Best moving company with great reviews

Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether for the picturesque Adirondacks or the bustling city life, New York is a major draw for families on the move. Conversely, the New York City area sees some of the highest outbound traffic of any United States city, according to a 2022 migration map from Allied Van Lines. Both of these considerations make moving companies an essential service in New York, and the best mover for the job is a contested topic.

To select a good moving company, you have to see how different movers stack up against one another and determine how each might match your moving needs. We’ve dedicated substantial time and resources to evaluating the best moving companies. After analyzing our findings, we wrote this guide to help inform your decision-making process when choosing a New York mover.

The Best Movers in New York

This is our definitive list of New York’s top movers based on our rating methodology:

• International Van Lines
• American Van Lines
• Safeway Moving Inc.
• Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
• Moving APT
• JK Moving Services
• Allied Van Lines

International Van Lines

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Full service
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit International Van Lines’ site

What We Like

At its outset, International Van Lines (IVL) specialized in managing international logistics but soon ventured into the long-distance moving industry. The choice to do so stuck, and IVL is now a major provider of international and interstate moving services. It offers full-service moves with professional packing assistance, allowing you to allocate all the packing duties to its crews or select a partial-packing service.

For customers who are moving abroad or coming into New York from overseas, IVL has the authorization and experience to provide a level of assistance not found with many competitors. As a licensed mover and freight forwarder, IVL can transport your goods via ocean or air freight depending on your needs. The company has also taken strides to set its customers up with multiple insurance options to provide a comfortable level of financial protection for a shipment.

Cost

The first step in IVL’s quote process is to either call the company or fill out its quote request form online. IVL is typically prompt in its responses to quote requests, and you will receive a call from a representative often on the same day. To start an estimate, you will need to provide information about your home’s inventory via self-report, a video survey, or an in-home consultation.

IVL provides binding estimates, and you will need to pay a deposit to get your moving services on the books. For payment, IVL will accept cash, money order, or cashier’s check. Alternative payment options, such as Venmo and Paypal, may be accepted, but you should confirm this with your move coordinator before scheduling your move.

Services

When you select IVL’s professional packing service, its movers will be responsible for packing, loading, hauling, unloading, and unpacking your inventory. For partial-packing options, IVL will still transport your belongings, but you will need to take care of most of the packing and unpacking. IVL offers custom crating for fragile and high-value items, providing an additional measure of protection.

Some of IVL’s specialty services include bulky item relocation for pianos, pool tables, exercise equipment, and other unwieldy or awkward items. The company also offers vehicle shipping and short- and long-term storage services. Local moving services for short-distance moves are limited and are currently unavailable in the New York area.

Read more: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Full service
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 48 (all but Alaska and Hawaii)
• Get a quick quote: Visit American Van Lines’ site

What We Like

American Van Lines (AVL) has been an exclusive moving carrier since 1995, building a reputation on industry experience. For many of its hires, AVL focuses on candidates who have worked elsewhere in the moving industry, and the company boasts that its moving crews average 10 years of experience. It also background checks and drug tests every hire to help ensure a high standard of trust and overall quality of service.

Moving high-value items is enough to make anyone nervous, but AVL dedicates a large portion of its employee training to learning the proper white-glove moving techniques. According to its website, you can expect AVL’s moving crews to be well-versed in moving fine artwork, pianos, antiques, and other prized possessions.

Cost

American Van Lines has an estimate request form visible on its website along with a phone number that you can call to start your free quote. For a rough idea of what costs you may expect, AVL has a dedicated directory on its website for posting average moving costs, including sample quotes for NYC moving. AVL provides binding estimates at flat rates and offers video surveys and in-home consultations.

When booking your move, expect to pay a deposit with a varying percentage depending on your exact move details. AVL accepts cash, credit card, money order, or a cashier’s check to cover moving costs.

Services

AVL is a full-service mover with options for comprehensive packing assistance or fragile-only packing. Its crews will conduct a full inventory of the items slated for shipment and will individually wrap your items for maximum protection during transit. Full-service moves include furniture disassembly and reassembly for your convenience. AVL states that it will deliver items every day of the week.

