How Much Do Movers Cost in New York City? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $1,082 - $2,982

Hiring movers in New York, NY, often costs between $1,082 and $2,982 or more. The average is $2,002, but it depends on how far away you’re moving and how many items you have to move. Call a local mover for an accurate quote.

How we get this data
Cost Insights
  • Movers in New York often charge by the hour, with rates depending on crew size, building access, and whether packing or storage is included.

  • Costs are often higher in Manhattan and Brooklyn, where parking permits, narrow stairwells, and elevators can slow down moves.

  • Hiring licensed movers ensures your belongings are transported safely and in compliance with New York regulations.

On average, hiring movers in New York City costs $2,002, with most residents paying between $1,082 and $2,982. Moving in New York City comes with its own challenges, such as fifth-floor walk-ups in Manhattan, narrow streets in Brooklyn, and long commutes between boroughs. While professional movers can take the stress out of relocating, costs vary widely with the size of your home, the distance of your move, and the services you choose. 

Movers Cost for Local Moves

A local move in New York refers to a relocation within 100 miles, often covering moves between boroughs or from the city to nearby suburbs. Local movers charge by the hour, and costs will increase if crews need to navigate tight staircases, elevators, or obtain parking permits for moving trucks.

Average Hourly Rate for Movers

The average hourly rate for movers in New York falls between $140 and $250, depending on crew size and whether a truck is included. Rates in the city are higher than the national average because of labor costs, parking restrictions, and building access challenges. For example, crews working in Midtown Manhattan require more time compared to moves in Queens or Staten Island, where single-family homes allow easier access.

Crew SizeAverage Hourly Rate
2 movers and a truck$140–$180
3 movers and a truck$180–$250
4 movers and a truck$220–$320

Home Size

The size of your home is a good basis for determining your local moving cost. Below are some estimates based on home size in New York, NY, and include two to three movers:

Home SizeAverage Cost in New York
Studio or 1 bedroom$370–$1,200
2 bedrooms$1,200–$1,800
3 bedrooms$1,800–$2,400
4+ bedrooms$2,400–$2,982+

Packing Cost

Expect to pay around $1,000 on average for professional packing costs, with a range of $280 to $2,200 depending on home size and number of belongings. Packing service costs include materials like boxes, tape, and padding.

Professional movers will come up with a custom quote based on the total square footage and the number of rooms. Keep in mind that packing and unpacking services aren’t automatically included in local moves, so be sure to specify this add-on when making your reservation. Whichever services you choose, prepping for movers effectively can help make the process go faster, potentially reducing your overall costs.

Movers Cost for Long-Distance Moves

Flow chart for if your move is considered local or long-distance, including if it’s more than 100 miles it’s considered long-distance

The average cost of movers in New York City for relocations spanning over 100 miles, also known as long-distance moving, is anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 overall. Final long-distance moving costs depend on the size of the load and the distance traveled, plus any moving add-ons you choose.

Moving Cost by Mileage

One primary factor affecting the cost for long-distance moves is the mileage traveled. Naturally, further distances equate to higher prices.

MileageAverage Cost in New York
100–250$1,500–$4,500
250–500$2,500–$6,500
500–1,000$3,500–$9,000
1,000+$5,000–$14,000

Size of Home

The size of your home (by number of bedrooms) plays a major role in the cost to hire movers for a long-distance move.

Home SizeAverage Cost (New York)
Studio or 1 bedroom$1,800–$4,000
2 bedrooms$4,000–$6,500
3 bedrooms$6,500–$9,000
4+ bedrooms$9,000–$14,000+

Weight

Most moving companies will base the cost of your long-distance move on the weight of your household goods, and, no surprise, the heavier the load, the more you can expect to pay. Professional movers charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound.

  • Origin weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle before and after loading items to determine the net weight.

  • Destination weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle upon arrival, unload your items, and then weigh the empty truck. 

Moving Services Cost

Some moving companies determine the total cost by adding up the individual services they perform on moving day. Here’s what you can expect each service to cost.

Other Cost Factors When Hiring Movers

Many factors impact the cost of moving, and some may even make your relocation cost more or less than expected.

  • Ease of access: Any obstructions in your home that cause inconveniences to the movers, slow down the process, or require more hands will increase the overall price, often by $200 to $500. Obstructions might include narrow staircases, lack of elevators in a tall building, and more. 

  • Moving date: Moving during peak season, May to September, will cost more due to the extra demand. Moving during the winter, known as the off-season, is less expensive when considering moving company rates.

  • Tipping movers: Tipping your movers at least 10% and up to 20% of your final bill is strongly encouraged, particularly if you’re working with local movers.

  • Extra stops: Additional stops will add extra fees for mileage and service.

  • Permits and fees: You may need to purchase a moving permit to temporarily park your moving vehicle, costing $10 to $80, depending on the area.

  • Storage: You might need to rent a temporary storage unit while moving, which can cost $20 to $450 per month.

  • Moving insurance: Meant to protect your items, moving insurance can cost anywhere from $35 to $10,000, depending on which type you choose.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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