Cost to Move a 1 Bedroom Apartment

The average cost to move a 1 bedroom apartment ranges from $400 to $800 for local moves and $1,500 to $4,500+ for long-distance moves. Final pricing depends heavily on access, distance, labor time, and how prepared you are before movers arrive.

For a full overview of pricing across all apartment sizes, see our complete apartment moving cost guide. For total move-out expenses beyond movers, review full move-out cost breakdown.

Average Cost to Move a 1 Bedroom Apartment

• Local move (same city): $400–$800
• Medium distance (within state): $800–$2,000
• Long distance (cross-state): $1,500–$4,500+

Most 1 bedroom apartment moves take between 3 to 5 hours for a standard two-person moving crew.

Hourly Moving Rates for 1 Bedroom Apartments

Movers typically charge hourly for local apartment moves:

• 2 movers + truck: $100–$200 per hour
• 3 movers: $150–$300 per hour

Most companies require a 2-hour minimum plus possible travel time.

What Affects the Cost of a 1 Bedroom Move?

1. Stairs vs Elevator Access

Walk-ups increase labor time significantly. Third-floor apartments without elevators can increase costs quickly. See how building access affects pricing: stairs and elevator cost impact.

2. Distance Between Locations

Local moves are billed hourly, while long-distance moves are priced by mileage and shipment weight.

3. Amount of Furniture and Boxes

Minimal setups move faster and cost less. Fully furnished apartments take longer to load and unload.

4. Parking and Carry Distance

Limited parking or long hallways increase total labor time.

5. Move Timing

End-of-month, weekends, and summer moves cost more due to demand.

Typical Cost Breakdown

• Labor (time-based)
• Truck and transportation
• Fuel charges
• Packing materials (if needed)
• Additional labor for stairs or long carries

Most charges reflect time and difficulty rather than hidden fees.

Example 1 Bedroom Moving Scenarios

Scenario 1: Ground floor + short distance → Lower cost range ($400–$500)

Scenario 2: Second-floor apartment + moderate distance → Mid-range ($600–$900)

Scenario 3: Third-floor walk-up + long carry → Higher cost ($900+)

How to Lower the Cost of a 1 Bedroom Move

• Declutter before moving day
• Pack everything in advance
• Reserve elevator access (if applicable)
• Choose mid-week moving dates
• Ensure easy parking for movers

Planning ahead reduces both cost and move-day stress. Use our apartment moving checklist to stay organized.

Compare Moving Costs by Apartment Size

• Cost to move a 2 bedroom apartment
• Cost to move a 3 bedroom apartment

1 Bedroom vs Other Apartment Moving Costs

Compared to other apartment sizes:

• Studio: Typically $300–$600
• 1 Bedroom: $400–$800
• 2 Bedroom: $700–$1,400

Larger apartments increase both time and labor requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions