Short answer: a typical local move in Los Angeles costs about $450–$550 for a studio, $540–$710 for a 1-bedroom and $870–$1,230 for a 2-bedroom with three movers, with truck and supplies included. Larger homes need three or four movers, and the bill depends far more on fees, minimums and crew size than on the advertised hourly rate.
Typical cost by home size
Typical hours from our own local moves in Los Angeles, with the total at our rates. Truck, fuel, blankets, shrink wrap, tape, stairs and long carries are included.
| Move size | Recommended crew | Typical hours | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / small 1BR | 2 movers + truck | 3–3.75 hours | $450–$550 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 movers + truck | 3.75–5 hours | $540–$710 |
| 2 bedrooms | 3 movers + truck | 4.5–6.5 hours | $870–$1,230 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3–4 movers + truck | 6.5–8.5 hours | $1,220–$1,980 |
| 4+ bedrooms / house | 4 movers + 1–2 trucks | 8.5–11 hours | $1,970–$2,530 |
Hours depend on the amount of furniture and boxes, the floor, whether there is an elevator, how far the truck can park from each door, and the drive between homes. A long drive adds the most: a 2-bedroom house moved from Santa Monica to Costa Mesa took 4 movers 9 hours, for $2,088 with everything included.
What each crew costs per hour
Our rates are per billable minute with no 3-hour minimum. The rate drops after the first 180 billable minutes.
| Crew | First 3 hours | After 3 hours | 4 billable hours | 6 billable hours | 8 billable hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $150/hour ($2.50/min) | $129/hour ($2.15/min) | $579 | $837 | $1,095 |
| 3 movers + truck | $204/hour ($3.40/min) | $174/hour ($2.90/min) | $786 | $1,134 | $1,482 |
| 4 movers + truck | $258/hour ($4.30/min) | $219/hour ($3.65/min) | $993 | $1,431 | $1,869 |
Truck, fuel, blankets, shrink wrap, tape, stairs and long carries are included. Boxes and kitchen packing materials are agreed in writing before the move.
A real bill: the same studio, two prices
In November 2026 our crew moved a studio within one building, from the 3rd floor to the 6th. The work took two hours. The customer had booked through another company that advertised $88 per hour, and this is what they paid, line by line:
| Line on the bill | Mover with a $88/hour ad | Movers-LA, per minute |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | 3-hour minimum × $88 = $264 | 120 minutes × $2.50 = $300 |
| Shrink wrap | $35 | Included |
| Tape (2 rolls) | $16 | Included |
| Long carry (over 45 ft) | $100 | Included |
| Gas / truck fee | $50 | Included |
| Total | $465 | $300 |
The hourly rate was 41% lower than ours. The bill was 55% higher. That gap is the most common problem in Los Angeles moving: low advertised rates, then a minimum, per-roll supplies, long-carry and truck fees. See the full list of hidden moving fees.
Why two movers for a 2-bedroom costs more, not less
Two movers on a 2- or 3-bedroom home is usually the most expensive choice. The job stretches past eight hours, people slow down, and many Los Angeles movers charge 1.5× their rate after 8 hours and 2× after 12 hours. A larger crew costs more per hour but finishes much sooner, so the total is usually lower. We recommend 3 movers for a 2-bedroom, 3–4 for a 3-bedroom, and 4 for larger houses. Even for a 1-bedroom, a third mover pays off when a kitchen or many small items need packing, because packing takes the largest share of the time. More on this in two movers or three.
How Los Angeles prices compare
Independent price guides land in the same range. moveBuddha’s Los Angeles guide, updated October 30, 2026, lists typical local totals of about $336 for a studio, $473 for a 1-bedroom, $775 for a 2-bedroom with 3 movers and $1,813 for a 3-bedroom with 4 movers (source). Those averages usually leave out minimums, overtime and add-on fees, which is where real bills differ.
What actually sets your price
- Crew size. The right crew finishes faster; the wrong one costs overtime.
- Access. Floor, elevator booking, and the walk from truck to door.
- Packing. Packing a kitchen and loose items takes longer than carrying furniture.
- Drive between homes. In California, hourly moves bill the drive between addresses twice (double drive time).
- Billing rules. Minimums, 15- or 30-minute blocks and add-on fees.
When you compare companies, ask each one for a written total with every possible fee listed, not just the hourly rate.
Calculate your move · See rates and inclusions
Frequently asked questions
How much do movers cost per hour in Los Angeles?
Advertised rates for two movers and a truck in Los Angeles start below $90 per hour, but minimums and add-on fees change the real total. Movers-LA charges $2.50 per billable minute ($150 per hour) for two movers and a truck, $2.15 per minute after the first 180 minutes, with no 3-hour minimum and supplies included.
How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles?
A typical 1-bedroom takes two movers 3.75–5 hours, about $540–$710 at Movers-LA rates with truck and supplies included. A third mover helps if the kitchen or many small items need packing.
How much do movers cost for 2 hours?
With Movers-LA, two movers and a truck for 120 billable minutes cost $300 with nothing added. Many companies bill a 3-hour minimum, so the same two hours can cost three hours of labor plus supply and truck fees.
How many movers do I need for a 2-bedroom?
Three. A typical 2-bedroom takes three movers 4.5–6.5 hours. Two movers on a 2-bedroom often run past eight hours, and many movers charge 1.5× after 8 hours, so a bigger crew is usually cheaper overall.
Why is my moving bill higher than the hourly rate?
Usually because of a 3-hour minimum, billing in 15- or 30-minute blocks, per-roll shrink wrap and tape, long-carry, stair or truck fees, and overtime rates. Ask every company for a written total with every possible fee listed.