Here’s the bottom line: After an in-depth analysis of New York City movers, Safeway Moving came out as the top choice for long-distance relocations. For local moves within New York City, we recommend Zip to Zip Moving Inc. Both companies stand out above the competition in crucial areas like cost, service offerings, and customer feedback.
The right mover for you ultimately comes down to where you’re moving, the size of your move, and your budget. To find your perfect match, take a look at the best New York City moving companies in these categories:
- Best Long-Distance Movers
- Best Local Movers
- Best Cheap Movers
- Best Small Load Movers
- Best Hourly Movers
- Best Office Movers
Top Out-of-State Movers in New York City, NY
Whether you’re leaving New York City, New York, for a nearby state or heading to a new locale on another side of the country, consider using one of these highly rated interstate moving companies:
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving makes long-distance moves easier with flat-rate pricing and full services nationwide. They offer 30 days of free storage with every move, giving you extra time to get settled. Their clear estimates and focus on cost transparency mean you can plan your budget with confidence. As a veteran-owned company, they bring military precision to every relocation. They also provide military discounts, making them a great choice for service members and their families.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines (IVL) has been helping people move long distances and across the country since 2000. They offer customizable services that include full-service packing, storage, and specialty moving options like car shipping. IVL also handles international moves to over 140 countries. Their team is known for careful handling of the moving process and excellent communication with customers.
Mayzlin Relocation
Family-owned Mayzlin Relocation blends a small-business feel with the strength of a national team. They focus on long-distance moves and provide full packing, storage, and clear pricing through binding estimates. Mayzlin is ideal for those wanting hands-on, personalized service and proactive communication.
JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services offers top-notch long-distance moving services across all 50 states. They provide personal customer support and various extra options, such as special care for antiques and electronics. JK’s premium services become more affordable with financing options that have low or no interest rates for eligible customers. With GPS tracking and skilled crews, you can be confident that your items will be handled with care.
American Van Lines
American Van Lines (AVL), established in 1995, ensures consistent and expert long-distance moving with their full-time, background-checked crew. They provide services throughout the continental U.S. and are skilled in handling fragile items like antiques and pianos, making them ideal for moves requiring special care. They offer binding estimates, guaranteeing a fixed price with no surprises. By using their own staff and not third-party movers, they ensure you know who is managing your move from start to finish.
Top Local Movers in New York City, NY
Are you moving in or around New York City (within a 50-mile radius)? Here are the best local moving companies to choose from:
Most Affordable Movers in New York City, NY
Relocating is a big undertaking, and moving costs in New York can add up quickly.
If you’re on tight budget — or just want to get the best possible deal — we recommend these cost-friendly movers in New York City:
- Safeway Moving: Safeway Moving makes long-distance moving costs predictable with flat-rate pricing and binding estimates, avoiding any last-minute surprises. They will match a lower quote from a competitor, thanks to their price-matching policy. Safeway also offers discounts for military members and early bookings, giving you extra chances to save.
- Mayzlin Relocation: Mayzlin Relocation’s binding estimates allow customers to secure a set price from the beginning, eliminating surprise costs. They offer full packing services and storage, but you can also tailor your move to fit your budget. For a more hands-on and budget-friendly long-distance move, Mayzlin provides flexibility while maintaining quality.
- U-Pack: U-Pack offers an affordable option for long-distance moves by charging you only for the space you use in their trailers or containers. You handle the packing and loading, saving you the expense of full-service movers while still providing transportation via a nationwide carrier. With no deposit needed and discounts for military members, students, and off-peak moves, U-Pack is a cost-effective choice if you’re ready to do part of the work yourself.
Top Small Load Movers in New York City, NY
Professional movers typically have a minimum size requirement, which can be problematic if you want help relocating your studio or one-bedroom apartment.
Luckily, there are some stellar companies that specialize in small moves:
- MovingYourself: MovingYourself is perfect if you have only a few rooms of stuff and don’t need a whole truck. You pay only for the space you use on their 52-foot trailer. You do the loading and unloading, but you save money compared to full-service movers. Plus, a professional driver will transport your items.
- MiniMoves: MiniMoves focuses on small moves across all 50 states, providing full-service help like packing and loading, but at a lower cost than usual movers. Unlike other companies with high weight minimums, MiniMoves caters to studio apartments, dorm rooms, single-room moves, and small shipments.
Top Hourly Movers in New York City, NY
Hourly movers can be a helpful resource for your New York City DIY move, since you can hire moving crews to assist with some or all of the heavy lifting.
We like these New York City hourly movers:
- HireAHelper: HireAHelper links you with local movers who offer hourly help for loading, unloading, and packing. Since 2007, their online platform has enabled easy price comparison, review reading, and booking of movers that match your budget and schedule. You can hire assistance for as little as two hours, making it a flexible choice for moving a few heavy items or an entire house.
