How Much Does a Small Pod Cost to Move

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PODS Moving Review 2021: Pricing & Services

Bottom line: PODS has the best combo of low prices, wide availability, and high quality moving containers.

Our Rating

4.2

Published on April 30, 2021

PODS (which stands for Portable On Demand Storage) is one of the best moving container companies in the business. It's so popular that other companies often poach the PODS name and refer to moving containers as moving "pods."

But PODS is more than just a catchy name. The company's steel-framed containers keep your belongings safe, and low prices make the company affordable. And with services in more than 20,000 cities across the country— it's no wonder PODS is one of our best moving container companies.

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Pros

High container quality

Multiple container sizes

Local and long-distance services

Positive customer reviews

Wide availability

Cons

No online quotes for moves over 50 miles

Taxes not included in estimates

Read about a real PODS experience

We offered financing to a family who was moving with PODS in exchange for details about their experience. See their candid review that provides a unique, real-life perspective on the moving process.

How much does PODS cost?

PODS costs approximately $3,160 for the average move. A PODS quote typically ranges from $820 to move a small apartment 100 miles to $5,850 to move a big home across the country. The company's prices are about 5% higher than the industry average (in part because PODS uses high-quality moving containers).

	100 miles	460 miles	1,760 miles	2,060 miles
1-room apartment	$820	$1,580	$1,920	$2,390
2-room home	$940	$2,130	$2,460	$3,100
3-room home	$940	$4010	$2,460	$3,100
5-room home	$1,940	$4,010	$4,640	$5,850

Data as of 8/10/2020. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across four distances.

Move.org collected 154 quotes to see how PODS compares to five other moving container companies. We found that PODS is about 5% more expensive than average. The company has the lowest rates in the business for moves of approximately 100 miles—regardless of home size. Just be aware taxes aren't included in your estimate, and you can't get online quotes if traveling more than 50 miles (you have to call or do it by email).

PODS cost factors

Several factors affect your PODS cost:

• Number of containers. PODS charges a per-container fee.
• Size of containers. Larger containers cost more than smaller containers.
• Distance. More miles (typically) means more money.
• Time frame. Your rates can go up if you change your mind about when you need your containers.
• Season. PODS moving containers cost more during peak moving season.

Need pods for moving?

PODS coverage options

PODS offers coverage for both your container and its contents. The company charges a monthly fee of $10 per container for its Container Only coverage (you're responsible for damage to the container) and provides up to $300,000 in coverage for your belongings in its Contents Protection plan.

PODS Contents Protection coverage pricing

Declared value	Monthly cost
$5,000	$34.95
$25,000	$79.95
$50,000	$119.95
$100,000	$179.95
$200,000	$319.95
$300,000	$469.95

Data as of 3/3/2015.1 Pricing for US Contents Protection only and subject to change. Individuals should review their rental contract—including addendums—for a complete description of the policy's terms, conditions, and exclusions.

How PODS is responding to Covid-19

PODS is still open for business, but customers who need access to moving containers at a PODS storage facility should call 24–48 hours in advance to make an appointment.

PODS features and services

PODS moving containers

PODS specializes in moving containers delivered to your home. From studio apartments to full-blown mansions, there are a variety of PODS sizes to meet your needs.

PODS sizes

	Container size	Weight limit	No. of rooms	Availability
Small	6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	5,200 lbs.	1	Local and long distance
Medium	11 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,700 lbs.	2–3	Local only
Large	15 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,200 lbs.	3–4	Local and long distance

Data as of 9/2/2020. PODS container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.²

PODS storage

PODS has 230 storage facilities across the US. If you can't store its moving containers at your home (sometimes there isn't enough room or your community doesn't allow it), you can keep everything at a PODS location.

Each PODS storage facility provides top-notch security to keep your belongings safe. The centers can be accessed only by appointment (24- to 48-hour notice), and the general public isn't allowed inside. PODS also advertises a "double layer" of security—your steel-framed PODS moving container plus its indoor storage unit.

PODS offers local and long-distance services

Some moving container companies provide only local or long-distance services, but PODS offers both. In most cases, PODS makes each of its three moving container sizes available for both types. There is one exception: the 12-foot container is available for only local moves.

Why we recommend PODS

PODS moving containers are high-quality

PODS moving containers are made with top-notch materials. Each container has a steel frame with plywood walls coated with either aluminum or fiberglass.

These materials make the perfect combo. Alternatives like U-Haul's U-Box don't have any metal. It allows for cheap shipping—but does so at the expense of quality. 1-800-PACK-RAT has steel walls and doors in addition to frames but also charges more. PODS offers the lowest prices in the market for the quality of its portable moving containers.

