Moving takes time, money, and plenty of decisions, starting with how you’ll actually get your things from one home to the next. Should you hire a traditional moving company, try something else like a PODS container, or try both?
Each option has clear advantages. PODS gives you more flexibility and often saves money, while a moving company can provide full-service help when you need it. This guide breaks down how both work, what they cost, and where each option fits best so you can plan with confidence. In most cases, PODS is the more flexible and cost-effective choice, though a moving company may still be the right call in certain situations.
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At a Glance: PODS vs. a Moving Company
Both PODS and moving companies can get you and your belongings moved to your new place, but they work very differently. With PODS, a container is delivered right to your home. You load it on your own schedule, and once it’s packed, the company transports it to your new address or to a storage facility if you need extra time. On the other hand, a moving company sends a crew to handle the whole process. They load, transport, and unload your belongings for you, and in some cases will even do the packing.
“PODS quotes tend to be more all-inclusive (container + transport + storage), while moving company quotes often leave out extras like packing or full-value insurance.”
The biggest difference comes down to cost and convenience. PODS usually costs less than hiring a moving company, especially for long-distance moves where storage time is included in the base price. A moving company is the more hands-off option, but you’ll pay for the crew’s time and expertise on top of transportation.
Quick Comparison: PODS vs. a Moving Company
| Feature | PODS | Moving Company |
| Typical Cost (local) | $600–$825, depending on city size | $412 (labor-only) to $933 (full-service) |
| Typical Cost (long-distance) | $1,521–$2,332 (avg: ~$1,927, Tampa, FL → Atlanta, GA, 460 miles) | $1,500–$4,400 (full-service, 2–3 BR, Tampa → Atlanta, 460 miles) |
| Typical Cost (cross-country) | $5,552 (Poughkeepsie, NY → Bellingham, WA, 2,940 miles) | $5,000–$11,000 (full-service, 2–3 BR, cross-country range) |
| Key Services | Delivery, pickup, transport, and storage included | Packing, loading/unloading, transport |
| Main Pros | Flexible loading time, no driving, storage built-in | Hands-off, professional labor, fast |
| Main Cons | You still have to load (unless you hire labor), parking space is needed | Higher cost, limited flexibility, more scheduling stress |
If you want maximum convenience, are really short on time, and don’t mind paying more (especially for a long-distance move), a moving company can be a smart choice. But for most households, PODS hits a sweet spot. You get time to pack at your own pace, storage options built in, and no need to drive a large truck across town (or state lines). That balance of affordability and flexibility is why PODS often comes out ahead.
What Is PODS and How Does It Work?
PODS has been around since the late 1990s and is now one of the largest portable moving and storage providers in North America. With more than 240 storage centers across the U.S. and Canada, they’ve handled millions of moves for people who want a middle ground between DIY and full-service moving.
A PODS container is a portable storage unit that gets delivered right to your driveway. Instead of rushing to load a moving truck in a single day, you can pack at your own pace. When you’re ready, PODS picks up the container and either stores it at a nearby facility or delivers it to your new home.
Here’s how the process works step by step:
- Book your container: You can get a quote online or by phone. Your price depends on container size, how many you need, distance, and whether you need storage.
- Pick your size: PODS offers three container sizes, which fit everything from a studio apartment to a three-bedroom house.
- Delivery: A PODS driver drops the container on your property using their PODZILLA lift system, which can place the unit without tilting. Keep in mind that if you don’t have a driveway, street placement may require a city permit.
- Load at your pace: Containers are rented by the month, so you don’t have to rush. You’ll also get tie-down points and ground-level access for easier loading.
- Transport: Once loaded, schedule pickup and PODS will drive it to your new home or to one of their storage centers.
- Storage options: Keep it in your driveway for easy access, or store it at a PODS facility for as long as you need.
PODS Container Sizes
- 8 ft ~10’ moving truck: Fits a studio or small apartment
- 12 ft ~15’ moving truck: Fits a 1–2 bedroom apartment
- 16 ft ~20’ moving truck: Fits a 2–3 bedroom home (most popular)
| Pros of PODS | Cons of PODS |
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What is a Moving Company and How Does It Work?
A moving company provides people and equipment to get your belongings from one home to another. What you pay for depends on the level of service: some customers only book labor to load a truck or container, while others want the full-service experience, where a crew handles everything from packing to driving.
How it works: Labor-only moving
Labor-only moving is the middle ground between DIY and full-service. You supply the transportation — a rental truck, a PODS container, or even just your own vehicle — and hire movers by the hour to do the heavy lifting.
