Moving in New York City is its own category of difficult. Five-floor walk-ups in the East Village, 40-story towers in Midtown with strict elevator reservations, brownstones in Park Slope with no driveway. Every move is a logistics puzzle, and that's why NYC movers cost more than anywhere else in the country.
Long-distance moves out of NYC (to Boston, DC, Philadelphia) typically run $2,500 – $5,500 depending on volume and timing. Cross-country moves to LA or Seattle start around $7,000.
May through September is peak moving season in NYC, with prices 25–40% higher than winter rates. The cheapest weeks are mid-January through mid-March.
A typical 1-bedroom local NYC move costs $1,100 – $2,400. Manhattan high-rises trend toward the upper end; Brooklyn walk-ups depend heavily on stair count.
Most apartment buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens require a Certificate of Insurance from your moving company before they'll allow access. Licensed movers on Scan To Move issue COIs at no extra cost.
Mid-week, mid-month, between January and March. Avoid the first and last day of any month — building demand spikes and rates climb 20–30%.
Walk through your home with your phone camera. Our AI detects and measures your furniture to build a complete inventory. Licensed movers in your area review the real inventory and submit competitive bids — usually within minutes. No home visits required.
Yes. Every mover on Scan To Move is verified for valid state licensing and insurance before they can bid. We also handle Certificates of Insurance (COI) for buildings that require them.