Almost 26 million Americans moved in 2024, which amounts to 7.5% of the country’s population. As you may know, a move can be expensive. Current estimates reveal that a local move for the contents of a three-bedroom home costs approximately $1,250 to $2,200, while a long-distance move is easily twice that, averaging $4,890 according to Moving.com. What’s more, amid the chaos of purging and packing, it’s easy to forget some of the additional moving-related costs you might face.
To help you get organized and budget appropriately, read on for the full story.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Moving costs can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars and can require careful budgeting.
• Transportation costs can cover renting a truck or hiring movers to shift belongings, as well as your own movement to your new home.
• The cost of moving services will depend on distance, amount of possessions, and time of year.
• Packing materials needed can include cartons and bubble wrap; you may be able to rent versus buy supplies or recycle materials to save money.
• Ways to fund a move include using savings, taking out a personal loan, or investigating employer-sponsored programs.
Average Moving Costs in the U.S.
The average cost of moving can vary tremendously depending on such factors as how much property you have, what kind of things you are moving (do you have delicate artwork, a piano?), how far you are moving, when you move, and the cost of living in the areas you are moving to and from.
Cost of Moving Locally
That said, the average cost of a local move for the contents of a 3-bedroom home is currently between $1,200 and $2,200. A local move is typically defined as being less than 100 miles and able to be completed in a single day.
Cost of a Long-Distance Move
A long-distance move, on the other hand, requires multiple days and covers more than 100 miles. A cross-country move certainly falls into this category, as does a move from, say, Seattle to Chicago. Due to the distance and time involved, this kind of move can be considerably more expensive, with some averages in 2025 coming in at just under $5,000.
Understanding Moving Expenses
While it may not be as fun as, say, budgeting for a wedding, figuring out costs for moving can be similarly complex. There can be numerous aspects to wrangle, from purchasing the proper packing supplies to deciding whether to DIY your move or hire professionals to understanding insurance needs. Consider the following.
Types of Moving Expenses
Here are some of the costs you are likely to incur when moving:
• Transportation, or actually moving your possessions from point A to point B
• Moving services, meaning having professionals load, transport, and unload your belongings
• Packing, which usually involves cartons and bubble wrap (or you might pay to have movers pack delicate or valuable items or, if time is tight or young children are part of the household, to take care of it all for you)
• Insurance to cover the value of your belongings as they are transported
• Rent and security deposits. The location you’re moving to may require a security deposit and first month’s rent in advance.
• Cleaning fees. You may have to pay to have your former and new residences cleaned.
• Lodging. As you travel from your former home to your new place, you may have to stay a number of nights in a hotel or motel. Some people need to bridge the gap between homes with a short-term rental as well.
• Storage. You might have to put some items in storage, depending on the timing and specifics of your move.
• New furniture and appliances. Often, when people move, they discover they need to buy new pieces, whether that means window shades, a fridge, rugs, or a dining table.
Factors That Affect Moving Costs
There are numerous variables when you move, but here are a few key ones to consider:
• How far you are moving. A move across town will involve less time, effort, and expense than a move across the country (or overseas).
• How much you are moving. If you are a recent college graduate with just a few pieces of furniture, your move is likely to cost less than, say, a family of four packing up their whole home (basement and attic including) and relocating.
• Time of year. Summer tends to be the busy season, with students leaving school and finding new places to settle and families wanting to get to their new house before the school year starts. This increased demand can increase prices.
• Services needed. If you are going to pack the contents of your studio apartment and have a friend with a van to help you move, you’ll likely spend considerably less than you will if you are a family of four who wants movers to pack and transport all your furniture and other items 2,000 miles.
• Storage. If you have to store all your possessions for a couple of weeks before you can have access to your new place, those costs can add up.
• Access to locations. Someone whose move involves a single-level home with an ample driveway will likely have a shorter move than someone who lives in a 20th-floor apartment on a crowded city block. And shorter moves are less expensive than longer ones.
Cost of Hiring Professional Movers
Next, take a closer look at one of the biggest expenses of moving: the cost of hiring a professional team to get you to your new home.
As you might guess, the cost of hiring movers can range widely depending on location, distance of the move, and how much you’re moving. Here are some general figures to be aware of, as noted above:
• For a local move (meaning 100 miles or less), costs typically range from $1,200 to $2,200.
• For a long-distance move (more than 100 miles), costs are usually considerably higher, ranging from $2,200 to several thousand, with an average of $4,890.
There can be additional fees to consider: extra insurance for valuable items, the cost of packing and moving supplies, the fee for professional packing of items, and special services for moving items like, say, a piano or a pool table. You may also want to calculate how much tipping your movers might cost; omitting that expense could be a budgeting mistake. Recommendations typically say between 10% and 20% of the cost of your move is appropriate.