- Booking: You request helpers online and choose a date, time, and number of movers.
- Quotes: Pricing is based on crew size and hours worked. National averages run around $80–$120 per hour for a team of two.
- Loading: The movers load your belongings safely into your truck or container.
- Transportation: You’re still responsible for driving or arranging delivery.
- Unloading: The same or a different crew can meet you at your new place to unload.
How it works: Full-service moving
Full-service movers provide the truck, driver, and labor. This is the most hands-off option, but also the most expensive.
- Booking: Typically done through an in-home or virtual estimate. The company assesses your inventory, distance, and any special needs (stairs, elevators, large items).
- Quotes: Costs are usually based on weight and distance for long-distance moves, or hourly for local moves. Expect $900+ for local full-service and $3,000–$10,000 for long-distance, depending on household size.
- Loading: The crew arrives with equipment, pads, and dollies. They pack, pad, and load your items.
- Transportation: The company drives the truck. For long-distance moves, delivery may take days or weeks, depending on distance and scheduling.
- Unloading: Movers carry everything into your new home and reassemble basic furniture.
| Pros of Moving Companies | Cons of Moving Companies |
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If you’re leaning toward hiring movers, comparing quotes is the best way to find the right fit. On the HireAHelper platform, you can see real reviews, transparent pricing, and book a crew that works for your budget and timeline.
Comparing the Cost of PODS vs. a Moving Company
When you’re figuring out whether PODS or a moving company would be better for you, cost is usually one of the biggest factors. While PODS is typically less expensive for long-distance moves, moving companies give you professional help and convenience. Here’s a snapshot of how the two compare.
Average Cost Comparison
| Move Type | PODS | Moving Company* |
| Local move | $600–$825 | $933 full-service / $412 labor-only |
| Medium-distance (~460 miles, Tampa → Atlanta) | $1,521–$2,332 (avg: ~$1,927) | $1,500–$4,400 (full-service, 2–3 BR) |
| Long-distance (~2,660 miles, San Diego → Miami) | $4,484–$7,385 (avg: ~$5,935) | $3,076–$4,492 (full-service, 2–3 BR) |
| Cross-country (~2,940 miles, Poughkeepsie → Bellingham) | $5,552 | $5,000–$11,000 (full-service, 2–3 BR) |
*Based on HireAHelper’s 2025 cost data for full-service and labor-only movers.
Sample Scenarios
- Local move (New York City, across town): PODS costs around $600–$825, while a moving company averages $933 for full-service or $412 for labor-only. Movers can be cheaper for a single-day local job, but PODS gives you the advantage of extra loading time.
- Regional move (Tampa, FL → Atlanta, GA, ~460 miles): PODS averages $1,521–$2,332. A rental truck with gas comes in lower at about $838, but adding labor help pushes the total closer to PODS. The trade-off: PODS saves you from driving a truck several hundred miles.
- Long-distance move (San Diego, CA → Miami, FL, ~2,660 miles): PODS runs $4,484–$7,385, while full-service movers average $3,076–$4,492. At this distance, prices overlap — the difference is PODS includes storage time in the base price, while movers may charge extra.
- Cross-country move (Poughkeepsie, NY → Bellingham, WA, ~2,940 miles): PODS is about $5,552, compared to $5,000–$11,000 for full-service movers. This is where PODS shows its biggest advantage: you avoid cross-country driving without paying premium mover rates.
PODS Costs and Structure
PODS quotes generally include:
- Delivery and pickup of the container
- A 30-day rental period
- Transport to your new address or a PODS storage center
Extras:
- Extended storage: $249–$376 per month, depending on location and container size
- Insurance coverage
- City placement permits (if required)
- Additional containers if one isn’t enough
Note: Extra storage is billed monthly, not prorated. If you only need a few extra days beyond the first 30, you’ll still pay for the entire month.
Moving Company Costs and Structure
Moving company costs vary by service type:
- Labor-only: Around $412 on average for local moves, with crews billed hourly ($80–$120/hr for two movers).
- Full-service: Local moves average $933, and long-distance costs range $3,000–$11,000, depending on distance and home size.
Extras:
- Packing services
- Fuel surcharges
- Insurance upgrades
- Stair fees
- Long-carry charges
How to Compare PODS vs. Moving Company Quotes
One challenge: PODS quotes tend to be more all-inclusive (container + transport + storage), while moving company quotes often leave out extras like packing or full-value insurance. When comparing, make sure you’re lining up the same factors:
- Does the moving company’s quote include fuel and labor, or just the truck?
