Cheapest Moving Pods: Guide to Affordable Moving Containers

Moving containers hit a sweet spot in price and effort when you've got a long distance move ahead of you. Even cheapest moving container companies offer options for add-ons, different sized containers, and storage. 

The most affordable moving pods cost between $2,000 and $4,000, making them significantly cheaper than working with a professional mover. All you need to do is load and unload your stuff! 

While it's tempting to settle with the cheapest moving pods you can find, it's important to consider a few things while shopping around. 

Container size

Don't just go with the smallest or cheapest container size. The best shipping container companies offer different sized pods for moving.

Consider the amount of items, especially large or bulky items, that you'll need to fit into the container before moving and how you'll fit everything.

Shipping distance 

Generally, the farther you're shipping your moving pod, the more expensive the price will be. If you're able to save for the move ahead of time or carry other things with you, you can save room in your container or opt for a smaller one for those long-distance moves.

Storage options

In some cases, movers will wait to arrive in their new city to buy or rent a new place. In these cases, opting to keep your stuff in storage can keep you from having to move twice. Many cheap moving container companies offer to store your stuff for a monthly fee until you're able to move into a permanent home.

Mix and match
You can make an affordable moving pod even cheaper by splitting your options. If you only have a few large items, you can get a smaller container for just those items and move everything else on your own or with a rental truck. 

Our top pick: Zippy Shell is the best moving container company for low prices. It can save you upwards of $400 for most moves.

Zippy Shell has the lowest moving container prices in the United States. Our analysis of more than 140 quotes shows that the container company saves the average customer around $1,000. Zippy Shell’s container has a strong steel frame to keep your belongings safe. The company also provides at-home and facility storage options if your items arrive before your home is ready. The biggest drawback is availability: Zippy Shell has locations in only 28 out of 50 states.

Zippy Shell has the nation’s lowest moving container prices and can save you nearly $1,000 for the average move. The savings get even better if you compare Zippy Shell’s prices company to company. For example, Zippy Shell moving containers cost $1000 less than U-Pack ReloCubes.

It’s even more affordable than U-Haul U-Box, and that’s due to remarkably consistent year-over-year prices. While U-Haul moving container prices have gone up 30% since 2020, Zippy Shell’s rates have increased less than 10%. The result is that no company has better overall rates.

Zippy Shell is this year’s pick for the cheapest moving container company almost any way you slice it.

Looking for the lowest moving container prices?

Zippy Shell uses a lightweight steel-framed moving container. That makes it lighter than industry leaders like PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT and yet more durable than companies like U-Haul and U-Pack. It’s one reason Zippy Shell prices are so low.

Since weight affects gas mileage, the savings add up the farther you travel. For example, while Zippy Shell can save you about $240 for a move of 100 miles, it trims over $600 from your final cost for cross-country trips.

The biggest drawback of Zippy Shell’s lightweight container is quantity. Zippy Shell has only one container: a large 15-foot-long moving cube. Zippy Shell costs more than the competition for small living spaces like studio apartments. But for every other home size, it’s typically hundreds of dollars below average.

PODS can save you hundreds of dollars for local moves. That’s a big deal, considering the quality PODS brings to the table. Zippy Shell may be our pick for the cheapest moving container company, but PODS gets the nod for nearly everything else. It’s available nearly everywhere in the country, has three different sized pods, and scores well with customers. Just be aware that PODS has confusing prices (the typical bill has around a dozen line items).

No company saves you more for local moves than PODS. The moving container company trims nearly $400 off your bill for moves of around 100 miles. That makes PODS even more affordable than Zippy Shell if you aren’t leaving the state. And an extra $400 comes in handy for things like hiring moving labor or purchasing moving boxes.

Pricing for a pod is even lower than it seems, thanks to a special 10% discount for Move.org readers. That adds up to around $400 off the typical move. It makes PODS even more affordable for local moves and trims the costs of long-distance moves. For example, after applying a 10% Move.org discount, PODS cross-country trips drop to $600 below average.

The only catch is that you must request a PODS discount by calling 1-866-229-4120 and asking for promo code “MOVEORG.”

Take advantage of a 10% discount on your pod.

1-800-PACK-RAT’s below-average prices get even better if you ask for price matching. The moving company will almost always match PODS’s price (its closest competitor), meaning you can save hundreds of dollars on the average move. Plus, those prices come with the industry’s strongest moving container and 24/7 surveillance for on-site storage. There are a couple of hiccups, though. PODS is available in only about half the country and tends to score below average with customers.

1-800-PACK-RAT is known for having the industry’s strongest moving containers. However, it also quietly beats the competition with a price matching feature. Every company brings something unique to the table, and this is 1-800-PACK-RAT’s biggest pricing strength. It will almost always match prices with other companies.

Any company? Essentially. 1-800-PACK-RAT emphasizes that its price-matching applies mainly to PODS (both companies have robust containers). However, our experience suggests 1-800-PACK-RAT typically offers to beat any price—or is already low enough that it doesn’t need to.

