Philadelphia is known for its arts, culture, and colonial and revolutionary-era history. It is a great place for someone who values a quiet pace of life.
But when you’re thinking of moving within or out of Philadelphia, the most important question that could pop up in anyone’s mind might be, “What is the moving cost in Philadelphia?”
To give you a basic idea, the average hourly rate of hiring movers in Philadelphia comes around $139-$199.
Hence, the average moving cost in Philadelphia would be around $460-$4,145 if you are planning to relocate locally. These costs will be different if you are planning to move long-distance.
However, you need to know that these are just estimated figures, and the actual moving cost will depend on various factors, including the size of your move, the distance, the time of your move, and how many movers you hire (the cost would increase whenever you hire an additional mover)
You also need to be mindful of the fact that beyond 100 miles, some moving companies in Philadelphia may charge you extra.
In this blog, we will go into detail about how much movers charge in Philadelphia based on the type of your move, the distance, factors that affect your move, and tips on how you can cut down on moving costs.
DIY Moving Vs. Hiring Professional Movers: Make a Choice
Before you plan to move within or out of Philadelphia, make a choice between DIY moving vs. hiring professional movers and choose what works best for you.
DIY Moving
If you are planning to move locally, within or out of the city, and if you feel you don’t have the budget to hire a professional moving company, then you can go for DIY moving.
To make your move easier, you can rent a moving truck or containers to transport your belongings safely to your new home.
The one thing that you need to be prepared for in DIY moving is that you would need to pack, load, drive, and unload all your belongings on your own.
Below, given in the table, is the approximate estimate of how much it will cost to rent a truck per day.
| Size of Your Home | Truck Size | Truck Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment or 1-bedroom apartment | 10-15ft | $19-$29 +$1.99 per mile |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | 17-20ft | $29-$39 +$1.99 per mile |
| 3-bedroom or more | 20-26ft | $39-$49 + $1.99 per mile |
Apart from that, you’ll need good-quality moving supplies to ensure that all your belongings are securely loaded onto the moving truck and transported to your new home.
Please note that these are estimated figures; the accurate costs will depend on several factors, including fuel charges, how long you have the truck, parking, accommodation and food, tolls, etc.
Hiring Professional Movers
If you feel you have a lot of belongings that cannot be handled alone, it is better to hire professional movers; they are well-equipped to handle heavy furniture and delicate items.
While they focus on the difficult aspects of moving, you can manage other essential tasks.
It is the same if you are moving long distances; instead of packing, loading, driving, and unloading all your belongings on your own, it is advisable to hire a full-service professional moving company that knows how to safely transport your items to your new place.
How Much Do Local Movers Charge To Move In Philadelphia
To give you an estimate, the average cost of hiring movers in Philadelphia is around $139-$199 per hour; however, it may vary depending on your location and the moving company you choose.
This means that the total cost of moving would be around $455-$3240, depending on the size of your home.
In Philadelphia, every move is unique. In some moves, there will be a requirement to pack the valuables and move specialty items, while in others, the movers just need to load the belongings in the truck.
It all depends upon the customers’ needs. Therefore, before finalizing your move, it is important that you create a moving checklist on what items you need to move.
Have a realistic moving budget and convey to your local moving company what your requirements and expectations are regarding the move.
Now, let’s get an estimate of how much you will have to pay if you take residential moving services or office moving services.
Residential Moving Cost
The residential moving cost will vary based on the number of rooms your property has. To give you an estimate, we have mentioned a breakdown of what you can expect in the moving process.
| Size of The Home | Average Hourly Cost | Number of Movers Required | Number of Hours | Average Moving Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | $139 | 2 movers +1 truck | 2-3 hours | $460-$535 |
| 1-Bedroom | $139 | 2 movers +1 truck | 4-5 hours | $575-$1020 |
| 2-Bedrooms | $199 | 3 movers + 1 truck | 6-8 hours | $1.210-$1,620 |
| 3-Bedrooms | $199 | 3 movers +1 truck | 9-12 hours | $1,810-$2,450 |
| 4 or More Bedrooms | $259 | 4 movers +1 truck | 12 or more hours | $3,108-$4,145 |
Please note that these figures are approximate and can vary based on the moving company you choose, any additional movers you hire, the distance, and the time taken to complete the move.
For every additional mover, some moving companies may charge around $80 extra. The price can vary as it solely depends from company to company.
Office Moving Cost
The office moving cost depends on several factors, including the size of your office, how many movers you have, and the distance of your move.
Office Size
The size of the office is essential to know how many belongings your movers will have to move. Depending upon the overall square footage, the more office equipment you have, the more time movers will take to move your belongings.
How Many Movers You Hire
If you are planning to move a small office, the average cost of hiring two movers and one truck would be $139 per hour.
However, if your office has large, heavy, and bulky equipment that weighs more than 200 pounds, then you will be charged extra; you will also need additional movers, which will increase the range up to $259 per hour.
How Far Is The Location
The cost of moving long distances is higher than the cost of moving locally within the city. Some moving companies charge extra for every move that is over 100 miles.
Below are the approximate cost ranges for an office move in Philadelphia:
| Size of the office | Number of Movers | Average Hourly Charges | Time Duration | Average Moving Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-Sized Office | 2 movers +1 truck | $139 | 5-8 hours | $710-$1200 |
| Medium-sized Office | 3 movers + 1 truck | $199 | 8-10 hours | $1650-$2100 |
| Large-sized office | 4 movers + 1 truck | $259 | 10-14 hours | $2500-$3700 |
Note that these approximate costs and the final price can vary based on different factors.
