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Whether it’s across town or cross-country, moving can be an expensive task, so much so that it may be tempting to try to handle it all on your own.

But hiring a moving company can save you both time and money since professional movers are trained in proper packing and handling techniques and have the logistical experience to make the process as efficient as possible. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the cost of renting, gassing up and driving a van or truck.

If you want stress-free moving assistance that won’t empty your wallet, we at the Home Media reviews team have compiled a list of the top cheap moving companies to help you find the services you need at a price you can afford. We created the list below by closely analyzing the best moving companies based on each provider’s balance of services and cost.

International Van Lines (IVL) provides local, long-distance and international moves of all sizes nationwide and in more than 180 countries. The company has an impressive list of add-on moving options, many of which are tailored to complement out-of-state and cross-country moving needs. 

IVL stands out on our list of cheap movers for its protection coverage options for your belongings. The company offers an all-risk insurance policy standard with all pro packing plans that reimburses you for the full value of any items that are broken, lost, damaged or stolen during the moving process. The cost of all-risk insurance is 4% of the declared value of items, so you can customize the plan to fit your specific inventory. 

If you choose to self-pack with IVL, the company provides a total-loss insurance plan. Total-loss insurance will also pay for the full value of items, but only when the entire shipment is damaged or destroyed due to a catastrophe, such as a fire, vehicle accident or theft. The cost of total-loss insurance is 2% of the declared value of your belongings. 

+ Provides a variety of moving discounts

+ Lists all associated moving fees on its website for pricing transparency

+ Can create custom crates to store electronics safely

– Will not handle moves weighing less than a total of 1,400 pounds (smaller than a one-bedroom furnished apartment)

– Requires 25% up-front payment of your total moving cost as a deposit on your relocation

Services: International Van Lines customers can opt for a full-service package or partial-packing of only fragile items. IVL crews will wrap and pad breakables and  strategically place them in the moving truck to prevent damage. The company’s add-on options allow full- or partial-service customers to customize their moving plans further to meet their needs and budget.

International Van Lines services include the following:

Cost: International Van Lines’ online calculator will provide you with a general moving estimate based on the distance and size of your move. After completing a thorough in-home assessment, the company will give you a more detailed moving quote. IVL uses MoveOne software to conduct assessments virtually and can typically provide you with a price in less than an hour after the virtual visit. Other factors that affect the cost of your move include the total weight of your belongings, the time of year and day of the week you plan to move and any add-on service you select.

International Van Lines provides a breakdown of the cost and frequency of each moving fee on its website. For example, IVL has industry-standard elevator and stair fees, applied when crews use either or both to transport items from your home or apartment. The elevator fee is a one-time charge of $75, whereas the stair fee is $75 per flight of stairs.

Active and retired military receive a 10%–15% discount on moves with IVL. The company also offers a 15% discount to senior citizens. You may be able to receive additional savings if you negotiate your costs with a customer service representative.

International Van Lines accepts cash and credit card payments. A 25% deposit is required to reserve your moving date.

To learn more: International Van Lines review

American Van Lines (AVL) is our top choice for affordable full-service moving companies offering long-distance moves because of the company’s experienced moving staff and industry know-how. While many moving companies rely on third-party providers for cross-country and out-of-state moves in certain areas, AVL directly handles them in the 48 contiguous states using full-time moving crew members. 

In addition, the company conducts thorough background checks on potential employees and requires all moving staff to undergo annual training and certifications. 

+ Does not charge additional fees for last-minute moves 

+ Provides military moving packages that include full-service packing and long- or short-term storage

– Does not provide any pricing information on its website

Services: In addition to loading, transporting and unloading your belongings, American Van Lines has an a-la-carte-style menu of add-on options, allowing you to create a custom moving package. AVL also provides climate-controlled storage for short- and long-term needs. 

The company sells boxes and other packing supplies on its website and can build special crates to protect large or oddly shaped items that will not fit in standard moving boxes.

Other American Van Lines services include the following:

Cost: American Van Lines will give you a flat-rate — or binding — estimate after completing a virtual or in-person review of your home’s layout and contents and calculating the distance and date of your move. A binding estimate is the price you can expect to pay on moving day as long as you do not add more items to your list after the home assessment.

