About Our Data

How We Collect Data

Our moving cost estimates are compiled from multiple sources including industry rate surveys, published moving company pricing, government data on household mobility, and publicly available cost-of-living indices.

We cross-reference data points from multiple sources to establish reasonable averages. When exact data is unavailable for a specific city or route, we extrapolate from comparable markets using factors like population size, cost of living, and regional pricing patterns.

Methodology

• City and state pages: Cost averages are based on a standard 2-bedroom home with typical furnishings. Local move averages assume moves under 50 miles. Long-distance averages assume 500+ miles.
• Route pages: Costs are estimated for a 2-bedroom home (approximately 5,000-7,000 lbs) using the driving distance between origin and destination cities. DIY costs include truck rental and fuel estimates.
• Bedroom size pages: Weight estimates are based on typical household furnishings for each home size. Cost ranges reflect the spread between low-cost and high-cost markets.
• Cost of living data: Our cost-of-living index values are AI-generated estimates created for general comparison purposes. They are based on publicly available data and are not sourced from any single proprietary index. The national average is set at 100, with values above indicating higher costs and below indicating lower costs.

Limitations

All cost figures on this site are estimates and averages. Your actual moving costs will vary based on:

• Time of year (summer moves cost 20-30% more than winter)
• Day of week (weekday moves are typically cheaper)
• Specific mover pricing and availability
• Access conditions (stairs, elevators, parking distance)
• Volume and weight of your belongings
• Special items (pianos, antiques, hot tubs)
• Insurance and packing service choices

We strongly recommend getting quotes from at least 3 moving companies before booking. Our estimates are a starting point for budgeting, not a substitute for actual quotes.

Update Frequency

We review and update our data on the following schedule:

• Moving cost data (cities, states, routes, bedroom sizes): reviewed quarterly, with year labels updated annually
• Cost of living indices: reviewed biannually
• Blog content: reviewed every 6 months for accuracy, with statistics updated as new data becomes available
• State guides: reviewed quarterly for tax rates, housing prices, and other fast-changing data

Each data page shows a "Data last reviewed" date so you can see when the information was last verified.

Report Inaccurate Data

If you notice data that seems incorrect or outdated, we want to know. Accurate information is critical to helping people budget their moves. Please reach out to us and include the specific page URL and what looks off. We review all reports and update data as needed.