Average Cost of Moving 1 Bedroom Apartment

Arguably, the biggest concern that most people have when moving is how much it’s going to cost. While a one-bedroom apartment may be small compared to a large four-bedroom home, you still might be considering hiring a professional moving company. The exact cost will vary based on the distance of your move, the specific company that you hire, where you live, and any additional services that you select.

With this in mind, what is the average cost of moving a one-bedroom apartment?

To move a one-bedroom apartment locally (less than 100 miles), your movers will charge you by the hour and the total cost ranges from $400 to $1,600. With long-distance moves (over 100 miles), your moving company will charge you based on the weight and distance. So, to move a one-bedroom long-distance you’re looking at between $2,000 and $6,000 on average.

Of course, getting an in-home estimate done by a professional apartment moving company is the best way to know exactly how much it’ll cost you to move your one-bedroom apartment. However, the following guide will give you a general overview of what to expect.

Average Local Moving Cost – One-Bedroom Apartment

With local moves, or moves less than 100 miles, movers usually charge by the hour. The average rate for two movers and a moving truck is roughly $100 an hour, which should be enough movers to assist with a one-bedroom apartment move. This type of move generally takes between three and five hours in total, bringing the cost of labor alone to $300 to $500.

Though, it’s important to keep in mind that every one-bedroom apartment is unique. The actual cost of your move, and whether or not it is higher or lower than the aforementioned averages, will depend on the following factors:

• The amount of stuff you have in your one-bedroom apartment.
• How easy the access is between the moving truck and front door at both the origin and destination location.
• Long carry charges (long hallways and inaccessible parking situations).
• The distance of your move.
• Whether or not you choose packing and unpacking services.
• The moving company you hire.
• Moving goods up and down flights of stairs.
• The specific date that you move.

When you request a quote from your moving company, make sure that you are as detailed as possible about your relocation. This, along with requesting an on-site estimate, will ensure that you receive the most accurate quote possible.

Average Long-Distance Moving Cost – One-Bedroom Apartment

Instead of charging by the hour, long distance movers calculate costs based on the total weight of your shipment, the distance the movers must travel, and the price of additional insurance and extra services requested. While prices will vary from moving company to moving company, the following table should give you a rough idea of the average range for moving a one-bedroom apartment long distance:

One bedroom apartment (approx. 3,500 pounds)	500 miles	1,000 miles	3,000 miles
Standard move w/ no extra services	$1,500	$2,000	$3,700
w/ packing services	$1,800	$2,200	$4,000
w/ additional insurance	$1,800	$2,200	$4,000
w/ packing and insurance	$2,000	$2,500	$4,200

Again, these are only estimates and the actual cost of your move will vary considerably. Depending on the amount of stuff you have in your apartment, the total weight of your one-bedroom apartment may be more or less than 3,500 pounds.

DIYing Your One-Bedroom Apartment Move

One-bedroom apartments are small and manageable enough that DIYing the move may be a feasible option. Oftentimes, handling the moving process on your own is the more affordable way to move. Though, if you choose to opt for renting a moving truck and enlisting the help of some of your friends, there are still costs to consider:

• Moving truck rental. Prices will vary based on the company you rent the truck from, the size of the truck, and the distance of your move. Fuel may be an added expense, as some rental companies require that you return the vehicle with at least a half tank of gas. To put things in perspective, a 10-foot U-Haul moving truck – that is meant to accommodate the contents of a one-bedroom apartment – starts at $19.95 for local moves plus an extra $0.89 per mile.
• Moving materials. When you choose to DIY your move, you’re going to need all of the necessary moving materials and supplies to pull off your relocation. You can purchase packing kits from moving supply websites for between $40 and $100, but these only come with cardboard boxes and packing paper. Other supplies you’ll need to budget for include furniture pads, mattress bags, bubble wrap, securing straps, and more.

Pro Tip: For smaller moves – like a one-bedroom apartment – you can seek out free boxes from local establishments. You may also be able to get away with using towels, linens, and blankets in place of moving blankets or furniture pads. 

Cost Saving Tips

If the cost of moving your one-bedroom apartment is a concern, there are numerous steps you can take to cut costs. The following are some tips to help you save as much money as possible when relocating a one-bedroom apartment.

1. The less stuff you have to move, the less you’ll pay. When you’re preparing for your move, spend some time considering whether the stuff you own is worth taking with you or can be purchased used or new again in your new location. To save the most money, only take the essentials and sell, donate, or gift the rest. After all, the more stuff you need to move, the more expensive your move is going to be.
2. Handle the packing yourself. You can save a ton of money by choosing to forgo packing and unpacking services from your professional moving company. Of course, this process requires a lot of time and energy on your part, but doing it all yourself is the most affordable option.
3. Choose your moving date wisely. Peak moving season occurs during summer months, when moving companies are in high demand. As such, this is the most expensive time to move. Moving at the beginning and end of a month as well as on the weekend is also generally more expensive than the alternative. In most cases, you can negotiate a better rate or a lower minimum if you opt for an off-peak day.
4. Coordinate parking in advance. Prior to your move, make sure that you speak with your landlord regarding parking for your movers. Alternatively, you can plan to arrive early and use your own car to save a spot for the truck. For loading and unloading purposes, you want to secure the most convenient place to park the moving truck. This will help prevent unnecessary time being added to your move. 
5. Be prepared. When moving locally, the majority of your charges are based on the amount of time it takes for your movers to complete your move. With that said, you can save money by planning and preparing for your relocation months in advance. Things like disassembling furniture and detaching mirrors from dressers will save on time – thus, saving you money on your move.

Ready to get your move started? Look no further than Three Men And A Truck to help you move your one-bedroom apartment. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our moving experts to request your free, no-obligation estimate, and find out how you could save up to 20% on your next move!

Written by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.

If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at Chris@threemenandatruck.net

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