American Van Lines requires a deposit of as much as half of your total bill to schedule your move. Customers can pay with a credit card, cash, money order or cashier’s check. AVL does not accept personal checks. 

To learn more: American Van Lines review

We recommend Allied Van Lines because of its long-standing reputation in the moving industry. Allied is experienced in handling local and long-distance moves of any size, having more than 90 years of experience in the industry. In addition, the company can accommodate budgetary restrictions through a variety of optional services. 

Allied owns and operates a fleet of open and enclosed vehicle carriers if you need to transport a car, van, SUV, truck, RV or boat. While enclosed carriers protect against roadway hazards and the elements, open carriers are a more affordable option for shipping a vehicle. 

+ Offers portable moving containers, similar to PODS and U-Pack, that come with loading and unloading support from a moving crew

+ Will deliver items kept in storage for 90 days or less

+ Provides up to $100,000 in coverage for vehicle shipments

– Requires payment-in-full up to one week before moving day

– Only gives online estimates for out-of-state moves

Services: All full-service customers with Allied Van Lines work with a relocation consultant to oversee the entire moving process. Allied’s basic full-service package includes loading and unloading and transporting of items. Allied also offers fragile-only packing service and moving kits for those who don’t want to pay for a full-service experience. 

Allied Van Lines also provides the following services:

Cost: Following an in-person or a virtual home assessment, Allied will provide you with a binding estimate. As part of the binding estimate process, the company will review a detailed list of your belongings and factor in the distance and date of your move and the approximate total weight of items listed in your inventory. For this reason, it’s essential to give a thorough and accurate itemized list to Allied. Omitting items or underestimating the volume of your belongings could result in higher-than-anticipated costs on moving day. 

Allied Van Lines takes payments in the form of a certified check, credit card or cash.

To learn more: Allied Van Lines review

If you are looking for a more cost-effective alternative to full-service moving, PODS may be a good fit for your needs. The company provides the driveway-to-driveway delivery of portable steel moving and storage containers in 44 states and Washington, D.C., for local and long-distance relocations.

After selecting your container size online, PODS will deliver it to your current address. You load your items into the container at your pace, then contact the company when you are ready for it to be picked up. PODS will then deliver your container to your new home or move it to temporary or long-term storage at one of its facilities. 

PODS also offers some full-service options, such as a moving crew through a third-party partner, at an additional cost. PODS’ City Service package provides additional assistance specific to metropolitan moves for those making residential moves within major cities like New York City, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle. A PODS driver will stay with your container during loading and unloading to prevent parking tickets or theft. 

+ Uses containers with level loading, so ramps are not necessary

+ Has a City Service option for moving within a major metropolitan area

+ Offers containers in three sizes to accommodate your move better

– Only rents containers for a flat one-month fee, even if you need them for less than 30 days

– Will not provide instant online quotes for long-distance moves

Services: PODS containers come in three sizes. The smallest container is 8 feet and works well for those with small moves, like college students, members of the military and those who have shared a space with roommates or live in a studio apartment. The 12-foot container can typically hold two to three rooms’ worth of belongings. The largest container, 16 feet, can store the contents of a typical two-bedroom home.  

Other PODS services include the following:

Cost: PODS rents containers for a flat monthly fee, regardless of whether you need them for less than 30 days. Unfortunately, this means you cannot get a prorated fee; the quoted monthly price will be the price you pay. 

You may be able to save money through the company’s ongoing special offers, particularly if you need storage solutions. For example, PODS will give you a 15% discount on rental fees when you sign up for at least three months of storage and are moving less than 50 miles away.

PODS provides instant quotes for local moves on its website, but you must call a customer service representative for all other relocations. A representative will give you a detailed estimate over the phone after getting information about the size and distance of your move. Quotes include one month of container rental and drop-off, pick-up and delivery of your belongings.

PODS accepts all major credit cards.

North American Van Lines (NAVL) provides local, long-distance and international moves nationwide and in more than 130 countries through a combination of its own fleet and staff and a network of 500+ local moving companies. NAVL offers full-, partial- and DIY-packing options complemented by a menu of add-on options to further customize your move. 