As an add-on service, you can purchase temporary or permanent storage from AVL as needed. The company also supports customers making military moves or companies planning a major corporate relocation.

Read more: American Van Lines Review

Safeway Moving Inc.

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Full service
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit Safeway’s site

What We Like

Safeway Moving Inc. is a professional moving company that markets toward customers needing long-distance moving services anywhere in the United States. It operates a small fleet of moving trucks and also coordinates services through vetted local movers for some customers. Safeway has incorporated flat-rate pricing across the board for its services in an effort to minimize confusion during the billing process.

For customers moving to neighborhoods in New York that are part of a homeowners association (HOA), Safeway is uniquely qualified to make the moving process easier. It has substantial experience with these types of moves and understands the importance of adhering to HOA requirements to avoid causing you unnecessary stress.

Cost

For your moving quote, you will need to fill out a quote request form on Safeway’s website or call the company directly. Safeway provides binding estimates and will base costs on a virtual or video survey of your inventory. You can also self-report details about your inventory, but it’s important to take your time to ensure that you include every item to prevent unexpected changes to your moving cost on the day of your move.

Safeway requires you to pay a deposit plus an administrative fee when scheduling your move. You can pay your moving fees with cash, money order, certified check, or credit cards when pre-authorized by Safeway.

Services

Safeway positions in the industry as a full-service mover that focuses predominantly on long-distance moves. The company does, however, have some availability for international moving services. For its standard full-service move, Safeway assists with all duties related to packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking your household goods. You can request crating services to give fragile items additional protection.

Storage solutions are also available through Safeway, and the company includes one free month. Its storage facilities are under 24-hour surveillance and regular patrols. Safeway offers customer support 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Read more: Safeway Moving Review

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Moving broker
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit Interstate Moving & Relocation Group’s site

What We Like

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a great option for inter-city moves, partnering with a nationwide network of professional movers that will bid for your services. It features moving guides on its website for several popular cities, including New York City. IMRG highlights the NYC movers in its network and provides insights about cost of living and public transportation within the city, among other helpful pieces of information.

As a broker, IMRG will not perform your moving services directly, but its partners include both self- and full-service movers to accommodate your needs. It can also connect you with companies offering numerous specialty services to help you secure a more ideal moving experience. Because IMRG does not operate its own moving trucks, the company assigned to your services will be liable for any issues related to your shipment.

Cost

You can obtain a rough estimate of moving costs you may expect by using IMRG’s online moving cost calculator. For an actual quote, you will need to submit your information online via the provided form or contact the company to speak to a move coordinator. IMRG will provide a binding estimate based on the details of your move, allowing you to submit a record of your inventory or request an in-home survey.

IMRG charges an up-front deposit that will include a binding estimate fee when booking your moving date. On your moving day, you can pay your final balance with a credit card, cashier’s check, or personal check. The binding estimate can change if the moving company finds that the details of your inventory are different on the day of the move, and we recommend scheduling an in-home survey when possible to avoid this issue.

Services

IMRG’s full-service partners will generally offer comprehensive packing and unpacking assistance that includes furniture disassembly and reassembly. Its self-service partners drop off portable storage containers that you will load before an agreed-upon pickup day. These storage containers take up little space and can be great choices for New Yorkers who live in Manhattan or other densely populated locations that often have limited truck access.

You can add vehicle shipping to your move, and IMRG also partners with numerous companies offering storage services in secure storage facilities. You can also request assistance with military or corporate relocation. Many of IMRG’s partners provide shipment tracking for a more stress-free moving process.

Read more: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review

Moving APT

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Moving broker
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit Moving APT’s site

What We Like

Moving APT is another exclusive moving broker in our guide, assisting customers by coordinating moving services through its network of more than 2,500 vetted third-party agents. This means that Moving APT will not transport your household goods between any two locations, but it can match you with a mover suited to your needs. Moving APT works with long-distance, local, and international carriers to help streamline your move to or from New York.

