Movers in Philadelphia, PA cost $450–$3,700 (2026)
Typical market ranges. These are typical market ranges for Philadelphia, PA — compiled from published local mover rates and industry cost data, not from Scan To Move bid records. They are a planning guide, not a quote. Your real price comes from licensed Philadelphia movers bidding on your scanned inventory.
Philadelphia moving cost by home size
| Home size | Typical total cost |
|---|---|
| Studio | $450 – $900 |
| 1-bedroom | $700 – $1,500 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,100 – $2,300 |
| 3-bedroom+ | $1,900 – $3,700 |
Ready for a firm number? Compare bids from licensed movers in Philadelphia — free for customers.
What drives the price in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a row-house city, which creates a specific moving challenge: narrow doorways, steep stoops, and tight street access. Center City high-rises require COIs and elevator bookings. Most Philly movers offer hourly pricing for local moves and flat rates for longer hauls. Demand spikes hard around September move-in week.
- Row-house stoops can be narrow — large sectionals and king mattresses sometimes need to be hoisted through windows.
- Center City high-rises require COIs and elevator reservations.
- September is move-in chaos due to the universities. Book 6+ weeks ahead.
- Some historic neighborhoods restrict truck size and access hours.
Long-distance from Philadelphia
Long-distance to NYC, DC, or Pittsburgh typically runs $1,400 – $2,800. Cross-country moves start around $5,500.
Cheapest time to move in Philadelphia
September is the most expensive moving month in Philly due to Penn, Drexel, and Temple turnover. November through February offers 25–30% lower rates.
Philadelphia moving cost FAQs
How much do movers cost in Philadelphia?
A local move in Philadelphia, PA typically runs $450–$3,700 in 2026 — $450 – $900 for a studio, $700 – $1,500 for a 1-bedroom, $1,100 – $2,300 for a 2-bedroom and $1,900 – $3,700 for a 3-bedroom or larger. These figures are typical market ranges for the Philadelphia area, not Scan To Move bid records.
How much does it cost to move a 2-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia?
Expect $1,100 – $2,300 for a 2-bedroom local move in Philadelphia. The $1,100 end assumes ground-floor or elevator access, a short drive and no packing service; the $2,300 end reflects stairs, long carries, bulky items and full packing.
Why is the Philadelphia price range so wide?
The spread from $450 to $3,700 is driven by volume and access, not luck: cubic feet of furniture, flights of stairs, elevator and COI rules, distance between addresses, packing materials, and how close your date is to the end of the month. That's why an inventory-based bid beats a phone estimate.
Are these Philadelphia prices based on Scan To Move bids?
No — and we won't pretend otherwise. The $450–$3,700 range shown here is a typical market estimate for Philadelphia compiled from published local mover rates and industry cost data. As Philadelphia bid volume on Scan To Move grows, we replace these figures with our own bid data and label the page accordingly.
How do I get an exact price for my Philadelphia move?
Scan your home with your phone — the AI measures each item and builds a real inventory. Licensed Philadelphia movers then bid on that exact inventory, usually within minutes, so you compare firm numbers instead of a $450–$3,700 guess. Scanning and bidding are free for customers.