We build the estimator we wanted to use.
A free, private Moving Cost Calculator with no email gate, no sales calls, and math you can audit. Built to put you in control of your budget — not a lead-gen funnel.
Our mission
Moving is expensive and stressful — and most “free” calculators turn into spam. We were frustrated that getting a simple estimate meant handing over a phone number and getting 5 calls a day for a week. So we built the opposite:
- Instant, transparent math — you see min · avg · max, distance × rate, volume × rate, seasonal multiplier, and every service line item. No black box.
- Privacy-first — all calculations run locally in your browser (sessionStorage). Nothing is sent to a server unless you choose to copy a share link or download a PDF.
- No lead wall — no email, no phone, no account. Re-run the estimate as many times as you want.
Our story
movingcost-calculator.com started as a side project to help friends compare quotes without pressure. We audited the top ranking calculators and found the same pattern: gated results, vague methodology, no breakdown, and aggressive lead resale.
We sketched a calculator that did the opposite: manual driving distance with presets + slider (no tracking API), realistic labour rules (floors, elevator, crew size by volume), seasonal pricing you can see, and a 4-way comparison of DIY vs labour-only vs hybrid vs full-service with an honest recommendation. The first version ran entirely offline — and it still does.
How our estimates work
We use a transparent, auditable formula — the same logic movers use, shown line-by-line:
Formula
Local (<50 mi): labour (crew × rate × hours + stairs) + travel + services
Long-distance: (distance × mileage rate) + (volume × per-cu-ft) × seasonal multiplier + services
- Distance: you enter driving distance (check Google Maps, round to nearest 10, use presets/slider). We intentionally avoid geocoding APIs.
- Volume: inferred from bedrooms (or detailed room inventory) — adjustable per market.
- Seasonality: June–July +20%, Aug +15%, May/Sep +10%, Winter –10 to –15%. Shift dates to see savings live.
- Services: packing (+15% partial, +35% full), storage, valuation/insurance, disassembly, appliance, cleaning, junk removal.
- Comparability: side-by-side costs for DIY / labour-only / hybrid / full-service so you can see trade-offs in money, time and effort.
For the most accurate comparison, get a written binding or not-to-exceed estimate from your mover after an in-home or video survey — then compare their sheet line-by-line to ours.
What makes us different
No spam, ever
We don’t sell leads. We don’t ask for email.
Works offline
No APIs, no tracking, no keys.
Fully itemized
Every dollar explained, every multiplier visible.
Global, extensible
USA primary, EU secondary · mi/km & multi-currency.
Our values
Transparency over persuasion
We’d rather show you how the number is built than push you to book. The shareable link and PDF export encode only what you choose to share.
Privacy by design
Manual distance, localStorage/sessionStorage, no geocoding APIs. What you calculate stays on your device.
Accessibility & clarity
44px touch targets, keyboard focus rings, screen-reader labels, and readable typography — moving estimates should work for everyone.
We’re a small team behind a big promise
We maintain rate tables, seasonal curves, and the comparison engine. Have feedback on a price, a missing service, or a market we should add? We read every message.
Not a moving company or broker. We don’t provide moving services or quotes — we provide educational estimates to help you compare.