How Much Does Moving Out of State Cost? [2026 Data]

Moving out of state costs an average of $3,000, with costs typically ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 or more. A fresh start is on the horizon—so, how much does it cost to move out of state? Coordinating with a local moving company will help ensure a smooth transition to your soon-to-be home state. Let’s take a look at the expenses involved with moving out of state.

Moving Out of State Cost Factors

These are the main factors that will play into your total moving cost.

Distance

On average, moving out of state costs anywhere from $6 to $16 per mile. The cost of a cross-country move averages at about $4,600. Many moving companies charge by the mile, which means the distance of your move is a key factor in determining overall costs.

Consider these average costs for moves of up to 1,000 miles.

Home Size

The size of your home plays a major role in determining the cost to move out of state. Depending on the size of your home, you could pay anywhere from $700 for a small one-bedroom apartment to upward of $10,000 or more for a home with three or more bedrooms.

Labor

The typical cost to hire movers ranges from $25 to $50 per hour per mover. However, hiring three movers can increase the cost to $75 to $150 per hour, while four movers may cost between $100 and $200 per hour.

Load and Unload vs. Full-Service Moves

Hiring professionals to pack and unpack your belongings costs an additional $1,000 on average, but costs will vary based on the weight and volume of the belongings to pack. Any specialty services for sensitive or fragile items will also cost more. When planning out your move, you can hire packers for moving or add packing and unpacking services from your moving company.

Moving Method

The method you choose is one of the biggest moving cost factors, especially when moving out of state. These are the three most common options.

• Professional movers: Hiring movers is the most expensive option, costing between $2,700 and $10,000 for moves over 100 miles.

• Moving pod: Shipping a moving pod costs around $3,000. It’s cheaper than hiring professional movers because it eliminates the cost of labor, but it is more expensive than renting a moving truck.

• Moving truck: Renting a moving truck tends to be the cheapest option. The average cost for a move over 50 miles is between $300 and $5,000. However, it involves the most hands-on effort, as you must pack and unload the truck yourself, as well as drive it to your destination. 

Packing Supplies

If you’re DIY packing your belongings, packing materials will add to your moving cost. It’s a good idea to buy more than you think you’ll need and return anything you don’t use. Here are some common costs for the moving supplies you’ll need:

• Small moving boxes: $1–$2 per box

• Large moving boxes: $2–$3 per box

• Storage bins and crates: $5–$30 each

• Bubble wrap: $20–$40 per roll

• Moving blankets: $10–$20 each

• Packing tape: $2–$4 per roll

• Plastic wrap for furniture: $10–$20 per roll

• TV boxes: $10 per box

Weight

On average, movers charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound. The weight of your belongings is a significant factor in determining the total cost of your long-distance move—in fact, it’s the second-most influential factor after distance. While some moving companies may estimate the cost based on the size of your home, most require a detailed inventory of all items, including boxes, to provide an accurate quote.

Timing

One of the most cost-savvy tips for planning your move date is to move during the off-season when there’s less demand and rental moving truck and labor rates are lower. Opting for a winter move instead of spring or summer can be more cost-effective, as it's the less busy season. Along with that, planning your move on a weekday rather than a weekend can lead to extra savings.

Tipping

If you’re wondering how much to tip movers, plan to provide between 10% to 20% of the total cost of the move. While not mandatory, tipping is a great way to show your movers your appreciation. Consult the moving company ahead of your move to determine their preferred method and timing of tipping.

Ongoing Expenses When Moving Out of State

These are other general expenses to consider when moving to a new state.

Cost of Living

Research the cost of living in your new state, including the price of housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and other essentials. This additional information about your new location will help you better understand how to adjust your budget.

Taxes

Different states have varying tax structures, including income tax, sales tax, property tax, and other local taxes. As you plan your new lifestyle and budget, be sure to account for how these changes will impact your financial situation.

Housing Costs

Beyond the initial cost of buying or renting a home, consider ongoing expenses like property taxes, homeowners association (HOA) fees, maintenance, and repairs. If possible, research these costs during the home search process to avoid any unexpected fees.

Utilities

To calculate your monthly budget in your new state, factor in the average cost of utilities, such as electricity, water, gas, and internet. These expenses can vary significantly depending on location and usage, but it’s helpful to know whether your location trends high for utility costs.

Why You Should Hire an Out-of-State Mover

If you manage your own out-of-state move (instead of hiring professional movers), you’ll save between $25 and $200 per hour in labor. However, even though a DIY move costs less than hiring pros, it requires significant time, planning, and effort. Plus, you’ll need to rent a truck, load it, drive across state lines, and unload everything when you arrive—which is far easier for an experienced local moving company.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an out-of-state mover

We recommend hiring pros for an out-of-state move for the following reasons: 

• Professional movers already have the necessary equipment—including a truck, furniture dollies, and packing supplies—for the job.

• Pros understand how to lift and move heavy objects safely to reduce the risk of injury.

• They also know how to pack fragile and valuable items so they don’t break during the move.

• Movers are used to driving long distances and navigating unfamiliar roads (unlike the average homeowner).

• Thanks to their experience, pros can finish a move faster than non-professionals.

• Reputable moving companies have insurance to protect their workers and your belongings.

If you want to DIY an out-of-state move

Even if you hire professionals, there are certain tasks you can handle yourself before they arrive, including: 

• Creating an inventory and taking photos of your furniture, appliances, and other belongings

• Packing smaller items into boxes

• Removing mirrors, artwork, and other hanging items from your walls

• Selling or donating unwanted items

• Unplugging and cleaning your appliances

• Clearing a pathway for movers to load items into the truck

Cost of Common Move Add-Ons

Here are the most common add-on services for long-distance moves to consider with your project’s total cost:

• Furniture assembly and disassembly cost: $35–$90 per piece

• Piano moving costs: $2.50–$10.00 per mile

• Moving a shed costs: Up to $2 per mile

• Cost to ship a car: $700–$1,200

• Antique or fine art moving costs: $150–$2,500 per piece

• Move-out cleaning costs: $120–$420

• Moving a mobile home costs: $1,000–$20,000

• Moving insurance: ~$0.06 per pound

Tips to Reduce Costs When Moving to a New State

Moving out of state can get pricey, but you can follow these moving tips to reduce your costs:

• Declutter your belongings to reduce the weight and space requirements, saving on moving costs.

• Consider reselling furniture, clothing, and other items beforehand to reduce your load and get extra cash for your moving budget.

• Donate unwanted items to lighten your load and potentially benefit from tax deductions.

• Secure multiple moving quotes to compare prices and services from different moving services.

• Schedule your move during the off-peak season to take advantage of lower rates and potential discounts.

• Pack your items yourself to save on packing services and materials.

• Use recycled boxes and packing supplies from local stores or friends to cut costs.

• Negotiate services and rates with movers, especially if you have flexibility in your moving date.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.