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Whether moving across the city or the globe, relocating can be an extensive project. One of your biggest tasks is planning for moving costs. Your expenses will vary based on how far you’re moving, how many large items you’re transporting, and how much of the moving process you do on your own versus hiring professionals. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your move fits your budget.
Read more: How much money do you need to buy a house?
In this article:
How much does moving cost?
A move can cost between a few hundred dollars and well over $10,000, depending on several factors — the two main ones being distance and how much stuff you take with you.
Average moving cost by distance
Long-distance moves are more expensive. According to Allied Van Lines, a local move is $1,400 on average, significantly lower than the average $3,500 for a long-distance move. Moving across the country averages $7,780.
Average moving cost by house size
The more items you transport, the more you’ll pay — since you usually need more packing supplies, larger trucks, or more hourly labor. According to home services company Angi, here’s a breakdown of costs by the number of bedrooms for a cross-country move.
Other factors that affect moving costs
Distance and house size significantly impact your moving budget, but they’re not the only expenses. Plan to pay for packing supplies, a moving truck or container, or moving professionals.
Packing supplies
You’ll need boxes, packing tape, packing paper or bubble wrap, and similar items to transport your things safely. The more items you pack, the more supplies you’ll need — and the more you’ll pay. Here’s an estimate of how much you may spend on packing materials.
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Cardboard boxes: $1 to $8 each
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Reusable bins: $5 to $30 each
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Packing tape: $2 to $5 per roll
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Packing paper: $9 to $30 per pack
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Bubble wrap: $10 to $50 per roll
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Markers and labels: $1 to $2 each
Rental truck
A do-it-yourself (DIY) move could save money, especially if you have fewer things and are moving locally. But you’ll likely need to rent a truck, especially if you want to take your furniture with you. According to Angi, the average cost of a rental truck is $60 per day, but the exact amount depends on a few factors.
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Truck size: A smaller pickup truck or 10-footer will cost less than a 26-footer, for example.
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Mileage: The rental company may charge a mileage fee or include the distance and number of days in your costs. Generally, the farther you travel, the more you’ll pay.
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Gas: You’re responsible for filling up the gas tank. Longer distances will require more gas stops, raising the cost.
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Insurance: You can add liability insurance that protects you from paying out of pocket if the vehicle or your items are damaged.
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One-way vs. round-trip: Truck rental companies typically charge more if you return the truck at a different location.
Compare the prices of a few rental truck companies, and ensure you understand what costs are included in the estimate to budget appropriately.
Portable moving container
Moving containers could be ideal if you don’t want the hassle of driving a rental truck. The moving company drops off the container so you can pack it up. Once packed, the company transfers the unit to the new location, where you unpack it before movers pick it up.
Since someone else is transporting the items for you, you’ll pay a bit more for a container than a rental truck. On average, renting a unit could cost you around $3,000.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely have the container longer than a rental truck. For example, the moving company PODS includes a 30-day minimum window, charging by the month rather than by the day.
Moving company
Full-service moving companies will handle as much of the move as you want them to. These companies offer packing and unpacking the home, transporting your items, and loading and unloading the moving truck.
Since it’s a full hands-off approach, you will pay a premium. According to the real estate company Greystar, hiring a company for a local move could cost $80 to $100 per hour for basic moving services. Longer-distance moves could cost $2,000 to $5,000.
Using professional movers is more expensive than a DIY move, but cost isn’t the only factor that should influence your decision.
“Consider convenience. If you're short on time, have a lot of heavy or delicate items, or live in a place with narrow hallways or lots of stairs,” said Michael Branson, CEO at All Reverse Mortgage, via email. “Hiring movers can make a huge difference, saving you stress and potential damage to your stuff.”
Special items
Some of your belongings may need to be handled and packed more carefully. Bulky or fragile items could require more expensive equipment or additional labor hours. So, expect to pay more if you move a piano, pool table, or large artwork.
Timing
The moving date can also affect your costs. Most moves happen during the warmer months. Expect higher prices for supplies, trucks, and containers in May through September than in the fall and winter months. Mid-month moves could cost less than the 1st and the 30th, which are popular dates for rental agreements. You could also save 10% or more by relocating on a weekday versus the weekend.
Learn more: What is the best time of year to buy a house?
How to lower your moving house expenses
Certain expenses are easier to control than others, but there are ways to reduce the cost of your move.
“One of the best ways to save on moving costs is to declutter before you pack,” noted Janelle Sallenave, chief experience officer at Chime, via email. “The fewer items you have to move, the fewer boxes you’ll need to buy, and you might even reduce the number of trips or labor hours if you hire movers.”
Handle as much of your move as you can on your own. DIY moves are typically less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company to pack, load, transport, and unpack. Shop around when renting a truck or hiring a moving company to ensure you get the best deal.
Keep reading: Should you rent or buy a house? How to decide.
Moving cost FAQs
How much does it cost to relocate?
Your moving expenses depend primarily on how far and how much you're moving. The average cost of a local move, less than 50 miles, is $1,400, according to Allied Van Lines. Longer distances can cost $3,500 on average, and cross-country run around $7,780. Whether you move on your own or hire professionals will also significantly impact how much you spend.
How much does a moving company cost?
Full-service moving companies generally provide personalized quotes since the cost depends on the distance, item quantity, and services you choose. For a local move, you could pay $80 to $100 per hour for basic services, according to the real estate company Greystar. A long-distance move could cost you more, between $2,000 and $5,000.
What is a reasonable moving budget?
Based on data from Allied Van Lines, a local move could cost between $800 and $2,500, while a long-distance move can range from $2,200 to over $10,000. While these averages are a great starting point, shop around and get personalized quotes for rental trucks, portable containers, moving professionals, and packing supplies for a more accurate estimate.
This article was edited by Laura Grace Tarpley.
