Cost to Move a 3 Bedroom Apartment

The average cost to move a 3 bedroom apartment ranges from $1,200 to $2,000+ for local moves and $3,000 to $8,000+ for long-distance moves. Larger apartments require significantly more labor, coordination, and time, which drives higher overall cost.

For a full breakdown 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 3 Bedroom Apartment

• Local move (same city): $1,200–$2,000+
• Medium distance (within state): $2,000–$5,000
• Long distance (cross-state): $3,000–$8,000+

Most 3 bedroom apartment moves take between 6 to 10 hours depending on building access and preparation.

Hourly Moving Rates for 3 Bedroom Apartments

Due to the larger size, 3 bedroom moves typically require bigger crews:

• 3 movers: $150–$300 per hour
• 4 movers: $200–$400 per hour
• 5 movers (large moves): $300–$500+ per hour

While more movers increase hourly cost, they often reduce total move time.

What Increases the Cost of a 3 Bedroom Move?

1. Total Volume of Items

Three bedroom apartments typically include multiple large furniture pieces, appliances, and a higher number of boxes, increasing loading and unloading time.

2. Stairs, Elevators, and Access Constraints

Limited elevator access, narrow staircases, or long carry distances significantly increase labor time. See: how stairs and elevators affect moving cost.

3. Distance Between Locations

Local moves are billed hourly, while long-distance moves are priced based on weight and mileage.

4. Packing and Preparation Level

Unprepared moves slow down crews and increase total cost.

5. Coordination and Timing

Larger moves require more coordination, especially in apartment complexes with limited move windows.

Typical Cost Breakdown

• Labor (largest cost factor)
• Truck and transportation
• Fuel and mileage (for longer moves)
• Packing materials and supplies
• Additional labor for stairs, elevators, and long carries

For additional cost context, review: how much it costs to move out of an apartment .

Example 3 Bedroom Moving Scenarios

Scenario 1: Ground floor + efficient packing → Lower range ($1,200–$1,500)

Scenario 2: Second-floor apartment + standard volume → Mid-range ($1,500–$2,200)

Scenario 3: Third-floor walk-up + long carry → Higher range ($2,200+)

How to Reduce the Cost of a 3 Bedroom Move

• Declutter aggressively before moving
• Pack everything in advance
• Disassemble furniture ahead of time
• Reserve elevator access if available
• Choose off-peak moving dates

Preparation is critical for larger moves. Use our apartment moving checklist to stay organized.

Compare Moving Costs by Apartment Size

• Cost to move a 1 bedroom apartment
• Cost to move a 2 bedroom apartment

3 Bedroom vs Other Apartment Moving Costs

Compared to other apartment sizes:

• Studio: $300–$600
• 1 Bedroom: $400–$800
• 2 Bedroom: $700–$1,400
• 3 Bedroom: $1,200–$2,000+

Larger apartments increase both labor requirements and logistical complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions