Highlights
A long-distance move costs an average of $4,000 to $10,000.
A cross-country move can cost as little as $800, and as much as $11,550.
Save money during the moving process by packing your home yourself and donating unwanted items.
Moving out of state or across the country is a major milestone—one that you should celebrate. As you plan your move, it’s important to consider the many costs associated with a long-distance move. Learn about all the various cost considerations that come into play when moving cross-country.
Average Cost to Move Cross-Country
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to move cross-country runs between $4,000 and $10,000 or more. The total cost will depend on various factors such as home size and distance covered.
| Minimum Cost | National Average Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $800 | $4,560 | $11,550 |
Cost to Move Cross-Country Near You
Where you live may influence the cost to move cross-country. Below are some average price ranges for cross-country moves in different regions across the country.
| City | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| New York City | $2,012–$6,692 |
| Tallahassee | $4,525–$11,075 |
| Salt Lake City | $5,492–$11,000 |
| Minneapolis | $2,878–$7,900 |
| Atlanta | $2,436–$6,237 |
| Phoenix | $3,493–$7,493 |
| Austin | $2,927–$4,980 |
| Denver | $1,969–$6,864 |
What Factors Influence the Cost to Move Cross-Country?
There are several components that factor into the total price tag of a cross-country move. Here are a few determinants of the cost to move across the country.
Distance
Usually, the total distance in your cross-country move influences the total cost—the longer the distance, the heftier the price. A long-distance move requires you to pay for additional mileage on your moving vehicle, additional gas charges, lodging along the moving route, and other expenses that can quickly add up.
Home Size
Another important factor to consider is the size of your home. Home size tends to positively correlate to total cost, since the larger the home, the more belongings and furniture you’ll need to move. The table below illustrates average prices for long-distance moves based on home size.
| Number of Bedrooms | Cost to Move Cross-Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | $700–$3,000 |
| 2 | $2,000–$7,000 |
| 3+ | $4,000–$10,000+ |
Shipping Furniture
Moving is overwhelming, and it can often be even more stressful if you have an excessive number of items to handle. One option is to ship some of your large or bulky furniture items, like a bedroom set, to your destination.
However, shipping items will add to the project’s total cost. On average, the cost to ship furniture cross-country is roughly $300 to $800 per item.
Professional Movers
Since moving across the country can be a tremendous project, you may need to hire some extra help. Hiring professional movers will reduce your labor and, in turn, stress levels. While hiring pro movers will increase the project cost, it’s often worth it. The cost to hire a professional moving team costs around $5,700 to $10,000.
Additional Services
Another important cost factor is whether you request additional services from your moving team. For instance, if you want to take more tasks off your hands, you may request that the movers help with unpacking or re-assembling furniture.
This request will increase the project’s total cost. On average, requesting packing services will add on an additional $1,000 to the final cost.
Weight of Your Items
The total weight of your move (which, essentially, is the total weight of your items), influences your move’s total cost. According to HomeAdvisor, on average, a three-bedroom house’s moving weight is around 7,500 pounds.
Moving Truck
You’ll likely need to rent a moving truck or van when moving all the way across the country. This expense is another factor that will increase the project’s total cost. On average, the cost to rent a truck to move cross-country is around $1,200 to $2,100, depending on vehicle type and size.
Time of Year
You may be surprised to learn that when you move can affect the cost of your cross-country move. The summer months are the peak season for cross-country moves.
This increase is partially due to the warm weather and students being out of school. If you can, try to pick a moving date during the winter, since this will likely be the least busy moving season, and thus least expensive.
4 Ways to Save Money When Moving Cross-Country
Your cross-country move will inevitably put a dent in your wallet, but there are several ways to cut costs.
1. DIY Pack and Unpack
You can choose to pack and unpack your home on your own instead of hiring professional help. Set a packing schedule that provides plenty of time to successfully pack your moving boxes and prepare your furniture for the big move.
2. Don’t Pack Unwanted Items
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home. Be sure to throw out, recycle, or donate unwanted items, since these will contribute to your project’s total weight cost and add unnecessary clutter to your new home.
3. Use Recycled Packing Supplies
Before making a big trip to the store for packing supplies, look around your home and see if you can find any useful items, such as cardboard boxes, crates, and tupperware. Another clever item to use is suitcases. Instead of packing your suitcases, fill them.
4. Move During the Week
The weekends are a more popular time to move than the weekdays, so if you can, try to schedule your move during the week. Your moving service may also offer discounted rates for midweek moves.
Questions About Cross-Country Moves
How much do supplies cost for moving cross-country?
Depending on your home size and the number of items you’re packing, moving materials—such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap—cost between $170 to $740.
Should I get long-distance moving insurance?
Although purchasing moving insurance will add to the total cost of your move, it might take a weight off your shoulders. According to HomeAdvisor, moving insurance covers roughly 60 cents per pound.
If you’re moving several antique or fragile items, you may want to invest in moving insurance that will cover damage or item losses.
