how much does it cost to hire movers: a clear look at pricing

We ask first: what will our move actually cost? Locally, two movers and a truck often run $100 - $160 per hour; a small apartment over 3 - 6 hours lands near $300 - $1,000. Long-distance is weight plus miles; many 1 - 3 bedroom trips sit around $2,000 - $7,500. We pause - do we really need packing, or can we box ourselves?

What drives the total

• Distance and hours on-site.
• Volume/weight and special care.
• Access: stairs, elevator, long carry.
• Season and day; weekends surge.
• Extras: packing, assembly, insurance.

Quick ballpark

1. Studio local: $300 - $700.
2. 2 - 3 bedroom local: $600 - $1,600.
3. Cross-country 1 - 3 bedroom: $3,000 - $8,000.

Priority: protect budget and belongings. Ask for a written, itemized, binding-not-to-exceed estimate; confirm travel, fuel, stairs, long-carry, and shuttle fees; check valuation coverage. On a rainy Saturday in Denver, we paid $920 for two movers over five hours, truck included, plus a modest tip - it felt worth it after a long week. If numbers spike, try mid-week, purge, or trim services.