New Hampshire ranked third nationally for inbound migration in 2023 according to Atlas Van Lines data, a jump from tenth place the prior year, driven by remote workers and retirees fleeing Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York for lower taxes and housing costs. That inbound surge has since moderated: Census data show approximately 39,695 people moved into the state in 2023 while 46,753 moved out, a net domestic loss offset by international arrivals. The primary inflow corridors follow I-93 and I-95 from the Massachusetts border, with the Manchester-Nashua corridor absorbing the largest share of arriving households.
Most NH moves are short by national standards. The state spans roughly 180 miles from north to south and under 90 miles east to west, so the majority of intrastate relocations stay under 100 miles. College turnover at the University of New Hampshire (Durham), Dartmouth College (Hanover), and Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester) generates consistent seasonal demand each August and late May. Summer is peak season, with July and August commanding the highest rates due to student moves and families timing relocations to the school calendar. Winter moves are possible but harsh conditions in the White Mountains region and freeze-thaw cycles on rural roads can complicate access to northern properties.
New Hampshire deregulated household goods carrier licensing in 2023, repealing RSA 375-A and replacing it with RSA 359-T. Under the new framework, the NH Bureau of Road Toll (within the NH Department of Safety) oversees intrastate movers under Chapter Saf-C 4600 rules that took effect May 2024. Companies no longer file tariffs with a state agency, but must provide written estimates on request and cannot charge more than 10 percent above the written estimate without the customer’s written consent. Interstate moves remain subject to FMCSA oversight and require a valid USDOT number. Average hourly crew rates in New Hampshire run approximately $178 per hour, above the national average of $137. Local moves typically range from $492 to $1,491 depending on home size and crew needed.
Top-Rated Movers in New Hampshire
College Bound Movers
Address: 111 Northeastern Blvd, Nashua, NH 03062
Website: https://collegeboundmovers.com
USDOT: #650086
Founded in 1991, College Bound Movers operates a fleet of 15 trucks out of Nashua and serves all of New Hampshire as well as the broader New England region. The company handles local, long-distance, residential, and commercial moves, with additional services including packing, labor-only jobs, portable storage through a Mi-Box partnership, and self-storage units available on-site. They have earned an A+ BBB rating and more than ten awards from New Hampshire publications. Staff are permanent salaried employees rather than day laborers, with required training in customer service, truck driving, and box packing before working independently.
Bridges Bros. Movers
Address: 29 Garfield St, Exeter, NH 03833
Website: https://movewithbridges.com
USDOT: #3152985
Founded in 1919 and still family-operated, Bridges Bros. Movers is one of the oldest continuously operating movers in New England, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The company offers residential and commercial moves, professional packing services, containerized storage, piano and specialty item handling, and light rigging. Their Seacoast New Hampshire base gives them particular depth along the I-95 corridor from Portsmouth south to the Massachusetts border. Bridges Bros. holds a 4.9-star Google rating across more than 300 reviews and maintains an A+ BBB rating.
Able Moving & Storage
Address: 29 Concord Street, Amherst, NH 03031
Website: https://www.able-moving.com
In business since 1974, Able Moving & Storage operates as a Bekins Van Lines agent, providing local, long-distance, international, and corporate and military relocation services out of its Amherst base. The company serves southern New Hampshire from the Massachusetts border north through the Manchester-Nashua metro area and connects into Portland, Maine and the broader New England network through the Bekins system. Services include full-service packing, personal and commercial storage, and military/corporate relocation programs. Able has received multiple quality awards from Bekins, including the Spire Quality Award in 2021 and Customer Loyalty Awards in 2020 and 2021.
Moving Companies in New Hampshire: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire restructured its mover oversight in 2023-2024. Under RSA 359-T and Chapter Saf-C 4600 rules that took effect in May 2024, intrastate household goods carriers are regulated by the NH Bureau of Road Toll within the Department of Safety. The old NHPC number system under NHDOT has been replaced; companies should now be registered under the new framework. For interstate moves, FMCSA registration and a valid USDOT number are required — verify any mover at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in New Hampshire?
Local moves in New Hampshire average approximately $178 per hour for a moving crew, which is above the national average of $137 per hour. A full local move typically ranges from $492 to $1,491 depending on home size, crew size, and services like packing. That range is from industry pricing data; contact movers directly for current quotes, as rates vary by season and availability.
How does New Hampshire’s college calendar affect moving costs and timing?
The University of New Hampshire, Dartmouth College, Southern New Hampshire University, and more than a dozen other colleges create concentrated demand every August and late May. During these windows, crews are heavily booked, rates are at peak levels, and scheduling lead times of 4-6 weeks are common in Manchester, Nashua, Durham, and Hanover. Moving in September through November or March through May avoids the student rush and typically yields more competitive pricing.
What protections do I have under New Hampshire’s new mover rules?
Under the 2024 rules (Saf-C 4600), a household goods carrier must provide a written estimate on request and cannot charge more than 10 percent above that written estimate without obtaining the customer’s written consent first. New Hampshire also eliminated the old “filed rate doctrine,” meaning rates are no longer locked in by a state-filed tariff — instead, the bill of lading and the written estimate govern what a mover can charge. For interstate moves, FMCSA rules on binding and non-binding estimates apply.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in New Hampshire?
For intrastate disputes, contact the NH Bureau of Road Toll within the NH Department of Safety in Concord. For interstate moves, file a complaint with the FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov or call 1-888-368-7238. The NH Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau (doj.nh.gov/consumer) also accepts complaints about unfair business practices including moving disputes. Document all written estimates, contracts, and any damage before filing.