It’s important to understand the movers Philadelphia cost before planning your relocation. Whether you’re budgeting for local moving rates in Philadelphia or estimating long-distance moving costs, knowing the typical Philadelphia relocation expenses helps avoid surprises.. This guide will provide you with an understanding of the moving service rates, along with information on what is typically included in the price and advice on how to prevent unforeseen fees.
Online Moving Calculator
Use our calculator to estimate the approximate cost of moving to Philadelphia. We do not collect any data, so you can use this calculator to get an idea of how much your move will cost. However, please note that the cost of moving with real movers will differ.
Fine‑tune
- Labor—
- Travel/Transportation—
- Multipliers—
- Rate—
Average Cost of Local Movers in Philadelphia
Philadelphia local moving is billed hourly. The crew rate ranges from $159/hr for 2 movers + truck to $239/hr for 4 movers + truck. What matters more than the hourly rate is the final invoice total — below is what our 347 completed moves actually cost, by home size.
Based on 347 completed Philadelphia moves (Jan 2025 – Mar 2026), cross-referenced with published rate sheets from 14 other Philadelphia-area movers. Includes labor, truck, fuel, tolls, basic valuation coverage, and standard protection materials.
| Home size | Typical crew | Low (10th %) | Median | High (90th %) | Median hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | $380 | $465 | $610 | 3.0 hrs |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | $520 | $680 | $880 | 4.0 hrs |
| 2 Bedroom | 3 movers | $860 | $1,095 | $1,420 | 5.0 hrs |
| 3 Bedroom | 3–4 movers | $1,320 | $1,680 | $2,180 | 6.5 hrs |
| 4 Bedroom | 4 movers | $1,960 | $2,475 | $3,200 | 8.0 hrs |
Ranges reflect actual final invoices across all Philadelphia neighborhoods and access conditions. Half of our 2BR moves in 2025–2026 came in under $1,095, half came in over — the median is a better budget anchor than a best-case "starting at" figure.
Cost by Philadelphia Neighborhood
A 2BR move in South Philly typically takes longer than the same move in a Main Line suburb — sometimes by more than an hour. Narrow streets, permit-zone parking, walk-up stairs, and shared high-rise elevators all add time, and time is what you pay for. Hour premiums below are the delta between each neighborhood's median hours and the citywide median for the same home size.
| Neighborhood | Typical access issues | Hour premium |
|---|---|---|
| Center City (Rittenhouse, Wash. Sq, Logan Sq) | Permit-zone parking, narrow one-way streets, high-rise shared elevators, doorman/building move-in windows, loading dock reservations. | +1.0 to +1.5 hr |
| Fishtown | Narrow trinity rowhouses with tight interior stairs, 2–3 story walk-ups, scarce street parking, occasional cobblestone side streets. | +0.75 to +1.25 hr |
| Northern Liberties | Mix of converted warehouse lofts and mid-rises, some permit-zone blocks, shared freight elevators in newer buildings. | +0.5 to +1.0 hr |
| South Philly (Passyunk, Bella Vista, Pennsport) | Very narrow streets (some blocks can't fit a 26-ft truck), tight doorways and stair turns, street cleaning zones forcing mid-move truck relocations. | +0.75 to +1.5 hr |
| Manayunk | Steep hills and stepped entryways from street to front door, long carries common, limited truck turnaround off Main St. | +1.0 to +1.5 hr |
| University City (Penn, Drexel area) | Student-heavy buildings with strict move windows, shared elevators during August/September peak, limited short-term parking near high-rises. | +0.5 to +1.25 hr |
| Main Line suburbs (Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Wayne, Villanova) | Long driveways and interior carries on larger homes, no permit requirements, occasional toll-road transit; easiest access conditions but adds drive time. | +0.25 to +0.5 hr |
These premiums are already baked into the invoice ranges in the pricing table above. When we send a written estimate, the crew lead reviews both addresses and factors realistic hours for the neighborhood into the quote — not a "studio rate" followed by an access surprise on move day.
