Moving Cost Intelligence
Moving cost estimates for 2,450 US metro routes, built from BLS wage data and FMCSA carrier records.
Estimate moving costs for any US route (studio through 4BR), precomputed from BLS wage data, FMCSA carrier records, and distance matrices. Free, no account required.
Quick Route Estimate
The national picture
PlainMove tracks 2,450 interstate routes across 50 major US cities, with 2BR moving costs ranging from $550 to $9,462 depending on distance.
- 2,450
- interstate routes with cost estimates
- 83
- FMCSA-registered household-goods carriers
- $1,381
- avg 2BR move, 100-1,000 miles
- 32
- states covered
Cost figures are computed from BLS OES labor data and route distance, not carrier quotes -- see the methodology for the full formula.
2,450
Routes Covered
50
Major US Cities
83
HHG Carriers
$1,381
Avg 2BR Move (100-1000 mi)
Popular Moving Routes
Most-searched interstate routes with 2BR cost estimates
New York
to Miami
1,092 miles · 2BR estimate
New York
to Los Angeles
2,446 miles · 2BR estimate
Houston
to Dallas
225 miles · 2BR estimate
Los Angeles
to Phoenix
357 miles · 2BR estimate
Dallas
to Houston
225 miles · 2BR estimate
Los Angeles
to New York
2,446 miles · 2BR estimate
Dallas
to Austin
182 miles · 2BR estimate
Chicago
to Miami
1,191 miles · 2BR estimate
Miami
to New York
1,092 miles · 2BR estimate
Austin
to Dallas
182 miles · 2BR estimate
Phoenix
to Los Angeles
357 miles · 2BR estimate
Miami
to Chicago
1,191 miles · 2BR estimate
Chicago
to Los Angeles
1,742 miles · 2BR estimate
Los Angeles
to Chicago
1,742 miles · 2BR estimate
Los Angeles
to Denver
830 miles · 2BR estimate
Denver
to Los Angeles
830 miles · 2BR estimate
New York
to Chicago
711 miles · 2BR estimate
Chicago
to New York
711 miles · 2BR estimate
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 records, 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
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/mile fuel cost, and packing materials.
Where does FMCSA mover data come from?
Carrier data is drawn from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registry, which tracks DOT numbers, operating authority, safety ratings, complaint history, and insurance coverage for all registered interstate household goods movers.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are baseline estimates derived from federal labor data. Actual quotes depend on the specific mover, seasonal demand, elevator access, specialty items, storage needs, and other factors. Always get 3+ quotes before booking. Estimates typically reflect the middle 50% of market prices.
Is PlainMove free to use?
Yes. All estimates and mover data are completely free. No account, no email required. We do 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 and carrier-safety data into moving cost estimates and mover lookups for 50 US metro areas. Cost estimates are built from BLS wage data using a documented, reproducible formula, and every carrier record traces back to its FMCSA registry entry.
Editorial process
- Source. Pull BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (SOC 53-7062) for labor cost, and the FMCSA Carrier Registry for mover safety, authority, and insurance records.
- Verify. Apply the documented cost formula (crew size, loading hours, drive time, mileage, materials) with no proprietary black-box pricing, and load carrier records exactly as FMCSA publishes them.
- Publish. Compile per-route cost estimates and per-carrier lookup pages, linking back to BLS and FMCSA so readers can check the underlying figures themselves.
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/mile fuel cost, and packing materials.
Where does FMCSA mover data come from?
Carrier data is drawn from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registry, which tracks DOT numbers, operating authority, safety ratings, complaint history, and insurance coverage for all registered interstate household goods movers.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are baseline estimates derived from federal labor data. Actual quotes depend on the specific mover, seasonal demand, elevator access, specialty items, storage needs, and other factors. Always get 3+ quotes before booking. Estimates typically reflect the middle 50% of market prices.
Is PlainMove free to use?
Yes. All estimates and mover data are completely free. No account, no email required. We do not sell your data or connect you to moving companies.
Related Guides
Editorial context for the plainmove dataset, methodology, comparisons, and deep dives into the underlying records.