Moving Cost Intelligence
Moving cost estimates for 2,450 routes, modeled from BLS wage data and route distance.
Coverage at a glance
- 2,450
- Interstate routes
- 50
- Cities covered
- $550
- Cheapest 2BR route
- $9,462
- Priciest 2BR route
Avg 2BR cost by corridor length
BLS wage data · Census route distances
Estimate moving costs for any US route (studio through 4BR), precomputed from BLS wage data and distance matrices. Free, no account required.
Quick route estimate
The national picture
Albuquerque ranks #1 of 50 tracked metros by BLS-modeled base hourly rate ($21.46/hr) while Honolulu ranks #1 by mean outbound 2-bedroom modeled cost ($7,088) - wage height and corridor cost diverge across the 2,450-route matrix.
- #1/50
- Albuquerque hourly (highest=#1)
- #1/50
- Honolulu outbound 2BR (highest=#1)
- 2,450
- interstate routes with cost estimates
- $1,397
- avg 2BR move, 100-1,000 miles
Figures are BLS OES SOC 53-7062 wage-and-distance model outputs, not carrier quotes, see the methodology for the full formula.
Popular corridor cost matrix
BLS-modeled estimates for the most-searched interstate routes, studio through 4BR plus cost per mile (2BR basis).
| Destination | Miles | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR+ | $/mi (2BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| → Philadelphia, PA | 81 | $239 | $330 | $649 | $872 | $1,314 | $8.01 |
| → Boston, MA | 190 | $384 | $475 | $838 | $1,061 | $1,548 | $4.41 |
| → Washington DC, DC | 204 | $402 | $493 | $862 | $1,085 | $1,578 | $4.23 |
| → Dallas, TX | 1,371 | $1,814 | $1,901 | $2,668 | $2,878 | $3,755 | $1.95 |
| → Miami, FL | 1,092 | $1,470 | $1,556 | $2,222 | $2,432 | $3,207 | $2.03 |
| → Chicago, IL | 711 | $1,015 | $1,102 | $1,638 | $1,851 | $2,499 | $2.30 |
| → Los Angeles, CA | 2,446 | $3,413 | $3,505 | $4,821 | $5,047 | $6,490 | $1.97 |
| → New York, NY | 81 | $239 | $330 | $649 | $872 | $1,314 | $8.01 |
| → Raleigh, NC | 345 | $549 | $635 | $1,027 | $1,237 | $1,738 | $2.98 |
| → New York, NY | 190 | $384 | $475 | $838 | $1,061 | $1,548 | $4.41 |
| → Washington DC, DC | 394 | $653 | $744 | $1,192 | $1,415 | $1,985 | $3.03 |
| → Jacksonville, FL | 1,017 | $1,377 | $1,464 | $2,102 | $2,312 | $3,059 | $2.07 |
| → Raleigh, NC | 609 | $874 | $961 | $1,449 | $1,659 | $2,257 | $2.38 |
| → Detroit, MI | 612 | $891 | $978 | $1,477 | $1,690 | $2,301 | $2.41 |
| → Los Angeles, CA | 2,591 | $3,607 | $3,699 | $5,077 | $5,303 | $6,807 | $1.96 |
| → San Francisco, CA | 2,693 | $3,744 | $3,836 | $5,256 | $5,482 | $7,029 | $1.95 |
| → San Diego, CA | 2,579 | $3,591 | $3,683 | $5,056 | $5,282 | $6,780 | $1.96 |
| → Portland, OR | 2,533 | $3,529 | $3,621 | $4,975 | $5,201 | $6,680 | $1.96 |
| → Albuquerque, NM | 1,968 | $2,772 | $2,864 | $3,980 | $4,206 | $5,448 | $2.02 |
| → New York, NY | 204 | $402 | $493 | $862 | $1,085 | $1,578 | $4.23 |
| → Boston, MA | 394 | $653 | $744 | $1,192 | $1,415 | $1,985 | $3.03 |
| → Austin, TX | 1,316 | $1,746 | $1,833 | $2,580 | $2,790 | $3,647 | $1.96 |
| → Raleigh, NC | 233 | $411 | $497 | $848 | $1,058 | $1,518 | $3.64 |
| → Minneapolis, MN | 931 | $1,290 | $1,377 | $1,996 | $2,208 | $2,940 | $2.14 |
All figures from the documented wage-and-distance model (methodology). Not carrier quotes.