After learning about your moving needs, Moving APT provides the necessary information to its partners in your area who will then contact you directly. With such a large network of professional movers, Moving APT can schedule moves on time and often at the last minute. The company website includes numerous helpful resources to read in the days leading up to your move, including moving checklists to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

Cost

On Moving APT’s home page, you can input the ZIP code of your origin and destination cities to start submitting a quote request. You can also call the number listed on the top right of the page. Moving APT is typically fast to respond, and, after speaking to a move coordinator, you will be contacted by interested movers that will ask a few questions before providing a detailed estimate.

Moving APT charges a booking fee, and an additional deposit may be required depending on the company performing your moving services. Payment methods will depend on each individual moving company’s preferences.

Services

Moving APT’s partners include self- and full-service moving companies. Self-service movers provide portable storage containers that you load, and full-service movers will provide door-to-door assistance for moving into your new home. Moving APT can coordinate local, interstate, and international moving services.

Among the more than 2,500 moving companies in Moving APT’s network, the broker can accommodate a wide selection of specialty service requests. You can ask for a mover with vehicle-shipping capabilities, and you will find numerous temporary and permanent storage options. Moving APT also connects its customers to corporate and commercial moving specialists.

Read more: Moving APT Review

JK Moving Services

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Full service
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit JK Moving’s site

What We Like

Headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area, JK Moving Services is a great option for mid-Atlantic moves and storage solutions. The company ultimately serves the entire United States for interstate relocation and has a robust service package for international moves. JK Moving has built its brand on giving equal attention to residential and commercial customers, offering a wider selection of commercial services than many competitors in our guide.

The customer experience is a clear focal point for JK Moving, best evidenced in its easy-to-use mobile app. When you start your quote with a JK Moving representative, you can download the JK Moving app on your smartphone to view your estimate. This provides you with convenient access to cost information and other documentation that you will need to review to prepare for your move. You can also use the mobile app to move forward with the booking process.

Cost

JK Moving requires you to call or submit your contact information on its website to request an estimate. The company may provide a ballpark estimate, but in most circumstances will want to conduct a survey of your inventory to provide an accurate figure for your projected moving costs. JK Moving has several survey options for your convenience, including in-home consultations, an AI-assisted self-report, or a live virtual consultation.

When booking your move, JK Moving requires a small, flat-rate deposit that is significantly lower than most competitors. You can pay this deposit with a credit card or eCheck. To cover your remaining moving costs, plan to pay by certified check, money order, or credit card.

Services

Offering a standard full-service package, JK Moving will handle your packing and loading duties, saving you time, stress, and energy. You can also select DIY or fragile-only packing if you prefer a more hands-on moving process. JK Moving’s trucks are GPS-enabled for shipment tracking, and the company provides 24/7 live customer support. Short- and long-term storage solutions are available.

JK Moving’s commercial moving services vary in scope, with the company adapting its offerings to the type of move you require. For office moves, it offers IT removal, data backup, document shredding, floor planning, and much more. The company also partners with construction firms to offer delivery and installation services for furniture and equipment.

Read more: JK Moving Services Review

Allied Van Lines

Fast Facts:

• Service model: Full service
• Specialty services: Yes
• State availability: 50
• Get a quick quote: Visit Allied’s site

What We Like

Founded in 1928, Allied Van Lines has provided professional moving services longer than most companies in the United States. Over the years, Allied has grown to include nearly 2,000 drivers to transport household goods, enabling the company to work all across the country. It also has broker authority, partnering with a vetted network of local movers to help customers enjoy prompt moving services in a number of different cities.

Allied doesn’t waste time with gimmicky marketing, hosting a simple website that is full of helpful information. This includes numerous moving guides, checklists, and general tips. The company closely follows moving trends and releases a yearly migration map showing national hot spots for moves to better educate its customers.

