How Much Does It Cost to Move Locally in Jersey City?
Moving is stressful enough without even considering how much it will cost. Between packing, organizing, and planning, there’s hardly any time to budget. So, how much do Jersey City movers cost?
The average cost of local moves in Jersey City is $1,036 whereas long-distance moves average $5,182. Jersey City movers typically charge $140 to $430 per hour depending on the moving services you choose. Services like full packing can increase your moving costs by up to $700. You can expect to spend $0.75 to $0.99 per mile for long-distance moves.
It costs an average of $650 to move a 1-bedroom apartment locally, and $3,455 long-distance. Everything from the size of your moving crew to the insurance plan you choose can influence the cost. Follow along as we explore what you can expect to spend on Jersey City movers.
Jersey City Movers Cost Factors
Jersey City movers charge customers based on home size, shipping method, moving services, and labor. How much you spend on your Jersey City move on many factors, such as:
Home Size
The size of your home is one of the biggest cost factors for local and long-distance moves alike. Of course, it’s easier to pack and unpack studio and 1-bedroom apartments than 3-bedroom ranches. For example, local studio apartment moves average $470 whereas 3-bedroom houses cost $2,645 to move in Jersey City.
The size of your home affects the cargo volume, and the size of the crew required to move your belongings. Studio apartment moves in Jersey City typically only take 2-3 hours and require two movers. This cuts down on labor costs compared to the 3-4 movers it takes to move a 3-bedroom house which takes 8 hours.
| Home Size | Average Local Cost | Average Long Distance Cost |
| Studio | $470 | $2,750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $700 | $3,455 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,200 | $5,277 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,645 | $6,995 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,474 | $7,735 |
Your home’s layout can also influence the cost of local and long-distance moves from New Jersey. For example, you can expect to spend $20-$75 per staircase and elevator because of the challenge. This is known as a “lift fee”.
Distance
The average cost of local moves in Jersey City is $1,036, but it averages $470 on the low end. Distance affects the cost of Jersey City movers in two ways: mileage and labor. Mileage isn’t always a factor for local moves, but you may spend up to $0.75-$0.99 per mile for long-distance moves.
That adds up, especially if you move across the country from Jersey City. You must also consider that you may have to pay to board the moving crew for a night. For example, Jersey City is over 2,787 miles away from Los Angeles, and the drive takes up to 41 hours.
That means that the moving crew must stop and stay overnight at a hotel for at least one night. This can add hundreds of dollars to your move. Travel time isn’t the same as distance as you still pay for labor even if the moving truck is stuck in traffic for hours. The average cost of a long-distance move from Jersey City is $5,182.
Average Cost to Move Long Distance from Jersey City
| Location | Cost Range |
| Jersey City to Chicago | $2,750-$9,271 |
| Jersey City to Los Angeles | $4,700-$12,568 |
| Jersey City to Houston | $3,850-$10,725 |
| Jersey City to Seattle | $3,900-$11,470 |
Cargo Size
The volume of the cargo your moving crew must haul is a big part of your Jersey City moving cost. This affects how long it takes to load and unload the truck as well as how many trucks are needed. Heavier loads are more expensive to haul than lighter loads.
That’s part of why 4-bedroom moves are more expensive than 1-bedroom moves as there is more furniture to haul. You can save money on your move if you move or ship some of your belongings to lighten the load of your truck. That said, you can’t guarantee that your belongings will arrive on time or unharmed.
Crew Size
The size of your moving crew also affects the cost of your move. That is partly why bigger houses are more expensive when moving as they require more movers. For example, you may pay $180 per hour on labor for 3 movers compared to $240 per hour for 4 movers.
While that is expensive, it ultimately evens out as it makes the move go faster in most cases. You may only pay $140 per hour for a 1-bedroom apartment move with 2 movers.
Moving Services
You can choose between many moving services that add to the cost of your move. For example, white-glove service can add $100 or more per hour to your moving costs. Jersey City movers also offer full packing and unpacking services which costs roughly $700 or more depending on volume.
Each service that you add will increase the cost of your move, but it also makes it easier for you. Moving services like furniture disassembly and assembly can save time and stress.
Insurance
Jersey City movers offer complimentary released-value insurance coverage with each move. This free insurance plan compensates customers $1 per pound for any item that gets damaged. For example, you would get compensated $50 for a 50-pound coffee table that breaks during the move.
However, you can opt to upgrade to a premium insurance plan that covers the full value of any damaged item. This costs 1% to 2% of the total value of your belongings that the movers handle. How much you pay for full-value protection depends on the market value of everything you have. For example, you can expect to spend $2,000 for full-value protection if your belongings are worth $100,000.
Shipping Method
The shipping method you choose for your Jersey City move is an important cost factor. LTL (less than a truckload) shipping is the cheapest shipping method. This means that your belongings may share a truck with someone else’s truck, but it saves money.
Conversely, FTL (full truckload) shipping means that your belongings get a dedicated truck. You may spend as little as $1,500 with LTL for a long-distance move, whereas FTL can cost up to $10,000. FTL is the best option if you are on a tight timeframe, and LTL is the best budget option.
Timeframe
When you book your move affects how much it costs. Last-minute Jersey City moves are more expensive than moves that you booked months ago. For example, a pre-planned 1-bedroom move may cost $140 per hour, whereas a last-minute move may cost $300 per hour.
That’s because the moving company must scramble to assemble a crew and arrange transportation. You can avoid inflated moving costs if you book your move 2-3 months before you move.
Season
Like any industry, professional moving companies have an off-season. The off-season for a moving company runs from fall until early spring. You can save up to 15%-30% on your move if you book it during this time in many cases.
Most people move during summer when they have vacation time, and their children are out of school. People avoid fall and winter moves because of how cold it gets in Jersey City, but they save money. It also helps to book your move in the middle of the week instead of the weekend.
Type of Rate
Professional movers in Jersey City typically offer two types of rates: flat and hourly. With a flat rate, you must pay a predetermined price for the move regardless of time. Hourly rates have customers pay per hour, including travel time and traffic delays.
Many Jersey City homeowners are understandably torn between flat and hourly rates. Hourly rates are perfect for local moves because you don’t have to worry as much about heavy traffic. Jersey City movers don’t offer hourly rates for moves that are over 100 miles. Otherwise, you would spend thousands of dollars extra because of travel time.
How Much Do Jersey City Movers Charge Per Hour?
Movers in Jersey City typically charge between $140 and $430 per hour. Labor, packing materials, home size, crew size, and moving services affect the hourly rate. Additional cost factors, such as difficulty and obstacles can also increase the hourly rate.
For example, you may pay more per hour if it’s hard for the moving crew to get the truck near your home. Many professional movers add to the hourly charge if they must carry your belongings a long way to the truck. That said, you will likely only pay $140 to $240 per hour for a small home with easy access and no stairs.
So, What Does it Cost to Move in Jersey City?
It costs an average of $1,036 to move locally within Jersey City if the distance is under 50 miles. Long-distance moves from Jersey City cost $5,182, on average, but can cost over $10,000. It costs between $650 and $3,455 to move from a 1-bedroom house, and $2,645-$6,995 to move from a 3-bedroom house in Jersey City.
You can save between 15% and 30% on your move if you book it for the off-season 2-3 months in advance. It’s worth the cost to purchase full-value insurance protection from your Jersey City movers. It costs 1%-2% of the value of your belongings, and it ensures compensation for damaged items.