DIY Moving: Budgeting and Expenses
Thinking of doing your own move? Consider these aspects:
Comparing Truck Rentals and Portable Containers
The cost of renting a truck or van will require funding. As you might guess, the bigger the truck and the longer you use it, the more costly it will be. According to Angi.com, renting a truck costs about $1,000 on average in the U.S.
Keep in mind that you need to resolve what happens to a truck that you might drive a long distance to complete your move. Can you drop it off at a location near your new home, or will you have to pay a fee for its return to its home base?
Packing Materials and Equipment Rental
You’ll also need to budget for packing materials. Online packing calculators can help you determine your needs and the cost, but estimates say that for a small-to-medium home (a two-bedroom apartment or house), you’ll likely need to spend at least a couple hundred dollars on cartons, not including such supplies as bubble wrap ($29 for 300 feet) and tape ($7 per 55-yard roll). Don’t forget some sturdy markers to help you label what’s inside each box.
You might rent reusable boxes (typically plastic ones) to use for your move. Another item that can be wise to rent is wardrobe boxes, which allow you to move clothing that’s hanging in your closet into these boxes for easy transportation.
Moving blankets are another expense. These can cost $20 and up a pop if you purchase them. You may be able to rent them from a moving company to use for your DIY move.
Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator
Extra Moving Costs to Think About
As you get ready to move, don’t overlook these costs (some of which were mentioned above):
Storage Fees
Storage costs for any items that need to be held securely before they can be moved into your new home. You might easily pay between $100 and $300 a month (or much more in a city) for this service. You also might need to pay insurance fees to protect your items.
Moving Insurance
Moving insurance protects your possessions if they are lost or damaged. The cost can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; it’s typically 1% of the total estimated cost of your move. Some of the features impacting the cost of moving insurance include the value of your items, how much coverage you want, how large (or small) a deductible you opt for, and how far your move is.
Packing and Moving Supplies
In addition to the packing and moving supplies mentioned above, such as cartons, tape, and blankets, don’t forget about dollies and hand trucks to get boxes from one location to another. You might also need special crates for artwork and equipment to wrap and move musical instruments.
Travel Expenses
It can be easy to overlook your own travel expenses as your household furnishings get loaded onto a moving van to travel to a new destination. You may be in a situation in which you fly cross-country but need to ship your car (the average cost of shipping a car is $1,150). Or maybe you’ll drive vs. ship your car, triggering gas, lodging, and road food costs.
And, while not technically a travel expense, you might need temporary housing at your destination or to pay a security deposit if you rent a home. These costs can add up, meaning you may have to dip into savings or perhaps take out a personal loan (sometimes called a relocation loan) to cover your costs.
Tips for Reducing Moving Expenses
Here are some ways you can bring down your moving costs (some were already referenced above):
Downsize and Declutter
Downsize as much as you can before moving. The less you have, the faster and cheaper your move can be. Also, when you declutter, you might be able to get cash for your gently used unwanted items. There are many places where you can sell your stuff, in person or online.
Reuse Boxes and Packing Materials
Here’s a packing and moving tip that can help you save a bundle: Find affordable or free moving materials. Options can include getting free cartons and other supplies from friends and family, sourcing boxes from local retailers, or renting things like plastic containers, wardrobes, and moving blankets vs. purchasing them.
Consider Timing
Did you know when you move can impact the cost? If possible, schedule your move to avoid the busy, pricey summer high season. Moving in fall or winter, when demand is lower, can help you save money.
Recommended: Get Your Personal Loan Approved
The Takeaway
Moving is a major financial commitment, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. When planning a move, first decide whether you’re going to DIY or hire pros. Then make a list of other expenses: packing supplies, transportation and travel expenses, and other potential costs. You may need to tap your savings or take out a personal loan to afford these charges.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
What financing options are available to cover moving costs?
When moving, you can fund your expenses with savings, take out a personal loan (also called a moving or relocation loan), or see if your employer offers any assistance. It can be wise to avoid high-interest credit cards.
What’s the difference between a DIY move and a full-service move?
When undertaking a DIY move, you are typically responsible for renting or borrowing a van, getting packing materials and packing items, and loading and unloading your possessions. With a full-service move, professional movers can help pack, if you like, as well as load, transport, and unload items. A DIY move may be cheaper, but it’s typically much more time-consuming and you could put yourself and your items at more risk.
How are moving costs calculated?
Moving costs are based on several factors, such as how much and what sort of property you’re moving, how far you are moving, whether you need help packing, what time of year you are moving, and what the prevailing cost of living is like in the areas involved.
Are moving costs tax-deductible?
For most Americans, moving costs are typically not tax-deductible. For those in the military, some unreimbursed expenses may be deductible.
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