How Much Does a NYC Move Cost in 2025?

Hiring movers in New York City isn’t cheap, but it may cost less than you expect. On average, a local NYC move ranges from $500 for a studio to $1,900 for a 3+ bedroom apartment. Long-distance moves from NYC typically cost around $2,500

Quick Summary of NYC Moving Costs

• Studio: $500–$600 (local), $400–$600 (general)
• 1 Bedroom: $800 (local), $500–$800 (general)
• 2 Bedroom: $1,100 (local), $1,000–$1,500 (general)
• 3+ Bedroom: $1,900 (local), $1,500+ (general)
• Out-of-State Moves: $2,500+ on average

Tip: These prices include averages for both local and long-distance moves. Your actual cost will depend on distance, time, apartment size, and whether you add services like packing, storage, or specialty item handling.

What is the Cost of a Local NYC Move?

If you plan to stay within the five boroughs or even the tri-state area, you could end up spending less than the average moving costs listed above. For local moves, costs vary based on distance and the size of your move, but generally the average is around $1,000. Many professional NYC moving companies charge an hourly rate for local moves, so the longer it takes for them to move you, the more expensive your final bill will be. With that said, a studio apartment will likely be around $500 while a 3+ bedroom would be around $1,900. Below is a breakdown of NYC local moving costs by size:

According to Value Penguin, around 39% of apartments in the city are either studios or one bedrooms. While it’s great to have space, if you live in a small apartment, you have less stuff to accumulate. Come move time, that means you’ll likely end up on the lower end of the moving cost spectrum. In general, professional NYC movers will only need to assign 2 movers to the task and will generally take around 4 hours for the entire move.

Naturally, as you increase the size of your apartment, you’ll ultimately end up with more stuff, which means more people and more time to handle your move.

What is the Cost of a Long – Distance Move From NYC?

If you plan to move farther than 50 miles from NYC, then you’ll generally end up in flat rate territory. The average cost of out-of-state moves is around $2,500, depending on how far you’re moving and the volume of items. Factors such as fuel, tolls, or express delivery will also influence the final price. Of course, the more you have, the more expensive it’s going to be, so consider getting rid of large and bulky items like old furniture to save yourself some money.

What Other Factors Can Affect the Cost of My Move?

Several key factors influence the price of your move in New York City:

• Apartment size – Larger homes require more movers and time.
• Move type – Local moves (hourly rates) vs. long-distance moves (flat rates).
• Distance – Longer distances add fuel, tolls, and travel time.
• Packing supplies – Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, or rented plastic bins.
• Professional packing/unpacking – Adds $500–$1,000 on average.
• Storage needs – $40–$150+ per month, depending on unit size.
• Specialty items – Pianos, antiques, or oversized furniture may add $100–$150 each.
• Building logistics – Stairs, elevator reservations, or long carries can each add $10–$200.
• Insurance/valuation coverage – Extra cost for high-value item protection.
• Tipping movers – Optional but common ($20/hour per mover or 10–20% of total bill).

How Much Do Packing Supplies Cost?

Even for small apartments, you’re looking at around $150-200 worth of supplies, and that includes the boxes and other items like packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and packing peanuts. While that might seem like a lot of money, remember that about one shelf on a bookcase equals about one medium-sized box. So if you have a three-shelf bookcase, you’ll need three boxes.

Here’s a useful cost breakdown for packing supplies:

Luckily, you can find some free, sturdy boxes if your budget is tight. Ask your local liquor or grocery stores for their boxes or ask friends, coworkers, or family who have moved recently for their boxes. You might also be able to find some free boxes on your local Buy Nothing group. If you can’t find any, you can always purchase some directly from the moving company. These are the same boxes the movers use when packing your belongings, so you know they are high-quality and durable.

Oh, and don’t forget to ask what is included in your basic moving package. Many reputable moving companies will provide free wardrobe box rentals so you can hang all of the clothes in your closet without spending a dime.

