Whether you’re a recent grad relocating to a city for job opportunities or a family heading cross-country to be closer to relatives, moving to another state represents a major change in your daily life.
It can be full of excitement (and some nostalgia), complicated, and expensive. Here are some things to keep in mind to make it go as smoothly as possible.
Key Points
• Moving to another state typically costs $4,575 in moving expenses as of mid-2025.
• Research potential neighborhoods, crime rates, school systems, and transportation options.
• Choose a moving date, considering weekdays and off-peak seasons; select professional movers, comparing quotes to find the best deal.
• Create a budget for moving, including unexpected costs; setting up a new home; and the expense of living in a new place while job-hunting, if applicable.
• Sort, pack, and gather important documents for easy access.
Is It Hard to Move to Another State?
Generally speaking, moving to a new state may take some work, and planning for it might need to happen well in advance to ensure everything stays on track.
You’ll want to consider things like potential neighborhoods to live in, crime rates, the school system, transportation options, and walkability. Before you move, you may also want to think about what items you’ll want to take with you (and what you’ll need to donate), what your moving budget is, and whether it makes sense to hire professional movers.
A Simple Checklist For Moving Out of State
Sometimes, a good old-fashioned moving checklist is the easiest way to ensure things get done on time:
1. ⃞ Find a place to live. This means either renting or buying a home. You may need to stay in temporary housing until the new place is ready.
2. ⃞ Select a moving date. If your schedule is flexible and costs are a concern, consider moving during a weekday, which tends to be cheaper than the weekend, or in fall or winter, versus the very busy spring and summer seasons.
3. ⃞ Select a professional mover (if using one). Request a few quotes from reputable movers so you can find a good service and know your moving costs.
4. ⃞ Build a budget based on common moving expenses plus any other cost considerations unique to your move.
5. ⃞ Take stock of and sort your stuff about one month before the move. What needs to come along? What should be tossed? What can be given to charity? Start sorting, selling (there are plenty of places to sell your stuff), packing, trashing, and donating accordingly.
6. ⃞ Cancel old services/start new ones. Schedule the stoppage of utilities like cable, internet, gas, and electric, and set up installations at your new location. It could also be a good time to update or cancel gym memberships, delivery services, subscriptions, etc.
7. ⃞ Gather up boxes and packing supplies. About three weeks before the move, start securing boxes, rolls of packing tape, bubble wrap, and other supplies.
8. ⃞ Pack it all up. You might wait until moving day to get the toothpaste into the “personal items” box, but the two weeks before the move can be spent packing belongings and gathering important documents like leases, moving contracts, and moving expense receipts. See if friends and family can help with this task.
9. ⃞ Say farewell. It might sound cheesy, but giving a thoughtful goodbye to any home that housed you can be helpful for moving ahead. Perhaps the last pie from your favorite local pizzeria is in order.
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How Much Money Should You Save to Move Out of State?
When planning how to move to another state, knowing how much to save to cover moving expenses is an important initial step.
The average cross-country move typically costs somewhere between $2,392 and $6,869, according to HomeAdvisor, with the average amount being around $4,575.
Several other factors can influence how much someone should save to move out of state, such as the number of items they’re moving, how far they’re going, and whether they plan to move themselves or hire professionals. In some cases, long distance moving costs could reach $10,000 or more.
Common Moving Expenses
To decide how much money to save for a move out of state, knowing the most common moving expenses can be helpful:
• A deposit on the new place, which is typically first and last month’s rent/security on an apartment, or a down payment on a new house.
• Moving costs, or the amount of money it takes to physically move items — whether with rented equipment or professional movers — from point A to point B. As previously mentioned, they average $4,575 for an out-of-state move, but this figure can vary depending on the distance of the move, how much you are transporting, and the company hired.
• Transportation costs for traveling to the final destination. A fuel cost calculator can be a helpful tool to get an idea of how much to budget for this expense.
• Packing supplies like boxes, packaging tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, markers, etc.
• Cleaning supplies can get overlooked, but several surfaces might need scouring. From trash bags to all-purpose cleaners, carpet cleaning for pesky pet stains, mops, and more, having some funds saved for a clean slate can prove helpful in the moving process.
• Repair and maintenance costs might arise from issues like holes in the walls from hanging artwork, a broken light fixture, a torn screen, etc. Taking out a home improvement loan ensures things can be up to snuff in both abodes.
• New furniture and home decor can help warm up your new home on day one.
• New driver’s licenses and registrations typically cost less than $100 for a license and up to $275 for a registration.
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Ways to Save When Moving to Another State
It can take a lot of time and energy to move to a different state. Luckily, there are several ways to save money in the process:
• Using cash for moving expenses instead of racking up credit card debt can save money over time.
• Selling unwanted items is a great way to create space, remove clutter, and acquire some extra moving funds.
• Packing with free supplies like used boxes or bubble wrap from friends, family or even the town “free stuff” page can help save lots versus buying brand new.
• Getting help from friends can help you save time which, in turn, can save you money. They can help with sorting, packing, cleaning, and even selling old items to their network.
• Asking an employer to help with relocation costs can potentially be negotiated, especially if you’re sticking with them in the new state.
• Relocation loans can be a solid saving option when you need quick cash to move to another state. They can cover a wide range of moving costs, from deposits to storage to professional movers, transportation, and even hotel stays.
The Takeaway
Moving out of state often requires detailed planning, preparation, and lots of considerations — like how to sort and pack belongings, whether to hire professional movers, what the moving budget is, and how to secure funds for moving costs. In terms of financing, ideas include using cash instead of credit, selling unwanted items to raise money, asking an employer for relocation assistance, or taking out a personal loan.
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
Is $10,000 enough to move out of state?
Yes, technically $10,000 should more than cover moving expenses. However, also consider the cost of setting up a new home, paying security on a new place, and potentially not having income while you job-hunt. This can mean you may need more than $10,000 when moving out of state.
What is the average cost of moving out of state?
As of mid-2025, the average cost for moving out-of-state is $4,575, according to HomeAdvisor.
What is the cheapest way to move out of state?
A DIY approach is often the most economical way to move out of state. That can mean finding free moving supplies (check freecycle sites and friends who recently relocated), getting help with packing from friends and family, and renting a truck and driving yourself to your new home state.
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