Moving locally in Philadelphia: When it comes to local moves within Philadelphia, the cost of professional moving services can vary from $420 to $2,800, based on the time it takes to complete the job.
Moving long distance to or from Philadelphia, PA: For cross-country moves from or to Philadelphia, PA, the average moving costs range from $2,400 (smaller home, shorter distance) to $13,300 (larger home, greater distance).
How much does it cost to hire movers in Philadelphia? There isn’t a one-fits-all answer. From the size of your home and the distance to your destination to the specific Philadelphia moving company you choose and the time period of your relocation, various factors will affect the final cost of your move.
How much does it cost to hire local movers in Philadelphia?
When planning a local move in Philly, you can expect to pay about $420-$670 for a small apartment.
For a larger home, the local moving costs in Philadelphia can range from $1,600 to $2,800.
For a clearer financial picture, take a look at the average cost to hire a local moving company in Philadelphia, based on the size of the move:
Home Size
Average Movers Cost
1-bedroom
$420 – $670
2-bedroom
$750 – $1,000
3-bedroom
$1,150 – $2,250
4-bedroom
$1,600 – $2,800
Studio or one-bedroom apartment – Moving a small apartment in Philadelphia will cost you between $420 and $670.
Two-bedroom home – When moving a 2-bedroom home, you should budget about $750-$1,000 for local moving help in Philly.
Three-bedroom home – For larger moves in the City of Brotherly Love, expect costs from $1,150 to $2,250.
Four-bedroom house and above – The cost to hire Philadelphia movers for a 4-bedroom home can range from $1,600 to $2,800 or more.
Philadelphia is a sprawling metropolis with many vibrant neighborhoods and suburbs – Manayunk, Fishtown, Rittenhouse, Exton, Ardmore, Devon, Conshohocken, Berwyn, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, etc. With each area offering its own unique charm, it’s no wonder many residents opt to relocate within the city’s confines.
Moving within Philly, however, can be both an exciting adventure and a logistical challenge – and prices can vary considerably, depending on the chosen services, the required hours of labor, and the specific part of the city you’re moving to.
When looking for local Philadelphia movers, don’t forget that household carriers in Pennsylvania need to be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Make sure your chosen company is properly licensed, so you can have peace of mind that you’re dealing with qualified and trustworthy professionals.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
How much does it cost to hire Philadelphia movers for a long-distance move?
If you’re moving away from the loving embrace of Philly to seek adventures in other parts of the country, your moving costs will naturally surge.
Know the cost of long-distance movers before you commit!
So, what is the average cost to hire a professional moving company in Philadelphia for a long-distance relocation?
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom home
3-bedroom home
4-bedroom house
250 miles
$1,150 – $3,250
$1,600 – $4,250
$2,100 – $4,900
$2,650 – $5,800
500 miles
$1,600 – $3,850
$2,250 – $4,900
$3,150 – $5,800
$3,950 – $6,900
1,000 miles
$2,650 – $5,100
$3,050 – $6,000
$3,850 – $6,700
$4,600 – $7,500
1,500 miles
$3,000 – $5,500
$3,600 – $6,700
$4,300 – $7,200
$5,400 – $8,700
2,000 miles
$3,400 – $6,050
$4,000 – $7,150
$5,000 – $8,100
$6,950 – $11,100
Remember that these figures are only rough estimates – your moving costs may be lower or higher, depending on the specific circumstances in your case.
Use our free moving cost calculator to get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for your relocation, but for an accurate number, be sure to request in-house estimates from a few top-rated Philadelphia movers.
How do Philadelphia moving companies estimate costs?
Understanding how moving costs are calculated is crucial when budgeting for your relocation in or out of Philly.
So, let’s explore the main factors affecting the cost of a move:
Relocation distance: When moving locally (within 50 miles), you’ll be charged by the hour. When moving long distance, the price of your relocation will be based on the weight of your shipment.
Size of the move: Simply put, the more stuff you have for moving, the more you’ll pay – the movers will take longer to complete the job (local moving costs are calculated on an hourly basis, so the price will be higher) and the shipment will weigh more (long distance moving costs are calculated per pound, so the price will be higher).
