movers
How Much Do Movers Cost in Atlanta, GA?
Movers in Atlanta, GA cost about $450 to $3,500 for a local move. See hourly rates by crew size, high-rise and bungalow costs, and how I-285 traffic adds up.
In This Article
How Much Do Movers Cost in Atlanta, GA?
A moving truck stuck on the Downtown Connector at 5 in the afternoon is burning your money at roughly $3 a minute. That is the part of an Atlanta, GA move nobody warns you about. The hourly rate you agree to is only half the story, and the other half is how long the crew spends sitting on I-75, I-85, or I-285.
Most local moves in Atlanta cost somewhere between $450 and $3,500. A one bedroom apartment move in Midtown with two movers often lands around $450 to $850. A four bedroom house going from Decatur to Alpharetta, with a four person crew and a long drive up GA 400, can reach $2,500 to $3,500 before packing service.
Atlanta Hourly Rates by Crew Size
Almost every local mover in metro Atlanta bills by the hour, with a minimum of two to four hours and a travel fee or truck charge on top. Rates here sit close to the national middle, lower than the Northeast and higher than rural Georgia. Competition is strong, so you have room to shop.
The table below shows typical ranges for local moves inside the metro, assuming you pack your own boxes.
| Crew size | Approximate hourly rate | Usually right for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 movers and truck | $100 to $150 | Studio, 1 bedroom, small 2 bedroom |
| 3 movers and truck | $140 to $200 | 2 to 3 bedroom apartment or house |
| 4 movers and truck | $180 to $250 | 3 to 4 bedroom house |
| 5 movers and truck | $220 to $300 | Large homes with lots of furniture |
Adding people to the crew raises the hourly rate but often lowers the total. Three movers can finish a two bedroom move an hour or two faster than two movers, which usually makes up for the higher rate. Ask each company how many hours they expect the job to take with each crew size, then do the math yourself.
Travel fees in Atlanta commonly run $75 to $200, or the equivalent of one hour of labor. Some companies call it a truck fee or a trip charge. It covers the drive from their warehouse to your home and back, which in a metro this spread out can be substantial.
Where Your Address Changes the Price
Atlanta is a city of very different building types, and the kind of place you are leaving matters as much as the size. A 1,200 square foot condo in a Buckhead tower and a 1,200 square foot bungalow in Kirkwood can produce very different bills.
The same is true for where you are going. A move into a new townhome community in Smyrna has different obstacles than a move into a 1920s house on a sloped lot in Virginia-Highland. Tell every company about both addresses in detail when you ask for a quote.
Midtown and Buckhead High-Rises
High-rise buildings along Peachtree in Midtown and Buckhead run moves through a loading dock and freight elevator. Most require a reservation for a set block of time, often three or four hours, and many only allow moves on weekdays. The building will almost always ask the moving company for a certificate of insurance naming the property.
Elevator waits and long hallways add time. A two bedroom condo move from a Buckhead tower often takes a crew five to seven hours, with total costs around $900 to $1,600. Some buildings also charge a move-in fee or refundable deposit, which is separate from what the mover bills you.
Intown Bungalows
Neighborhoods like Grant Park, Kirkwood, East Atlanta, Inman Park, and Virginia-Highland are full of older bungalows and craftsman homes. Front steps, porches, narrow hallways, and hilly lots are normal. Street parking can be tight too, especially on narrow streets where a large truck blocks traffic.
These homes often have smaller doorways and tight turns, so big furniture may need to come apart. Expect a three bedroom bungalow move to run roughly $1,300 to $2,300 with a three or four person crew.
Suburban Homes in Marietta, Alpharetta, and Decatur
Suburban moves in Cobb, north Fulton, Gwinnett, and DeKalb usually mean more stuff and easier access. Driveways, garages, and wide doors help crews work quickly, but two story homes with a finished basement and a packed garage can take all day. A four bedroom house in Marietta or Alpharetta commonly runs $2,000 to $3,500 for a local move.
Decatur sits in between. Some of its neighborhoods have compact older homes like the intown areas, while others look more like classic suburbs. Price a Decatur move based on the specific house, not the zip code.