Cost by corridor distance band
How modeled 2-bedroom costs and $/mile shift as route length grows across popular corridors.
| Band | Routes | Avg 2BR | Avg $/mi | Sample corridor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional hops (<300 mi) | 26 | $766 | $4.49 | Las Vegas → Los Angeles |
| Mid-haul lanes (300–799 mi) | 27 | $1,427 | $2.66 | San Francisco → Seattle |
| Cross-region (800–1,499 mi) | 15 | $2,251 | $2.05 | New York → Dallas |
| Coast-to-coast (1,500+ mi) | 19 | $4,411 | $1.92 | Charlotte → Anchorage |
Metro dual-rank leaders
Highest BLS base hourly rate
| Metro | $/hr | Mean out 2BR |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Los Angeles, CA | $21.46 | $2,220 |
| 2. Phoenix, AZ | $21.46 | $1,365 |
| 3. San Diego, CA | $21.46 | $2,839 |
| 4. San Jose, CA | $21.46 | $3,097 |
| 5. San Francisco, CA | $21.46 | $2,560 |
| 6. Seattle, WA | $21.46 | $2,181 |
| 7. Denver, CO | $21.46 | $1,726 |
| 8. Portland, OR | $21.46 | $783 |
| 9. Las Vegas, NV | $21.46 | $1,266 |
| 10. Albuquerque, NM | $21.46 | $1,375 |
Highest mean outbound 2BR cost
| Metro | Mean 2BR | $/hr |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Oklahoma City, OK | $5,156 | $16.09 |
| 2. Boston, MA | $3,140 | $20.56 |
| 3. San Jose, CA | $3,097 | $21.46 |
| 4. Charlotte, NC | $2,889 | $16.09 |
| 5. San Diego, CA | $2,839 | $21.46 |
| 6. Sacramento, CA | $2,618 | $21.46 |
| 7. San Francisco, CA | $2,560 | $21.46 |
| 8. Pittsburgh, PA | $2,294 | $20.56 |
| 9. Miami, FL | $2,275 | $16.09 |
| 10. Los Angeles, CA | $2,220 | $21.46 |
State average 2BR moving cost
Mean modeled outbound 2-bedroom cost across metros in each state with coverage.
| State | Avg 2BR |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $879 |
| Arizona | $879 |
| California | $879 |
| Colorado | $879 |
| Hawaii | $879 |
| Nevada | $879 |
| New Mexico | $879 |
| Oregon | $879 |
| Utah | $879 |
| Washington | $879 |
Moving Guides
Practical guides for planning your move, understanding costs, and choosing a reliable mover.
How Much Does It Cost to Move?
Complete cost guide with size and distance tables
Choosing a Moving Company
FMCSA verification, red flags, and fraud protection
Local vs. Long-Distance
Different rules, pricing, and timelines
What Affects Moving Costs
Distance, season, hidden fees, and more
Tips for Reducing Costs
Timing, negotiation, and DIY strategies
View all 32 states as a list
- Alaska: $879
- Arizona: $879
- California: $879
- Colorado: $879
- Hawaii: $879
- Nevada: $879
- New Mexico: $879
- Oregon: $879
- Utah: $879
- Washington: $879
- District of Columbia: $855
- Maryland: $855
- Massachusetts: $855
- New York: $855
- Pennsylvania: $855
- Illinois: $759
- Indiana: $759
- Michigan: $759
- Minnesota: $759
- Missouri: $759
- Nebraska: $759
- Ohio: $759
- Wisconsin: $759
- Florida: $734
- Georgia: $734
- Kentucky: $734
- Louisiana: $734
- North Carolina: $734
- Oklahoma: $734
- Tennessee: $734
- Texas: $734
- Virginia: $734
Average Moving Costs by Home Size
| Home Size | Local Move (under 50 mi) | Medium Distance (100-500 mi) | Long Distance (500+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $300–$600 | $800–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 1 Bedroom | $400–$800 | $1,000–$2,000 | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 2 Bedroom | $600–$1,200 | $1,500–$3,000 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| 3 Bedroom | $900–$1,800 | $2,500–$4,500 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| 4+ Bedroom | $1,500–$3,000 | $4,000–$7,000 | $6,000–$12,000 |
Estimates based on BLS OES SOC 53-7062 wage data with regional adjustments. Actual costs vary by mover, season, access, and specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are moving costs calculated?
