How Much Do Movers Cost in New York? 2026 Prices by Size, Borough and Building

By Ade, Owner, FECH Moving & Cleaning Company. Prices checked October 21, 2026.

Most local moves in New York City cost somewhere between about $400 for a studio and $2,000 to $3,000 or more for a three-bedroom. The exact number depends on the crew, the hours, your building and the day you pick. The published figures below disagree by hundreds of dollars, and this guide explains why, so you can read a quote and know what you're actually paying for. These are ranges from other companies' published data, not quotes. Our own hourly rates are further down.

New York movers cost by home size

Home size	moveBuddha (Oct 2026)	Piece of Cake average (Feb 2026)	Moishe's range (2026)
Studio	$398 (2 movers, 3 hours)	$550	$400 to $700
1 bedroom	$558 (2 movers, 4 hours)	$800	$900 to $1,800
2 bedrooms	$909 (3 movers, 5 hours)	$1,200	$1,500 to $3,000
3 bedrooms	$2,118 (4 movers, 8 hours)	$1,900 (3 to 4+ bedrooms)	$3,000 and up
4 bedrooms	$2,432 (4 movers, 9 hours)	Not listed	Not listed

Why the numbers don't match. Each source assumes a different building, crew and set of inclusions. moveBuddha bases its figures on its own customer data, Piece of Cake doesn't explain how it calculated its averages, and Moishe's gives no sources. Moishe's own FAQ puts a Manhattan one-bedroom at $1,500 to $2,500, which tells you how much the building matters. Treat the table as a sanity check. If a quote is far below the lowest figure or far above the highest, ask why.

Per hour, per mover or flat rate: how NYC movers charge

• Hourly. moveBuddha tracks an average of about $110 an hour for a crew, with a two-hour minimum. Moishe's quotes $85 to $110 per mover per hour. Those aren't the same thing. At $85 to $110 per mover, a three-person crew costs $255 to $330 an hour. Always ask whether the rate is per mover or for the whole crew, and when the clock starts and stops.

• Flat rate. You pay one agreed price. Check what it includes. Otter, for example, lists the COI, fuel, tolls, parking tickets and basic disassembly in its fixed rate.

• Binding or non-binding. A binding estimate fixes the price. A non-binding one can change after the movers see how much you have.

What FECH charges

We price by the hour for the whole crew, not per mover. Our posted rates are:

Crew	Rate	Truck
2 Men Only	$100 per hour	No truck. You provide the transport
2 Men & a Truck	$120 per hour	Truck included
3 Men & a Truck	$145 per hour	Truck included
4 Men & a Truck	$170 per hour	Truck included

To show what that means in practice, here is a rough estimate at our posted rates, using moveBuddha's typical crew size and hours for each home size. It is before travel time, stairs, parking and tolls, so treat it as a starting point and not a quote.

Home size	Typical crew and hours	Our rate	Estimated labor and truck
Studio	2 movers and a truck, 3 hours	$120	$360
1 bedroom	2 movers and a truck, 4 hours	$120	$480
2 bedrooms	3 movers and a truck, 5 hours	$145	$725
3 bedrooms	4 movers and a truck, 8 hours	$170	$1,360
4 bedrooms	4 movers and a truck, 9 hours	$170	$1,530

For a number on your own move, use our moving price estimate calculator or call 301-900-6637.

Costs that aren't in the mover's quote

Cost	Typical amount	Notes
Certificate of insurance (COI)	$0 to about $50	Metropolis Moving charges a $40 admin fee per COI ($50 for two). Other movers include it
Manhattan congestion toll	$14.40 peak for a single-unit truck, $21.60 for a multi-unit truck. $3.60 and $5.40 overnight	Applies below 60th Street. Per the MTA. Ask your mover which truck category applies
Stairs	$50 to $75 per flight	moveBuddha figure. Elevators can add $50 to $100
Packing	$16 per bin to pack, $14 per bin to unpack at Otter. Full packing ranges from $860 to $8,600 at moveBuddha	Depends on volume
Storage	$344 to $2,064 a month	moveBuddha range
Tips	$20 to $50 per mover, or 15 to 20% of the move	moveBuddha and Otter figures
Parking tickets and permits	No reliable published figure	Ask who pays
Building move-in fees or deposits	Set by each building	Ask your building manager

What changes the price in each borough

None of the sources I checked publish prices by borough. Moishe's says Manhattan runs 25 to 30% higher than the outer boroughs, and that is the only borough figure available. What follows is what pushes a quote up or down in each borough, so you can judge your own move.

The Bronx

• Pushes cost up: hills in Riverdale, heavy traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway and Major Deegan, and the move scheduling in large complexes such as Co-op City and Parkchester.

• Can lower cost: houses with driveways, and prewar elevator buildings on the Grand Concourse with a straightforward loading routine.

