On average, movers in New Jersey cost anywhere from $90 to $150 per hour for local moves, with most NJ moves landing between $600 and $2,500 total, depending on the size of your home, distance, and services needed, according to Forbes. That range can go higher for long-distance moves, larger homes, or jobs that require packing, storage, or specialty handling. While New Jersey tends to be more affordable than NYC, costs can still add up quickly once you factor in stairs, long carries, or multiple stops. The key to managing your moving costs in NJ is understanding what drives pricing, budgeting early, and choosing a moving company that’s transparent about fees and expectations.
What Increases Moving Costs in New Jersey?
The biggest factors are the size of your move, how far you’re moving, and whether you need extra services like packing or specialty item handling. Accessibility issues also play a big role. Things like stairs, long carry distances, and tight parking can add time to the move and increase your total cost. Once you understand how these factors work together, it becomes much easier to budget realistically and avoid surprise charges on moving day.
Size of Move
One of the biggest factors for the cost of your New Jersey move is how much stuff you plan on moving. In general, the more stuff you have, the more expensive your move will be. According to This Old House, when movers provide an initial estimate, they usually do so based on how many bedrooms you have and provide an educated guess based on their years of experience. That’s why it is so important for the movers to do a live or virtual walkthrough of your home so they can provide a more accurate estimate. That way, neither of you will be surprised on moving day.
Common NJ Moving Fees & Their Average Costs
| Additional Moving Fee | What It Covers | Average Cost in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Stairs (per flight) | Carrying items up or down a full flight of stairs when no elevator is available | $50 – $100 per flight |
| Long Carry Distance (per 50 ft) | Distance from the truck to the entrance exceeds standard allowance (typically 50–75 ft) | $75 – $150 per 50 ft |
| Elevator Usage | Extra time waiting for or sharing an elevator in apartments or high-rise buildings | $75 – $200 flat fee |
| Appliance Disconnect / Reconnect | Safely disconnecting and reconnecting washers, dryers, refrigerators, or similar appliances | $50 – $150 per appliance |
| Bulky or Specialty Items | Handling oversized or high-value items like pianos, safes, pool tables, or gym equipment | $150 – $600+ per item |
While each moving company will offer slightly different pricing, below is an average cost for a local move:
- 1 Bedroom – $1,000
- 2 Bedroom – $1,200
- 3 Bedroom – $1,500
- 4 Bedroom + – $2,800
Distance of Move
How far you’re moving also has a huge impact on the final bill, as well as how the movers charge you. For local moves – 100 miles or less – movers tend to charge an hourly rate. Out-of-state, and over 100 miles from the point of origin and movers will bill by distance and volume. According to Forbes, you can expect the following averages for both local and long-distance moves.
- Short distance moves (<100 miles) – $1,200-$3,800
- Long distance moves (>100 miles) – $5,200-$8,900
- Out-of-state moves – $4,200-$10,500
Extra Services
The above averages are for basic moving services. If you require additional services like packing, unpacking, storage, and so on, it will add to your final bill. The cost of these services varies per company, so it’s always best to ask the movers if they offer these services and how much they would cost. Be as specific as possible on what you need to avoid any surprises. Some common services include:
- Packing – generally, you will get charged by the hour for packing and unpacking services. The more stuff you have packed, the higher the cost. If you’re on a tight budget, you can hire movers to pack specific rooms or items to ensure they are covered by the valuation protection
- Storage – many moving companies offer short- and long-term storage options. Costs vary by length and size of the unit. You can rent a unit on a weekly or monthly basis.
- Packing Materials – purchase boxes and other packing supplies directly from the mover. These tend to be more expensive than if you buy them yourself.
On top of extra services, don’t forget to ask about extra accessibility fees. Many movers will charge you for things like stairs, appliance services, specialty item handling, and more. Make sure to mention any and all of these beforehand so it’s baked into your quote.
How Can You Save Money for Your NJ Move?
While the cost of a move can seem daunting, the good news is that there are a lot of ways you can bring down the costs without sacrificing quality. Some of your best options are to declutter and sell off some of your belongings, book early and compare quotes, pack yourself, and find free packing supplies.
