How Much Does PODS Cost? (2026 Data)

Here’s the quick answer: PODS costs $220 - $813 for a local move and $2,068 - $7,448 for a cross-country move, depending on container size, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Storage-only rentals start at $150 per month, plus delivery and pickup fees.

Below, we break down PODS pricing by size, distance, and state, plus hidden fees and how PODS stacks up against the other best moving container companies.

Moving with PODS costs $220 - $7,448, based on moveBuddha pricing data, and PODS storage starts at $150 per month. Your exact price depends on container size, distance, and move date, so a personalized quote is the only way to pin it down.

A free PODS quote includes 1 month of storage, delivery and pickup, and transportation. Packing supplies and loading help cost extra. moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so the range you see below reflects your actual move rather than a national average.

PODS storage costs $150 - $359 per month per container, plus delivery and pickup fees. Many people rent PODS for storage during a renovation, between leases, or while staging a home for sale. Here’s how storage-only pricing works:

• Monthly rates: PODS storage typically runs $150 - $359 per month per container, depending on your region and container size.
• Delivery and pickup fees: Expect to pay $75 - $150 per trip for PODS to drop off the container and retrieve it when you’re done.
• Storage location options: You can keep the container on your property or have PODS store it at 1 of its 240+ storage centers. Facility storage helps if you face HOA restrictions or limited driveway space.
• Billing cycle: PODS bills monthly, starting the day your container arrives. Plan your timeline so you don’t pay for a full extra month you barely use.

PODS costs more per month than traditional self-storage, but you get door-to-door delivery without renting a truck. For short-term storage where convenience matters, PODS is often worth the premium.

Distance, container size, and move date drive most of a PODS quote. PODS doesn’t price by weight, so these 6 factors move your total the most:

• Timing: Spring and summer are peak moving season, so prices run higher. Weekend dates also fill fastest, which can push Saturday and Sunday rates up.
• Starting and ending locations: PODS factors in how far its drivers travel to deliver and pick up your container, plus local demand and container availability.
• Move size: More belongings mean a bigger container or a second one, and each container adds rental and transport costs.
• Add-on services: PODS sells packing supplies and can refer you to third-party loading help. PODS doesn’t ship cars itself, so see our guide to moving companies that ship cars if you need vehicle transport.
• Delivery and pickup fees: These fees vary by location and date. Flexible move dates give you the best shot at a lower rate.
• Storage facility fees: Storing your container at a PODS facility costs more than keeping it on your property. The upgrade buys extra security, weather protection, and time if your new home isn’t ready.

PODS pricing looks simple: container delivery plus monthly rent. Extra fees can add up fast, so watch for these:

• Access and handling: Locks, moving supplies, and loading and unloading help all cost extra. PODS also charges a non-paved surface fee to place a container on gravel, dirt, or grass.
• Cancellations: Cancel by 4 p.m. local time at least 3 days before delivery to avoid a $150 fee. After delivery, the delivery fee, first month’s rent, and contents protection are nonrefundable.
• Fuel and zone surcharges: Some markets add extra fees, especially rural or high-demand ZIP codes.
• Contents protection: Coverage for damage or theft is optional but recommended. Check your homeowners policy for the deductible and any in-transit exclusions.
• Monthly billing: PODS bills by the month, not by the day. If your move crosses into a new billing cycle, expect to pay for another full month.
• Parking and permits: HOAs, apartment complexes, and cities may require placement permits. If PODS can’t complete a delivery because of your site, you can be charged up to $150 for the attempted service.
• Per-trip charges: PODS bills each leg separately: initial delivery, transport to your new city, redelivery, and final pickup. Make sure every leg is itemized.
• Taxes and promos: Sales tax applies in many areas, and a promo may only discount 1 leg of the move, such as initial delivery but not pickup.

You can start a PODS quote online with your origin and destination ZIP codes, move dates, and container size. Long-distance moves often require a call or live chat with a PODS representative, who then emails you a written quote.

