Local movers in New Jersey charge about $135 per hour, and most companies bill a 2-hour minimum, according to November 2026 pricing data from moveBuddha and FreightWaves. A typical local move runs from about $470 for a studio to about $2,900 for a four-bedroom home. A long-distance move of 100 miles or more usually starts around $1,700 and can pass $9,600 for a large house.
Those are averages. Your price depends on how much you own, how easy your home is to load, how far you are going, and when you move. This guide breaks down local and long-distance rates in New Jersey, explains how movers here must quote, and shows where the money actually goes.
Average Cost of Local Movers in New Jersey
A local move is usually anything inside the state or within about 100 miles, and it is almost always priced by the hour. The hourly rate covers the movers and the truck, and the total depends on how many hours the job takes. Here is what New Jersey moves typically cost by home size, based on moveBuddha’s November 2026 data:
| Home size | Typical movers | Typical hours | Average total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 | 3 | $468 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 | 4 | $657 |
| 2 bedrooms | 3 | 5 | $1,074 |
| 3 bedrooms | 4 | 8 | $2,507 |
| 4 bedrooms | 4 | 9 | $2,878 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 5 | 10 | $4,438 |
Treat these numbers as planning figures, not quotes. A two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of a walk-up can take longer than a three-bedroom ranch with a driveway, and the price follows the hours.
How Hourly Pricing Works for Local Moves in NJ
New Jersey regulates movers that work inside the state, and those rules shape what an hourly quote must include. Under N.J.A.C. 13:44D-4.2, an estimate for an hourly move has to list three things:
- The number of trucks and the hourly cost of each truck
- The number of movers and the hourly cost of each mover
- The estimated number of hours to finish the move
Because the bill is based on time, the final cost of an hourly move is not known until the job is done. That is why the estimate matters. If it is based on a real inventory of your home, the hours should land close to the number you were given.
Most New Jersey movers also set a minimum charge, usually 2 hours, and many add travel time between the yard and your home. Ask about both before you book, since they make the biggest difference on small moves.
Long Distance Moving Costs From New Jersey
Long-distance moves from New Jersey average $1,710 to more than $9,690, and a two- or three-bedroom home usually falls between $3,876 and $5,130, according to moveBuddha. These moves are not priced by the hour. Depending on the mover, you may be charged by the weight of your shipment, by the cubic feet it fills, or by a binding price set before the move.
Moves across state lines fall under federal rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the type of estimate decides what you pay at delivery:
| Estimate type | What it means | What you pay at delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Binding | A fixed price for the services listed | 100 percent of the estimate |
| Non-binding | A projection based on the expected weight and services | No more than 110 percent of the estimate, with any balance billed later |
The 110 percent rule comes from 49 CFR 375.405. It limits what a mover can collect when the truck arrives, but it is not a cap on the final bill, so read the estimate carefully and keep a copy.
What Changes the Price of Your Move
How Much You Are Moving
Inventory is the biggest factor. More furniture and more boxes mean more hours on a local move and more weight on a long-distance one. Clearing out what you no longer need before the estimate is the single easiest way to lower the price.
Stairs, Elevators and Long Carries
Every flight of stairs, every elevator wait, and every extra yard between the truck and your door adds time. Shore homes raised on pilings, walk-up apartments, and blocks with no curb space all take longer to load. Mention them during the estimate so the hours are realistic.
Packing
If you hire movers to pack, expect to pay their hourly rate for the packing time plus the cost of boxes and packing materials. Packing just the kitchen and fragile items is a common middle ground that saves money without risking the dishes.
Pianos, Pool Tables and Hot Tubs
Heavy and awkward items need more movers, special equipment, or extra time, and some need to be taken apart. Most movers want to see these items in person before quoting, so plan for an on-site visit if you own one.
The Date You Choose
Summer moves, weekend moves, and moves in the last three days of a month can cost 20 to 30 percent more, according to moveBuddha. October through April is usually the cheapest window, and a midweek date in the middle of the month gives you the best chance at an open schedule.
How to Check a New Jersey Mover Before You Pay
A low price means little if the company is not allowed to do the job. Since 1999, every mover that performs moves within New Jersey has needed a license from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Licenses come in three types: PM for moving, PW for warehousing, and PC for both. Licensed movers must also display a state decal on the driver’s side door of their trucks.
Before you sign, check these four things:
- The mover’s license on the Division of Consumer Affairs website
- A USDOT number with the FMCSA if the move crosses state lines
- A written estimate from at least three movers, as the Division recommends
- The state consumer brochure, which licensed movers have to give you before the move
How to Lower Your Moving Cost in New Jersey
- Move between October and April, on a weekday in the middle of the month.
- Sell, donate, or toss what you do not want before the estimate, not after.
- Pack books, clothes, and closet items yourself and leave the fragile pieces to the movers.
- Empty heavy or fragile drawers, and disconnect appliances and electronics before the movers arrive.
- Give the mover a full, honest inventory so the estimate matches the job.
- Ask about discounts. Many movers offer savings for seniors, veterans, or referrals.
How SETT Movers Quotes a Move
SETT Movers gives free estimates by phone, by video call, or in your home. For most local moves, we can quote from your inventory over the phone or on a short video walk-through. For homes with four or more bedrooms, office moves, or items such as a piano, pool table, or hot tub, we suggest an on-site estimate so we don’t miss anything.
We accept all major credit cards and cash, and we offer senior and veteran discounts plus a referral bonus. The same movers who load your truck deliver it, whether you are moving across town with our local moving service or out of state with our long-distance movers. If you are moving in Ocean County, our guide to the cost of hiring movers in Toms River covers that market in more detail.
Ready to see your own number? Request a free estimate and tell us your moving size, both addresses, and your target date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do movers cost per hour in New Jersey?
About $135 per hour on average in 2026, based on moveBuddha and FreightWaves data. The rate covers the movers and the truck, and it rises with the number of movers on the job.
Is there a minimum charge for local movers in NJ?
Most New Jersey movers charge a 2-hour minimum. Some also add travel time between their yard and your home, so ask before you book.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house in New Jersey?
About $2,500 for a local move, based on moveBuddha’s 2026 averages. A long-distance move of a similar home usually costs $3,876 to $5,130 or more, depending on distance and weight.
Do movers in New Jersey need a license?
Yes. Any mover working within New Jersey needs a license from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, and interstate movers also need a USDOT number from the FMCSA.
Is a binding estimate better than a non-binding one?
A binding estimate gives you a fixed price, which makes budgeting easier. A non-binding estimate can be lower or higher than the final bill, but on an interstate move, you never have to pay more than 110 percent of it at delivery.
When is the cheapest time to move in New Jersey?
October through April, on a weekday in the middle of the month. Summer, weekends, and the last few days of a month cost the most.