Declutter
As noted above, one of the main contributors to cost is how much you’re moving, so the more you can reduce, the better. When decluttering, be ruthless and only keep items that you use on a consistent basis. If you’re moving long-distance, consider getting rid of heavy items like furniture. You can always find some new or used options once you move to your new place. Besides reducing the amount of stuff you’re bringing with you, you can also sell items that are in good condition at a garage or yard sale. While you won’t be able to recoup the cost of the original value, whatever you end up getting can be put towards your moving budget.
Book early and compare quotes
When hiring an NJ moving company, you want to start looking at least 8-10 weeks before your move, especially if you plan on moving during the spring and summer or at the end of the month. Not only does it give you enough time to do your research and find reputable companies that offer the services you need, but you can also use the time to negotiate the prices with them. For example, if you are moving during the winter season or during the week, you might be able to get lower rates. Better yet, if there’s a company that offers a lower quote, many companies will match it so long as it is not completely unreasonable.
Seasonal Moving Costs in New Jersey
| Season / Timing | Demand Level | Average Hourly Rate (NJ) | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Jan – Mar) | Low | $90 – $120/hr | Best pricing, more flexibility, and weather-related risks |
| Spring (Apr – May) | Moderate | $110 – $140/hr | Balanced pricing, improving availability |
| Summer Peak (Jun – Aug) | Very High | $140 – $180+/hr | Highest prices, limited availability, book early |
| Fall (Sep – Nov) | Moderate | $110 – $140/hr | Stable pricing, fewer delays than summer |
| End of Month / Weekends | High | +10% – 25% premium | Higher demand regardless of season |
Pack yourself
While you shouldn’t go completely DIY with your move, one of the easiest ways to save money is to pack as much yourself. Start a few weeks before your move and pack up rooms and items that you don’t use often. As you get closer to your move date, start packing other rooms and leave the necessities for last. Speaking of necessities, don’t forget to pack a bag and/or box of necessary items like a change of clothes for a few days, toiletries, bedding, and important documents.
If you happen to have a lot of fragile items, you might want to hire the movers to pack those for you. That way, if they are damaged in transit, the movers will be held liable. This is true if you purchase third-party moving insurance, opt in for full valuation, or choose the released valuation. Either way, most of these options won’t pay out if you pack the fragile items yourself and they are damaged during the move unless you can prove the movers handled the items improperly.
Find free packing supplies
While boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap aren’t expensive by themselves, all of these little things can add up to hundreds of dollars and a lot of waste. Before you purchase anything new, first ask your friends, neighbors, or even coworkers if they have any boxes or other packing materials that you might be able to use for your own move. You can also ask local stores for their boxes, and if you’re good with the mailroom at work, you can see if they’d be willing to give you some packing tape.
If that doesn’t work, check out places like Boxcycle to find nearby used boxes for cheap or check out listings on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Ready to Make Your NJ Move?
Moving in New Jersey doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all price tag, but knowing what goes into the cost gives you a real advantage. When you understand how factors like home size, distance, timing, and extra services affect pricing, you can plan ahead, set a realistic budget, and avoid last-minute surprises. Taking the time to compare quotes, declutter before you pack, and work with a reputable moving company can make the entire process smoother, less stressful, and ultimately more affordable.
FAQ
How much do movers cost in New Jersey on average?
Most local moves in New Jersey cost between $600 and $1,500, depending on the size of your home and how long the move takes. Long-distance moves typically cost more and are priced based on distance and shipment weight.
Do New Jersey movers charge by the hour or a flat rate?
Local moves are usually charged by the hour, while long-distance moves are priced at a flat rate based on mileage and the amount of belongings being moved.
Is moving in New Jersey cheaper than moving in NYC?
Yes, in most cases moving in New Jersey is more affordable than moving in NYC. New Jersey typically has fewer building restrictions, easier parking, and lower hourly rates.
What time of year is cheapest to move in New Jersey?
Fall and winter are generally the cheapest times to move in New Jersey. Summer months, weekends, and end-of-month dates tend to be more expensive due to higher demand.
Do stairs and elevators affect moving costs in New Jersey?
Yes. Stairs, long hallways, and limited elevator access can increase the time it takes to complete a move, which can raise your total cost for hourly moves.
Are packing services included in the cost of movers?
Packing services are usually an add-on and not included in standard moving quotes. Full or partial packing can increase your total cost but may save time and reduce stress.
