Moving house has never been so expensive. In the middle of the summer season, when July and August concentrate most of the packing, the cost of moving in 2026 is reaching new heights. According to the update published by the Comité national routier (CNR), the cost price of a typical operation has jumped by 26.6% in seven years. A surge that weighs on household budgets and is forcing many French people to postpone, or even abandon, their plans.
An increase of 26.6% in seven years
The CNR, the economic observatory for road transport, updated in June 2026 its study on companies handling household moves and business relocations. The verdict is clear: between 2019 and 2026, the cost price of operations rose by 26.6%. Inflation affects all expense items, from fuel to vehicle maintenance and insurance. In 2025 alone, the sector’s non-fuel cost inflation reached 2.4%, bringing the cumulative increase over two years to 7.7%.
Labor, the largest expense item
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the truck that costs the most, but the hands that load it. Labor represents 84 to 94% of the total cost of an operation. In June 2026, a day’s work for an employee assigned to a move costs 202.90 euros, for an hourly cost of 29.34 euros. Making the vehicle available remains marginal: a few dozen euros per day for a truck, plus a per-kilometer charge. In other words, the more time a crew spends carrying your furniture up and down, the higher the bill climbs.
Summer, the season of all surcharges
The calendar plays a decisive role. July and August account for a considerable share of moves, driven by lease terminations, job transfers and school holidays. This concentrated demand over a few weeks mechanically drives up prices: according to specialized comparison sites, the bill can be increased by 20 to 40% compared with a low-demand weekday. As a result, a standard move, billed on average around 850 euros off-season, can cost significantly more on a Saturday in July.
French people who postpone or give up
Faced with this surge, residential mobility is declining. According to the 2026 barometer conducted by Ipsos for Nextories, only 22% of French people plan to move within the next twelve months, ten points fewer than a year earlier. Above all, 44% of those who had plans have postponed them (28%) or completely abandoned them (16%) over the past year, for economic reasons. This caution is part of a deeper trend: according to Insee, 8.8% of the population changed their main residence in 2023, compared with 10.8% ten years earlier.
How to reduce the bill
Some habits can help limit expenses without sacrificing peace of mind:
- Choose a weekday outside July–August to avoid seasonal surcharges;
- Request at least three detailed quotes and compare packages (economy, standard, turnkey);
- Reduce the volume to be transported by sorting and reselling before moving day, since the price depends directly on the cubic meter;
- Check your eligibility for aid (Caf moving allowance, Mobili-Pass assistance, employer mobility allowance);
- Book several weeks in advance to secure a better slot.
To go further on managing your budget, consult our sections Banking, Finance & Credit and Real Estate, Buying, Selling & Renting, as well as our Practical Life & Society area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a move cost in 2026?
For a typical dwelling, the budget most often ranges between 500 and 2 500 euros, with an average around 850 euros. The price depends on the volume transported (from 33 to 90 euros per cubic meter), the distance, the package chosen and the time of year.
Why are prices rising so much?
The increase is mainly due to labor costs, which account for between 84 and 94% of the price, and to general inflation (fuel, maintenance, insurance). The CNR quantifies the rise at 26.6% between 2019 and 2026.
What is the best time to move?
Off-season, ideally from October to March and midweek, demand is lower and prices are gentler. Conversely, a Saturday in July or August remains the most expensive slot.
Sources
- TRM24 — Les coûts du déménagement s’envolent de 26,6 % depuis 2019
- Comité national routier — Évolutions des coûts du TRM, bilan 2025 et perspectives 2026
- Nextories / Ipsos — Baromètre du déménagement 2026
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