Moving costs come down to one distinction: how the move is priced. Local moves are billed by the hour. Long-distance moves are billed by weight and distance. Everything else — home size, stairs, packing, timing — adjusts the number from there.
Here’s what that looks like in real dollars across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in 2026.
Local moving costs (hourly)
Within a single metro, movers charge for the crew and truck by the hour. Rates in the Pacific Northwest generally fall between $110 and $210 per hour, depending on crew size, metro, and season.
| Home size | Typical local cost (full-service) |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $400 – $1,000 |
| 2 bedroom | $800 – $2,000 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| 4+ bedroom | $1,800 – $4,500 |
These are planning ranges, not quotes. A one-bedroom apartment with elevator access on a Tuesday costs far less than the same apartment up three flights of stairs on the last Saturday of the month.
Long-distance and interstate costs
Once your move crosses a state line or covers a long distance, pricing switches to weight and mileage. A 3-bedroom home moving cross-country commonly runs $4,500 to $12,000, with the spread driven by distance, total weight, and the time of year.
For interstate moves, always ask whether the estimate is binding (a fixed price), non-binding (an estimate that can change), or not-to-exceed (a cap). A binding or not-to-exceed estimate protects you from surprises on moving day.
What drives the price up
- Timing. Summer (May through September) and month-end are peak. Prices can run noticeably higher than a midweek, off-season move.
- Access. Stairs, long carries, elevators, and tight parking add labor time or flat fees.
- Packing. Full packing service is convenient but adds materials and hours. Packing yourself is the biggest DIY saving.
- Specialty items. Pianos, safes, hot tubs, and appliances often carry separate charges.
- Valuation coverage. Basic coverage is minimal (often 60 cents per pound). Full-value protection costs more but actually covers your belongings.
How to pay less without cutting corners
The most reliable way to control cost is boring but effective: get binding written estimates from two or three reviewed movers and compare them. Beyond that:
- Move midweek and mid-month, outside the summer peak.
- Declutter first — you pay to move weight and volume.
- Pack yourself where you can, and have everything boxed before the crew arrives.
- Confirm what’s included so “extras” don’t appear on the final bill.
Use our moving cost calculator for a quick ballpark, then compare it against real quotes. And before you book anyone, check how they rank in our city-by-city moving reviews — a low quote from a poorly-reviewed crew is rarely a bargain.