Best cheap moving companies

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Updated: 03/07/2024

Allied Van Lines, International Van Lines and Eagle Moving Group

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The cost of hiring a moving company — like many other services lately — has been on the rise. But you don’t have to spend your life savings in order to move — you just have to find a high-value, low-cost moving company you can trust. In this guide we’ve gathered our picks for the best cheap moving companies, as well as tips on finding the right mover for you.

Our picks

To make our choices for the best cheap moving companies, we collected 17 data points for each of 70 companies. We used this data to evaluate cost as well as other factors, like availability and add-on services, to make our final selections.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners that 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 on our site of at least 3.4 stars out of 5.

Eagle Moving Group

3.6

528 reviews

Availability: All 50 states
USDOT number: 3545015

Eagle Moving Group, based in Boynton Beach, Florida, is a moving broker that books long-distance, local, residential, office, military and weekend moves. The company handles the planning and partners with carriers to perform the physical relocations.

You can arrange short- or long-term storage when you move with Eagle Moving Group. The company also moves fine art, pianos, pool tables and other large items, and it offers vehicle transport and packing services.

According to review analysis on our site, Eagle Moving Group has a reputation for being both affordable and quick. Customers seem to like that its pricing structure is more simplified than with other movers, which can be a big relief as you budget and work out the many details associated with a move.

Morium from Florida said about their experience: “Excellent service. Finished earlier and cheaper than expected while taking great care of my stuff.” Morium did say the request for packing assistance got lost in the mix — “so make sure when doing estimate that packing assistance is listed before your move date if you want it.”

Allied Van Lines

3.7

775 reviews

Availability: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
USDOT number: 76235

Allied Van Lines offers local, long-distance, interstate and international moving, as well as moving container shipping, corporate relocation and military relocation services. Its add-on services include fragile packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, short-term and long-term storage and auto transport.

Allied can survey your belongings virtually for an accurate moving quote. You can schedule an appointment online and do a walk-through with a moving coordinator through the company’s app in order to get a personalized estimate.

You can track your Allied shipments online as the carrier travels, so you never have to wonder where on the route your driver is. Also, whether you’re moving within the U.S. or internationally, Allied has focused solutions for corporate relocations — the company adheres to a 20-step system and provides specialized concierge service for workplace moves.

Reviewers on our site mention Allied’s customer service and good prices. A reviewer from Virginia said about the company: “Good with communication and all workers are respectful and work diligently. … Priced very well and they were happy to give me the same price that it cost me to move from the previous year, where other movers were pricing gouging.”

International Van Lines

4.6

890 reviews

Availability: The continental U.S.
USDOT number: 2293832

International Van Lines offers local, long-distance and international moving services. Its website provides cost estimates for various relocation scenarios, taking into account total distance, home size and any additional packing services.

As of publishing, IVL’s estimate for a short-distance move from a three-bedroom house is $200 per hour (for a total of four movers). The company also offers full-service packing, furniture assembly and disassembly, debris removal and auto transport.

IVL is more transparent than many of its competitors regarding costs. As of publishing, its website includes current “accessorial costs for long-distance moving” (any additional fees like elevator, stair and piano handling charges). It also provides several educational resources, with general information about different types of moves and moving companies.

Happy IVL customers on our site often mention friendly service and good value. A reviewer from California said: “Showed up on time - I've never had this happen with movers, ever. Reasonable cost — they charged by the person per hour and were quite efficient. Nice, friendly movers — nice guys that were good at their work. Integrity — I'd use them again if I move in the future. I cannot recommend them enough.”

What affects moving costs?

Moving costs vary depending on several factors, such as distance and house size, as well as the following elements:

Additional services: If you add on extra services, like packing and unpacking, your costs can increase pretty quickly. Some moving companies may also charge extra for certain moving scenarios — for example, in the event they have to carry your furniture up a flight of stairs.
Weight of items: Even if you have a one-bedroom apartment, you could pay more in moving fees if you have a significant number of belongings. Having heavy items, like a solid-wood armoire, could also add to your fees.

Where can I find cheap movers?