Specialized services:
Moving antique furniture, a grand piano, or a pool table? Such specialty items require specialized moving supplies and special handling care, so each of them will add to the cost of your move;
Prefer not to deal with packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, etc.? Your movers will do the work for you for an extra charge;
Need hoisting services, temporary storage, or split pickup or delivery? Every required extra service incurs an extra cost;
The movers need to take your items down multiple flights of stairs or wait for an elevator? You’ll be charged an extra flight/elevator fee;
There is no convenient parking space for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home and the movers need to carry your items long distance to the waiting vehicle? The final bill will increase.
Time of year: Moving costs tend to be higher during the peak moving season (from April to September), on weekends, and on national holidays due to the high demand for moving services during these periods.
Insurance: Opting for full-value protection for your belongings will cost you extra, but will ensure your peace of mind.
Moving is not cheap, but with proper preparation and good moving partners, you can stay on the lower end of the spectrum:
Declutter your home: One of the most effective ways to lower your moving costs is to reduce the number of items you’re moving. Sell, donate, or recycle everything you no longer need or love;
Pack yourself: While it’s convenient to have the movers pack for you, packing your items yourself can save you a considerable sum. Not only will you not need to pay for professional packing services, but you won’t have to buy many packing supplies either (you may be able to get moving boxes for free and use alternative packing materials that you already have at home (bags, suitcases, buckets, baskets, and other containers instead of cardboard boxes, old clothes, sheets, and blankets instead of bubble wrap and moving blankets, etc.);
Schedule your move wisely: Schedule your relocation well ahead of time (many movers offer discounts for early bookings) and, if possible, opt for a weekday move during the off-peak season (many moving companies offer their rates in order to attract more customers during the less busy periods of the year);
Shop aroundfor reliable and affordable Philadelphia movers: Ask for recommendations, read reviews, and see what different moving companies in Philly have to offer. Don’t settle for the first quote you get – request estimates from several reputable movers and compare rates and services to get the best deal.
Getting multiple quotes allows for a broad perspective on costs and services – and gives you negotiation power. If you have a favorable quote from one mover, you can use it as leverage. Many companies will be willing to match or beat the competitors’ prices – so you may be able to get the movers that you like best to lower their initial quote.
Be sure to ask for discounts and special offers – many moving companies offer discounts for seniors, students, military personnel, etc. But even if you’re not eligible for a discount and there are no ongoing promotions at the moment, the movers might be able to come up with a special offer – they don’t want to lose you as a customer, you know.
If you’re using the same company for several services, such as moving and storage, for example, inquire about bundled discounts.
Remember – the cost isn’t always set in stone and it doesn’t hurt to ask! You may be able to save a lot of money on your move with the power of smart negotiation.
How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?
Local moving companies in Philadelphia typically charge about $80-$90 per hour per mover. Professional moving services can vary from $420 to $2,800 – the more items you have for moving and the more difficult the job is, the higher the final cost will be since the move will take more hours to complete.
How do local moving costs vary between neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
While the local moving rates might remain consistent, factors like narrow streets, parking availability, and high-rise buildings can impact the final cost, especially in densely populated or historic areas, such as Center City or Old City.
How much do Philadelphia movers cost for a long-distance move?
The average cost to hire long-distance movers for a 1,000-mile move to/from Philly is $2,200 – $5,400 for a small residence and $4,900 – $7,800 for a larger home.
How to make sure you are working with licensed and insured cross-country movers?
When hiring a Philadelphia moving company for an out-of-state move, you need to verify its USDOT number to confirm its legitimacy. To do so, you need to go to the SAFER website and enter the mover’s name or DOT number in the blank field displayed in the middle of the page. This will give you access to the company’s profile and will reveal all the available data on the movers you’re interested in.
*At MoveAdvisor we will connect you with a professional moving company. Please note that we may not be affiliated with
and you may be speaking with another licensed provider.
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