Hidden Fees Philly Movers Often Charge
The charges below are drawn from published rate sheets and PA Public Utility Commission tariff filings of 14 licensed Philadelphia-area moving companies, cross-referenced with inbound calls from customers who had bad experiences elsewhere. WellKnown's written policy on each is listed alongside.
| Fee | Typical charge from other Philly movers | WellKnown's policy |
|---|---|---|
| Long carry (truck parked far from door) | $75–$150 per address for carries over 75 ft; $150–$300 for over 150 ft | Included up to 150 ft. Longer carries quoted upfront before booking — never added on move day. |
| Stairs (per flight above first floor) | $25–$75 per flight, per address; some companies charge flat "third-floor fees" of $50–$100 | No per-flight fee. Stairs add time, and time is already in the hourly rate. No penalty on top. |
| Shuttle service (smaller truck when full-size can't fit) | $250–$500 flat, often first disclosed on move day after the truck can't fit | Only when genuinely needed, disclosed at booking after we review both addresses. Charged at vehicle cost, not marked up. |
| Fuel surcharge | 4%–8% of the total invoice, added at the bottom | $0. Fuel is built into the hourly rate, not a separate line. |
| Weekend surcharge | +$15–$30/hr on Saturday/Sunday, or +10%–15% on the total | $0. Weekends priced the same as weekdays. They do fill faster, so book earlier. |
| Heavy items (piano, gun safe, pool table) | $150–$400 per item, sometimes per flight of stairs the item crosses | Flat $95 per heavy item, disclosed at booking. No stair multiplier. |
How to verify any quote before booking: ask for the estimate in writing with a line-by-line breakdown — hourly rate, crew size, travel time, materials, and every possible add-on with its exact dollar amount. If a company won't put it in writing, that's your answer.
Local Insights for Moving in Philadelphia
When planning your move in Philadelphia, a few local factors can affect both cost and timing:
Parking Permits for Moving Trucks In busy areas like Center City or South Philly, a moving truck often needs a special parking permit. These typically cost $25–$50 and should be arranged in advance to avoid parking fines or delays on moving day.
Avoid Rush-Hour Traffic Philadelphia traffic can add unnecessary time (and cost) to your move. Try to schedule movers outside peak hours—early morning or mid-day is best. Avoiding rush hour not only saves time but also helps reduce hourly labor charges.
Narrow Streets & Shuttle Service Many Philly neighborhoods, especially historic areas, have narrow streets where large trucks can’t fit. In such cases, movers may use a smaller shuttle truck to transport items between your home and the main moving truck. While this ensures your belongings are moved safely, it can add to the final cost.
What's Included in the Hourly Moving Rate in Philadelphia?
The price of movers depends on the number of laborers you hire. For example, moving a studio apartment requires fewer movers, typically two, which helps keep costs lower. On the other hand, a four-bedroom home will need a larger crew to handle the volume and size of the items. The more movers involved, the quicker the move can be completed, but this also increases the hourly rate. If you opt for a full-service move, the cost will be higher as it includes additional tasks like packing, loading, and unpacking.
Most Philadelphia moving companies try to bundle services into the moving expenses breakdown, covering labor, fuel, tolls, and moving insurance coverage. Some companies also include furniture disassembly and reassembly or basic packing supplies. Below we'll break down what an hourly rate with movers typically includes.
Included in Moving Company Prices:
- 🛠️ Labor: Basic, priced hourly, contingent on the number of movers, and sometimes on their experience.
- ⛽ Fuel, tolls, and gas: Tolls and gas are parts of the charges that pay compensation for the use of the moving truck.
- 🛡️ Moving Insurance: For your items.
- 📦 Protection Materials: Boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, and the like – all that is used to protect things when transferring.
- 📋 Additional Services: Packing, storage, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, special care for some items, etc.
Other Factors Influencing Moving Prices:
- 🚛 Distance of the Move: For example, a long-distance move results in spending more money on the truck, overnight lodging, and money for lunches for the movers. Often, movers have an hourly rate per distance noted separately.
- 📅 Moving Day: Movers often charge more on busy days.
- 🏢 Stairs or Absence of Elevators: This can increase the time of labor or the number of movers required.
- 🚶♂️ Long Carry Fees: If the distance between the truck and the home is significant.
- 🚐 Shuttle Service: If you need to move things on a bigger truck, this can mean an additional cost for movers.
As you can see, the price of moving with professional movers can be really complicated. This is the main reason why it is essential to check with the company you are trying to book way before your actual move and, preferably in writing, what is exactly included in this rate and if you have to pay something additionally for your Philadelphia move.
📢 Important Information:
For local movers, you'll receive moving cost estimates based on an hourly rate. This is only an estimate—if the move takes less or more time, the final cost will adjust accordingly. Be ready to pay more if the job runs longer, or save money if it’s done quicker.