To find the best price for moving services, start by searching reputable review sites for low-cost movers. On each moving company’s profile page, you should be able to read the pros, cons and customer reviews. Make sure to check out not only the positive reviews but also the negative ones — bad reviews can shed some light on any issues you're likely to encounter.

You can also contact a moving broker, a third party that sets you up with a moving company based on your needs and your budget. A broker can help take the burden of researching companies off your shoulders, which could be worth the cost if it’s in your budget.

How to choose a cheap moving company

One of the best ways to find a moving company is to ask family and friends for their recommendations. Real estate agents and apartment leasing managers may also be able to offer companies their clients have worked with.

Whether you decide to work with a broker or a moving company directly, make sure the company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A broker must have an MC Docket number, and any carrier operating across state lines must have a USDOT number.

Avoid moving scams by thoroughly vetting each company you’re considering. If a company asks for a significant deposit, look elsewhere.

Once you’ve narrowed down a list of at least three reputable companies, ask for a quote from each one. Be sure a company representative completes an in-house assessment before putting together your quote — this ensures a more accurate estimate. The company should also provide a moving contract.

With the number of moving scams on the rise, here are a few red flags to watch out for to protect yourself:

The company does not complete an assessment of your belongings.
The company does not provide a written quote or a moving contract.
The company requires a significant cash deposit in order to secure its services. Legitimate moving companies may still require a small deposit of $100 or so for a local move.

Above all, never feel pressured to sign a contract immediately upon receiving it — it’s best to give yourself time and space to read over the details on your own.

Tips for keeping moving costs low

While moving can be expensive, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to reduce your overall moving costs:

Declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need. Movers assess fees based on the estimated weight or volume of your items. Selling or donating unneeded items can not only save you money, but it also frees up space in your new home. This is especially true if you donate larger items, like a piano (the fee to move a piano could be $200 or more).
Complete packing and moving yourself. One of the cheaper ways to move is to rent a truck and load the items yourself. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need at least one extra set of hands on moving day, so be prepared to ask a friend or family member for help. You may also consider renting or borrowing moving equipment to make the job a little easier.
Consider moving in off-peak season or on a weekday. Summer is the busiest time for moving companies, so prices are often the highest then. If your moving day is flexible and you can wait to move until the fall or winter, you may find significant cost savings by delaying the move. Weekday rates are also typically lower.

FAQ

Can you negotiate with movers?

You can negotiate with movers, but you’ll need quotes from other companies as a bargaining tool. Be sure to mention ahead of time that you’re gathering multiple quotes and that you’re looking for the best value. If asked about your moving budget, try to mention the services you want rather than a dollar figure. Compare each company’s quote by line item, and use those figures to negotiate service prices. You can also ask about any discounts the company offers, like for teachers or law enforcement.

How much should you tip movers?

Rather than thinking of the tip as a percentage of the total bill, you can calculate it based on the number of hours worked per mover. For a move that’s four hours or less, $20 to $40 a person is a good guideline. For a full-day move (about eight hours), the tip might be $40 to $80 a person, though you can add more if you’d like to show your appreciation for movers who exceed your expectations.

What’s the cheapest way to move long-distance?

One of the cheapest ways to move long-distance is to pack and move the belongings yourself. You’ll still need to consider the costs of packing materials (boxes, packing paper, cushioning material, etc.), which can cost $100 or more. You can always ask for free boxes from retail or grocery stores to save money. Renting a moving truck costs from $100 (local move with few belongings) to $4,000 or more for a cross-country move.

When should you hire movers?

Hiring movers is a big financial decision, so you’ll want to make sure you can comfortably afford the cost. It may be worth it to take much of the headache of moving off your plate — movers are efficient and can often get you into your new place more quickly than if you do the heavy lifting yourself.

Bottom line

Don’t stress if you need to find a cheap mover — there are options out there to fit most price ranges. Check out review sites and conduct further research on the companies that offer the services you need. Bear in mind that you may need to be flexible with moving dates to save money.

Even if money is tight, you might still consider hiring professional movers if you need to relocate quickly for a new job or another obligation, especially if it’s an interstate or cross-country move. No matter which route you take, make sure to thoroughly research any moving company or broker before you sign a contract.

Article sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, “Spot the Red Flags.” Accessed Dec. 15, 2022.

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