PODS has lots of sizes

PODS has three sizes of moving containers. That's a big deal when you consider most other companies offer only one size—and some containers aren't even big enough to fit a large table or couch.

Number of moving containers by company

PODS is (almost) everywhere

PODS can deliver to more than 20,000 cities in 44 different states (plus Washington DC). The only portable moving container companies available in more states than PODS are U-Pack and U-Box, but those companies have lesser container quality—and fewer containers to choose from. No other company can match PODS's mix of availability, quality, and price.

Customers love PODS

PODS gets excellent customer reviews. Customers rave about the ease of the delivery process and often mention on-time delivery and their PODS driver's professionalism in reviews. PODS's average review rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars is second to none in the moving container industry.

PODS FAQ

How much is a PODS rental?

A PODS rental costs anywhere from $820 (small apartment, short distance) to $5,840 (large home, long distance). Prices vary depending on the number and size of containers, the distance you're traveling, your time frame, and the season.

PODS moving container pricing

	100 miles	460 miles	1,760 miles	2,060 miles
1-room apartment	$820	$1,580	$1,920	$2,390
2-room home	$940	$2,130	$2,460	$3,100
3-room home	$940	$4010	$2,460	$3,100
5-room home	$1,940	$4,010	$4,640	$5,850

Data as of 8/10/2020. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across four distances.

What should I know about PODS pricing?

You should know that PODS pricing is the lowest in the industry for steel-framed containers. The company has exceptionally competitive rates for small homes with one to two rooms.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT pricing

	PODS	1-800-PACK-RAT
1–2 rooms	$2,310	$2,870
3–5 rooms	$4,020	$3,700

What size do pods come in?

Pods come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. While PODS has three sizes, most moving container companies have only one.

PODS sizes

	Container size	Weight limit	No. of rooms	Availability
Small	6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	5,200 lbs.	1	Local and long distance
Medium	11 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,700 lbs.	2–3	Local only
Large	15 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,200 lbs.	3–4	Local and long distance

Data as of 9/2/2020. PODS container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.²

How many pods do I need?

The number of pods you need depends on the size of your home. PODS recommends one small container for a tiny apartment, and several large containers for a big home.

PODS sizes

	Container size	No. of rooms
Small	6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	1
Medium	11 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	2–3
Large	15 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	3–4

Data as of 9/2/2020. PODS container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.²

How much weight can a pod hold?

A pod can hold up to 5,200 pounds of weight. The PODS weight limit varies by the container size, meaning the weight limit ranges from 4,200 pounds to 5,200 pounds.

PODS weight limit

	Container size	Weight limit
Small	6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	5,200 lbs.
Medium	11 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,700 lbs.
Large	15 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.	4,200 lbs.

Data as of 9/2/2020. PODS container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.²

Does PODS offer portable storage?

Yes, PODS offers portable storage. Besides providing portable storage in more than 20,000 cities in 44 states (plus Washington DC), PODS has 230 portable storage facilities. You can also check with one of Move.org's Best Self-Storage Companies if you want a traditional storage unit.

Is a PODS storage facility secure?

Yes, a PODS storage facility is secure. Each PODS storage facility is closed to the public, locked down at night, and accessible only by appointment.

Are storage pods waterproof?

Storage pods are mostly waterproof. The PODS steel frame design makes each container weather resistant. However, PODS recommends using one of its storage facilities if you need a container for more than a few weeks (to limit exposure to bad weather).

Does PODS have a moving truck?

No, PODS doesn't have a moving truck. PODS offers moving containers and moving storage services. Customers who need a moving truck can check out one of Move.org's Best Moving Truck Rental Companies.

What are PODS reviews like?

PODS moving container reviews are excellent compared to other companies. Customers give PODS an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars (the average company gets only 3.3 stars) and praise its on-time delivery and professional drivers.

Our recommendation

PODS has the perfect mix of high-quality moving containers and low prices. It even has three sizes to choose from (most companies have only one). Add in the fact that it's widely available, and you'll have a tough time finding a better moving container company than PODS.

The one drawback is that PODS is more expensive than companies with low-quality containers. If you don't mind inferior container construction, you can find lower prices with some other companies on our Best Moving Container Companies list.

Other moving container picks

Not quite sold on what PODS has to offer? Check out our reviews of some other high-quality moving container companies:

• U-Pack
• 1-800-PACK-RAT
• U-Box
• Zippy Shell

Our report on a PODS customer's experience

Sources

Written by

Kurt Manwaring

Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade's worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.

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How Much Does a Small Pod Cost to Move

Source: https://www.move.org/pods-review/

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