Last month, a school colleague I know was moving from a two-bedroom apartment and complained that the estimate from a moving company was $1,500. When they asked why it was so expensive despite having little to move, I took a look at the estimate with them. Upon reviewing the items, I found that the costs for boxes, packing labor, and truck rental were all listed separately.

In fact, as of 2025, the average moving cost in the U.S. is $3,020, and if we look specifically at local moves, the average is about $1,489. Long-distance moves can go up to an average of $3,129. Just looking at the numbers can be overwhelming. However, if we break down this cost structure, there are definitely items that can be reduced by nearly half.

So, if you're wondering how to do this, the answer is surprisingly simple. You just need to plug the leaks in your budget one by one.

The first area to tackle is boxes. If you buy new moving boxes from places like Home Depot, small boxes cost about $1.78, while large boxes range from $2.25 to $3.98. For a two-bedroom apartment, you'll need around twenty to thirty boxes, which adds up quickly. However, if you ask at your local grocery store or liquor store, the story changes. Many times, they throw away sturdy boxes that were used for incoming goods, so if you ask an employee in the morning or evening, many places will happily give them to you. Especially boxes that held wine or liquor are thick enough to be perfect for packing heavy books or dishes.

Next is the truck. This is where the real difference comes in. Renting a truck from U-Haul and doing the loading yourself can cost around $154 for a local move, while hiring a full-service company to do everything can range from $1,200 to $1,600. That's nearly a tenfold difference. Of course, you'll have to deal with the physical labor, but if you just call a couple of family members or friends, you can finish the job in a day.

For those who find physical labor daunting, there's also a middle ground. You can rent the truck yourself and hire people on an hourly basis just to help with loading and unloading. For two people working for two hours, it typically costs between $200 and $300. By leaving the heavy furniture to them and handling the rest yourself, you can finish for less than half the cost of full-service movers.

In summary, here's the plan: get boxes for free, drive the truck yourself, and selectively get help with the heavy lifting. With this combination, you can reduce your moving costs by nearly half. Don't be shocked by the estimates; I recommend breaking down each item on the list.