How much do moving boxes cost?

In October 2026, a single medium moving box listed at $1.34 at The Home Depot and about $2.19 at U-Haul. Small boxes ran $0.88 to $1.77 and large boxes $1.60 to $2.87. A 1-bedroom apartment needs 25 to 35 boxes, which comes to $33.50 to $76.65 for the boxes plus $11.97 to $15.96 for tape. Prices vary by store.

Is renting plastic moving boxes cheaper than buying cardboard?

No. Buying cardboard for a 1-bedroom move costs less than renting totes for it. What the difference pays for is everything around the boxes: delivery to your door, pickup from your new home, 2 dollies and labels included, and no tape, assembly or cardboard to break down and haul away afterwards.

How much does it cost to rent moving boxes in Phoenix?

Tote Relay rents plastic moving totes in Ahwatukee, Central Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, South Scottsdale and Tempe: Studio (20 totes, $63.75), 1-Bedroom (35 totes, $89.25), 2-3 Bedroom (50 totes, $116.25) and 3-4 Bedroom (75 totes, $161.25) for 7 days. Every package includes delivery, pickup, dollies and labels. Prices are before sales tax.

Does U-Haul buy back unused moving boxes?

U-Haul lists a 100% buy-back of any unused U-Haul boxes, with the receipt. Used boxes are not bought back, but you can leave them on the Take A Box, Leave A Box shelf at many U-Haul centers for the next person.

Moving box cost in Phoenix: U-Haul vs Home Depot vs renting

What boxes cost at each store, what a whole move adds up to, and how renting plastic totes compares.

Updated October 2026

The short answer

In October 2026 a medium moving box listed at $1.34 at The Home Depot and about $2.19 at U-Haul, so Home Depot is cheaper box for box. Packing the same space as our 1-Bedroom package (35 totes) takes about 28 medium boxes: $49.49 at Home Depot or $73.29 at U-Haul, tape included. Renting the 35 totes costs $89.25 for 7 days, with delivery, pickup, 2 dollies and labels included.

Moving box prices at U-Haul and Home Depot

Single-box prices as listed on each retailer's website, checked October 2026. Bundles cost less per box, and U-Haul dealers and individual stores can charge differently.

Single moving box prices at The Home Depot and U-Haul, checked October 2026
Box	Size	Cubic feet	Price
The Home Depot small	Size16 × 12 × 12 in	Cubic feet1.3	Price$0.88 (opens the retailer's listing)
The Home Depot medium	Size18 × 18 × 16 in	Cubic feet3.0	Price$1.34 (opens the retailer's listing)
The Home Depot heavy-duty medium	Size18 × 18 × 16 in	Cubic feet3.0	Price$2.38 (opens the retailer's listing)
The Home Depot large	Size18 × 18 × 24 in	Cubic feet4.5	Price$1.60 (opens the retailer's listing)
U-Haul small	Size16⅜ × 12⅝ × 12⅝ in	Cubic feet1.5	Price$1.77 (opens the retailer's listing)
U-Haul medium	Size18⅛ × 18 × 16 in	Cubic feet3.0	Price$2.19 (opens the retailer's listing)
U-Haul large	Size18 × 18 × 24 in	Cubic feet4.5	Price$2.87 (opens the retailer's listing)

Tape: U-Haul listed a 55-yard roll of clear heavy-duty tape at $3.99 online. A roll closes roughly 10 to 12 medium boxes.

Is it cheaper to buy moving boxes at U-Haul or Home Depot?

Home Depot, on price. The medium box is the same 18 by 18 by 16 inches at both, and Home Depot's listed for $1.34 against about $2.19 at U-Haul. Its large box was cheaper too.

U-Haul earns its premium in two ways. It lists a full buy-back of unused U-Haul boxes with your receipt, so overbuying costs nothing. And many U-Haul centers keep a free Take A Box, Leave A Box shelf of used boxes, which is worth a phone call before you buy anything.

What a whole move of boxes costs

The table counts boxes by volume: the cardboard you would need to pack the same space as each of our packages. A medium box holds about 3 cubic feet and a tote 2.4, so cardboard needs fewer boxes than you might expect, and the comparison leans in its favor.