Average Long-Distance Moving Cost In Philadelphia: Here’s What You Can Expect
Whether you’re moving out of Philadelphia for work or want to start a whole new life altogether, you need to hire a long-distance moving company to make your move successful and seamless.
Here are the estimated average costs of moving out of Philadelphia to different cities and counties.
Average Moving Cost From Philadelphia To New York City
The move from Philadelphia to New York City can cost you between $970 to $3800. The 94-mile move will take you around 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
Average Moving Cost From Philadelphia To Atlanta, GA
The 784-mile move from Philadelphia to Atlanta, GA, can cost you between $3580 to $11,000 and can take around 12-14 hours to complete the move.
Average Moving Cost From Philadelphia To Los Angeles
The 2700-mile move to Los Angeles can take you around 40-43 hours and would cost you between $6800 to $24,000.
Average Moving Cost From Philadelphia To Chicago
The move from Philadelphia to Chicago would cost you between $3200 to $10,500. The 754-mile move would take you around 11-13 hours.
5 Factors Affecting The Moving Cost In Philadelphia
We have mentioned time and again that there are several factors that affect your total moving cost in Philadelphia. It’s time to discuss these factors in detail:
1. How Far Is The Location
The first and foremost factor that decides the moving cost is the distance of your location.
If you are planning a move within the city (locally), then the moving cost would be lower than moving long-distance.
Usually, moving companies charge around $139-$145 per hour for two movers and one truck.
Remember, every move beyond 100 miles might increase your cost as you will have to pay for fuel, lodging, stay, and food.
2. When Are You Moving
Your moving date also plays an important role in influencing your moving cost.
Expect to pay higher prices during the summer as it is the peak moving season, and moving companies charge 20%-30% higher than the average moving costs.
The busiest months for moving are from May to September. Weekends are usually expensive, with Fridays and Saturdays being the most popular moving days.
However, you can expect to pay less to Philadelphia movers between October and April.
3. Cost of Packing Materials
If you are planning a DIY move, be prepared to pay extra for packing materials. The cost of buying good quality packing supplies will increase your overall moving cost in Philadelphia.
Below is the given list to give you an estimate of how much some of the packing materials may cost:
- Moving Boxes: $5.50 (approx)
- Wardrobe Boxes: $12
- Bubble Wraps: $30
- Packing Paper: $45
But here, if you hire a full-service professional moving company, you can save on packing materials costs as they come prepared with great-quality moving supplies.
4. What Additional Services You Take
Your moving cost also depends on what additional services you take. Some moving companies may charge you extra if you want to take the packing and unpacking services.
If you have specialty items like artwork, pianos, gym equipment, or chandeliers, you don’t have to worry about carrying them on your own as movers have the expertise to handle them carefully and transport them to your new home, but they come with an extra fee.
Similarly, if you feel you don’t have enough space to store your belongings in your new home, then movers can offer you an additional service where you can keep your belongings carefully in 24-hour surveillance climate-controlled storage units.
Steps On How You Can Cut Down On Your Moving Costs
1. Declutter Your Space
Get rid of items you don’t need to save on that extra cost. Donate items that you no longer use to charity homes.
You can even sell items online that are in good condition and of no use to you. The less belongings you’ll have, the less you have to pay to the movers.
2. Do The Packing Yourself
A full-service moving company provides services including packing/unpacking, loading, unloading, and furniture assembly or disassembly.
The simplest way to cut down on costs is to pack yourself instead of choosing professional packing services.
Apart from saving costs, if you pack yourself, you’ll have the peace of mind that your valuables are packed safely.
3. Do Not Relocate During Peak Moving Season
Avoid relocating during peak moving season if you don’t want a hole in your pocket. Instead, plan to move during off-peak moving seasons (Oct-May).
Also, schedule your moves on Weekdays (Mon-Thurs) instead of weekends, as moving at the start and end of the month is expensive.
4. Get Multiple Moving Quotes
To get the best deal, it would be beneficial to compare multiple moving quotes and then decide which one suits you the best.
Finding the right moving company is important to ensure that you get the best price along with the services as well as your items are safely transported to your new home.
Also, confirm the costs of any additional services or heavy item fees to avoid any unwanted surprises later.
Bottom Line
Living in Philadelphia is slightly more expensive than the state average, but with proper planning and a realistic moving budget, you can cut down on extra costs.
Before estimating the moving cost, it is advisable that you declutter your home to get an accurate estimate.
You should be aware that the total moving cost in Philadelphia would depend on the size of your home, the number of belongings you have, and the time of your move.
If you want to have a seamless move, it is better to hire professional movers. It may increase your moving cost, but you can be assured that your belongings will be safely transported to your new home.
But if you feel hiring professional movers would increase your budget, then DIY moving can also be a suitable option; choose what works for you.
FAQs
1. How can I save money on moving costs in Philadelphia?
To save money on moving costs in Philadelphia, declutter your home and donate or sell the items you no longer need. Use recyclable or free packing materials instead of buying brand new, but ensure that they are of good quality. Get multiple moving quotes from different moving companies, compare their services, and choose the one that meets your needs.
2. How do you make sure that you are working with licensed movers?
To ensure you’re working with licensed movers, always verify their licenses with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and check their DOT number on the website. Also, check their reviews on trusted websites and platforms.
3. Can I just hire movers to load the truck?
Sometimes, people don’t want to handle the stressful task of carrying and loading heavy furniture and boxes, so there is often a question that arises in people’s minds: “Can I hire movers just to load the truck?” the answer is yes, if you want to save that extra money, this can be the most convenient and cost-effective option.
