A PODS move costs $225 to $4,576 in 2026
A PODS move costs $225 to $4,576 in 2026, depending on distance. HireAHelper lists a local move at $582 on average, and ThePricer lists $313 to $661. Long distance runs $1,505 to $4,576 at ThePricer. Storage costs more each month, with HireAHelper listing $139 to $239. Container size, miles, and how long you keep the pod decide your total. Fees and permits add more.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HireAHelper | HireAHelper lists a local PODS move at $582 on average, about 500 miles at $1,964, about 2,500 miles at $4,856, and storage at $139 to $239 per month. |
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists local moves at $313 to $661, long distance moves at $1,505 to $4,576, and extra storage months at $169 to $359. |
| Neighbor | Neighbor lists PODS storage at $169 to $359 per month and local moves at $225 to $435 for an 8 foot container. |
PODS cost by move type
| Move | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Local move, average | $582 | HireAHelper |
| Local move, range | $313 to $661 | ThePricer |
| Local move, 8 foot container | $225 to $435 | Neighbor |
| About 500 miles, average | $1,964 | HireAHelper |
| Long distance, range | $1,505 to $4,576 | ThePricer |
| About 2,500 miles | $4,856 | HireAHelper |
| Storage per month, 8 foot, at a facility | $189 | HireAHelper |
| Storage per month, 16 foot, at a facility | $239 | HireAHelper |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Distance | Local moves cost far less. HireAHelper lists $582 on average for local, $1,964 for about 500 miles, and $4,856 for about 2,500 miles. |
| Container size | Bigger pods cost more. Neighbor lists local moves at $225 to $435 for 8 feet, $345 to $650 for 12 feet, and $330 to $830 for 16 feet. |
| Storage time | You pay each month the pod sits. Neighbor lists $169 to $359 per month, and HireAHelper lists $139 to $239. |
| Protection and fees | Extras add up. HireAHelper lists contents protection at $38.95 to $516.95 per month and delivery or pickup at about $80 each. |
| Permits and labor | City rules and loading help add cost. ThePricer lists a street permit example of $84.46 and hired labor at about $451.90 per job. |
What the price includes
ThePricer says quotes include one month of storage plus standard delivery, transport, and pickup. Insurance, taxes, and hired packing help are not included. HireAHelper lists contents protection at $38.95 to $516.95 per month and rescheduling or failed service fees of up to $150. Loading and unloading are your job unless you hire help.
Who charges this and how it is billed
PODS is a portable storage company. It drops a container at your home, you fill it, and it hauls the container to your new home or to storage. Local moves are billed at a flat price. Long distance moves are billed by the miles and the container size. Each month in storage is a new charge, and ThePricer says quotes include one month. Fees for delivery, pickup, permits, and protection are billed on top. Other firms sell the same kind of service, so compare quotes.
When you need this
A portable container helps when you cannot load a truck in one day, when your new home is not ready, or when you want to pack at your own pace. It also helps on a long distance move when you do not want to drive a truck. If your move is small and close, a rental truck may cost less. Compare both prices before you choose.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote includes delivery, pickup, and the first month.
- Ask what fees apply if you change the date.
- Ask for the monthly storage rate after the first month.
- Ask about permits where you park the pod.
- Compare the total with the range above: $225 to $4,576 per move for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Pick the smallest pod that fits. Neighbor lists 8 foot local moves at $225 to $435, below $330 to $830 for 16 feet.
- Keep the pod time short. Each extra month costs $169 to $359 at Neighbor and $139 to $239 at HireAHelper.
- Be ready on delivery day. HireAHelper lists rescheduling and failed service charges of up to $150, so pack early and clear the driveway.
- Check your own insurance first. HireAHelper lists PODS contents protection at $38.95 to $516.95 per month, so your home policy may cost less.
- Compare long distance quotes. ThePricer lists $1,505 to $4,576, a wide range, so get quotes from PODS and other firms.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HireAHelper, ThePricer and Neighbor. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a PODS container cost for a local move?
HireAHelper lists $582 on average, with a range of $456 to $783. ThePricer lists $313 to $661.
How much does a long distance PODS move cost?
HireAHelper lists $1,964 for about 500 miles and $2,722 for about 1,200 miles. ThePricer lists $1,505 to $4,576.
How much does a cross country PODS move cost?
HireAHelper lists about $4,856 for about 2,500 miles. ThePricer lists $4,515 to $6,491 for New York to Los Angeles.
How much is PODS storage per month?
HireAHelper lists $139 to $239 depending on size and place. Neighbor lists $169 to $359 per month.
Does PODS charge for protection?
Yes, it is a separate fee. HireAHelper lists contents protection at $38.95 to $516.95 per month, depending on the coverage amount.