Best Local Moving Companies of 2026: Containers, Hybrid, and DIY

Moving across town doesn't have to be a hassle. After hundreds of hours of research and real moves, we’ve found the best moving companies to help with your local move: Hire a Helper, Zippy Shell, and PODS. From hourly labor, to moving containers that go anywhere, to local full-service movers that load and drive, these are among the best local movers. 

We partner with HireAHelper to offer a network of hundreds of full-service movers that specialize in local, short-distance moves.  Use our Find-a-Mover tool to find your match ☝️.

Skip the heavy lifting, backaches, and moving-day stress—let the pros handle it! You can hire movers only for the time you need them.

HireAHelper is our go-to for finding hourly labor to help you load and/or unload your belongings. If you are planning to use a moving container, rental truck, or your own vehicle for your move, use HireAHelper to find top-rated local moving professionals. You can search hourly labor professionals by zip code to find movers near you and book online They also have full-service options if you decide that's what you need.

Thinking about a hybrid move? A moving and storage container gives you the perfect balance of convenience and savings! It’s a more affordable alternative to full-service movers and saves you the hassle of driving a bulky rental truck. Companies like Zippy Shell offer affordable containers for moving, and offer add-on hourly labor if you need it.

Zippy Shell delivers the lowest moving container prices in the country, making it a top pick for budget-conscious movers. Plus, if you need help loading or unloading your container, you can add on a trusted third-party labor service, which makes them a good hybrid option between full-service and container movers. Spacious 15-foot steel containers offer durability and flexibility, with options for at-home or facility storage to fit your needs. Plus, unlike some competitors, Zippy Shell’s containers come on wheels, making them easier to load at ground level.

Zippy Shell is a good fit for local city moves on a budget. Zippy Shell makes city moves easier with street-legal containers that fit in parking spaces and along curbs—no special permits required. Whether you're dealing with narrow streets, tight parking, or city regulations, Zippy Shell’s design helps you pack, load, and access your belongings hassle-free. If curbside loading isn’t an option, you can add-on professional moving labor to help you get everything loaded quickly, safely, and securely.

Looking for the lowest moving container prices?

PODS is a well-known moving container company with the best nationwide availability. It offers significant discounts, high-quality containers and storage options, plus financing options if you need it.

Yes, PODS is a good option if you want some flexibility without the hassle of driving a truck. If you're up for loading and unloading your belongings, PODS delivers with high-quality containers, affordable pricing, and convenient storage options. With stellar customer reviews and nationwide availability, it’s our best overall choice for container moves!

1-800-PACK-RAT is a solid choice for moving and storage, offering durable steel containers with more interior space than PODS. While it has fewer locations, it still provides strong coverage across the US and Canada—giving you a secure and spacious way to move or store your belongings.

Yes, 1-800-PACK-RAT is a good option if you want to be able to both store and transport your stuff, without the hassle of driving a truck. 1-800-PACK-RAT has the strongest moving containers in the business and competitive pricing. 

Renting a moving truck is definitely the most DIY approach to a local move. Truck rentals are the least expensive way to move to your new home, but they require you to be behind the wheel during every phase of your move—literally and figuratively.

True to its name, Budget Truck Rental is one of the most economical options for renting a moving truck. Budget offers several discount codes to help you save on your local move, which makes it a good option for local movers on a budget who don’t need too many extras with their truck rental.

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving is the only national full-service mover that also specializes in junk and donation removal, giving it a leg up over other standard full-service movers.

In addition to offering a comprehensive list of packing and moving services, it offers what we think is the best solution if you need to dispose of some junk or donate any unwanted belongings during your move.

U-Haul is no stranger to the moving industry, but you may be surprised to learn it offers moving and storage containers as well. U-Haul’s U-Boxes are made of construction-grade plywood rather than metal, meaning they aren’t quite as sturdy as their metal counterparts—but nationwide availability means it’s one of the most accessible options for your move.

When you're not moving very far, Thumbtack is another option for finding top-rated local moving professionals. Just enter your zip code to compare pros, check real customer reviews, and see their work history—all in one place. Book online with confidence and get the help you need, hassle-free.

We recommend PODS or ZippyShell for moving storage containers. You load, they ship.  ZippyShell offers add-on labor services if you need help loading and unloading.

If you just need help loading and/or unloading, Hire A Helper can also help you find hourly labor based on your zip code.

Thumbtack can also help you find hourly labor and other local moving services based on your zipcode.

We recommend Budget if you need to rent a moving truck. 

From packing and hauling to driving and unloading, full-service movers can get you from Point A to Point B. Use our Find-a-Mover tool to get matched with a full-service mover near you.

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor.