Best Moving Companies

The importance of hiring a responsible, professional mover with good customer reviews cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, there are plenty of shady companies out there that specialize in scamming people, bilking them for extra dollars at the end of a move or doing a poor job.

This guide can help you find the best moving company, educate you on what to look for as you plan your move and give you a better understanding of all that goes into packing up and relocating.

What to consider when hiring movers

It's crucial to find a reliable mover with a history of happy customers. The company should align with your expectations in terms of service types, cost and transparency.

Types of moving services

One thing to bear in mind is that not all movers are alike, and there are different types of services to choose from. The type of moving service you need depends largely on two things: how far you’re moving and what you’re moving.

• Local moving companies: These businesses aren’t able to transport goods across state lines. If you live in a larger, urban area, you may find movers that only operate within your metro area. If you’re relocating within the same state or simply moving from one part of the city to another, this is the service you need.
• Long-distance moving companies: If you’re moving to a different state, you’ll need to use a moving company that’s registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for interstate services.
• International: When you move out of the country, your belongings will usually need to travel by boat or plane, making the logistics much more complicated. There are some domestic companies that offer this service.
• Full-service moving: A full-service provider packs up your belongings, transports them to your new home, and unloads and unpacks for you. With a partial-service option, the moving company only packs up certain items while you do everything else. With a self-serve model, you’re responsible for packing, loading and unloading your belongings, but you’ll depend on the moving company for transport.
• Specialty movers: Most moving companies have restrictions on the items they can transport. For instance, antiques, pianos, cars, artwork or gun safes may need to be transported separately by movers eith the special equipment and skills to do this.

How much do movers cost?

For local moves, you might pay between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars, while a cross-country move can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. The cost to hire movers can vary widely.

Below are some factors that affect moving costs:

• Local vs. long-distance moving: Local movers tend to charge by the hour and worker, while interstate movers charge a flat fee based on the distance, weight and volume of the load.
• The extent of service: If your movers are packing and unpacking your belongings, your costs will be much higher. Expect to pay between $300 to $500 more if you also want packing services.
• Complexity: If either your current or new location has a lot of stairs or is in other ways hard to get to (say, it’s on a narrow street that a large truck can’t conveniently park on), you’ll likely see an added fee.
• Time of the year: Summer is the most popular time to move and also when you’ll see the highest rates. The same goes for weekends. If you can move in the off-season or midweek, you may be able to reduce costs.
• Storage: Storing your belongings before or after your move may cost extra, but most full-service moving companies will be able to provide this service (some offer a free or discounted month upfront).
• Gratuity: Tipping movers is a fairly standard practice, but it’s not required. That said, if you’re happy with your service, it’s nice to set aside $20 to $50 in cash per worker.

How moving quotes work

There are three main types of moving quotes:

• Nonbinding: Nonbinding estimates are a best guess of your costs. Most contracts allow the company to charge no more than 10% above the quoted amount.
• Binding: Binding quotes aren’t as common, but with these, the company is legally obligated to charge you only what’s quoted as long as there are no changes to the inventory.
• Binding-not-to-exceed: These are essentially the same as a binding estimate, except you could end up paying less if the actual load weight is lower than the estimate.

To make sure you're getting the most accurate moving quotes, always get an in-home or virtual survey. The more detailed your survey, the fewer surprises—and extra charges—you’ll face on moving day.

You want at least three quotes in writing from different movers. These should be as accurate as possible, which ideally means getting an in-home survey (though this can be done virtually). During the survey, be sure to point out any larger items you won’t be taking with you. Include those in outdoor spaces, like sheds or garages.

When you find a company you want to move forward with, sign a detailed contract only if it has an itemized inventory list. If there’s loss or damage, you’ll need this documentation to file a claim. Your contract should include details about valuation and insurance, which generally fall into one of two categories for interstate moves:

• Full-value protection: Most companies use full-value protection by default. It offers the most comprehensive coverage and essentially means the mover is liable to repair, replace or cover the cost of repair or replacement for any lost or damaged item. The only exceptions are items of “extraordinary value” assessed at over $100 per pound, which need to be individually named and may be insured separately by a third party.
• Released-value (limited-value) protection: This is the least expensive option and will only reimburse you for a fraction of your item’s value. This insurance is based on weight and will pay up to 60 cents per pound. You must opt into this type of coverage.

You may be asked to pay a small deposit to hold your date, but the bulk of your payment should be due upon delivery once you know the job has been completed to your satisfaction.

