The definitive guide to calculating the cost of relocating
Your relocation costs depend on home size, distance traveled, number of movers needed, and whether you hire professionals or rent a moving truck yourself.
Expect to pay $1,725 for short-distance moves under 100 miles and $6,350 or more for long-distance relocations, with additional expenses for packing supplies and storage.
Budget for utility deposits, cleaning fees, travel costs, and moving insurance to protect your belongings during the move and avoid surprise expenses at your new home.
Hiring a local moving company provides reliable help with packing, loading, transport, and unloading, taking the heavy lifting off your shoulders during this busy transition.
Whether you’re leaving your hometown for the big city or relocating for an exciting job opportunity in a different state, budgeting for an upcoming move can be complicated. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Once you’ve determined your moving day and new location, it’s time to calculate your moving expenses. Let’s break down what you need to know before starting the moving process.
To help you plan for moving day, here are some common expenses you’ll need to budget for when you relocate.
Understanding your out-of-pocket moving costs will help you establish a budget. Here is how home size impacts what you can expect to pay.
| Home Size | # of Movers | # of Hours | Distance | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 | 4–6 | Short | Up to $300 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 | 6 | Short | $300 |
| 2 bedrooms | 4 | 8 | Short | $900 |
| 3 bedrooms | 4+ | 8 | Short | $1,400 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 4+ | 8 | Short | $3,000+ |
Moving is no small feat, which is why it’s helpful to hire local movers to help manage your move. Your moving company expenses will vary based on the size of your move, distance traveled, number of movers, and any additional services requested. Most movers charge $25 to $50 per mover per hour for their services.
The number of miles between your new and old home will directly impact what you pay. Here are some general guidelines.
| Distance in Miles | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Short distance (0 to 100 miles) | $1,725 |
| Long distance (101+ miles) | $6,350+ |
Do you plan to rent a moving truck to transport your belongings? If so, you can expect rental truck costs to run about $120 to $200 for a local move or $1,200 to $2,300 for a long-distance move. For a more accurate estimate, determine which moving truck size is best for you.
You’ll need to budget for the cost of packing supplies, including tape, furniture pads, and moving boxes. You can attempt to find free moving boxes by scoping out big-box stores or your local grocer. If you purchase new ones, moving boxes cost between $1 and $10 per box.
If you need to put your items in a temporary self-storage unit, it will cost between $20 to $450 per month, depending on its size and location.
Don’t overlook the cost of getting you and your family from point A to point B. Calculate your travel expenses by tallying up the cost of gas per mile, overnight hotel stays, food stops, and toll charges.
Utility companies typically require an upfront deposit or request the first month’s payment in full when you set up service. You should include these figures in your budget so you don’t end up (literally) in the dark once you arrive. Don’t forget to account for any outstanding utility bills at your old location, too.
You may need to hire a professional cleaning service to deep-clean your old space after the last box has been carried out or get your new home in tip-top shape before you move in. Professional cleaners charge between $25 and $80 per hour.
In some cases, it’s easier to ship large furniture pieces rather than transporting them via moving truck. However, shipping items will increase your total moving cost. You can expect to pay about $300 to $800 per item to ship furniture cross-country.
Moving insurance is a worthwhile expense. It protects your belongings if anything is damaged or lost on its way to its destination. The cost of moving insurance depends on whether you have full-value protection, released-value protection, or separate liability coverage. Full-value protection usually costs 1% of the total estimated value of your items, and released-value protection costs about $0.60 per pound per item.
Seasonality plays a significant role in determining moving costs. Peak season drives higher demand and boosts rates up to 30%. Depending on your location, peak moving season is spring and summer (June to September). You can save money with an off-season move, but inclement weather could result in additional fees.
As with most things in life, homeowners can expect additional fees for various services.
White glove services: This applies to expensive items when packing and moving, including artwork, pianos, grandfather clocks, and other things requiring extra care.
Stairs and carry fees: Professional movers charge extra for carrying items up and down stairs or for long walks to the moving truck.
Unpacking services: Many higher-end movers will offer unpacking services, which are particularly helpful for rooms like kitchens brimming with items.
Storage fees: Sometimes, homeowners need to store all their belongings until the new residence is move-in ready, and a moving company may offer convenient storage services.
Extra stops: Many movers charge extra for additional stops, such as picking up items from storage or dropping off old items for disposal.
Expedited services: These fees usually apply to long-distance moves on short notice.
Tipping: Movers often expect tips for their hard work; plan to have enough cash to tip 15% to 20%.
You can reduce your moving costs with careful planning and some elbow grease.
Shop around: Get quotes from multiple movers before making your final decision.
Book early: Reserve movers or trucks in advance to lock in lower rates.
Avoid peak times: Move mid-week or mid-month to save money.
Declutter: Sell, donate, or discard items to reduce what you move.
Use free supplies: Get free boxes at your local grocery store and use towels or linens instead of bubble wrap for packing.
Check for discounts: Look into student, military, or AAA discounts.
Tax benefits: Check if your move qualifies for deductions, especially a work relocation.
DIY move: Renting a truck and enlisting your friends to help can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
My furniture was delivered today, and the whole move went smoothly. The final cost matched the original quote with no extra charges. The movers were friendly, professional, and handled everything with care. Even after the long distance, everything arrived in perfect condition. I’m very happy...
Moving of AmericaShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageJust moved from PA to Columbus in a studio apartment and needed help with some heavy furnitures because I couldn't do it alone. I called Hyremovers and they did a great and timely job and also left my apartment walls intact. Great service!
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