Missouri is an attractive moving destination because the cost of living is lower than in most other states. In addition, census data indicates that 15% of the population lives in a different house than one year ago, suggesting it’s worth researching Missouri movers. Our pick for the best Missouri moving company is International Van Lines. It’s an excellent pick if you’re moving from another state. Still, we have several options worth considering whether you’re moving to St. Louis, Missouri City, or Jefferson City.
Compare Missouri moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Truck rental | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices |
Best Movers in Missouri
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
Pros
Lowest moving prices
Local and long-distance rentals
Excellent customer reviews
Moving discounts
Reliable reservations Cons
No service in Alaska HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in Missouri
Population
Missouri has a population of approximately 6.2 million people and has seen an influx of around 170,000 residents since the 2010 census. The state’s three largest racial groups are Whites, Latinos, and African Americans. Conversely, no other demographic comprises more than 3% of the state’s population. The average Missouri household has 2.4 people, and approximately 15% of the state lives in a different home than one year ago.1
Where can I find free moving boxes?
Furniture stores, bookstores, and recycling centers are havens for free moving boxes. You can also find free supplies for your moving kits by checking with neighbors and online moving communities.
Employment
The state’s median household income is approximately $57,290.1 About 63% of Missouri’s population participates in the labor force—or about 1% more than the national average.2 The state’s most popular industries are food services, elementary and secondary education, and construction, while the most lucrative non-medical occupations are in coal mining, software publishing, and finance. The state also has a surprisingly high number of National Guard service people. For example, military reserve members comprise about five times more of the population than expected for the state’s labor force.3
Cost of living
It’s relatively affordable to live in Missouri. The Show-Me State has the nation’s seventh-lowest cost of living, with especially affordable rates for food and utilities.4 Our research shows Missouri’s average total utility costs are approximately $390 per month. That includes around $115 for electricity, $55 for natural gas, and $45 for water. Overall, only six states have a lower cost of living than Missouri.4
Politics
The majority of Missouri is Republican. Nearly 57% of the state voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election (compared to 41% for Joe Biden),3 and an even higher percentage (68%) lean Republican.5 The state’s congressional delegation is almost exclusively GOP. For example, both Missouri senators are Republican, and six of the state’s eight members of the House of Representatives. Only two Missouri counties have a Democratic majority, namely St. Louis County and Boone County.3
Best Missouri movers FAQ
What is the best moving service in St. Louis?
BEK Moving Co. is the best moving company in St. Louis. It gets excellent customer reviews and has specialized features like packing services and junk removal.
What companies can do an interstate move to Missouri?
The best long-distance moving companies specialize in interstate moves to Missouri. Industry leaders like International Van Lines and American Van Lines have decades of experience moving customers to Missouri from states like South Carolina and New York.
How much does moving help cost?
Hourly movers (not to be confused with U-Haul Moving Help) charge anywhere from $40 to $110 per hour. Just be aware that most companies have a two-hour minimum, and many require at least two workers.
What is Missouri’s cheapest moving truck company for local moves?
Budget Truck Rental has the cheapest moving truck rates for local moves in Missouri. Costs vary depending on home size and trip distance, but Budget consistently offers lower prices than competitors like U-Haul and Penske.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Sources
- United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: Missouri,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
- United States Senate, Joint Economic Committee, January 25, 2022, “Missouri Employment Report,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
- Deloitte, “Data USA: Missouri,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
- Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation Among Adults in Missouri by Political Ideology,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
