Quick Answer
The PODS moving cost usually ranges from about $372 to $918 for a local move and roughly $1,505 to $4,576 for a long-distance move, depending on the route, home size, container size, and storage time.
PODS at a Glance
How Much Does PODS Cost?
PODS does not charge one fixed price for every move. A shorter local move costs a few hundred dollars, while a longer move costs several thousand dollars depending on the distance, container needs, and storage time.
Typical PODS Moving Budget
Use a visual range to understand the typical cost from a small local move to a long-distance move.
A short local move with a smaller container size.
A long-distance move that requires a larger container.
What Matters Most
The biggest factors behind your PODS moving cost are the distance you are moving, the container size you need, and how long you keep it.
PODS Moving Cost by Distance
Distance has a big effect on the final cost. A short local move costs under $1,000, while a cross-country move costs more than $5,000 because of the longer travel distance and extra container space.
| Distance band | Example route | Typical container | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (<50 mi) | Within one metro area | 1 × 12 or 16 ft | $372–$918 |
| 200–350 miles | Atlanta → Nashville | 1 × 16 ft | $1,415–$2,852 |
| 500–1,000 mi | Chicago → Atlanta | 1 × 16 ft | $2,023–$4,025 |
| 1,000–2,000 mi | Denver → New York | 1–2 containers | $2,587–$4,627 |
| Cross-country | Los Angeles → Boston | 1–2 containers | $4,515–$8,804 |
Want a clearer estimate? Jump to sample 500-mile, 1,000-mile, and cross-country costs.
See scenarios→PODS Cost by Container Size
Once you know your moving distance, the next big cost factor is the container size. PODS offers 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers, and larger containers generally cost more because you are paying for more space.
8-Foot Container
Studio, dorm room, or lightly furnished 1-bedroom home.
12-Foot Container
1-bedroom home or around 500 to 800 sq. ft. of belongings.
16-Foot Container
2-bedroom home or up to about 1,200 sq. ft. of space.
Important: These ranges are for comparable local moves. The final price can change considerably once distance, location, storage time, and availability are added.
Renting a PODS moving container? See the key things you should know before you book.
Read Before You Rent→PODS Cost by Home Size
Your home size helps estimate how much container space you may need, but it does not set the price by itself.
Cost for a Studio or 1-Bedroom Home
How Much Does PODS Storage Cost?
PODS storage generally costs about $139 to $239 per month, depending on the container size and whether you keep the container at your property or at a PODS Storage Center.
PODS Storage Cost by Container Size
| Container Size | On-Site Storage | PODS Storage Center |
|---|---|---|
| 8-foot container | $139/month | $189/month |
| 12-foot container | $159/month | $210/month |
| 16-foot container | $175/month | $239/month |
A few things matter here:
- Keeping the container on your property is the cheaper option.
- Storage-center rates are higher, but the facility storage itself is included in the quoted monthly rate.
- Larger containers cost more because you are renting more storage space.
- If you need more than one container, each container has its own monthly storage charge.
How Storage Time Changes the Cost
PODS rents containers month to month. If your move gets delayed or you need extra storage, you can keep the container longer, but another monthly charge is added each billing cycle.
| Storage Period | 8-Ft On-Site | 12-Ft On-Site | 16-Ft On-Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $139 | $159 | $175 |
| 2 months | $278 | $318 | $350 |
| 3 months | $417 | $477 | $525 |
For a closer look at self-storage pricing, see our complete breakdown of average storage costs.
View the Detailed Cost Breakdown→Storage duration
Assumes a 16-foot container at about $175/month for on-site storage, added after the first 30 days.
Don’t Guess Your Moving Budget
See what people usually pay for different types of moves within the U.S. before you make your final decision.
How Much Does It Cost to Move in the USA?What Is Included in a PODS Moving Quote?
PODS says its moving quotes include transportation costs, while container rental, delivery, pickup or redelivery, and recurring charges are shown separately.
Container Rental
Use of your container for the first monthly rental period.
Delivery
Bringing the empty container to your home for loading.
Transportation
Moving the loaded container to your destination on long-distance moves.
Pickup
Final collection or redelivery of the container, with charges shown where applicable.
Initial Storage
Your first month of container rental is included in the initial rental charge.
Staged Billing
You pay for each stage of the move as it happens, rather than paying the full amount upfront.
Pay as You Go, Not All Upfront
PODS uses pay-as-you-go billing. For long-distance moves, the charges are generally split between the initial delivery and first month's rent, transportation, and final redelivery.
