
Moving across the country is a risky affair that’s best left to the pros. Ask movers for price calculation, and then take advantage of cost reduction techniques.
Once your move is bound to cross state lines or exceed the 100-mile radius, it’s already classified as an interstate move and the approximate costs of moving across the country will be calculated differently than short-distance relocation cases.
In practice, cross-country moves are much harder to be generalized as far as preliminary expenses are concerned because of three major price formation criteria that work at the same time: 1) move distance, 2) shipment weight, and 3) additional services.
The cost to move furniture, for example, will be calculated based on the weight, size, and nature of your home furniture. Expect to pay more if you need experienced packers and movers to handle bulky, super heavy, or antique furniture pieces.
The cost of moving furniture will also be dependent on the specific conditions in your home such as narrow corridors and staircases, smaller doorways, or unavailability of an elevator. For instance, if some of the furniture pieces have to be disassembled, the furniture moving costs will be respectively higher.
- Move distance. The move distance between the two homes remains a constant value so focus on the next two factors.
- Shipment weight. How much your shipment weighs will play a great role in determining the final relocation bill. Make an effort to reduce that weight by getting rid of any household items you don’t really plan to use in the future.
- Extra services. Choose only the moving services you do need. If you can, pack up some or all of your items by yourself to save big.
The approximate cost of moving cross country, without any extra services and additional charges, is as follows:
- Studio / 1-bedroom apartment. The cost of moving out from a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment to a new home located 1,000 miles away should cost you approximately $1,500 – $3,200.
- 2-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 2-bedroom apartment or house are roughly $3,500 – $5,200 for a move distance of 1,000 miles.
- 3-bedroom apartment or house. The average moving costs for a 3-bedroom house or apartment are approximately $6,300 – $7,800 for a move distance of 1,000 miles.
- 4-bedroom house. The approximate moving costs for a 4-bedroom house are roughly $8,000+ for a move distance of 1,000 miles.
Home Size | Move Distance | Average Moving Cost |
Studio / 1-bedroom | 1,000 miles | $1,500 – $3,200 |
2-bedroom | 1,000 miles | $3,500 – $5,200 |
3-bedroom | 1,000 miles | $6,300 – $7,800 |
4-bedroom | 1,000 miles | $8,000 + |
Please keep in mind that the above-mentioned average moving costs per mile and average moving costs per pound can only be used as reference values due to the case-by-case nature of residential moving. As mentioned above, approximate moving company costs can still be useful for forming a general idea of just how strong a hit your budget will take.
For much more accurate price estimation, get free quotes by filling out this Moving Cost Calculator