Cheapest Moving Containers That Won’t Break Your Budget

U-Pack ReloCubes: Affordable Moving Containers

U-Pack ReloCubes are consistently among the most affordable moving container options available. In our comparison of 120 price quotations, U-Pack offered the lowest prices 70% of the time.

What makes U-Pack unique is their pay-for-what-you-use policy, which eliminates the guesswork in container sizing. You only pay for the ReloCubes you actually use, providing flexibility and cost savings.

However, U-Pack does have limitations, including restricted local service coverage and single-size container options that may not accommodate all furniture types.

What sets U-Pack apart?

U-Pack's ReloCubes stand out in the moving container industry primarily due to their unbeatable pricing and flexible usage policy that eliminates common sizing headaches.

Unbeatable Pricing

In comprehensive price comparisons involving 120 quotations, U-Pack consistently offered the lowest prices 70% of the time. On average, U-Pack charges approximately $140 less than competitors, with an average cost per room of $950 compared to the industry average of $1,090.

Pay-For-What-You-Use Policy

One of the most challenging aspects of the moving container industry is understanding sizing requirements. U-Pack eliminates this uncertainty with their flexible usage policy.

Key benefit: If you order three ReloCubes but only use two, you only pay for the two you actually used. This policy provides much-needed peace of mind for customers who prefer not to calculate square footage requirements.

Size Limitations

The main drawback is that ReloCubes are only available in one size—small. While regular mattresses will fit comfortably, many larger items such as sofas, tables, and tall bookshelves may not fit. This means customers with large furniture pieces may need to consider selling items or finding alternative moving solutions.

1-800-PACK-RAT: Premium Moving Containers

1-800-PACK-RAT may appear as the most expensive moving container company on the surface, but their pricing becomes more competitive when you factor in their frequent discounts and focus on larger moves.

The company distinguishes itself through superior all-steel containers and aggressive discount offerings, making them particularly competitive for long-distance moves involving larger homes.

Their strategy of recommending the largest containers and offering extensive price-matching policies can result in better value than initially apparent.

What sets 1-800-PACK-RAT apart?

1-800-PACK-RAT's pricing strategy and premium container quality make it a unique player in the moving container industry, particularly for customers with larger moving needs.

Prices Are Lower Than They Seem

While 1-800-PACK-RAT appears as the most expensive moving container company initially, this perception is misleading for two key reasons:

1. Container Size Strategy: The company recommends their largest (and most expensive) container for practically every move, which inflates their average pricing compared to competitors who offer smaller options for modest transfers.

2. Pre-Discount Pricing: Price comparisons use pre-discount rates, so the numerous discounts and price-matching offers aren't reflected in standard cost analyses.

Competitive Pricing for Large Moves

For larger home sizes (three or more rooms) and long-distance moves (1,000+ miles), 1-800-PACK-RAT actually outperforms the average by approximately $40. The average cost for 3+ room moves is $4,210 compared to the industry average of $4,250.

When combined with their superior all-steel moving containers, this represents excellent value for larger relocations.

Most Aggressive Discount Strategy

No moving container company offers discounts more aggressively than 1-800-PACK-RAT. Their customer service representatives actively guide customers through money-saving strategies, including:

• Move-specific discounts
• Transportation savings
• Free container rentals

Additionally, 1-800-PACK-RAT promises to match or beat PODS pricing, considering them their only legitimate competitor due to similar materials and national availability. This price-matching policy can result in higher-quality containers at competitive rates.

PODS: Leading Short-Distance Moving Solution

PODS dominates the short-distance moving container market with consistently lower prices across all home sizes. Whether you're moving from a small apartment or a large five-room home, PODS outperforms competitors significantly.

For moves under 150 miles, PODS beats the average by over $500, making it the clear choice for local and regional relocations. Their superior container materials and nationwide availability add extra value to their competitive pricing.

Even for slightly longer distances (under 500 miles), PODS maintains the second-lowest prices in the industry, offering about $60 less per room than competitors.

Pricing Comparison for Short-Distance Moves

*Prices for moves under 150 miles. Data current as of 5/4/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

What sets PODS apart?

PODS has established itself as the go-to solution for short-distance moves through consistently competitive pricing and superior container quality across all home sizes.

Unmatched Short-Distance Pricing

For moves under 150 miles, PODS dominates the competition regardless of home size. In comparisons across 24 transfers with top moving container companies, PODS consistently outperformed the average by over $500.

This pricing advantage is evident across all categories: small one-room apartments, medium two-to-three room homes, and large five-room houses. The savings become even more substantial for larger homes, with customers saving up to $820 compared to the nearest competitor.

Strong Mid-Range Distance Performance

Despite the increased costs associated with their superior container materials, PODS remains highly competitive for moves under 500 miles, offering the second-lowest prices in the industry.

While U-Pack may offer lower pricing, it comes with significant drawbacks including inferior materials, limited container size options (only one size available), and no service for moves under 150 miles. For moves under 500 miles, PODS' cost per room is approximately $60 less than most competitors while maintaining superior quality standards.

Quality and Reliability Advantage

PODS combines their competitive pricing with superior container materials and nationwide availability, providing customers with both value and peace of mind. This combination of affordability and quality makes PODS the clear leader for short to medium-distance relocations.

U-Box: Budget-Friendly Moving Containers

U-Box from U-Haul offers some of the lowest moving container prices in the industry, with per-room costs approximately $60 less than the average competitor. Their pricing advantage is particularly pronounced for smaller homes and long-distance moves.

However, their low upfront pricing comes with important caveats, including mandatory delivery fees not included in quotes and lighter-duty plywood construction that may require more containers than steel alternatives.

U-Box features a convenient online quote system and unbeatable prices for long-distance moves, but customers need to factor in hidden costs for accurate budgeting.

Average Cost Savings by Home Size

Long-Distance Move Comparison (1,850 miles)

Hidden Delivery Fees by Home Size

*Data current as of 5/4/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

What sets U-Box apart?

U-Box leverages U-Haul's reputation for affordable moving solutions to offer some of the industry's lowest container prices, but their cost advantage comes with important trade-offs in materials and hidden fees.

Consistently Low Overall Costs

U-Haul's reputation for inexpensive moving truck rentals extends to their container service. U-Box maintains per-room costs approximately $60 below the industry average, with even more dramatic savings for smaller homes.

The savings are most pronounced for 1-3 room homes, where customers can save over $300 on a one-room apartment move. Even five-room homes see $80 in savings compared to competitors.

Unbeatable Long-Distance Pricing

For moves around 1,850 miles, no competitor offers lower pricing than U-Box. At $3,060, U-Box beats the nearest competitor by $360 and the industry average by $850, making it the clear choice for coast-to-coast relocations.

Hidden Costs and Material Limitations

U-Box's attractive upfront pricing doesn't tell the complete story. The company charges mandatory $99 per-container delivery fees that aren't included in initial quotes. These fees can add $200-$693 to your final bill depending on home size.

Additionally, U-Box containers are constructed from plywood rather than the steel frames used by competitors like PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT. This lighter construction reduces weight capacity, potentially requiring more containers than steel alternatives.

While the plywood construction keeps costs low, customers should factor in both the delivery fees and potential need for additional containers when comparing total moving costs. The convenient online quote system eliminates phone calls but requires careful attention to final pricing details.