Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
How Much Does PODS Cost for Moving?
By chiara MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
- Connects customers with nearby Moving experts
- BBB accredited with a rating of A+
- Customers have access to listed contractors using their zip codes.
- Contractors have profiles that feature Thumbtack ratings, certifications, customer reviews, and more
- Directly contact the contractor of your choice or schedule a service call through Thumbtack.
Long-Distance and International Moving
- FREE Moving quotes
- Personal Account Manager
- Featured in USA Today
- Top rated across the web
*Does NOT Provide Local Moving Services
*Does NOT Provide Auto Transport Services
Newsweek 2019 winner of America’s Best Customer Service
- Certified Promover by American Moving & Storage Association
- Direct Supplier of the US Military / Warehouses are Military Approved
- Competitive state-to-state prices /Guaranteed Pricing
- Weekly shuttles to all major cities
- All moving trucks are air ride for safe transportation of furniture
- Fine art, antique, and piano moving specialists
- Professional packing and crating services
There are many details to consider before you rent a PODS container. Moving container companies like PODS can save you a ton of money compared to full-service movers. However, this DIY moving approach might not be right for everyone.
Read on to learn more about PODS pricing and the factors that increase your overall cost. You’ll also find details about how PODS works and how to decide between a portable storage container and a professional moving company.
Table of Contents
- PODS Moving Costs
- How to Get a PODS Estimate
- What Factors Affect the Cost of a PODS Move?
- How Does PODS Moving Services Work?
- PODS vs. Other Moving Companies
- PODS FAQS
PODS Moving Costs
Renting a PODS container to move your belongings from one location to another could be a cost-effective way to relocate. Here’s a look at what you might expect to pay for PODS moving costs based on your moving needs.
Local Moves
Most people pay between $299 and $499 to use a PODS self-storage container for a local move. However, the company estimates that around 20% of PODS moves come in above or below this average range.
For the price above, you can expect:
- Pickup of the portable on-demand container from your current home and drop off at your new home
- 30 days of total portable on-demand storage
If you need to store your items in a PODS container for longer than 30 days, your storage costs will increase. Additionally, the company doesn’t help with packing, unpacking, loading, or unloading of your belongings. But they can supply you with referrals to companies that do provide these services (for a fee). Also, remember to factor in the cost of moving boxes and all the right moving supplies.
Long-Distance Moves
The cost of using PODS for long-distance moves can vary, just as different out-of-state moves can be priced differently by professional movers. You can request a free moving quote based on details such as the size of the container (or containers) you need, the distance you’ll be moving and your desired move date.
According to PODS, $4,500 is the average cross-country moving cost for a PODS container. But some coast-to-coast PODS relocations could cost up to around $9,000.
City Service
Moving to a new location can be a stressful process, no matter how you choose to approach it. But if you’re moving into a new home in a big city and navigating special challenges like heavy traffic, one-way streets and parking regulations, the moving process can be even more difficult to manage.
The PODS City Service is designed to make relocation and storage easier in major metropolitan areas. You can take advantage of PODS City Service in any of the following 13 locations:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York City
- New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Toronto
- Washington, D.C.
With PODS City Service, the company brings your weather-resistant storage container to your location on the back of a truck. You load your belongings onto a hydraulic lift and conveniently load your possessions into the container throughout a four-hour window. (More time may be available for an additional fee.) Once you’re done loading the container, the driver transports it to a storage facility until you’re ready for the company to deliver it to your new location. Pricing varies depending on the details of your move.
This service could be especially helpful to customers who must leave their old home before their new place is ready. And it’s also beneficial for people who are downsizing and need a place to put the things that won’t fit into their new home.
How to get a PODS Estimate
The easiest way to get a quote from PODS is to visit the company’s website and answer a few questions. You’ll need to share details such as:
- Type of relocation (residential or commercial)
- Services needed (moving, storage, or both)
- Delivery location for container
- Date container is needed
- How long you need the PODS container
At the bottom of the intake form, you’ll see a prompt to enter your email address. This will allow PODS to send you a free quote and contact you with additional information.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a PODS Move?