For those concerned about the safety of their personal belongings, North American Van Lines stands out for its streamlined system for processing claims. If any of your items are damaged, broken, lost or stolen during your move, you can easily file a domestic or international claim online. Claims can also be handled over the phone through NAVL’s dedicated claims support line. Keep in mind that while NAVL’s filing process is simple, the turnaround time on claims varies based on the specific circumstances and value of your items. 

+ Trains drivers through an interactive simulation tool

+ Offers portable metal containers that include a moving crew to assist with loading and unloading 

+ Adjusts valuation coverage protection to fit the specific value of your items

– Requires a deposit of up to half of your total moving cost

– Relies on a network of 500 movers to accommodate customers, meaning your experience may vary depending on your location and the local company that handles your move

Services: North American Van Lines has three main packing options: full-service, fragile-only packing and self-packing. For DIY moves, the company has packing supplies for sale through its website, which also has a helpful library of free moving resources and best practices. Full- and partial-service customers can add various services to their moving packages, including vehicle shipping and short- and long-term storage. The company also has Blue Express , portable storage containers backed by a moving crew for smaller moves.

Additional North American Van Lines services are as follows:

Cost: North American Van Lines has a tool on its website for calculating a free moving quote based on the size of your home, the distance and the date of your move. However, you will need to speak to a customer service representative and schedule a review of your home, either in-person or virtually, to receive a binding estimate. 

Other factors affecting the cost of your move include any add-on services you need, the approximate weight of your belongings and any difficult access or exit points in your home, such as narrow hallways or multiple flights of stairs.

NAVL has discount programs for American Legion members and members of labor unions. American Legion members and their families can receive exclusive moving and storage rebates and nonpeak rates despite the time of year they are moving. The discount program also includes free replacement coverage protection of belongings up to $100,000, which represents a savings of up $850.

For labor union members and their families, NAVL provides $50,000 of free replacement coverage ($560 in savings), moving and storage rebates, nonpeak rates and packing discounts.

Like American Van Lines, NAVL has a hefty deposit requirement of 10%–50% of your total moving cost. The company accepts credit cards, cash and cashier’s checks. 

To learn more: North American Van Lines review

Like PODS, U-Pack is a self-service moving company that provides portable steel containers for long-distance moves in all 50 states. However, U-Pack does not accommodate moves that are less than 150 miles.

U-Pack’s ReloCubes are available in one size — 6 feet by 8 feet — and hold about 2,500 pounds of items, or approximately the equivalent of a 600-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. ReloCubes are ideal for moving from one city to another because the containers fit within a standard parking space and are level to the ground. U-Pack can save you money because you only pay for the containers you actually use, meaning you can order more than one in case you need extra without worrying about the cost. 

For larger moves, U-Pack has 27-foot trailers. Trailers are charged by the space you use, not the weight of your items, meaning you won’t be charged for a full trailer rental if you only use a portion of the space.

+ Provides portable storage containers and larger moving trailers

+ Will discount your move by up to 100% if it doesn’t meet its optional delivery date guarantee that shipments will arrive within a one- to two-hour window 

+ Only charges for the space you use in trailers

– Limits loading and unloading times to no more than three days

– Does not accommodate local moves

Services: U-Pack will deliver weatherproof ReloCubes to your current address and give you three days to load them. The company will pick them up and deliver them to your new address or a storage facility when you’re ready. It’s important to note that you do not have access to your belongings while they are in storage. 

Other U-Pack services include the following:

Cost: U-Pack has an online space estimation tool that will give you an idea of how many ReloCubes or trailers you need and how much the cost will be. The tool will give you the least expensive option first. In addition, U-Pack operates on a no-hidden-fee guarantee and does not require in-home reviews because it charges based on space instead of weight.

Active and retired military receive a $50 discount. Payments can be made via credit card.

To learn more: U-Pack review

While you may be able to afford basic full- or partial-service packages with traditional moving companies, transporting large items like cars or boats can significantly increase your costs.

We recommend uShip for vehicle shipping because the company’s online marketplace format allows you to connect directly to carriers with space on their trucks. Although uShip primarily functions as a vehicle shipping company, it can also accommodate heavy fitness equipment, hot tubs and animals at potentially lower costs than other movers.

