How Much Does It Cost to Move a 1-Bedroom Apartment in 2026?

Cost Guides · 2025-12-04 · 8 min read

A 1-bedroom move costs $400–$1,800 local or $2,800–$6,200 long-distance in 2026. Full breakdown by city, distance, and what's actually in your apartment.

"How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom?" is the most-Googled moving question in America. The honest answer is: it depends on three things — distance, city, and how much stuff you actually have. Here's the real 2026 breakdown.

Local 1-Bedroom Move (Same City)

• National average: $650 – $1,400
• Low-cost cities (Phoenix, Houston, Columbus, Indianapolis): $400 – $900
• Mid-cost cities (Denver, Austin, Nashville, Atlanta): $600 – $1,200
• High-cost cities (NYC, SF, LA, Boston, DC): $900 – $1,800

Local moves are priced hourly: typically $130–$200/hr for a 2-mover crew + truck. A 1-bedroom takes 3–6 hours including drive time.

Long-Distance 1-Bedroom Move

• 250–500 miles: $1,800 – $3,400
• 500–1,000 miles: $2,400 – $4,600
• 1,000–2,000 miles: $3,200 – $5,800
• 2,000+ miles: $4,200 – $7,200

Long-distance is priced by weight (typical 1-BR = 2,500–4,000 lbs) or cubic feet (350–550 cu ft).

What Drives the Price for a 1-Bedroom

Stairs and elevators. 4th-floor walk-up adds $150–$300.

Packing. Full pack service adds $200–$600 to a 1-BR. DIY packing is the easiest savings.

Heavy items. Pianos, safes, glass-top dining tables, and Peloton bikes are surcharge items ($75–$400 each).

Long carry. If the truck parks 75+ ft from your door, $0.75–$1.50/ft typically.

How to Get Your Specific Price

Generic ranges are useful for budgeting, but the actual quote depends on what's in your apartment. Scan your 1-bedroom in 5 minutes and get binding bids based on your real inventory, not a guess.