UK removal costs by city (2026 data)
How much do removals actually cost where you live? We compared man-and-van rates and move prices across 25 UK cities so you can see where your quote sits.
Bottom line: A 1-bed local move in the UK costs £250–£450 on average. London is 35–40% more expensive than the rest of the country. The cheapest cities are in northern England, where man-and-van rates start at £32 per hour and a full 3-bed move can cost under £710.
UK removal costs 2026 headline statistics
- Cities compared
- 25
- UK-wide
- Man-and-van rate
- £45–£65/hr
- national avg
- 1-bed to 3-bed range
- £250–£950
- local moves
- London premium
- 35–40%
- vs national avg
Removal costs by city
Prices below are for a local move (under 30 miles) and include loading, transit, and unloading. All figures are typical ranges, not fixed quotes. Your actual price depends on volume, access, and packing needs.
| City | Region | Man & Van/hr | 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | South East | £55–£85 | £350–£550 | £550–£850 | £750–£1,200 | Above avg |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | £45–£65 | £280–£420 | £420–£650 | £600–£950 | Average |
| Bristol | South West | £45–£65 | £280–£430 | £430–£670 | £620–£980 | Average |
| Manchester | North West | £40–£60 | £250–£380 | £380–£600 | £550–£880 | Average |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | £40–£60 | £250–£390 | £390–£620 | £560–£900 | Average |
| Glasgow | Scotland | £40–£55 | £230–£360 | £360–£570 | £520–£830 | Average |
| Leeds | Yorkshire | £38–£55 | £230–£360 | £360–£560 | £510–£820 | Average |
| Liverpool | North West | £38–£55 | £220–£350 | £350–£550 | £500–£800 | Average |
| Brighton | South East | £48–£70 | £300–£460 | £460–£720 | £650–£1,050 | Above avg |
| Cambridge | East | £48–£68 | £300–£450 | £450–£700 | £640–£1,020 | Above avg |
| Oxford | South East | £48–£68 | £300–£460 | £460–£710 | £650–£1,030 | Above avg |
| Cardiff | Wales | £38–£55 | £230–£350 | £350–£550 | £500–£800 | Average |
| Newcastle | North East | £35–£52 | £220–£340 | £340–£530 | £480–£770 | Below avg |
| Sheffield | Yorkshire | £38–£55 | £230–£350 | £350–£550 | £500–£800 | Average |
| Nottingham | East Midlands | £38–£55 | £230–£360 | £360–£560 | £510–£810 | Average |
| Southampton | South East | £42–£62 | £270–£410 | £410–£640 | £580–£930 | Average |
| Leicester | East Midlands | £38–£55 | £230–£350 | £350–£550 | £490–£790 | Average |
| Coventry | West Midlands | £38–£55 | £230–£350 | £350–£550 | £490–£790 | Average |
| Plymouth | South West | £35–£52 | £220–£340 | £340–£530 | £480–£770 | Below avg |
| Derby | East Midlands | £35–£52 | £220–£340 | £340–£530 | £480–£770 | Below avg |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | £40–£58 | £250–£380 | £380–£590 | £540–£860 | Average |
| York | Yorkshire | £40–£58 | £250–£380 | £380–£590 | £540–£860 | Average |
| Sunderland | North East | £32–£48 | £200–£310 | £310–£490 | £440–£710 | Below avg |
| Hull | Yorkshire | £32–£48 | £200–£310 | £310–£490 | £440–£710 | Below avg |
| Stoke-on-Trent | West Midlands | £32–£48 | £200–£310 | £310–£480 | £430–£700 | Below avg |
All prices are typical ranges for local moves (under 30 miles) in 2026. Long-distance moves, packing services, and specialist items cost extra.
Regional cost breakdown
Costs cluster by region more than by individual city. The South East is the most expensive area. Northern England and Wales are the most affordable.
London removal costs run 35–40% above the national average. A 3-bed move that costs £500–£800 in the North East costs £750–£1,200 in London.
London & South East
Highest costs. Parking and congestion add time and cost.
South West
Above average. Rural access roads can increase move time.
Midlands
Near the national average. Good availability keeps prices competitive.
North West
Below average to average. Strong competition among removal firms.
Yorkshire & North East
Lowest costs in England. Lower demand keeps rates down.
Scotland
Mid-range. Edinburgh costs more than Glasgow by roughly 10–15%.
Wales
Below average. Smaller cities keep demand and prices moderate.
What drives the price
City location sets the baseline, but six factors move the needle from there. Understanding them helps you control costs.
Property size
The biggest cost driver. Each extra bedroom adds 1.5–2.5 hours and proportionally more items to load, carry, and protect.
Distance
Local moves (under 30 miles) are priced by time. Long-distance moves add a per-mile fuel and transit charge, often £1–£2 per mile.
Floor level & access
Upper-floor flats without a lift can add 15–30% to labour time. Narrow staircases or long carries from the van increase the job.
Packing service
Full packing typically adds £150–£400 depending on property size. Many firms offer part-packing (kitchen only, fragiles only) for less.
Day and season
Summer Fridays and month-ends cost 10–20% more than a mid-week winter slot. Demand, not distance, drives the premium.
Parking and permits
If the van can't park within 20 metres of the door, carry distances extend the job. Suspension of a parking bay in London costs £50–£100 in council fees.
Methodology
This report combines Giant Van quote and booking data from 25 UK cities (2024–2026) with published industry benchmarks. Prices are presented as typical ranges for local moves under 30 miles. They include loading, transit, and unloading for a standard volume of items per property size.
Man-and-van hourly rates reflect one driver and one helper with a large van. Property-size prices assume a standard volume of belongings and no specialist items (pianos, hot tubs, etc.). Data is refreshed periodically. The ‘last updated’ date above shows the current revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a removal cost in the UK in 2026?
Which UK cities have the cheapest removal costs?
Why are London removal costs so much higher?
What is the average man-and-van rate per hour in the UK?
How can I get the cheapest removal quote?
Sources
Giant Van pricing data
Aggregated quote and booking data across 25 UK cities, 2024–2026.
- Compare My Move
UK removals pricing surveys and regional benchmarks, 2025.
- Checkatrade cost guides
Average removal costs by property size, 2025–2026.
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