Quick answer: Junk removal in the US usually costs $150 to $350 a load according to HomeGuide, from about $70 for a minimum load to $400 to $450 for a full truck. A 10-yard dumpster runs about $250 to $400 a week and a 20-yard $275 to $450, according to Fixr. For a few bulky items, the city is often cheaper: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix all collect them from houses and small buildings at no extra charge.
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Pick a service to see typical US price ranges and where each figure comes from.
Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteTypical private prices
These are reported national ranges, not quotes. Local dump fees, sales tax and street permits can be extra. HomeGuide’s junk removal guide is dated May 2024 and Fixr’s dumpster guide was updated in January 2025; both were the most recent we could read. Checked September 2026.
| Service | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Junk removal, minimum load (up to 60 cu ft) | $70 to $100 | Junk Removal Prices (homeguide.com) |
| Junk removal, quarter truck (80 to 120 cu ft) | $100 to $150 | Same |
| Junk removal, half truck (180 to 240 cu ft) | $200 to $300 | Same |
| Junk removal, full truck (420 to 480 cu ft) | $400 to $450 | Same |
| Single items | Mattress $70 to $100; washer or dryer $70 to $205; sectional sofa $200 to $375; hot tub $100 to $150 | Same |
| Surcharges for heavy items | Fridges and freezers $35 to $60 each; piano $50 to $100 | Same |
| 10-yard dumpster (per week) | $250 to $400 (national average $380) | Dumpster Rental Cost (fixr.com, updated January 2025) |
| 20-yard dumpster (per week) | $275 to $450 | Same |
| 40-yard dumpster (per week) | $350 to $900 | Same |
| Over the weight allowance | $40 to $100 per ton | Same |
| Street permit (where needed) | $10 to $100 a week | Same |
City fees in five US cities
Cities publish their own bulk pickup rules and street permit charges. We read each city’s pages in September 2026.
| City | City bulky item pickup | Dumpster or container on the street |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Free, up to 6 items per collection day; mattresses must be sealed in a plastic bag (fine up to $300) | The carting company or contractor applies to NYC DOT: $30 per commercial refuse container permit, valid up to 5 days |
| Los Angeles | Free and unlimited for LA Sanitation customers; book at least one business day ahead | Permits for the public right-of-way come from StreetsLA; its permit list does not set out a separate dumpster fee |
| Chicago | Free for homes and buildings of up to 4 units; arrange it with your ward superintendent first | CDOT: $22.60 to $92.63 application fee, then $50 (1 to 3 days) or $100 a month for a dumpster of up to 30 yards outside the Central Business District |
| Houston | Free heavy trash collection every other month, up to 8 cubic yards, 6 times a year | A Combustible Waste Storage permit applies to dumpsters over 50 cubic feet or kept for more than 60 days |
| Phoenix | 4 free bulk trash appointments a year, up to 10 cubic yards each | The city itself rents residential roll-offs: $165 per pull plus $55 a ton |
Street permit fees are usually built into the price, because in New York and Chicago it is the hauler, not the householder, that applies. The city guides below give the detail, including what each city will not collect.
Why quotes differ
- Volume and weight. Junk firms price by the share of the truck you fill; dumpster firms include a weight allowance and charge by the ton above it. Soil, concrete and roofing fill the allowance fast.
- Dump fees. The cost of tipping at a landfill or transfer station is passed on, and it varies from city to city.
- Problem items. Mattresses, fridges, tyres, electronics and paint are charged separately or refused, because they need separate handling. See household hazardous waste in the US and recycling used electronics.
- Access and labour. Stairs, long carries, walk-ups and dismantling add time.
- Permits. A dumpster on the street needs a city permit in the cities we checked.
For a line-by-line checklist, see comparing waste removal quotes.
Local guides
- Waste removal in New York City
- Waste removal in Los Angeles
- Waste removal in Chicago
- Waste removal in Houston
- Waste removal in Phoenix
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Frequently asked questions
How much does junk removal cost in the US?
HomeGuide reports $150 to $350 for most jobs, from $70 to $100 for a minimum load up to $400 to $450 for a full truck.
How much is a dumpster for a week?
Fixr reports $250 to $400 for a 10-yard dumpster, $275 to $450 for a 20-yard and $350 to $900 for a 40-yard, with $40 to $100 a ton over the weight allowance.
Is the city cheaper for bulky items?
Often. All five cities we checked collect bulky items from houses and small buildings at no extra charge, within limits on number or volume.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster on my driveway?
In the cities we checked, the permits apply to the street, sidewalk or alley. A dumpster wholly on your own property does not need the street permit, though Houston’s storage permit can apply to long rentals.
What will a dumpster company not take?
Common exclusions are paint, chemicals, batteries, tyres, appliances with refrigerant and electronics. Ask for the list before you load.
Sources
- Junk Removal Prices (homeguide.com)
- Dumpster Rental Cost (fixr.com)
- Large Items; Furniture, Mattresses, and Rugs (nyc.gov/dsny)
- Commercial Refuse Container Permits FAQ (nyc.gov/dot)
- Trash Pick-Up and Drop-Off (lacity.gov); Permits (streets.lacity.gov)
- Sanitation Code Violation (chicago.gov); 2026 Permit Fee Schedule (chicago.gov/cdot)
- Heavy Trash Collection; Combustible Waste Storage (Dumpster) Permit (houstontx.gov)
- New Bulk Trash Program Now in Service; Solid Waste Collections Billing Book Rate Schedule 2026 (phoenix.gov)
Last checked: September 2026. City fees and rules can change at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the current position when you book.
Compare Waste Removal is a comparison and referral service, not a hauler, junk removal firm or dumpster company. We do not collect waste, and a listing here is not a recommendation.