Moving to a new home can be exciting but it’s also stressful—especially when you have to figure out how to transport all your belongings from one place to another. Usually, you have two options, move everything yourself or hire professional movers. Doing it on your own can be tough, time-consuming, and physically tiring, and there’s always a chance your belongings could get damaged along the way.

On the other hand, hiring professional movers saves you from doing all the heavy lifting and physical work but it comes with a price. At STI Moving & Storage, the most common question we hear from people is about how much it costs to move.

If you’re thinking about hiring a moving company but can’t help wondering why moving is so expensive, don’t worry — we’re here to clear things up and help you understand what goes into the moving process!

Why Does Moving Cost So Much?

The biggest reason moving costs so much is that there are many things involved in the process. Time is one of the main factors — how long your move takes, how long you use the truck and how much fuel it needs all affect the final price. You’re also paying for professional moving equipment that helps keep your belongings safe during the move.

Other factors that can affect the cost of your move include:

  • The driving time between your old and new home
  • How long it takes to load and unload the truck
  • The distance between the truck and your home’s entrance
  • The number of stairs the movers have to go up or down

When you consider all these factors together, along with the commitment to protecting customer belongings by using professionally trained movers and proper moving equipment, it becomes clear why so many things influence the final amount on a moving bill.

How Are Professional Moves Priced?

Research from Forbes shows that, in 2024, the average cost to hire movers for a local move of a three-bedroom home is about $2,100. For a long-distance move of a similar size, the average cost goes up to around $5,500.

Along with the points mentioned above, there are other things that can change the cost of a move, such as the city and state where you’re moving. In general, the larger your home or apartment, the more movers you’ll need — and that means the overall cost will be higher.

All of these costs can add up and when you combine them with the stress of handling everything on your own, hiring professional movers can feel like the better choice.

If you’re planning a move soon, start by getting a free quote today!