Estimates use BLS OES 2023 wage data (SOC 53-7062, national median $17.88/hr) with regional adjustments (Northeast 1.15x, West 1.20x, South 0.90x, Midwest 0.95x). The model factors in crew size, loading hours, driving time at 50 mph, $0.50-per-mile fuel cost, and packing materials.
Does PlainMove provide carrier records?
No. PlainMove publishes modeled moving-cost estimates, not USDOT numbers, authority status, safety ratings, insurance filings, or complaint histories. Verify a carrier directly with FMCSA SAFER before hiring.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are baseline estimates derived from federal labor data and a documented route-distance model. Actual quotes depend on the specific mover, seasonal demand, elevator access, specialty items, storage needs, and other factors. Always get binding quotes before booking.
Is PlainMove free to use?
Yes. Cost estimates are free to use. PlainMove does not sell your data or connect you to moving companies.
About this data
How PlainMove works, and why you can trust these numbers
What this site is
PlainMove turns federal labor statistics into modeled moving cost estimates for 50 US metro areas. Cost estimates are built from BLS wage data and route distance using a documented, reproducible formula. PlainMove does not publish carrier records.
Editorial process
- Source. Use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (SOC 53-7062) for labor cost and Census geographic reference data for the route model.
- Verify. Apply the documented cost formula (crew size, loading hours, drive time, mileage, materials) with no proprietary black-box pricing.
- Publish. Publish per-route cost estimates with the model, sources, and limitations readers need to evaluate them.
Editorial independence & corrections
PlainMove is an independent portal making federal public data more accessible; it does not earn referral fees, sell leads, or accept sponsored placement from moving companies. Found an error? Contact us via the contact page. See the methodology page for the full source-to-publication chain.
Frequently asked
How are moving costs calculated?
Estimates use BLS OES 2023 wage data (SOC 53-7062, national median $17.88/hr) with regional adjustments (Northeast 1.15x, West 1.20x, South 0.90x, Midwest 0.95x). The model factors in crew size, loading hours, driving time at 50 mph, $0.50-per-mile fuel cost, and packing materials.
Does PlainMove provide carrier records?
No. PlainMove publishes modeled moving-cost estimates, not USDOT numbers, authority status, safety ratings, insurance filings, or complaint histories. Verify a carrier directly with FMCSA SAFER before hiring.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are baseline estimates derived from federal labor data and a documented route-distance model. Actual quotes depend on the specific mover, seasonal demand, elevator access, specialty items, storage needs, and other factors. Always get binding quotes before booking.
Is PlainMove free to use?
Yes. Cost estimates are free to use. PlainMove does not sell your data or connect you to moving companies.
Key findings and downloadable extract: the full moving-cost statistics page. Download the modeled route-cost snapshot: moving-cost-route-statistics.csv (same CSV as /statistics, CC0).
Related Guides
Editorial context for the plainmove dataset, methodology, comparisons, and deep dives into the underlying records.
What to do with these estimates
Look up your own route, then verify with a carrier
- Oklahoma City models the highest metro 2BR average on this page. Open its city page before treating any single figure as a quote.
- Search your own corridor with the route lookup above, or browse the full route list to compare against 24 tracked corridors.
- Get at least three binding estimates from FMCSA-registered carriers. PlainMove does not publish carrier records. See methodology for how these estimates are built.