Move-Out Cleaning Cost: What You'll Pay in 2026
A move-out clean can be the difference between a full deposit back and an awkward email from your landlord. Here's the real cost.
Priya Nair
Property Operations Writer · May 6, 2026 · 7 min read
How much does move-out cleaning cost?
Typical
$360
Most pay $200–$420 per job
Move-out cleaning runs $200 to $400 for a typical home, with a national average around $360. A small apartment can come in at $100 to $250, while a large or trashed house can climb past $700.
What would this cost at your address?
Get a local-market ballpark and up to 5 competing bids from cleaning pros near you — free.
What affects the cost
Home size
The starting point for every quote. Expect $0.20 to $0.45 per square foot for move-out work, which is higher than a standard clean because empty homes get scrubbed top to bottom.
Apartment vs. house
Apartments are smaller and faster, generally $100 to $250. Houses have more rooms, more square footage, and often more bathrooms, landing at $200 to $500 or more.
Condition at move-out
A unit that was kept clean needs maybe a standard-plus pass. One with grease in the kitchen, soap scum everywhere, and scuffed walls needs a true deep clean, which costs 25% to 50% more.
Inside appliances and cabinets
This is what separates a move-out clean from a regular one. Inside the oven, fridge, and every cabinet and drawer all get done, because that's exactly where a landlord or buyer looks.
Add-on services
Carpet cleaning ($40–$90 per room), wall washing, interior windows, and junk removal ($150–$300 per load) are common extras that aren't in the base price.
Location
Coastal and Northeast metros charge meaningfully more than the South and Midwest, driven by local labor rates.
Move-out cleaning cost by home type
| Home type | Approx. size | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | Up to 600 sq ft | $90–$150 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 600–900 sq ft | $100–$190 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 900–1,200 sq ft | $140–$250 |
| 3-bed townhouse/house | 1,500–2,000 sq ft | $200–$340 |
| 4-bed house | 2,500+ sq ft | $300–$750 |
Cost by region
The priciest region for turnovers. A move-out clean on a 2-bed in Boston or the NYC metro often starts where a 3-bed clean ends in the South.
Among the most affordable. A move-out clean on a 3-bed/2-bath in Texas or Georgia commonly lands $250–$350, with lots of cleaners competing on price.
Close to the national average. Chicago runs higher; markets like Cleveland, Kansas City, and Indianapolis stay budget-friendly.
Big range. Seattle, the Bay Area, and LA sit at the top end; smaller Mountain West and inland markets are closer to the middle.
Why move-out cleaning costs more than a regular clean
A move-out clean is a deep clean with a specific goal: leave the place spotless for the next person. Because the home is empty, cleaners can get to everything they'd normally have to work around. Inside the cabinets and drawers, behind and under appliances, the full interior of the oven and fridge, baseboards, window tracks, light fixtures, closet shelves, and every inch of the bathrooms.
That thoroughness costs time, and time is the bill. Most move-out jobs run four to eight hours and crews charge $25 to $50 per cleaner, per hour for this work. The payoff is real, though, especially for renters: the cost of the clean is almost always less than the chunk of a security deposit a landlord can withhold for a dirty unit.
Renters: protecting your deposit
Most leases require the unit to be returned 'broom clean' or in the condition you got it, minus normal wear. Vague language, which is exactly why disputes happen. A professional move-out clean with a receipt gives you documentation that the place was handled properly.
Do the math before you decide. If your deposit is $1,500 and a move-out clean is $300, paying for the clean to protect the full deposit is an easy call. Take photos after the cleaners finish, keep the invoice, and send both to your landlord. If there's ever a disagreement, you've got proof. Skipping the clean to save a few hundred dollars and then losing twice that off your deposit is the trap people fall into.
Landlords: budgeting for turnovers
If you own rentals, move-out cleaning is a recurring line item, so it pays to have a reliable number. A standard 2-bed/1-bath turnover usually runs $150 to $250 in most markets; a 3-bed single-family home is more like $250 to $400. Build that into your turnover budget alongside paint touch-ups and any repairs.
The smart move is lining up a cleaner before the tenant's lease ends so the unit gets cleaned the day after move-out and you can list it fast. Every day a unit sits dirty and empty is a day of lost rent. A clean that costs $300 but cuts three days off your vacancy more than pays for itself. Cleaners who regularly handle turnovers also know what your future tenants and inspectors will scrutinize, so you get fewer callbacks.
What's usually extra
The base move-out price covers cleaning. It typically does not cover hauling things away or specialized work. If the previous occupant left furniture or junk behind, removal runs $150 to $300 per load. Carpet that's stained beyond a vacuum needs steam cleaning at $40 to $90 a room. Walls with marks and scuffs may need washing as a separate line, and heavy grime can call for tile and grout work at $100 to $200.
Get clarity on scope before you book. Ask specifically whether inside the oven, inside the fridge, and interior windows are included, because some companies fold those into a move-out package and others bill them on top.
Ways to save on cleaning
- Do the easy stuff yourself first. Empty the place completely, take out trash, and wipe down obvious surfaces so the crew spends its hours on the deep work you're actually paying for.
- Book early and off-peak. The end of the month is rush hour for move-out cleans. Mid-month or a weekday slot can come with a better rate.
- Bundle with carpet cleaning. Companies that offer both often discount the combo versus hiring two separate vendors.
- Landlords: set up a standing rate. A cleaner you use for every turnover will usually give you per-unit pricing that beats one-off quotes.
- Compare a flat move-out package against hourly. For a unit in rough shape, a flat rate caps your downside; for a clean unit, hourly can come out cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord charge me for cleaning?
Yes, a landlord can deduct reasonable cleaning costs from your deposit if you leave the unit dirtier than normal wear and tear. They generally can't charge you for routine wear like minor scuffs. A professional clean with a receipt is your best defense.
How much does it cost to clean a 2-bedroom apartment for move-out?
Most 2-bedroom apartments run $140 to $250, depending on condition and location. A well-kept unit lands near the low end; one needing a true deep clean runs higher.
Is move-out cleaning the same as a deep clean?
It's a deep clean with a turnover focus. It includes everything a deep clean does, plus extra attention to inside cabinets, appliances, and the spots an incoming tenant or buyer will inspect.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for one to two weeks out, more if you're moving at month's end when cleaners book up. Landlords should schedule the day after the tenant vacates to minimize vacancy.
Does move-out cleaning include carpet shampooing?
Usually not in the base price. Carpet steam cleaning is typically a separate add-on at $40 to $90 per room. Confirm before booking if your lease requires professionally cleaned carpets.
Sources
- Angi — Move-Out Cleaning Cost
- HomeAdvisor — Move-Out Cleaning
- Today's Homeowner — Move-Out Cleaning Cost
- Thumbtack — Apartment Cleaning Prices
- This Old House — Move-Out Cleaning Cost
Cost ranges are 2026 estimates and vary by region, home size, and cleaner.
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