How to save money when moving

Moving is expensive, even if you do everything yourself. The best way to approach this is to set a moving budget early and try your best to stick to it. That said, there are a few ways you can cut down on costs:

• Pack everything yourself.
• Move in the off-season or midweek.
• Get quotes from multiple companies.
• DIY your move by renting a moving container.
• Get free boxes and moving supplies from local businesses or neighbors who’ve recently moved.
• Look into a trunk rental.
• Pitch in on moving day, (without getting in the way), especially if you're paying movers by the hour.

» READ MORE: Should you hire professional packers?

How can I avoid moving scams?

• Ask lots of questions. The associates should be knowledgeable and transparent.
• If you’re moving across state lines, ensure the mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• A legit mover should take inventory of your belongings either virtually or in person ahead of the move. If the company doesn’t offer this service, beware.
• Never pay a large deposit — many movers don’t ask for more than 20% to 40% of the total cost upfront.

» MORE: How to avoid moving scams

How to choose the best moving company

Hiring a reputable moving company is likely your single biggest relocation expense, so you want to get it right. Below, we walk you through the key steps: researching companies, evaluating their services and determining your best option.

1. Assess your needs

Before you start looking for a moving company, you need a clear idea of what the moving process will look like for you. Figure out what you’ll take with you and what you’ll leave behind. Once you know this, you can decide how much you want (or need) your movers to do.

If you’re trying to stay within a budget, you may decide to do a lot of the prep work yourself by packing everything before the moving crew comes. On the other hand, if you know you can’t take a lot of time off work during the move, you may want the movers to do everything for you.

2. Start researching

Ask family, friends and neighbors for their recommendations and experiences with moving companies. Some of the best tools you have are the people you know. If you’ve just bought a new home, your real estate agent is also a great resource for advice.

Once you have a few companies in mind, check out their websites, and then branch out to read reviews from impartial sources.

3. Get detailed quotes from at least three companies

Many companies have online quote tools or provide estimates over the phone. While this is a good place to start, it doesn’t take the place of an in-home survey.

During the survey, the company’s representative compiles a detailed inventory of what you’ll be moving, which they use to calculate your estimate. In-home estimates are almost always free and give you the most accurate idea of your costs.

4. Check licensing and insurance

All reputable moving companies should be licensed and insured, and any commercial moving truck crossing state lines is required to have a USDOT number. You can verify this on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. At the state level, regulations will vary, so it’s best to check with your state’s Department of Transportation about what makes a mover legit.

5. Compare quotes and make a decision

Read through all your quotes thoroughly and compare them side by side. Don’t be tempted to go with the lowest bid — if an estimate comes in significantly lower than the others, it may indicate that charges were left out or that you’re working with a dishonest company.

How to prepare for a move

Preparation is key to ensuring a smooth move, and by starting early, following this checklist and staying organized, you’ll set yourself up for success.

1. Look at the big picture: Take an initial inventory of your needs, including your time frame, how much you have to move and your budget, keeping in mind you’ll want to hold some money back for incidental expenses.
2. Declutter: Most movers charge by weight and cubic volume, so you may want to pare down your heaviest belongings (e.g., books, aging furniture, appliances). The cost and hassle of moving these older items may not be worth it.
3. Start packing: Give yourself plenty of time to pack. Start with areas you don’t use as frequently — like the guest room, garage or closets — or with seasonal items like sports equipment, lawn tools, winter clothing and kitchen gadgets. Aim to get one room done every day and stick to your plan. Labeling is also key: We recommend labeling each box to make it easier for the movers to get everything in the right place when they unload.
4. Gather your essentials: A week out from the big day, make sure you have your essentials boxes planned out. Ideally, everyone in your household has one box or bag that gets them through moving day and the day after. This should include a change of clothes, toiletry items and necessary medication.
5. Get mover's contact info: Make sure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate with the driver about where they should park for loading and unloading. If possible, plan to have kids and pets out of the way to make it easier for your movers to do their job.

What reviewers say about their moving experiences

We analyzed the past three years of consumer reviews of moving companies on our site and discovered that the overall satisfaction rating was 4.2 stars. Companies that we pick for inclusion in this guide all have ratings of 3.4 stars or higher as of publishing.

Other key takeaways from our review analysis of moving companies on ConsumerAffairs:

• Punctuality makes the biggest positive difference to those who’ve hired movers. Reviewers who mention speed of service rate their companies higher than average.
• On the flip side, mentions of refunds and payouts are associated with a less favorable average rating (3.3 stars).
• Overall, customers who mention the price give their movers a positive average rating of 4.2 stars.
• Reviewers had the highest percentage of complaints about sales and marketing tactics: 88% of reviews that mention marketing are negative, and 12% are positive.

