Moving Costs: How Much Does It Cost To Move?

The excitement of buying a house is palpable. Searching for that perfect place for you and your loved ones, finding your forever (or just right now) home, and making it to the closing table is a journey to remember.  Once the dust settles, the shine of the search might dull a bit when you think of moving. Let’s be honest, it’s not the most fun part of the home buying process.

Logistically, there are a lot of moving parts (pun intended). Financially, it can take a bite out of your budget. But how big of a bite can be controlled. The cost to move is something to think about sooner rather than later if you’re in the market for a new home. There are plenty of surprises that come up during a home search, so don’t let moving costs be one of them. 

How Much Does It Cost To Move In 2024?

According to Consumer Affairs, moving in 2024 can cost you anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $10,000. This is a pretty broad range, as many different factors go into what your specific move will cost. As you could probably guess, distance and the amount of stuff you have to get from your current house to your new one are the key factors.

For example, moving from a  single-family home to a bigger house across the country is likely going to be pricey. Moving from your apartment to a new house in the same city, not so much. A great way to get a handle on your moving cost estimate right away is to create a moving checklist so you know exactly what you are dealing with before it’s time to pack up and get going.

The biggest factor beyond the amount of things you have to move is distance, so let’s take a closer look at how moving prices can fluctuate:

Local Moving Costs

Moving from one home to another in the same neighborhood, city or metropolitan area cuts down on costs significantly. If you are doing the move yourself, you will save on truck rental fees, gas and time by only traveling a short distance. If you are outsourcing your move, the cost a moving company will charge you is dependent on the amount of hours, workers and expenses (like gas) they need to complete your moving project. All of these factors that affect price will be smaller for a local move compared to a long-distance move.

Long-Distance Moving Costs

Time is money, as they say. The farther you are moving, the more time it takes to get all your stuff there. That means more hours of labor and increased transportation costs. The coordination and planning is more intense as well. If you are moving around the corner and forget something, you simply drive back and a few minutes later the problem is solved. If you forget something or need to make more than one trip across the country, that’s a different level of headache. Planning, packing, storage and transportation make long-distance moving more work and consequently more expensive than a local move. If you are moving out of state, the costs go up. If you are moving out of the country, you guessed it, the costs go up even more.

International Moving Costs

International moves can go well past the short- and long-term move costs and can get to $10,000 or more. Most people use container ships, which add an additional cost when you need to get all your belongings across the globe. After all, there’s only so much you can fit on a plane. In addition to packing, loading and transport, there are also a host of other costs to consider. Customs charges, disassembling furniture and transporting your car (if applicable), are a few to budget for.

Factors That Influence The Cost Of Moving

Deciding where to live is an important decision with a litany of factors that go into it. What kind of climate do you like? Where do you work? Do you like a big city feel or more of a country vibe? These are the questions that swirl in our heads when we decide where the best place to call home is. Let’s be honest, moving costs aren’t usually at the top of the priority list. That said, it’s a good idea to keep them in mind so you don’t bust your budget. The best way to understand moving costs is to know what variables will raise them up or bring them down.

Distance

As noted above, distance plays an important role in the typical cost to move. Mileage, gas and lodging for your moving crew can add quite a bit of cost to your moving budget. Not to mention the increased time it takes to travel long distances, which of course increases the number of hours you will be billed once the move is complete.

Professional Movers

Some people think hiring professional movers is the best way to have a stress-free move. That’s usually true, but only if the added cost doesn’t stress you out. To calculate the cost, consider the number of movers you’ll need and the time you think it will take to get the job done. Professional moving companies can help by giving you a quote before you sign them up to do the work. 

Amount Of Items

The size of your home and the amount of furniture and personal items you want to move also plays an important role in the typical cost to move. If you are looking to cut costs, moving presents a great opportunity to purge your old place of all the stuff you no longer use. In addition to quantity, the type of furniture you need to move impacts cost as well. For example, the cost to move a hot tub is going to be much higher than the cost to move a couch.

Packing Supplies

If you’re hiring professional movers, the necessary supplies will be included in the cost. If you are a DIY mover, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary packing tools, like boxes, bubble wrap, tape, heavy moving blankets, a dolly and a truck. If you’re looking to save costs, see what you can get for free. Collecting discarded boxes from your local grocery store or reaching out to friends to borrow a truck are just a few ways you can cut costs.

Time Of Year

Much like considering the best time to buy a house, think about the best time of year to move as well. Many people like to move in the summer. The fair weather and reduced job and school commitments make adding a move to your to-do list a little more palpable. Increased demand means increased costs though, with some movers charging more during these peak times. Moving in the winter can sometimes come with a smaller price tag.

Checklist Of Typical Moving Expenses

Now that you have a basic understanding of some of the costs associated with a move, let’s lay it out in a handy checklist to help you get planning.

• Professional Moving Services: While the cost will likely be in the thousands, avoiding the physical and emotional stress of doing it yourself is appealing to many.
• Packing Services: Cost is a factor, but you might also want to consider how particular about your belongings you are. Some people prefer to handle things like family heirlooms themselves instead of hiring someone else to pack them.
• Transportation Costs: The farther you are going, the more you will spend. Calculate in the beginning so you can budget accordingly.
• Packing Supplies: If you are a DIY mover, account for this cost and ways you can obtain some of the supplies for free.
• Storage Fees: If you can’t get everything immediately from your old home to your new one, you may have to put things in storage for a while.
• Gratuity: It’s customary to tip movers. It’s tough work and a nice gesture to add a little gratuity if you are so inclined.
• Shipping and mailing costs: If you are traveling a long distance, you might need to consider these additional costs.

Hopefully this list is a good start, but it’s not exhaustive and will vary depending on your specific budget and moving needs, so add to it.

Tips For Saving On Moving Costs

Who doesn't like saving money? No one. Let’s look at some ways you can do just that when it comes to your move.

• Plan your move: Surprises usually result in paying more money. Plan ahead to avoid this.
• Compare multiple moving companies: It’s always best to get at least three quotes to avoid overpaying.
• Declutter and downsize items: The less you need to move, the less you need to pay. Time to purge!

These are just a few moving tips that will cut costs, but hopefully they get your mind thinking that way throughout your move. Other opportunities to save will almost surely present themselves along the way.

FAQs About Moving Costs

Still have a few questions about moving costs? Maybe some of the answers will be covered below.

Should I hire professional movers?

For some, the stress of moving is just too much. Hiring professional movers can take a big load off your plate and let you focus on many of life’s other demands. However, if your budget is tight or if you really don’t like the idea of other people handling all your personal stuff, the DIY approach might suit you better.

How do I hire professional movers?

You can start by asking your friends and family for referrals. A trusted source with firsthand experience is always nice. A quick internet search can provide a long list of local, national and international movers as well. In addition, The American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), a nonprofit organization representing moving companies around the country, has a website that can be a good resource. 

Is moving insurance worth it?

This decision is all about evaluating risk. If you have quite a few expensive pieces of furniture, for example, moving insurance might be worth it. If you are moving out of your college dorm and aren’t too worried about that old hand-me-down couch getting dinged up a bit, maybe pass on the moving insurance.

Can I deduct moving expenses?

Talk to your tax person, but sometimes moving expenses can be tax-deductible, especially if you are moving for work.

The Bottom Line

Don’t get surprised by moving costs and dull the excitement of moving to your new home. Budgeting and planning for moving costs as soon as you start the home search is a great way to be prepared. Ready to make that move into your dream home? You can get started on an application today!