Best cheap moving companies

The cost of hiring a moving company — like many other services lately — has been on the rise. But you don’t have to spend your life savings in order to move — you just have to find a high-value, low-cost moving company you can trust. In this guide, we’ve gathered our picks for the best cheap moving companies and tips on finding the right mover for you.

Our top 3 picks for cheap movers

To make our choices for the best cheap moving companies, we looked at 17 data points each for 70 companies. We used this data to compare cost and other factors, including availability and add-on services, to make our final selections.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear. As of publishing, each company on this list has a rating on our site of at least 3.5 stars out of 5.

• Allied Van Lines
• International Van Lines
• U-Pack

Allied Van Lines offers local, long-distance, interstate and international moving, as well as moving container shipping, corporate relocation and military relocation services. Its add-on services include fragile item packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, short-term and long-term storage and auto transport.

Allied can survey your belongings virtually for an accurate moving quote. You can schedule an appointment online and do a virtual walk-through with a moving coordinator through the company’s app to get a personalized estimate.

International Van Lines offers local, long-distance and international moving services. Its website provides cost estimates for various relocation scenarios, taking into account total distance, home size and any additional packing services.

As of publishing, IVL’s estimate for a short-distance move from a three-bedroom house is $200 per hour (for a total of four movers). The company also offers full-service packing, furniture assembly and disassembly, debris removal and auto transport.

U-Pack is a moving and storage company that focuses on moves of 100 miles or more. It’s available throughout the U.S., including Puerto Rico, and Canada. It offers quotes through its website — you just need to provide your address and a list of the items you’ll be storing or moving.

You can opt for short- or long-term storage with U-Pack, and you can choose between a trailer or typical storage container. The company gives you three business days to fill the container once it’s delivered.

What affects moving costs?

Moving costs vary depending on several factors, such as distance and house size, as well as the following elements:

• Additional services: If you add on extra services, like packing and unpacking, your costs can increase pretty quickly. Some moving companies may also charge extra for certain moving scenarios — for example, in the event they have to carry your furniture up a flight of stairs.
• Weight of items: Even if you have a one-bedroom apartment, you could pay more in moving fees if you have a significant number of belongings. Having heavy items, like a solid-wood armoire, could also add to your fees.

Where can I find cheap movers?

To find the best price for moving services, start by searching reputable review sites for low-cost movers. On each moving company’s profile page, you should be able to read the pros, cons and customer reviews. Make sure to check out not only the positive reviews but also the negative ones — bad reviews can shed some light on any issues you're likely to encounter.

You can also contact a moving broker, a third party that sets you up with a moving company based on your needs and your budget. A broker can help take the burden of researching companies off your shoulders, which could be worth the cost if it’s in your budget.

How to choose a cheap moving company

One of the best ways to find a moving company is to ask family and friends for their recommendations. Real estate agents and apartment leasing managers may also be able to offer companies their clients have worked with.

Whether you decide to work with a broker or a moving company directly, make sure the company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A broker must have an MC Docket number, and any carrier operating across state lines must have a USDOT number.

Avoid moving scams by thoroughly vetting each company you’re considering. If a company asks for a significant deposit, look elsewhere.

Once you’ve narrowed down a list of at least three reputable companies, ask for a quote from each one. Be sure a company representative completes an in-house assessment before putting together your quote — this ensures a more accurate estimate. The company should also provide a moving contract.

With the number of moving scams on the rise, here are a few red flags to watch out for to protect yourself:

• The company does not complete an assessment of your belongings.
• The company does not provide a written quote or a moving contract.
• The company requires a significant cash deposit in order to secure its services. Legitimate moving companies may still require a small deposit of $100 or so for a local move.

Above all, never feel pressured to sign a contract immediately upon receiving it — it’s best to give yourself time and space to read over the details on your own.

Tips for keeping moving costs low

While moving can be expensive, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to reduce your overall moving costs:

1. Declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need. Movers assess fees based on the estimated weight or volume of your items. Selling or donating unneeded items can not only save you money, but it also frees up space in your new home. This is especially true if you donate larger items, like a piano (the fee to move a piano could be $200 or more).
2. Complete packing and moving yourself. One of the cheaper ways to move is to rent a truck and load the items yourself. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need at least one extra set of hands on moving day, so be prepared to ask a friend or family member for help. You may also consider renting or borrowing moving equipment to make the job a little easier.
3. Consider moving in off-peak season or on a weekday. Summer is the busiest time for moving companies, so prices are often the highest then. If your moving day is flexible and you can wait to move until the fall or winter, you may find significant cost savings by delaying the move. Weekday rates are also typically lower.

Bottom line

Don’t stress if you need to find a cheap mover — there are options out there to fit most price ranges. Check out review sites and conduct further research on the companies that offer the services you need. Bear in mind that you may need to be flexible with moving dates to save money.

Even if money is tight, you might still consider hiring professional movers if you need to relocate quickly for a new job or another obligation, especially if it’s an interstate or cross-country move. No matter which route you take, make sure to thoroughly research any moving company or broker before you sign a contract.