Cost

Allied has an InstaQuote form on its home page for requesting a moving quote. After submitting your move information, you should typically expect to receive a phone call within a business day. Allied will provide you with a binding estimate and conduct an in-home consultation or a virtual survey to learn about the belongings you intend to ship.

You will not need to pay an up-front deposit with Allied. The company accepts cash, credit card, money order, or certified check to cover your moving costs.

Services

Allied’s full-service moves in and out of New York include comprehensive packing and loading assistance. For customers who wish to self-pack all or a portion of their belongings, Allied sells moving kits with the necessary packing supplies, including wardrobe boxes. Crating services are available for fragile or high-end items that need more than a standard box. Allied also has storage facilities available for your temporary or permanent storage needs.

For tight residential spaces in the boroughs of NYC, a large moving truck may not be a viable option for relocating your household goods. Allied has a container storage service called Allied Express for smaller shipments, using portable shipping containers that can fit into smaller areas. This service includes full packing and loading assistance, and you can request a guaranteed delivery date.

Read more: Allied Van Lines Review

Compare the Top Moving Companies in New York

Here are how our top-ranked New York moving companies compare:

Our Recommendation

Be it Brooklyn, the Bronx, or any other borough, moving your belongings to a new living space in New York City is a major endeavor. Relocating to a home in the rural areas of the Hudson Valley has challenges all its own, making a professional mover an asset. We like International Van Lines for its well-rounded business model, giving equal attention to long-distance and international moves. It also has great insurance options to afford stronger financial protection to your high-value items.

American Van Lines is another top-rated provider on our list, making experienced labor one of its major focal points to ensure that its crews are efficient and use the best moving techniques. We also gave a favorable ranking to Interstate Moving & Relocation Group, noting its ability to coordinate prompt moving services in major cities through a large partner network.

It’s a good idea to call three providers that stand out to you to gather quotes for your upcoming move. This gives you the chance to assess the company’s customer service practices and to review the fine print of an estimate before making a decision.

New York Moving Companies FAQ

What factors affect the cost of a New York move?

A major factor affecting the cost of a New York move is whether you plan to move locally or over a long distance. Local movers tend to charge by the hour rather than at a flat rate, but they will often prove cheaper than using a long-distance mover to relocate hundreds or thousands of miles away. Factors affecting a long-distance move include mileage (which may include toll road costs), the weight of your inventory, and the services you select.

How are moving companies regulated in New York?

The New York Department of Transportation regulates moving companies in New York.

What is the cheapest way to move in NYC?

The cheapest way to move in NYC is to rent a moving truck and haul your own belongings or to hire a self-service mover. A self-service mover typically uses portable storage containers that it drops off at your location on the agreed upon moving date. You will then load these containers yourself and await the company to pick them up and deliver your items to your new home.

What are the benefits of hiring movers?

The main benefit of hiring movers is the convenience that it affords you during an already stressful time. Full-service movers can handle all physical responsibilities during a move, including packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. They will also haul your items to your destination, keeping you from having to rent and drive a moving truck.

How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in New York

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.

Who is the best mover in 2023?

The 10 Best Moving Companies of 2023..

International Van Lines..

United Van Lines..

Allied Van Lines..

Atlas Van Lines..

North American Van Lines..

JK Moving..

Mayflower Transit..

How do I know if a moving company is reputable?

Research the company—check if the company is registered with the California Public Utilities Commission (for moves within California) or the U.S. Department of Transportation (for interstate moves); what types of services the company offers; how long the company has been in business; and the company's reputation for ...

How much do you tip a mover?

A standard rule of thumb is typically 20% of the total moving cost. It's a good idea to check your receipt for this information before you tip so you know exactly how much each person worked on your move. If a mover does an outstanding job, feel free to tip more.

What is the trend in the moving industry in 2023?

Hybrid Moving Services: As the moving industry evolves, there is Hybrid moving services, which combine traditional moving with self-moving options, are becoming more popular. This trend will continue in 2023 as consumers seek more control over their moving process.