	$120–$165/hr	$700–$3,100	Full guide
Washington	$125–$170/hr	$750–$3,300	Full guide
West Virginia	$90–$120/hr	$400–$1,900	Full guide
Wisconsin	$100–$140/hr	$500–$2,300	Full guide
Wyoming	$95–$130/hr	$450–$2,100	Full guide

What Affects Moving Costs by State?

Labor Rates

States with higher minimum wages and cost of living charge more per mover per hour. California, New York, and Massachusetts are consistently the most expensive.

Urban Density

Dense cities like NYC or Chicago require smaller trucks, longer carries, and more time — inflating costs beyond the baseline hourly rate.

Fuel & Distance

Even within-state moves vary by geography. Rural destinations may require longer drive times and higher fuel surcharges.

Seasonal Demand

Summer is peak season in every state. Moving in fall or winter saves 15–25% in most markets. Avoid May–September if possible.

Supply of Movers

Competitive markets (Texas, Florida) often have lower rates than constrained markets (NYC, San Francisco, Boston).

State Regulations

Some states have stricter licensing and insurance requirements for movers, which can affect pricing and availability of qualified crews.

How to Get the Best Moving Price in Any State

Move off-peak: Avoid May–September. Moving in October–March saves 15–25% in every state, with better crew availability and scheduling flexibility.

Get 3+ binding quotes: Moving prices vary 20–40% between companies for the same job. Always get multiple written, binding quotes — verbal quotes are unenforceable.

Use a calculator first: Know your market-rate range before calling any mover. This prevents inflated quotes from going unchallenged.

Declutter before inventory: Every item removed before your estimator's walk-through reduces hours, truck size, and total cost.

Verify USDOT/MC numbers: All interstate movers must be federally licensed. Check any mover at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state has the cheapest moving costs?

Southern and Midwestern states like Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas have the lowest moving costs. Labor rates average $85–$110/hr and a 2-bedroom local move typically costs $380–$1,800.

What state has the most expensive moving costs?

New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Jersey consistently rank as the most expensive states to move in. New York City moves can cost $1,100–$5,000+ for a 2-bedroom local move due to high labor rates, traffic, parking, and elevator/stair fees.

Does moving between states cost more?

Yes. Interstate (long-distance) moves are priced differently — by weight or cubic feet plus mileage. A cross-country move can cost $3,000–$12,000+ depending on home size and distance.

Are moving costs tax deductible by state?

Federal moving deductions are limited to active-duty military moves as of 2018. Some states have their own rules. Consult a tax professional for state-specific guidance.

How do I find the fair price for my state?

Use a free moving cost calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your exact origin ZIP, destination ZIP, home size, and services needed. This gives you a market-rate range to compare mover quotes against.

Related Moving Cost Guides

Free Moving Calculator Moving Cost by City Apartment Moving Cost House Moving Cost Long-Distance Moving Cost Packing Cost Calculator Storage Cost Calculator Specialty Item Moving Cost

These estimates are for informational purposes only and are not binding quotes. Final prices vary based on actual inventory, access conditions, distance, labor time, fuel, stairs, elevators, packing, specialty items, storage, move date, and individual mover policies. Instamovequote provides fair market pricing guidance only.