Short answer: a 3-bedroom house typically costs $1,800–$3,800 to move locally, or $4,500–$7,500 to move 500–1,500 miles, based on 2026 published industry cost surveys. A true coast-to-coast move can run $5,850–$9,750.
Quick facts
Local move $1,800 – $3,800
Long-distance (500–1,500 mi) $4,500 – $7,500
Coast-to-coast $5,850 – $9,750
Typical crew, local 3–4 movers
Typical box count 60 – 100 boxes
Local vs. long-distance breakdown
| Move type | Typical cost | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Local (<100 mi) | $1,800 – $3,800 | Hourly, 3–4 person crew |
| Regional (100–500 mi) | $3,375 – $5,625 | Weight + distance |
| Long-distance (500–1,500 mi) | $4,500 – $7,500 | Weight + distance |
| Coast-to-coast (1,500+ mi) | $5,850 – $9,750 | Weight + distance |
Ranges synthesized from 2026 published industry cost surveys. Get a range for your exact move with the calculator.
What drives the cost for this home size
- Furniture volume, not square footage. A sparsely furnished 3-bedroom can cost less than a heavily furnished 2-bedroom — weight and cubic feet matter more than the bedroom count itself.
- Basement, garage, and attic contents. These are the most commonly under-estimated volume when people book based on bedroom count alone.
- Stairs and long carries. A second-floor primary bedroom or a driveway too narrow for the truck to pull up adds labor time on the local side.
- Packing scope. Full-service packing typically adds 20–40% to a 3-bedroom move versus doing your own boxes.
Timeline for a 3-bedroom move
Locally, expect a 3–4 person crew to need 6–10 hours total for loading, drive time, and unloading. Long-distance, add transit time separate from loading/unloading — typically 1–2 days for a regional move and up to a week or more for coast-to-coast, since your shipment may travel with other households' belongings on the same truck.