Manhattan

• Pushes cost up: the congestion toll for trucks below 60th Street (Midtown, Chelsea, the Village, SoHo, Tribeca, the Financial District), COI requirements, freight elevator windows, and East Village walk-ups that add labor.

• Can lower cost: the Upper West Side, Upper East Side above 60th, Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood sit outside the toll zone, and short moves within a neighborhood use fewer hours.

Brooklyn

• Pushes cost up: stoops and steep stairs in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, narrow streets with alternate-side parking, and COI and elevator slots in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Downtown Brooklyn towers.

• Can lower cost: many Brooklyn moves are short, so fewer drive hours.

Queens

• Pushes cost up: a move from Long Island City into Midtown crosses into the toll zone, co-op rules in Jackson Heights and Forest Hills can limit move hours, and the Rockaways add bridge tolls.

• Can lower cost: walk-ups and two-family houses in Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside and Ridgewood usually don't need a COI, so the quote is mostly labor and stairs.

Staten Island

• Pushes cost up: bridge tolls and long drives to Manhattan or New Jersey. Ask whether tolls are in the quote.

• Can lower cost: houses with driveways and garages, and fewer COI and elevator rules.

How much to tip movers in New York

For a local move, moveBuddha suggests $20 to $50 per mover. Otter suggests 15 to 20% of the move price, split among the crew. Tip more when the job is hard: five flights of stairs, a piano, a long carry. Tip at the end, in cash, to the crew leader or to each mover.

How to lower your New York moving cost

1. Pick the right date. Moishe's reports November through February running 15 to 30% below the June to September peak. moveBuddha says peak season, weekends and the last three days of a month cost 20 to 30% more. Mid-month and midweek is the cheapest combination.

2. Get the COI in early. Without it, the building may not let the crew in, and you may lose your date.

3. Reserve the elevator for the whole move. A crew waiting on an elevator is a crew you're paying to wait.

4. Tell the mover about stairs, long carries and parking when you ask for the quote. Surprises on the day are what push the price up.

5. Declutter first. moveBuddha estimates $344 to $688 saved by decluttering, and $200 to $400 for cutting 500 pounds. If you have a lot to clear out, junk removal before moving day can shorten the job.

6. Pack what you can yourself. Hire help for fragile and high-value items.

7. Compare two or three written quotes using the same inventory.

8. Ask about discounts. moveBuddha reports 10 to 25% off where discounts are available.

Mistakes that cost New Yorkers money

• Comparing hourly rates without comparing crew size, minimums and travel time.

• Leaving out the fourth-floor walk-up or the long carry from the curb.

• Missing the building's COI deadline.

• Booking a weekend at the end of the month in summer.

• Not asking who pays for tolls and parking tickets.

• Picking the cheapest quote without checking the mover is registered. Our page on moving services in New York lists what to ask.

How to read a moving quote

• Is the rate per mover or for the whole crew?

• What is the minimum number of hours?

• Does travel time count?

• Are tolls, parking tickets, the COI, materials and disassembly included?

• Is the estimate binding or non-binding?

• What are the deposit and cancellation terms?

• For interstate moves, FMCSA says you aren't required to pay more than 100% of a binding estimate, or 110% of a non-binding one, to get your goods delivered.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move a one-bedroom apartment in NYC?

Published figures run from about $560 to $1,800, depending on the source, the building and the crew. A two-person crew for three to five hours is common for a studio or one-bedroom.

How much do movers charge per hour in NYC?

moveBuddha tracks about $110 an hour for a crew, and Moishe's quotes $85 to $110 per mover. FECH charges $120 an hour for two movers and a truck. Ask which kind of rate your quote uses.

Is it cheaper to move in winter in New York?

Yes, usually. One mover reports November through February 15 to 30% cheaper than the summer peak.

Do movers charge extra for stairs?

Often. moveBuddha lists $50 to $75 per flight. Tell the mover about walk-ups when you request the quote.

Is a rental truck cheaper than hiring movers?

On paper, yes. moveBuddha lists $159 to $1,499 for a truck rental in New York City. Then add parking, tolls, helpers, your time and the risk of damage.

Do I pay for the certificate of insurance?

It depends on the mover. One charges $40 per COI, and others include it. Ask before you book.

Get a free quote for your move

Want a number for your own move? Send FECH your addresses, floors and date. Call 301-900-6637, email info@fechco.com, or see our moving services in New York.

About the author. Ade is the owner of FECH Moving & Cleaning Company, which has served Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia and New York for more than 15 years.

Sources: moveBuddha, Piece of Cake, Moishe's Moving Systems, Otter Moving & Storage, Metropolis Moving, MTA Congestion Relief Zone toll, FMCSA Protect Your Move.