Optimal Moving Days for Cost Efficiency
Movers will charge more since most clients are looking for their services during the weekends and at the end of the month. If you can, try to find the mid-week and mid-month days for potential discounts.
- Avoid Peak Times:
- Weekends & Month-Ends: These periods are highest in demand, so movers often charge more.
- Summer:This season is very busy, meaning that flexibility is low and pricing could be high.
- Embrace the Off-Season:In fall, early spring, or winter, there may be lower rates and availability from moving companies.
- Flexibility is Key: If your time allows it, be ready to move at the snap of a finger. Movers may want to fill in with some off-peak specials.
💡 Extra Tip: Inquire about off-peak hour discounts. There are companies that will charge you less for moves done very early in the morning or in the evening.
If you want to learn how to save even more money on your move, we recommend reading our article on budget moving. Here you'll get not just tips, but an entire strategy for an cost-effective move.
🔍 Remember: Even at the peak of the moving season, getting multiple quotes from movers guarantees you find the most competitive price.
Cost of Packing and Moving
How much does packing service cost? Most companies charge their standard hourly labor rate for packing. So, if movers are $100/hour per person, a two-mover packing team would also cost $200/hour. Remember, that's only a labor charge, and always ask your moving company for an estimate on packing material costs. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc., can add up quickly.
💲 Average packing cost for a one-bedroom apartment, two movers — approximately 3 hours labor plus materials: $580–$660.
Learn more about our packing materials pricing.
📖 Packing Guide: If you want to save money on packing for your move, you can do it yourself. Find out more in our article on DIY packing.
Storage Solutions and Rates
Using a moving company with storage services saves time. They handle all details, including finding and organizing storage.
How much do moving companies charge for storage? Storage rates vary based on location, size, and features like climate control and security. Many moving companies in Philadelphia also offer storage services. In Philadelphia, expect to pay the standard moving rate plus a monthly storage fee.
💲 Average storage cost for a one-bedroom apartment, this is typically around $300 per month.
Long-Distance Moving Costs from Philadelphia
Long-distance or interstate moving services have varied pricing. For instance, a move from Philadelphia to another state might cost from $1500 to up to $15000 depending on the destination. Prices are often based on the weight or volume of your belongings. While shared truck space can be more economical, it might take longer for delivery. Alternatively, hiring local movers from Philadelphia to New York might cost around $1600 for a one-bedroom apartment but offers faster delivery.
📢 Important Information:
If we are talking about interstate moving, most movers organize such moves on a flat-rate pricing model: this means that the interstate moving costs assigned to your move will be final and will not change whether the job takes more or less time.
👉Prices can vary, but you don’t need to guess. Use our Moving Cost Calculator for a clear, upfront estimate tailored to your Philadelphia move.
DIY Moving
A professional mover is the best choice if you want a quick move with all of your belongings intact. However, this is not the cheapest way. You can try moving with your own hands.
There are several ways to do this:
- DIY move: You can take care of the entire move yourself. Transportation, driving, loading and unloading, packing and unpacking. This is the most complicated option, but also the cheapest.
- Renting a truck: If you don't have the right transportation, you can rent a truck and do all the work yourself.
- Movers for loading and unloading: Hire professional movers or third-party movers for just the loading and unloading. This is a great balance between your own efforts and costs.
- Optional services: You can hire a professional moving company only for certain tasks, such as packing and unpacking, and handle the rest of the move yourself.
Moving Truck Rental Costs
To rent a moving truck in Philadelphia, the typical costs are as follows:
-
Base cost: Ranges from $19 to $39 per day.
-
Mileage fee: $0.92 to $1.12 per mile.
-
Additional fees: These can include truck coverage ($20 to $55), equipment rental (e.g., dollies, blankets), and parking permits if needed (around $25 to $50 depending on the area).
Additional Tips for Reducing Costs
To make your move as cost-effective as possible, consider the following:
-
Get Multiple Quotes: Always reach out to several moving companies for quotes. This ensures you're getting the most competitive price and helps you understand what different companies include in their pricing.
-
Flexibility Pays Off: If your schedule allows, consider moving during off-peak times like early mornings, late evenings, or outside of the summer season. Movers may offer discounts during these periods to fill their schedule during the non-moving season.
The average cost of movers in Philadelphia depends on your home size, moving date, and distance. By comparing moving services Philadelphia prices and getting multiple quotes, you’ll find the best deal. Whether you need local moving rates in Philadelphia or are budgeting for long-distance movers Philadelphia cost, planning ahead ensures a smooth, affordable move.