Cost of buying medium moving boxes and tape for the same packing space as each tote rental package
Move	Home Depot	U-Haul	Rent totes
Studio home20 totes, or 16 medium boxes and 2 rolls of tape	Home Depot$29.42	U-Haul$43.02	Rent totes$63.757 days, 1 dolly, delivered
1-Bedroom home35 totes, or 28 medium boxes and 3 rolls of tape	Home Depot$49.49	U-Haul$73.29	Rent totes$89.257 days, 2 dollies, delivered
2-3 Bedroom home50 totes, or 40 medium boxes and 4 rolls of tape	Home Depot$69.56	U-Haul$103.56	Rent totes$116.257 days, 2 dollies, delivered
3-4 Bedroom home75 totes, or 60 medium boxes and 6 rolls of tape	Home Depot$104.34	U-Haul$155.34	Rent totes$161.257 days, 3 dollies, delivered

Box and tape prices as listed in October 2026, before tax. Rental prices are today's, for the first rental week, before tax.

What the rental price covers that boxes do not

Bought boxes are cheaper. Whether they are cheaper for your move depends on what else you would be paying for, in money or in an afternoon:

A dolly. Every package includes rolling dollies sized for the totes; with cardboard you rent or buy one separately.
Two store runs. We deliver the totes to your door and collect the empties from your new home.
Tape and assembly. Tote lids are attached and close without tape, so there is nothing to build or cut open.
The cleanup. No pile of flattened cardboard to break down and take to recycling after the move.
Strength. Totes stack five high without crushing and shrug off a monsoon shower or a hot garage.

When buying cardboard is the better deal

A long-distance move. Our totes have to come back, and both your addresses must be in our delivery area.
Storage. If boxes will sit in a storage unit for months, buy them.
A small move. A dozen boxes for a room or a dorm is cheaper bought.
Free boxes. If you have the time to collect them, nothing beats free. Our guide to where to get moving boxes in Phoenix lists where to look.

Still deciding? Read plastic vs cardboard moving boxes, or work out how many moving boxes you need first.

Questions people ask

Something else? Call (480) 933-0185 or read the moving box rental FAQ.

How much do moving boxes cost?: In October 2026, a single medium moving box listed at $1.34 at The Home Depot and about $2.19 at U-Haul. Small boxes ran $0.88 to $1.77 and large boxes $1.60 to $2.87. A 1-bedroom apartment needs 25 to 35 boxes, which comes to $33.50 to $76.65 for the boxes plus $11.97 to $15.96 for tape. Prices vary by store.
Is it cheaper to buy moving boxes at U-Haul or Home Depot?: Home Depot, by box. In October 2026 its medium box listed at $1.34 against about $2.19 at U-Haul, for the same 18 by 18 by 16 inch size. U-Haul has two things Home Depot does not: it lists a full buy-back of unused U-Haul boxes with your receipt, and many U-Haul centers have a free Take A Box, Leave A Box shelf of used boxes.
Is renting plastic moving boxes cheaper than buying cardboard?: No. Buying cardboard for a 1-bedroom move costs less than renting totes for it. What the difference pays for is everything around the boxes: delivery to your door, pickup from your new home, 2 dollies and labels included, and no tape, assembly or cardboard to break down and haul away afterwards.
How much does it cost to rent moving boxes in Phoenix?: Tote Relay rents plastic moving totes in Ahwatukee, Central Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, South Scottsdale and Tempe: Studio (20 totes, $63.75), 1-Bedroom (35 totes, $89.25), 2-3 Bedroom (50 totes, $116.25) and 3-4 Bedroom (75 totes, $161.25) for 7 days. Every package includes delivery, pickup, dollies and labels. Prices are before sales tax.
Does U-Haul buy back unused moving boxes?: U-Haul lists a 100% buy-back of any unused U-Haul boxes, with the receipt. Used boxes are not bought back, but you can leave them on the Take A Box, Leave A Box shelf at many U-Haul centers for the next person.

Rent moving boxes, delivered to your door

Plastic moving totes and dollies from $63.75 for 7 days, with delivery and pickup included. Free cancellation until 6 AM on the delivery day.

Rent online Call (480) 933-0185