Outside the Perimeter, newer subdivisions and townhome communities often have HOA rules about truck parking and moving hours. Check them before the crew shows up, because a truck parked at the entrance means a long walk with every box and a longer bill.
Traffic Is a Line Item
Distance in Atlanta is measured in time, not miles. A 15 mile move from East Point to Sandy Springs can take 25 minutes at 10 in the morning or 70 minutes at rush hour. On an hourly job, that difference can mean $150 to $300 on your bill.
The worst stretches are well known: the Downtown Connector through the city center, I-285 on the top end near GA 400 and the I-75 interchange, and I-85 through Gwinnett. Georgia 400 heading north toward Alpharetta also clogs in the afternoon. A good crew knows the surface routes, but even they cannot beat everything.
Scheduling helps more than anything else. An early start means the loaded truck is usually on the road before midday, when traffic is lighter. Avoid Friday afternoons, and check whether there is a Braves game, a big concert, or a Falcons game on your moving day if your route runs near the stadiums.
Heat, Humidity, and Afternoon Storms
Atlanta summers are hot and sticky. Highs in the 90s with heavy humidity slow any crew, and responsible companies build in water breaks. On an all-day move in July, the pace in the afternoon is simply slower than in the morning, and you pay for those hours.
Summer also brings pop-up thunderstorms most afternoons. Crews will pause during lightning and use blankets and plastic to protect furniture in the rain, but a storm can stretch a move by 30 minutes to an hour. Starting early helps here too.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to move, though they are also busy. Winter is the slowest period, and some Atlanta movers offer better weekday rates from December through February. Ice storms are rare, but when they hit, the whole metro shuts down.
Georgia Tech, Emory, and Month-End Crunches
College calendars shape the moving market in parts of the city. Around Georgia Tech in Home Park and West Midtown, and near Emory in Druid Hills, apartment turnover spikes in May and August. Crews book up fast, and elevator slots in student-heavy buildings disappear.
End-of-month dates are tough across the entire metro because so many leases turn over on the first. If you can move on the 10th or the 20th, you will usually have more companies to choose from and more flexibility on arrival times. Booking three to four weeks ahead is smart for any summer move.
Add-Ons That Change the Total
Beyond the hourly rate, a handful of common extras show up on Atlanta moving invoices. Knowing them ahead of time makes quotes easier to compare side by side.
- Packing service, often $500 to $1,500 extra for a two to three bedroom home
- Packing materials such as boxes, tape, and wardrobe cartons, roughly $100 to $500
- Heavy items like pianos, gun safes, or large aquariums, commonly $150 to $600 each
- Long carry or stair fees at some companies, often $50 to $150
- Full value protection coverage, priced as a percentage of the declared value of your goods
Many companies include basic furniture disassembly and reassembly in the hourly rate. Others charge extra for mounted TVs, bunk beds, or large sectional sofas. Ask directly so there are no surprises.
Checking a Mover Before You Book
Georgia requires in-state household goods movers to hold state authority, and interstate movers need a USDOT number from the federal government. Ask for the relevant numbers and look them up before you sign anything. A company that avoids the question is one to skip.
Get at least three written estimates, and try to have one based on a video or in-home walkthrough. You can start with our directory of Atlanta area moving companies and compare reviews, crew sizes, and pricing. For more guides on buying, selling, and relocating around the city, browse the full collection on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do movers cost for a 2 bedroom apartment in Atlanta?
Most two bedroom apartment moves in Atlanta run about $700 to $1,400 with a three person crew. High-rise buildings with elevator reservations and long hallways usually fall at the higher end.
Is it cheaper to move on a weekday in Atlanta?
Often, yes. Tuesday through Thursday dates in the middle of the month are easier to book, and a morning start avoids the worst traffic on I-285 and the Connector.
Should I tip movers in Atlanta?
Tipping is common but optional. Many people give each mover about $20 to $40 for a half day or $40 to $60 for a full day, plus cold water and drinks on hot summer days.
How far ahead should I book movers in Atlanta?
Aim for three to four weeks ahead from May through August, and one to two weeks in the slower months. End-of-month and Georgia Tech or Emory move-in weekends fill fastest.