How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in Washington, DC?

If you have ever tried to get a straight answer on what movers actually cost in DC, you already know how frustrating it can be. Vague estimates, hourly rates with no context, and quotes that seem to change by the time moving day arrives.

This post breaks it down clearly — what local moves typically cost, how long distance moves are priced, and what factors actually affect your final bill. No fluff, just real numbers based on our experience moving hundreds of DC metro area residents.

How Much Do Local Movers Cost in Washington, DC?

Local moves in DC are charged by the hour. At Your Moving Men our rate is $120–$150 per hour for a two person crew on studio and one and two bedroom moves. For three bedroom homes and larger we staff a four person crew at $269 per hour to ensure the move is done efficiently and your belongings are properly protected. We have a three hour minimum on all local jobs.

Moves involving three or more bedrooms are staffed with a four person crew to ensure efficiency and protect your belongings. The jump in hourly rate reflects the additional manpower — and in practice larger moves get done faster with four movers than they would with two.

Here is what that looks like in practice based on our real move data:

A few things that add time — and therefore cost — on a DC move specifically:

• Elevator reservations in high rise buildings can add 30 to 60 minutes depending on the building
• Limited street parking in neighborhoods like Georgetown, Capitol Hill, and Adams Morgan means longer carry distances from the truck to your door
• Narrow rowhouse staircases slow furniture removal and require extra care

Georgetown

Georgetown is one of the more challenging neighborhoods to move in and out of. Cobblestone streets, historic rowhouses with narrow staircases, and limited truck parking mean moves here often take longer than average.

• 1 bedroom: 3.5 to 4.5 hours — $420 – $675
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 6 hours — $600 – $975
• 3+ bedroom rowhouse: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Adams Morgan

Walkup apartments are the norm here and most buildings have no elevator. Factor in an extra 30 to 60 minutes compared to a ground floor or elevator building.

• 1 bedroom: 3.5 to 4 hours — $420 – $600
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 6 hours — $540 – $900
• 3+ bedroom: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Dupont Circle

A mix of high rises and older apartment buildings. High rises with elevator reservations can add wait time but generally move efficiently once the elevator is secured.

• 1 bedroom: 3 to 4 hours — $360 – $600
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 6 hours — $480 – $900
• 3+ bedroom: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Capitol Hill

Rowhouses dominate Capitol Hill and street parking for moving trucks is competitive. Moves here are manageable but require planning around parking logistics.

• 1 bedroom: 3 to 4 hours — $360 – $600
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 6 hours — $480 – $900
• 3+ bedroom rowhouse: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Navy Yard & The Wharf

Newer developments with designated loading docks and elevator access make these among the smoother moves in the city.

• 1 bedroom: 3 to 3.5 hours — $360 – $525
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 5 hours — $480 – $750
• 3+ bedroom: 6 to 7 hours — $1,614 – $1,883

NoMa & Shaw

A mix of new construction and older buildings. New construction buildings typically have loading docks which speeds things up considerably.

• 1 bedroom: 3 to 4 hours — $360 – $600
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 6 hours — $480 – $900
• 3+ bedroom: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Foggy Bottom

Close proximity to GWU means a lot of apartment style buildings with solid elevator access. Generally straightforward moves with good building infrastructure.

• 1 bedroom: 3 to 3.5 hours — $360 – $525
• 2 bedroom: 4 to 5 hours — $480 – $750
• 3+ bedroom: 6 to 8 hours — $1,614 – $2,152

Find a trusted local mover. Read more in our blog how to find a trusted local movers.

Book early. Peak season runs May through September and end of month dates fill up fast. Booking 3 to 4 weeks in advance gives you the best choice of dates and crew availability.

Declutter before moving day. Long distance moves are priced partly by volume. The less you move the less you pay. A pre-move purge of furniture and items you no longer need can meaningfully reduce your quote.

Have everything packed before the crew arrives. If you are handling your own packing, being fully ready when the crew shows up means you are only paying for move time — not pack time.

Be flexible on your move date. Mid-month and mid-week moves are generally lower demand. Avoiding Fridays and end of month dates can work in your favor if your schedule allows it.