Starving Students Movers vs United Van Lines
By Daniel Harper, Senior Editor, Moving Costs · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Pricing & Estimates Reviewer · Last updated May 2026
On our weighted score, United Van Lines takes the edge (4.3/5). That said, Starving Students Movers is the better pick for budget local moves, while United Van Lines wins for long-distance moves with full packing. Always get binding estimates from both before booking.
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Side-by-side
| Category | Starving Students Movers | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | Verify on FMCSA | 077949 |
| MC # | Verify on FMCSA | 67234 |
| BBB rating | B | A+ |
| Founded | 1973 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas, NV | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | Regional | All 50 states |
| Services | Local, Long-distance, Packing, Storage | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| 2BR estimate | $500–$2,200 | $3,100–$7,400 |
| Customer rating | 3.6 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Starving Students Movers
Budget local mover with locations across the Southwest and West. Pricing is competitive but read recent reviews for your specific branch.
- Best for budget local moves.
- Regional coverage; founded 1973.
- BBB rating: B.
- Quality varies widely by metro — read reviews for your specific branch.
United Van Lines
United is the largest brand under UniGroup and publishes the well-known annual National Movers Study. Claims handling and tracking tools rank above the industry median based on FMCSA data.
- Best for long-distance moves with full packing.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1928.
- BBB rating: A+.
- Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
Budget local moves
Quality varies widely by metro — read reviews for your specific branch.
Long-distance moves with full packing
Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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Frequently asked questions
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