New York City is one of the most famous and desirable cities in the world to visit and live in. Known for its towering skyscrapers, and its abundance of opportunity and diversity, New York City remains one of the most sought out places to experience. Due to New York City’s lure, population density, and complexity, the cost of living can be higher than the national average of other cities.
Moving in NYC
If you’re looking to move locally or long distance, below is a table of average moving prices in NYC based on the distance of the move and the size of the apartment.
Local Move (within the same state)
| Apartment Size | Price |
| Studio/Small one-bedroom | $500-$1,000 |
| Two-bedroom | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Three-bedroom | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Four-bedroom or larger | $2,000-$3,000 |
Long-distance Move (to a different state)
| Apartment Size | Price |
| Studio/Small one-bedroom | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Two-bedroom | $2,500-$4,000 |
| Three-bedroom | $4,000-$7,000 |
| Four-bedroom or larger | $7,000-$10,000 |
On average, a local move (within the same state) can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 while a long-distance move (to a different state) can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 or more. Keep in mind that these are just rough estimates. The actual cost of your move could be higher or lower depending on various factors of your move, and which moving company you decide to move with.
Choosing a Moving Company
When deciding on which moving company will be best to accommodate your specific moving needs, it is a good idea to ask for moving company recommendations from family and friends. Researching moving companies online and reading reviews will also give you a better idea of which companies may be right for you.
Some things to check about your moving company are:
- Services that are included in your move
- Verify your moving company is licensed and insured
- Pricing structure: determine how the move is priced – flat rate or per hour
- Communication: make sure the moving company is reliable, responsive and trustworthy
- Size and capacity: determine if the moving companies size, capacity and fleet is right for your specific moving needs
FlatRate Moving is an all-inclusive FlatRate guaranteed moving and storage company. This means that FlatRate Moving will not charge by the hour, but will acquire your moving cost by calculating the complexity, amount of inventory, and the distance of your move. This will result in an all-inclusive price for the moving services, as well as a guaranteed price overall so there are no unexpected costs or binding prices.
Additional Services You Might Consider
In order to ease your move, consider adding packing and unpacking services. FlatRate movers will ensure your items are secure and protected during transportation. Once your items have safely arrived at your new destination, they will be unpacked and reassembled.
If you’re looking to elevate your moving experience, Flatrate Moving offers Elite moving services in order to deliver the ultimate moving experience. Elite Moving has perfected the unparalleled luxury of moving with their team of moving experts completing relocations with as little noise as possible, all while utilizing the highest quality of packing and protection materials.
Some services offered by elite are:
- Room replication: Elite will replicate any room in your current home, to your new home.
- Personal moving liaison: will guide Elite’s white glove movers and work with your designer to ensure your move is perfect.
- Unlimited insurance coverage: unlimited COI insurance for any luxury building in NYC.
Budgeting in NYC
Once your moving needs are planned out and taken care of, you may be wondering what are some monthly expenses you should budget for. New York City is consistently ranked one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States. Factors such as its population density, high demand for housing, and high cost of goods and services contribute to its high cost of living. According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2023, New York City scores twice as high as the national average. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of living can greatly depend on the specific location within the city and the lifestyle of the individual.
Due to New York Cities higher cost of living, the salary pay is significantly higher than the national average.
Some things to consider are rent, groceries, transportation and additional activities such as dining out and entertainment.
Some budget estimates for living comfortably in NYC are:
- Rent: $2000 a month
- Groceries: $400 a month
- Transportation: $100 a month
- Additional spending: $300-$500 a month
Moving to New York City requires a lot of research and preparation, however, living in the city is very rewarding. It is important to carefully budget for both the moving expenses and living expenses in NYC. Finding a reliable and reputable moving company can help ease your transition. By taking the time to plan, prepare and budget appropriately, you can enjoy everything NYC has to offer without any worries.