Survey results

We surveyed 1,000 reviewers on our site who worked with moving companies in the past three years to get a sense of why and where they moved. See a few insights below to see how your choices compare.

Why and where Americans are moving

Most respondents said they simply need more space, but those we surveyed moved for all kinds of reasons.

Most survey respondents said they were moving within their current metro. Only 1% said they were moving internationally.

The best and worst states to move to in 2024

If you’re looking for a new state to call home but don’t know where to start, ConsumerAffairs has you covered. Our research team compared all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., across five categories — affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety — to rank the best states to move to in 2024.

Key insights

• Only two Western states make the top 10 best to move to — but they happen to be ranked first and third on the list.
• Utah is the best state to move to, according to our rankings. It finished first in affordability, third in economy and third in quality of life.
• California’s poor scores in education and health, quality of life, and safety make it the worst state to move to, our research suggests.

Top 5 states to move to in 2024

ConsumerAffairs weighed five factors to determine the best states for movers in 2024: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. The following five states all scored highly in different categories, offering a diverse range of benefits for new residents. Here's how the states stacked up:

1. Utah

Our analysis shows Utah should get top consideration as a new home. Its affordability score is the highest of any state and can be attributed to its low property taxes — residents had a 0.57% average effective rate in 2021, according to the Tax Foundation — and relatively high median household income ($79,449 median in 2021, according to census data).

Along with Idaho, Utah is one of only two states in the top 10 in the Western U.S.

2. New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s high scores for economy, education and health, and safety land it at second place in our rankings. The state has the lowest percentage of people in poverty as of 2022 (7.2%, census data shows) and is second in the country in rates of both violent and property crimes, according to FBI data. The median household income of $88,465 is the fifth-highest in the country.

3. Idaho

Idaho and top-ranked Utah are the only states in our top 10 in the Western U.S. According to our migration trends report that analyzed where people are considering moving to and from in 2024, Idaho is clearly generating interest among residents of other states.

Notably, Idaho has the highest possible score for health care quality, based on a 2023 report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The state also has low crime rates, with the least property crime in the U.S.

4. Minnesota

If you drive a lot, you’ll be interested to know that Minnesota has the highest-quality roads of any state in the U.S., according to our 2024 study. The state is also in the top five for lowest share of its population in poverty (9.6% in 2022).

Other economic factors also stand out in Minnesota: Its unemployment rate, at 2.7% as of the publishing date, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is seventh-lowest in the country. Overall, Minnesota finished with the eighth-highest economy score in our study.

5. Massachusetts

Massachusetts has strong scores among each of the five factors we considered for our rankings. It’s not the most affordable state, but the median income, at $89,645, is third-highest in the country. Housing values are also third-highest in the country as of May 2024, according to Zillow. Overall, the Bay State has the fourth-highest economy score in our study.

Massachusetts’ education and health score is seventh, thanks to having the highest percentage of the population insured (97.6%, census data shows) and the best high school graduation rate (96.1%, according to Wisevoter). Safety is also a strong point; Massachusetts has the eighth-best score, including the third-lowest property crime rate.

See how your state ranks

Here’s a breakdown of the factors we analyzed to calculate each state’s total score. See how your state compares with others in affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety.

Best states to move: Methodology

To determine the best states to move to in 2024, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., across five equally weighted categories, each worth 20 points: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. The scores for each of the five categories were calculated using the following metrics:

• Affordability: The affordability score is based on three metrics: regional price parity (8 points), which measures price level differences; median household income (7); and median annual property taxes (5). We got this data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tax Foundation.
• Economy: The economy score is based on four metrics: the share of the population living in poverty (5 points); population growth (5); unemployment rate (5); and home value, using the Zillow Home Value Index (5). We used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, ConsumerAffairs’ migration trends data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow.
• Education and health: The education and health score is based on three metrics: the share of the population that is insured (5 points), the overall quality of care as rated in the 2023 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (8) and high school graduation rate (7). We got data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Wisevoter.
• Quality of life: The quality of life score is based on three metrics: the quality of roads (8 points), weather (7) and the percentage of people who use public transportation to commute (5). We analyzed data from ConsumerAffairs’ study on the worst roads in America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. For weather, we examined the annual average daily dose of ultraviolet irradiance.
• Safety: The safety score is based on three metrics: property crime rate (7 points), violent crime rate (8) and the ratio of law enforcement employees to population (5). We used data from the FBI.

The best-performing state for each of the 16 individual metrics received the maximum number of points, and all other states were assigned points relative to how the top state performed. We added the scores together to get the final score.

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

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