The Cheapest Way to Move a 1-Bedroom Apartment (Without Regret)

Moving a 1-bedroom apartment usually costs between $300 and $1,200 depending on how much of the work you do yourself. Here are your real options, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

1. DIY U-Haul, no help — ~$150–$250

Cheapest on paper. But if you have a couch that doesn't fit through your door, or a 3rd-floor walk-up, this is where injuries and broken drywall happen. Only viable if you have two strong friends and light furniture.

2. U-Haul + hourly labor crew — ~$350–$600 (best value)

Rent your own truck, hire a 2-person labor crew for 3 hours to load and unload. This is what most people should do. You pay for skill, not for a truck markup. Around $89/hr × 3 hours + $80 for the U-Haul = roughly $350.

3. Moving container (PODS, U-Pack) — ~$700–$1,500

Great for long-distance or flexible timing. Overkill for a local 1-bedroom move.

4. Full-service traditional mover — ~$800–$1,600

You pay for the truck, gas, insurance, and a whole crew — plus the company's overhead. Convenient, but you're paying 2–3x what a labor-only crew costs.

The winner

For a typical 1-bedroom, U-Haul + a 2-person hourly crew wins on price, speed, and stress. If you're in PA, NJ, or NYC, Majestic Mover's 2-person crews start at $89/hr with a 2-hour minimum.