Here’s what a standard PODS quote covers:

• 30 days of container rental: Every quote includes 1 month, counted from the day PODS delivers your container. Loading and transit days count too, so if you take 3 days to load and shipping takes 7, you have 20 days left when the container arrives.
• Delivery and pickup fees: The quote covers bringing the container to your origin address and retrieving it at your destination. Fees vary by location and schedule.
• Transportation costs: Moving the container from your origin to your destination is included and is the largest single cost on a long-distance move.
• Optional add-ons: Packing supplies, loading help, and extra contents protection cost more. None of them are in the base quote.

PODS doesn’t require a deposit and bills each stage of your move separately, shortly before that service happens. As long as your locations and containers stay the same, your rate doesn’t change. PODS also offers financing through Acorn Finance if you want to spread out the cost.

PODS competes most directly with U-Haul U-Box, U-Pack, Zippy Shell, and 1-800-PACK-RAT. The tables below compare average costs by home size for local, long-distance, and cross-country moves. See our full breakdown of PODS competitors for service differences.

These are averages, not quotes. Get personalized quotes from every company you’re considering, since your dates, distance, and home size will move the numbers.

PODS usually costs less than full-service professional moving companies because you do the packing, loading, and unloading yourself. Full-service movers can still win when their quote lands close to your PODS price, since the labor is included.

moveBuddha’s Mover Marketplace collects up to 5 no-obligation quotes from 1 request, so you can put real mover bids next to your PODS price before deciding. Book a moveBuddha Certified mover and you also get up to $1,000 in added coverage and dispute mediation if something goes wrong.

Real moveBuddha readers paid $2,836 - $4,540 for the PODS portion of their long-distance moves. They shared their moves through the Better Moves Project, which has awarded more than $50,000 in grants to people who document their moving experiences. Use our moving cost calculator to see how your estimate compares.

PODS covers local moves, long-distance moves, and storage, with a few specialty services for city and cross-border moves.

• Local and long-distance moves: PODS offers 8- and 16-foot containers for both local and long-distance moves, while 12-foot containers are local only. PODS serves most of the U.S. and Canada, but not Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
• City moves: PODS City Service is built for dense urban areas where parking and placement are tight.
• Storage solutions: Every rental includes 30 days of container use, and you can keep storing on your property or at a PODS facility for as long as you need.
• Car shipping referrals: PODS doesn’t ship vehicles, but it recommends ACERTUS and Mr. Car Shipper for car transport. Costs vary by provider, vehicle type, and distance.
• International moves: PODS handles moves between the U.S. and Canada. Separate PODS operations also serve the UK and Australia.

PODS offers 8-, 12-, and 16-foot containers, and the larger the container, the more your move costs. Here’s how the sizes compare:

• 8-foot containers: PODS rates the 8-foot container for a studio or a space up to 500 square feet, about the same as a 10-foot moving truck. It’s a popular pick for college students, partial moves, and downsizers.
• 12-foot containers: The 12-foot container fits a 1-bedroom home of 500 - 800 square feet, similar to a 15-foot truck. It’s only available for local moves under 50 miles, so long-distance PODS moves need an 8- or 16-foot container instead.
• 16-foot containers: The 16-foot container holds about 1,200 square feet of belongings, similar to a 20-foot truck. Most 3-bedroom homes need a 16-foot and an 8-foot container together.

A few simple moves can cut hundreds off your PODS bill:

• Downsize. Decluttering for a move makes relocating easier and cheaper. Cut enough and you may fit into a smaller PODS container.
• Ask about deals and promotions. PODS regularly runs promotions, and military customers can use code SERV10. Check our list of moving container discounts before you book.
• Compare prices. Get quotes from at least 2 other container companies in your area to compare price and availability. Our moving cost calculator is the fastest place to start.
• Avoid peak times. Container demand peaks in summer, which raises prices and limits availability. Book your move for the off-season or midweek when you can.
• Skip the add-ons. Buying boxes and moving supplies elsewhere, using free moving boxes, and loading yourself all save money. Just don’t skimp on moving insurance for your belongings.

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• We also police the moving companies to ensure their outreach efforts are reasonable and respectful.
• We never recommend working with a moving broker, since brokers don’t move your belongings themselves.
• We mystery shop movers to get firsthand data.
• We interview moving customers through the Better Moves Project.
• We review movers’ licensing, insurance, and service history through moveBuddha Certified.
• We compare quotes and track market trends to provide accurate pricing guidance.