Deliver
Pay for the initial container delivery and first month's rental.
Load & Store
Keep the container longer if needed and pay the monthly rental charge.
Transport
Pay the transportation cost before the container is moved to your new city.
Redeliver & Finish
Pay the applicable redelivery charge, then have the empty container collected when you're done.
Additional costs you can pay with PODS
Your move price does not include every service. Extra costs apply when you add storage, protection, moving labor, permits, or another container.
| Additional Cost | What You May Pay | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery or pickup | $74.99 each on average | When charged separately |
| Extra 16-ft on-site storage | $175/month | After the first rental month |
| Contents Protection Option | $38.95–$516.95/month | If you choose protection for your belongings |
| Container Only Option | $10/month per container | If you only want container damage protection |
| Loading/unloading help | $40–$75 per mover/hour | If you hire labor separately |
| Parking or permits | Varies by city/property | If street placement or local approval is required |
| Additional container | Quote-based | When your belongings do not fit in one container |
What Factors Affect PODS Moving Costs?
The final price of a PODS move can change quite a bit from one customer to another. Two people moving similar homes get different quotes because of their distance, timing, container needs, and storage.
Moving distance
A short local move costs much less than a long-distance or cross-country move because transportation expenses increase as the container travels farther.
Container size
The size of the container you choose affects the rental price. An 8-foot container is usually cheaper than a 16-foot container.
Number of containers
If your belongings do not fit in one container, adding another container can increase several parts of the bill. You pay more for rental, delivery, pickup, storage, and transportation.
Origin and destination
Your starting and ending ZIP codes affect the price even when the mileage looks similar. Fuel costs, local demand, service availability, and market conditions vary from one area to another.
Storage duration
Keeping the container longer increases the total cost. Once the included rental period ends, each additional month adds another storage charge.
Container availability
Pricing can also depend on how many containers are available in your area. Limited availability makes certain dates, sizes, or routes more expensive.
Example PODS Moving Cost Scenarios
Price ranges are useful, but seeing a few realistic moves makes budgeting much easier. These examples use current PODS estimates and show what is included in each total.
Note: These are planning examples, not fixed PODS rates. Your exact route, move date, container needs, and storage time will determine the final quote.
How Does PODS Pricing Compare With Other Moving Containers?
PODS and other moving container services work in a similar way, but the way they price storage, container space, transportation, and delivery can differ.
| Cost Comparison | PODS | Other Moving Containers |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | $372–$918 | $618–$2,986 |
| Long-distance move | $1,505–$4,576 | $1,604–$3,453 |
| Monthly storage | $139–$239/mo. | $150–$314/mo. |
| Container sizes available | 8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft | About 5–16 ft |
| Rental/storage period | 30 days | Varies, often up to 30 days |
| Loading labor included | $0 included | Usually $0 included |
| Extra labor | Paid separately | Paid separately |
| Long-distance transport | Available | Available with most providers |
Quick takeaway: PODS offers competitive prices, but it is not the cheapest option for every move. Its local moving and storage prices are lower, while some other container companies charge less for long-distance moves.
Compare More Moving Container Providers
PODS isn’t the only option. See which container companies are worth considering before you book.
Is PODS Cheaper Than Other Ways to Move?
Yes, but not in every comparison. PODS is cheaper than full-service movers, but more expensive than renting and driving a moving truck yourself.
- For local moves, PODS costs about $372–$918. A rental truck costs around $175–$590, while professional movers charge about $876–$2,547.
- For long-distance moves, PODS costs about $1,505–$4,576. Rental trucks cost around $1,478–$2,979, while full-service movers charge about $2,700–$10,000+.
Rental truck
you drive
PODS / containers
you load, they drive
Full-service movers
they do everything
PODS vs a Rental Moving Truck
A rental truck usually wins on price, but you are responsible for driving, fuel, loading, and unloading.
| Cost Factor | PODS | Rental Moving Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | $372–$918 | $175–$590 |
| Medium-distance move | $1,505+ | $499–$1,111 |
| Long-distance move | $1,505–$4,576 | $1,478–$2,979 |
| Fuel | Included in transportation price | Paid separately |
| Driving | PODS handles transport | You drive the truck |
| Loading labor | Not included | Not included |
| Storage | Available from $139–$239/month | Usually requires separate storage |
| Extra mileage | No mileage charge to you | May apply depending on rental |
| Tolls | Built into service pricing where applicable | Usually paid by you |
Cost verdict: A rental truck is the cheaper choice if your priority is spending the least and you are comfortable driving and doing the work yourself. PODS costs more, but you avoid driving the moving truck.
