Studio, local move (under 100 miles).
$340-$950 typical cost. Small load, 2 movers.
The shape of the move.
Smallest typical paid move. 3-5 hours total time, 2-mover crew, $340-$950 typical cost. About 80% of studios fit in a single truckload with room to spare. Most common tenant scenario: first apartment to second apartment within the same metro.
What you're actually paying for.
Hourly labour dominates: $80-$150 crew rate × 4 hours = $320-$600 just for the move itself. Truck rental and fuel run $150-$250 if separately billed. The remainder is packing supplies and tip. Per-mover rates are typically $35-$60/hr/mover at the low end of local pricing, $60-$100/hr/mover at premium operators.
What competitors won't tell you upfront.
Stairs fees ($50-$150 per flight) hit studios disproportionately because urban studios are often above 1-3 flights with no elevator. Long-carry fees ($75-$250) when the truck can't park within 75 feet of door — common in dense urban core. Tip ($20-$60 per mover) adds $40-$120 to the bill.
Anti-pattern detection.
Reasonable: hourly quote with stated crew size, no deposit over $100, mover provides COI for landlord if requested. Suspicious: flat-rate without in-home survey for a studio (overcharge risk), deposit over 25%, no BOL on moving day.