Understanding Moving Costs Across America
Moving costs vary dramatically from city to city. A 2-bedroom move in San Francisco can cost nearly twice as much as the same move in Columbia, SC. Our Moving Cost Index helps you understand these differences and plan your budget accordingly.
What the Moving Cost Index Shows
The index tracks average moving costs across 20+ major US cities, broken down by home size:
- Studio/1-Room — Minimal furniture, small load
- 1 Bedroom — Standard apartment move
- 2 Bedroom — Most common move size
- 3 Bedroom — Family home
- 4+ Bedroom — Large home with significant belongings
Data Sources
Our data comes from two sources:
- Real platform activity — Actual service orders and completed moves on Extra Help Moving
- Industry reports — National moving cost surveys and carrier rate data
The index is updated monthly to reflect seasonal changes, fuel costs, and market demand.
How to Use It
- Planning a move? Check your city's average costs to set a realistic budget
- Relocating to a new city? Compare costs between your current and future location
- Evaluating quotes? Use the index as a benchmark — if a mover quotes significantly above or below average, ask why
Key Trends in 2026
- Sun Belt cities continue to see rising costs due to high demand from population growth
- Midwest cities remain among the most affordable for local moves
- Coastal metros (NYC, SF, Boston) command the highest rates
Free and Always Updated
The Moving Cost Index is free to access at extrahelpmoving.com/moving-cost-index. No account required. Bookmark it and check back monthly to see how costs are trending in your area.