You can see a more detailed breakdown in our moving truck rental cost guide.
PODS vs Full-Service Movers
PODS usually comes out cheaper because you handle the packing and loading yourself, while a full-service company charges for labor as well as transportation.
| Cost Factor | PODS | Full-Service Movers |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | $372–$918 | $876–$2,547 |
| Average local move | Within the range above | About $1,692 |
| Long-distance move | $1,505–$4,576 | $2,700–$10,000+ |
| Packing | DIY | Can be included or added |
| Loading & unloading | DIY or paid separately | Included with full service |
| Transportation | Included in move quote | Included |
| Driving | PODS handles it | Movers handle it |
| Storage | $139–$239/month | Usually charged separately |
| Moving labor | Optional extra | Included |
Cost verdict: PODS is the cheaper option if you can handle your own packing and loading. Full-service movers cost more because you're paying a crew to do most of the physical work for you.
See What Your Move Could Cost
PODS and full-service movers can come with very different price tags. Get a quick estimate based on the details of your move.
Is PODS Worth the Cost?
PODS is worth the cost when you value flexibility, storage, and not having to drive a moving truck yourself. It is less attractive when your move is small, simple, and you can handle a rental truck for less.
✓ When PODS is Worth the Price
- ✓ You need storage between move-out and move-in dates.
- ✓ You want to load at your own pace instead of in one day.
- ✓ You do not want to drive a large rental truck.
- ✓ Your move-in date may change.
- ✓ You are planning a long-distance or cross-country move.
- ✓ You want one service for both moving and storage.
✕ When PODS May Not Be the Cheapest Option
- ✕ You are making a very small local move.
- ✕ You are comfortable driving a rental truck yourself.
- ✕ You have only a few pieces of furniture.
- ✕ You do not need storage during the move.
- ✕ You need professional loading and unloading included.
- ✕ A rental truck or another container option costs much less for your route.
Want to look beyond the price? See what customers say about PODS overall experience.
Read PODS reviews→How to Save Money on a PODS Move
You can lower your PODS bill by controlling the parts of the move that have the biggest effect on price. A few small decisions before booking can make a noticeable difference in the final cost.
Choose the right container size
Do not automatically book the largest container. If your belongings fit safely in an 8-foot container or 12-foot container, you can avoid paying for space you do not need.
Reduce what you move before booking
Sell, donate, or discard items you no longer use. A smaller load can help you stay within one container instead of paying for an additional container, extra delivery, and more transportation.
Keep storage time as short as possible
Extra monthly storage adds directly to your total. If you can coordinate your move-in date and unload sooner, you may avoid paying for another full rental month.
Be flexible with your moving date
Prices can change with demand and availability. If your schedule allows it, compare a few moving dates instead of accepting the first one.
Book early when your dates are fixed
Last-minute reservations give you fewer choices for container sizes and delivery dates. An early reservation gives you more options and helps you avoid extra charges for schedule changes.
Try to keep the move to one container
A second container adds more than another rental fee. You also pay more for delivery, storage, protection, and transportation. Using one container that fits everything keeps these extra costs down.
How We Research and Verify PODS Pricing
We built the pricing in this guide from current PODS-published data, not by copying a single average from another moving website.
Our Pricing Research at a Glance
| What We Checked | Research Coverage |
|---|---|
| Latest pricing datasets reviewed | 2026 PODS data |
| Distance range covered | 12–3,050 miles |
| Household sizes reviewed | Studio through 4-bedroom+ |
| PODS container sizes checked | 3 sizes |
| Storage rates checked | 6 monthly rates |
What Went Into Our Cost Ranges+
- Route examples: We checked moves ranging from 12 miles to 3,050 miles. That gave us real reference points for local, regional, long-distance, and cross-country pricing.
- Different home sizes: We also reviewed PODS' June 2026 household examples covering studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom homes. This is what we used when building the home-size sections.
- 3 container sizes: PODS currently offers 8-ft, 12-ft, and 16-ft containers. We checked their official capacity guidance instead of assuming that every household uses the same container.
- 6 storage prices: We checked both on-site and PODS Storage Center rates for all three sizes. Current published average ranges from $139 to $239 per month.
What the Published Move Estimates Include+
| Included in the PODS examples | Included? |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Yes |
| First month of storage | Yes |
| Insurance / contents protection | No |
| Taxes | No |
| Extra storage after month 1 | No |
| Optional loading labor | No |
Sources We Used
PODS 2026 Moving Cost Examples