Whether you hire an all-inclusive moving service or choose a more economical approach, the details of your relocation play an important role in determining your overall moving costs. Here are some factors that might impact your online quote as you work through your moving checklist.
Moving Distance
The farther away your new location is from your old one, the more you can expect to pay in relocation costs. Local PODS moves can cost much less than long-distance PODS moves, just like any other type of local-versus-long-distance relocation.
Container Sizes
Another factor that will affect the cost of your PODS move is the size of the container (or containers) you use. The price of storing a small PODS container starts at $149 per month. Delivery and pick-up fees can vary, but they average $74.99.
PODS containers are available in the following sizes:
- 16-Foot Container: This container may hold the belongings of an average two-bedroom (up to 1,200 sq. ft.) home. This 10’x15’ unit is PODS’ largest container option. It fits into a standard parking spot and is comparable to a 20’ moving truck.
- 12-Foot Container: Next is PODS’ medium, 10’x10’ storage container. The company recommends this option for a 1-bedroom home (up to 800 sq. ft.) or as a solution if you need to pack away the belongings located in two or three rooms. It is only available for in-town moving.
- 8-Foot Container: PODS’ smallest container is a 5’x10’ storage unit. It may work well for a studio apartment (up to 500 sq. ft.).
It’s not uncommon to need multiple PODS to accommodate all belongings from a single household. So PODS provides a Moving and Storage Calculator to help potential customers determine how many moving containers they might need to rent. Also, learn how to pack a moving truck like a pro to make the most of your space.
Moving Time
The longer you keep a PODS container, the higher your overall expense will be. PODS charges fees on a monthly basis. The best way to save money on a PODS move is to arrange for the container delivery, packing, relocation, unloading and pick up of your PODS unit to all occur within a 30-day window.
How Does PODS Moving Services Work?
When you reserve and pay for one or more PODS containers, you will choose a date for the company to deliver them to your home. The delivery process is contactless. But before the arrival of the container, you’ll need to answer some questions.
For example, you’ll be asked to specify whether you want the storage unit to be on the left or right side of your driveway. You can also note whether you prefer the container to face toward the home or toward the street.
NOTE: If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association (HOA), or if there’s an HOA where you’re moving, be sure a portable storage unit is permitted. If it’s against HOA guidelines to have a storage container, you may need to make arrangements to load your container in a single day and have PODS take the container to an offsite storage location until you’re ready to unload the belongings to your new home.
If the driver can deliver the PODS container to your home and leave it there, you can load it at your leisure. However, if you keep it for more than 30 days, you’ll incur additional fees. Read the moving contract to make sure you understand all of the applicable provisions.
PODS vs. Other Moving Companies
It’s hard to compete with the convenience of hiring full-service movers who pack your belongings and manage your move without the need for you to lift a finger. Yet, for many people, the expense of that type of professional moving service isn’t affordable. Full-service moves, especially over long distances, can easily run over $5,000 and sometimes several times that amount for larger homes and longer distances.
In addition to the potential savings, here are some other reasons to consider using PODS vs. a moving company.
- According to PODS, the company has 10 times fewer damage claims than traditional full-service moving companies.
- An on-site PODS lets you maintain easy access to your items in storage without having to visit an off-site storage facility.
- Your moving timeline is more flexible with a PODS unit (though your price can increase if you keep a container more than 30 days).
If PODS isn’t the right fit for your move, consider one of the best moving companies or best traditional moving truck rental companies.
PODS FAQs
Which is better, PODS or U-Haul?
PODS may also be a better choice if you plan to keep your belongings in storage for a while. With a U-Haul, you would need to load the truck and unload your items when you reach the storage facility of your choice. Then you would have to repeat the process when you’re ready to take the items out of storage. A PODS container can eliminate some of these steps.