+ Has a guarantee of up to $500 for lost or damaged belongings

+ Provides potentially cheaper solutions for transporting vehicles, pianos, fitness equipment and other large items

– Is not ideal for scheduling a specific moving date, as service is dependent on available drivers and truck space in your area

– Does not pre-screen carriers who post on the online marketplace

Services: Consumers can post vehicles or other shipments on uShip’s website to be matched with carriers that use the site. uShip can recommend providers with positive customer reviews to you, or you can opt to accept bids directly from providers. uShip handles the coordination of your move and payment to the carrier of your choice. 

While your moving date will depend on the availability of carriers in your area, uShip’s shipping time, once booked, tends to be fast — usually one to two days.

uShip’s other services are as follows:

Cost: The cost to use uShip depends on what you are shipping, the provider and bid you choose and how far you need your items shipped. uShip provides instant online quotes on its website that will give you an average price based on past shipments of the same size. You may be able to negotiate a lower price directly with a provider, but it’s important to do your background research on any carrier you choose since uShip does not vet users.

Through a partnership with ID.me , uShip can connect active and retired military to companies that provide military discounts.

To learn more: uShip review

Full-service moves come with the comfort that your items will be handled professionally and efficiently. Traditional full-service movers also have various helpful add-on options like storage, vehicle shipping and contents protection plans. However, you will pay more for that peace of mind than you would for a self-service move. Additionally, full-service movers often require a lengthy home review for pricing quotes and will charge you a deposit to reserve your moving date.

Self-service moves are typically cheaper than the full-service route, but you must be willing to do most of the heavy lifting yourself. Some self-service movers will provide moving crews, but these come at an additional cost. One upside to self-service moving is you are not bound by a tight schedule as you would be with a self-service mover. However, DIY moving may only be the most cost-effective option if you have a relatively small number of belongings — paying for additional containers can add up fast. 

While the best, most affordable moving company for you will come down to your specific needs and budget, we recommend International Van Lines for full-service packages. IVL has experience with local, long-distance and international moves of all sizes and provides comprehensive protection coverage options for your belongings. Additionally, the company provides several discounts and will work with you to lower your costs to a price you can afford.

For self-service moves, PODS is our top choice. The company offers multiple-sized containers to accommodate your needs and provides optional full-service support like moving crews. Keep in mind, however, that some full-service companies like Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines also have portable moving and storage containers that include moving crews standard.

According to the Moving and Storage Conference , an interstate move — one that crosses state lines — typically costs about $4,300. That is based on moving a typical two-bedroom home approximately 1,200 miles. The average cost is $2,300 to move in-state using the same criteria. 

Keep in mind that these are just averages. The exact cost of your move will depend on the size of your home and its contents and the exact distance of your move, among other factors.

The most popular time to move in the United States is from May through August, based on 2020 U.S. Census data . This is likely due to milder weather and the fact that kids are out of school. If you are able to plan your relocation outside of the May-to-August peak season, you will likely save money on your move because companies are much less in demand.

Moving on a weekday will typically be cheaper than the cost to move on a Saturday or Sunday since those days are in high demand. If you move on a Saturday, you may pay slightly more, but you may avoid having to take time off of work. 

A Friday move may be ideal because it is technically a weekday — meaning rates will likely be lower — but it only requires you to take one day off and gives you Saturday and Sunday to focus on unpacking.

The short answer is, it’s up to you. Tipping movers is not required, but it is customary. However, the decision to tip — and how much — should undoubtedly depend on your moving experience. If you are pleased with your move and want to show it with a tip, the guideline is $5 per hour per moving crew member. So, for example, your tip would be $160, or $40 per crew member, for an eight-hour job provided by a four-member crew.

We collected data on dozens of moving companies, both full-service and self-service, and created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings, grade each company and provide objective findings to our readers. The end result of weighing a wide range of factors is a cumulative score for each provider.

We called each moving company directly, spoke with representatives to get an in-depth understanding of their offerings and simulated the quote and scheduling process. We also reviewed each company’s contents protection (insurance) plan information in detail, and we closely examined more than 100 customer reviews to understand the customer service experience with each provider.

All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis so that all rankings and information remain up-to-date.

Once we gathered all relevant data, we used the following scoring system to grade each moving company on a 100-point scale:

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