Best local moving companies

Most moving companies consider moves within 100 miles of your current home to be local moves. A move of a few miles can be easier than a cross-country move, but one thing holds true when it comes to all relocations: You have to pack up, load, transport, unload and unpack your entire home — no matter how far you go. This is why it often makes sense to hire a moving company to help.

Our top picks for local movers

To make our choices for the best local movers, we collected 17 data points each for 70 companies. We analyzed these data points to compare cost, 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 of at least 3.6 stars out of 5 on our site.

• Allied Van Lines
• North American Van Lines
• Mayflower

Allied Van Lines performs local as well as long-distance, interstate, international, corporate and military moves. It also offers specialty packing for fragile items, furniture disassembly and reassembly, short- and long-term storage and auto transport. According to the company’s website, Allied has completed 750,000 moves in the U.S. over the last 15 years.

North American Van Lines offers full-service (including fragile item) packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, storage solutions, GPS tracking and auto transport. You can hire the company to perform local, long-distance, interstate, international, corporate and military relocations.

North American Van Lines provides 24/7 customer service and virtual in-home quotes. You can use a tablet or mobile device to show the company your belongings so it can determine how much you have, how much it weighs and the layout of both homes.

Mayflower is a local, long-distance and international mover. It offers the typical additional services, including full-service packing, fragile packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, storage solutions and auto transport, but it also offers installation services and debris removal. Like North American Van Lines, Mayflower also provides a dedicated moving agent to help ensure your move goes smoothly.

How much does a local move cost?

The average cost of a local move ranges from $80 to $100 per hour for a crew of two. Local moves are typically billed hourly, while cross-country moves are usually billed based on the distance of the move and amount of belongings.

Save money on your local move by shuttling easy-to-move or fragile items to your new home before your move day, if possible.

How much your local move costs ultimately comes down to a few important variables — the biggest is usually how many items you have to move. If you have a sprawling four-bedroom house, you’ll pay more in labor than someone with a small, minimalist one-bedroom apartment.

The two other factors that drive the cost of a local move are the distance of the relocation and the number of fragile or bulky items you have to transport. The greater the distance between your new home and your old one, the more hours on the clock for your movers. And if you have items like a piano or fragile mirrors, you’ll have to pay more for special packing and handling.

Easy access to your home can also save you money. If your apartment is at the top of four flights of stairs, you’ll probably have to pay an added fee. The same goes for a lack of parking — if your moving truck has to park far from your home, you can expect additional charges.

What to look for in a local mover

Start your search for a local mover by asking friends and family for recommendations. You can also go online and search for local moving companies. However you come up with your list of movers, check that any company you’re considering is registered with your state or with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Look for a USDOT number.

While a USDOT number isn't required for a local, intrastate move (it is required for an interstate move), it shows a company is committed to best practices in the moving industry and lets you check a mover’s safety and complaint history.

Also, look for a company that offers clear, easy-to-understand pricing. A reputable company will provide a written estimate based on your belongings, the difficulty of the move and how long it should take. Keep in mind this is usually a general quote, and the price may change if your move takes longer than expected.

Even if your trusted friend gave a great review for a local mover, always check online reviews for an overall picture of the company. If there are more negative reviews than positive ones, you might want to steer clear.

Local moving tips

Moving is stressful, but with the proper preparation, you can avoid problems before they arise.

1. Create a moving folder with a to-do list

No matter how near or far you go, you still have to pack and unpack an entire household and update your utilities and address. A relocation comes with lots of moving parts, so staying organized is key.

Book your local move at least four weeks in advance to snag the best time and date — and note that movers are busier during the summer months.

2. Declutter all you can before moving day

You may be tempted to pack everything you own for a local move, thinking you can deal with items you don’t want once you get to your new home — but don’t forget you’re paying for every single thing you move. Not only will you save on your moving bottom line, but unpacking will also be easier.

3. Look for free or cheap boxes and packing materials

You can find free boxes at liquor and grocery stores and on online marketplaces. If you have any new neighbors, you might ask them — people who just moved are often eager to get rid of supplies that’ll be in their way.

4. Cut costs by starting early

If you have access to your new home before your move-in date, you might consider shuttling over items yourself before the big day. This could be ideal for fragile items like art, plants and ceramics. This way, your local movers are only transporting your heavy, bulky items.

Bottom line

Whether you hire a moving company for a local move all comes down to your ability to move yourself, how much stuff you have and your budget. If you have minimal possessions and are on a tight budget, you may be able to ask your friends for help and move yourself. But if you have a large household and aren’t great at packing or driving a truck, it’s likely a good idea to hire a local moving company.

When looking for a local moving company, start by asking trusted sources for recommendations and looking online for companies with stellar reviews. Don’t forget to also check a mover’s USDOT number to see its safety and complaint record.