Ian,

That's a tricky case. Basically, when you hire movers for local move you pay for one extra hour called "travel time", which basically means the time it takes the movers to reach your first location. 

If you hire two teams you will pay for 2 hours instead of one. At the same time, it might take the movers more then an hour to get from midtown to east village (although if in the middle of the day or on the weekend there is a good chance for moderate traffic...).

Another thing to consider is the fact that two teams are much harder to control then one. Basically, even if you use the same company there is a chance that one team will be late or won't show up at all - depending on what their schedule for that day is (they might get stuck on a previous job...for hours). Basically, in New York you just don't know.

So having one team guarantees you that first of all your job will be scheduled for the morning, hence they will arrive straight to you from the dispatch, fresh and ready to work. Then, the second move will take place in the noon, so the traffic should be more cooperative. And finally, since its one team, you should become friendly with the foreman and get his cell number, so you will be able to monitor their progress as they drive through the streets of New York.

Don't forget to buy them pizza though, because they will spend the whole day with you.