- U-Haul Moving Help: If you need help with loading, unloading, packing, or cleaning, U-Haul’s Moving Help program lets you hire hourly labor online. You can browse services, see prices, and pick the level of help you want. Labor is booked separately from the truck rental, so you only pay for the time you use. Available nationwide with no hidden fees, it’s an easy and affordable way to get moving help when you need it.
Top Office Movers in New York City, NY
An experienced commercial mover is critical to relocating your New York City office with only minor disruptions to the day-to-day operations.
These standout movers can expertly move your office so you can quickly get back to business as usual:
- Mayzlin Relocation: Mayzlin Relocation handles full-service office moves, aiming to reduce downtime. They take care of packing, disassembling furniture, and secure transportation, eliminating your logistical worries. They provide binding estimates and dedicated move coordinators to help businesses stay on budget and ensure timely arrivals.
- North American Van Lines (NAVL): North American Van Lines has a strong network and expert commercial moving teams that can handle business relocations both locally and across states. NAVL offers complete office moving services, including IT equipment management and detailed logistics planning. Their tracking technology and personalized moving plans ensure companies move smoothly without disrupting their operations.
How We Chose the Best Movers in New York City, NY
We’ve put our decades of moving industry knowledge and experience into our mover scoring system, which helps us determing the best local and long-distance movers nationwide.
Here’s what we look at:
- Cost and pricing structure: Besides comparing average costs directly, we also examine if a company promotes clear pricing with binding estimates, multiple payment options, and discounts.
- Customer satisfaction: We thoroughly evaluate online consumer reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, Google, and Trustpilot to find common positive and negative feedback and spot any potential red flags.
- Reputation: Besides analyzing customer feedback, we also assess a company’s reputation within the moving industry. Additionally, we ensure each company has proper licensing and complies with all state and federal regulations.
- Standard and add-on services: We assess a company’s offerings and, crucially, what they lack compared to competitors. We review the services included in a basic moving plan and those that require extra payment. We favor companies that offer perks like free short-term storage and a variety of optional services such as fragile-only packing and car shipping.
- Availability: Companies that operate in all 50 states rank higher than those with smaller service areas. We also award more points to movers with a simple booking process and flexible scheduling, such as no-fee cancellations and last-minute booking options.
Choosing the Right Moving Company in New York City, NY
Here are some areas to pay particular attention to when you’re looking for a moving company in New York City:
- Clear and honest pricing: Look for upfront cost estimates with no surprise fees. Comparing quotes can help you gauge standard moving rates in New York City.
- A solid reputation and positive reviews: Choose a mover with a proven history of reliability in New York City, backed by generally complimentary customer feedback and high ratings.
- A wide range of services: Ensure the company provides the right services for your move, whether you need full packing, transportation, or just loading help.
- Ease of scheduling: This is crucial if you have to move on short notice. Choosing moving companies that handle last-minute changes or unexpected delays without high fees can make the process easier.
- Up-to-date equipment and well-trained crews: Choose companies with well-kept trucks and equipment, as well as polite, experienced movers.
- Proper licensing and insurance: Ensure the moving company meets all legal requirements to operate in New York City and has coverage to protect against potential damage or loss.
Tips for a Smooth Move in New York City, NY
- Check local moving regulations. Some towns in New York have specific rules for moving trucks, such as permit requirements or parking restrictions. Checking in advance can help you avoid last-minute issues.
- Plan around traffic congestion. If you’re moving through or to New York City, try to schedule your move outside of peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) to avoid delays.
- Prepare for the weather. New York state generally experiences warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the southeastern part of the state, including New York City and Long Island, summers are hot and humid, while winters are cool to mild. In most of New York state, winter temperatures are below freezing in January and February, but they are slightly above freezing along the Atlantic coast, including in New York City.. Keep an eye on the forecast and take precautions to handle New York’s unpredictable weather conditions.
- Pack for the season. Pack the items you’ll need for the season, whether it’s winter gear or summer essentials. This will make your move more comfortable.
- Keep valuables with you. Keep important documents, jewelry, and other valuable items in your personal vehicle for better safety instead of packing them in the moving truck.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks. Moving can be exhausting, especially on hot New York days. Keep water on hand and take breaks to prevent burnout.
- Get to know your new community. Getting to know your neighbors and exploring your local area can make you feel at home more quickly.
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire professional movers in New York City?
The average cost to hire professional movers in New York City, NY, is $110 per hour. The total cost will be determined by how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving.
What should I know about New York City’s peak moving season?
Like most places, New York City sees a surge in moves during the summer months when the weather is favorable and school is out. This means moving companies might be busier and rates could be higher. If possible, consider moving during the off-peak season for potentially better rates.
Are there any items moving companies in New York City won’t transport?
Most New York City, NY moving companies have a list of prohibited items they won’t move due to safety or regulatory reasons. Common items include hazardous materials, perishables, and in some cases, plants. It’s best to check with your chosen moving company in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.