If you prefer renting plastic bins, be prepared to pay a bit more. You can typically rent these out in one-week increments, and they can range anywhere between $50-$100 for 20 plastic bins. While more expensive than cardboard boxes, they are easily stackable, waterproof, and much more resilient than cardboard. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about disposing of the cardboard boxes, as the moving company will pick up the plastic bins from you after your week is up.

What Is the Cost of Hiring Professional Packers?

While many people opt to pack themselves, if you have the budget for it, getting professionals to pack for you isn’t a bad idea. How much it costs depends on how much you’re moving, but you can probably expect to pay an additional $500-$1,000, especially if you include the unpacking service. 

While packing yourself is cheaper, it does come with some downsides. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the movers are not held liable if you packed the items that were damaged. If you happen to have a lot of valuable and fragile items, it might be in your best interest to have the movers pack them themselves so you will be covered should anything happen during the move. Instead of hiring packers for your entire apartment, you can have them focus on specific areas or items. So if you want to make sure your electronics, antiques, and other fragile items have protection, have the professionals handle it. The partial packing option is, of course, cheaper than full packing, so it might end up being worth your while.

Also, if you do have a lot of high-value items, you should either purchase third-party moving insurance or get the full valuation protection. Both will cost you extra money depending on the value of your item. For very high-value items – those that are over $100 per pound – you will have to list them on the shipping documents; otherwise, the movers might not be held liable for damages.

How Much Does Storage Cost?

As with most things moving-related, the cost of storage fluctuates based on how long you need to store items and how much you need to store. However, on average, the cost of storage is around $100 per month. While you can find your own self-storage solution, the benefit of using a moving company is that other customers don’t have access to the storage units, so your belongings are more secure.

Many moving companies also offer short-term storage by the week, which is perfect if you don’t need the unit for an entire month. You should always ask what storage options they offer so you can make an informed decision. Below are the average prices for storage units:

What Are Some Additional Fees?

There are several different fees that could be included in your bill, though professional moving companies will always spell these out in their contract and estimate. Some fees you might see include:

Should I Tip My Movers?

While tipping is not required, it is customary, especially if the movers did a good job. You should generally tip in cash and make sure to tip each mover separately. When deciding how much to tip, you can do one of the following:

• Tip $20 per person/hour
• 10-20% of the final bill

Don’t just give it to the foreman, as they might not distribute the money evenly! If you’re making a long-distance move, make sure to tip the movers who helped you load everything on the truck and the crew who unloaded. They are often not the same team.

If you feel the service was unsatisfactory, don’t feel obligated to tip. While it will be awkward, remember that tipping is not legally required. Should the movers try to pressure you into tipping or giving a bigger one, call the company immediately and inform them of the situation. Some reasons you might not tip include:

• Movers arrived late
• They had an unprofessional attitude
• They did not provide all the requested services
• They broke or lost something and did not assume responsibility

It’s up to you whether you decide to tip the movers or not. If you can’t afford it, consider some other alternatives, like providing non-alcoholic drinks or snacks, or an excellent online review.

How Can You Save Money On Your Move?

There are several ways you can reduce your overall moving costs. These include:

• Decluttering – get rid of as much as you can. The fewer items you have, the cheaper your move will be, whether you’re moving locally or long-distance
• Move during off-peak season – many movers will charge an additional fee for weekend and peak season moves. If possible, consider moving during a weekday and during the months of October through April. Even if the prices don’t change, you might be able to negotiate lower rates
• Turn off your utilities – Call up your providers and let them know that you are moving, so there is no overlap between services. While it’s not always possible, you don’t want to be paying utilities for two places!
• Read your lease – some places require a 60-day notice period if you don’t plan on renewing your lease. Make sure to read the lease properly and identify any financial penalties

How Much Does it Cost to Move in NYC

On average, local NYC moves cost $500–$1,900, depending on apartment size, while long-distance moves from NYC average around $2,500. Final costs depend on factors like distance, time, packing needs, and building access. To keep expenses down, plan ahead, compare quotes from multiple licensed movers, and consider moving during off-peak times when demand is lower.

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