- How long do you need the container or crew — a single day, or multiple weeks?
- Do you need storage between homes? If so, PODS usually builds that in, while movers charge separately.
Bottom line: a PODS container usually saves money if you’re willing to do the loading yourself. A moving company makes sense if you’d rather pay more for labor and peace of mind.
PODS vs. Moving Company Services
Cost matters, but so does what you actually get with each option. PODS provides the container, transportation, and storage, while moving companies can add full-service support like packing and unloading. Here’s how the services compare:
| Service | PODS | Moving Company |
| Container/Truck | Container delivered to home | Truck provided (full-service) |
| Loading/Unloading | DIY (unless you hire labor separately) | Included (full-service) / Optional (labor-only) |
| Packing Services | Not included | Available with full-service movers |
| Driving/Transport | Handled by PODS | Handled by movers |
| Storage | At home or PODS facility | Not standard |
Bottom line: PODS covers the basics and storage, while moving companies provide more labor help. You can also combine the two — hire movers to load your PODS container for a hybrid solution.
Do You Ever Need Both PODS and a Moving Company?
Sometimes the smartest move is using PODS and a moving company together. This hybrid approach lets you rent a PODS container for transport and storage, while hiring movers to handle the heavy lifting. It gives you the flexibility and storage options of PODS without the back strain of loading everything yourself.
This setup makes sense in a few common situations:
- Long-distance moves: You avoid driving a rental truck across states, while movers load and unload your container.
- Large households: More rooms mean more furniture. A crew can pack the container safely and efficiently, so you worry less about damage and are less likely to run out of loading space.
- Flexible move-in dates: If your new place isn’t ready, you can store the container while still getting professional help on moving day.
With HireAHelper, you can compare local crews, read reviews, and book the help you need — making it easy to pair PODS with trusted movers.
When to Use PODS
PODS is often the right call for people who want flexibility without paying full-service prices. If you’re handling a smaller move or a local relocation, a single container can be enough to cover your household while giving you extra time to load and unload. PODS is also ideal if you’ll need storage during a transition — whether you’re between homes, remodeling, or waiting on closing dates.
It’s also a strong option if you’re comfortable with some DIY. You can pack and load at your own pace, then let PODS handle the driving and storage. Many families also like that containers keep belongings separate and secure, with fewer handoffs than traditional movers.
PODS works well in most situations, especially when you want a balance of affordability, control, and convenience.
When to Use a Moving Company
A moving company may be the better fit if you need the things only professional crews can provide. Full-service movers can pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings for you — a major advantage if you have limited time, health concerns, or a household with lots of heavy furniture.
“PODS covers the basics and storage, while moving companies provide more labor help. You can also combine the two — hire movers to load your PODS container for a hybrid solution.”
Moving companies are also a strong choice if you’re relocating long-distance on a tight schedule. Crews can complete the job in one day of loading and one day of unloading, without you worrying about where to place a container or how to organize your boxes inside.
They’re also a good fit if you value hands-off convenience over DIY involvement. From bringing the truck to reassembling furniture at your destination, a moving company handles the details for you. While this usually comes at a higher price, many families find the trade-off worth it for peace of mind.
Choosing What Fits Your Move
PODS and moving companies both get the job done, but the right choice depends on what matters most to you. PODS is usually the smarter pick if you want flexibility, storage, and lower overall costs, especially for long-distance moves. A moving company makes sense when you need the speed and convenience of a professional crew handling every detail.
Either way, planning ahead and comparing quotes can help you save money and stress. With the right fit, your move feels less overwhelming and a lot more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?
In most cases, PODS is less expensive than a full-service moving company, especially for long-distance or cross-country moves. Costs can overlap for local moves, where movers may sometimes be cheaper. Always compare quotes to see what makes sense for your budget.
Can I hire movers to load a PODS container?
Yes. Many people book local movers by the hour to handle loading and unloading their trucks or moving pods. On the HireAHelper platform, you can read reviews, compare pricing, and choose a crew that fits your needs.
How long can I keep a PODS container?
PODS rentals are billed monthly. The first 30 days are usually included in your quote, and you can extend as long as you need by paying a monthly storage fee.
Do moving companies move PODS containers?
No. PODS transports its own containers. If you want professional help with a PODS move, you’ll hire movers separately to load and unload, but the container itself is handled only by PODS.
Is PODS better than hiring movers for a local move?
It depends. PODS works well if you want extra time or need storage during your transition. A moving company may be a better fit if you prefer everything done in a single day with professional loading and unloading.
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