1-800-PACK-RAT can usually beat competitor pricing because its costs have stayed fairly consistent. No company has kept prices lower than Zippy Shell. But 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t fall too far behind. While the average company raised its prices 30% from 2020 to 2022, 1-800-PACK-RAT went up half as much.

Okay, so let’s cut the math. What do “low pricing trends” mean for your pocketbook? Our analysis of more than 300 quotes over three years boils it down to a savings of around $350.

Not only does that cut your costs, but it also suggests 1-800-PACK-RAT is trending toward even more affordable prices in the future. Add in the price matching feature we mentioned above, and chances are 1-800-PACK-RAT can keep your cost as low as any other company.

1-800-PACK-RAT gets more affordable every year.

U-Haul U-Box isn’t as affordable as it once was, but it can still save you money if you have a small apartment. How much? Our research suggests the U-Box container is about $390 cheaper for one-room apartments. Add in local and long-distance moving services plus nationwide availability, and U-Haul brings a lot to the table. However, there are some legitimate red flags. For example, U-Haul has notoriously bad customer service. The moving company also offers only one container size—and charges a $99 hidden fee for each one.

U-Haul U-Box can save you around $390 if you have a small home like a one-bedroom apartment. The company used to be one of the cheapest all-around picks. However, its rates have increased at twice the national average (30% in 3 years). But even with the inflated prices, U-Haul beats everyone when it comes to small homes.

One of U-Haul’s best pricing features is its online quote option. While every other moving company on this list requires a phone call to get a quote, U-Haul U-Box caters to the busy customer. You can typically get an online quote in less than two minutes.

But there’s a catch. U-Haul charges a $99 hidden fee for every U-Box container—and they add up fast. For example, you typically need around four U-Box moving containers to move a three-bedroom home. That means your actual bill will be about $100 higher than what U-Haul tells you.

We strongly caution against companies that hide fees on their invoices. But if you decide it’s worth the risk, you won’t find a more convenient option than U-Haul’s online quote system.

Don’t want to wait on hold?

Unfortunately, even the most affordable moving pods still cost a lot of money. The good news is there are ways to knock off a few dollars from your quote. 

Off-Season Moves

With warm mild weather throughout most of the country, summer tends to be the busiest season for moving. If you want a bit of a discount, try moving in the off season from October to April. 

Weekends also tend to be a busy time for moving companies. If you can schedule your deliveries on weekdays, you might be able to get a slightly lower price.

Deal hunting

The cheapest moving container companies offer discounts year round in the form of promo codes and other promotions. You've just gotta know where to look. We have a whole page full of deals and discounts here on Move that you can check out to get started. 

Shop around and haggle

Moving container companies don't like to give out quotes lightly. To get a better idea of what's available, you'll need to call and chat with sales reps to get a solid number. However, that gives you the chance to shop around and get multiple quotes from different companies. You might be able to price match and haggle to get the cheapest rate from a moving pod company. 

Getting a good deal on a moving container is only half the challenge. You still have to move in and out! Here are a few tips for making your moving pod experience go more smoothly. 

Pack strategically 

Believe it or not, there's a technique to packing moving containers. Knowing how to pack a moving pod can protect your items from damage and make more room for your stuff. 

Pack the essentials elsewhere

There's a good chance you won't be fully unpacked and settled in on day one. With a moving container, important items can be buried in boxes until you're able to unload everything. So be sure to put kitchen items, toiletries, extra clothes, meds, and daily pet supplies in the front of the pod or in a separate container. 

Boxes and padding are your friends 

When you use a moving container, it's best to put everything you can in boxes. This makes your things easy to pack and unpack, and keeps them protected. Likewise, any odd-shaped items like lamps or vases should be wrapped and protected to keep them from breaking. 

Zippy Shell is our pick for the cheapest moving container company. Its prices are nearly $400 below average. While a company like PODS has lower prices for small apartments, Zippy Shell has the lowest initial rates for every other home size. It even beats U-Haul—an industry leader for low prices in past years. Just as impressive, you don’t have to sacrifice quality. Zippy Shell’s moving container has a steel frame and floor to keep your belongings safe.

Looking for an affordable moving container?

Read Full Review

Move.org follows a six-step process to identify the nation’s best moving container companies:

1. Compare quotes. We obtained and analyzed nearly 300 quotes from 7 of the nation’s largest moving container companies over 3 years.
2. Mystery shopping. We do a top-to-bottom analysis of each company’s website and even call posing as customers. It helps us get a feel for what real-life customers experience.
3. Analyze reviews. We read dozens of reviews for each company to see what most impresses (and turns off) customers. We also conducted a meta-analysis of more than 16,000 reviews to calculate an industry customer review average.
4. Pay real-life customers for honest feedback. Move.org routinely gives away $500 moving grants in exchange for candid feedback about using moving container companies.
5. Site visits. We invite industry experts and company executives to visit our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. We grill them on everything from pricing and customer reviews to insurance coverage and the latest industry trends.
6. Annual review. Every year, we repeat the process to ensure that our list of the best moving container companies stays current. That means our top recommendations and industry prices may change each year.

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