The Best Local Movers of 2025

After hundreds of hours of research and real moves, we’ve found the best moving companies to help with your local move—we recommend moving containers that go anywhere.
Best for local moving
Hire a Helper
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
  • pro
    Great rates for local moves
  • pro
    Available in all 50 staters
  • Icon Yes  Light
    $1,000 service guarantee
Best container mover
pods
PODS
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
  • pro
    Financing available
  • pro
    Multiple steel container sizes
  • Icon Blank
    🔥 Save up to 30% + 10% off move.org discount*
Strongest containers
1800packrat
1-800-PACK-RAT
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
  • pro
    Steel containers
  • pro
    Price matching
  • Icon Blank
    🔥 Save up to 50%†

*Add 10% Move.org reader discount to PODS 25% off sale! (Must visit PODS from Move.org for extra discount.)
†Limited time offer. The offer must be mentioned at the time the order is placed and can only be used on new orders. Use promo code SAVE50 online. See full disclaimer.

Why you can trust Move.org
movers helped every month
20k
moving grants awarded
24
moving companies evaluated
156
years of expert experience
80+

For nearly 10 years Move.org experts have examined pricing, credentials, and real customer reviews to give you (human) recommendations you can trust.

Need a hand with your move? .Check out our top picks for the best local movers near you and get the help you need—fast! We recommend a moving and storage container company for local moves because they give 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



Hire A Helper

Our Rating
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6

Hire-a-Helper is a great choice for finding local full-service professional movers. Or, if you have your own vehicle or rental truck, you can find hourly labor to help loading and unloading your stuff.

pro
Pros
pro Move.org discount
pro Professional movers
pro Available in all 50 states
pro $1,000 service guarantee
pro No deposits
pro Labor and full-service options
con
Cons
con No single item moves

Hire A Helper’s moving service rates

Moving service
Hourly rate
Learn more
Loading/unloading (3-bedroom home)$443
Packing/unpacking $100-$150
Full-service moving (3-bedroom home) $1,104
Full service long-distance move (3-bedroom home) $2,125

Why is Hire a Helper best for local moves?

If you hate begging your friends to help you move or simply want to skip packing and hauling boxes yourself, use Hire A Helper’s online, nationwide marketplace to hire professional local moving and packing services.

Hire A Helper's movers are fully vetted and shares each vendor’s credentials so you’ll know what to expect. 

The pay-by-the-hour rates, online booking and payment system, and excellent customer support make it an easy and affordable middle ground for local moves.

PODS

pods
Our Rating
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6

PODS is our favorite moving container company. It offers significant discounts, high-quality container and storage options, financing, and nationwide availability.

Distance
Less than 150 miles
Between 1,300 and1800 miles
More than 2,000 miles
Learn more
1 room
$848
$4128
$3439
3 rooms
$1743
$4128
$7203
5 rooms
$2598
$13040
$11144
pro
Pros
pro Special discounts
pro Multiple steel container sizes
pro Lots of storage options
pro Positive customer reviews
pro Financing available
pro 46-state availability
con
Cons
con Confusing prices

Is PODS a good option for local moves?

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

1800packrat
Our Rating
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4

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.

1-800-PACK-RAT containers
8 foot
12 foot
16 foot

Dimensions

8.5 ft. x 7.2 ft. x 7.8 ft.

12 ft. x 7.8 ft. x 7.5 ft.

16 ft. x 7.8 ft. x 7.5 ft.

Construction

Metal

Metal

Metal

Capacity (rooms of furniture)

1–2

2–3

3–4

Weight limits (lbs.)

4,000

6,000

6,000

Interior space (cu. ft.)

404

620

830

pro
Pros
pro Multiple container sizes
pro Weatherproof moving containers
pro More interior container space than PODS
con
Cons
con Limited availability compared to PODS

Why we recommend 1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT stands out for its sturdy steel containers and spacious barn-style doors, giving your belongings extra protection and more room compared to roll-up door options like PODS. If there’s a location near you, check out their containers in person and compare them to PODS before making your move—seeing the difference could help you decide!

Ready to get the ball rolling on your local move?


50 miles or less? - Another option for local moves

When you're moving 50 miles or less, Thumbtack is our go-to for finding top-rated local moving help. 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!

Thumbtack

Local movers options
Our Rating
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
pro
Pros
pro Wide variety of hourly labor services
pro Free instant online quotes
pro Thousands of positive customer reviews
pro Verified professionals searchable by zip code
con
Cons
con No direct phone numbers
con Not full-service

Methodology

Methodology

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. During our searches, we:

  • Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
  • Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
  • Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
  • Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
  • Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.