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

In 2026, the national average cost to move out of state is $3,000. Most homeowners spend $2,000 to $7,000, with the final total driven by the distance of the move, the size of your home, and whether you need specialty packing or additional services.

Moving Out of State Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Several key variables shape your total out-of-state moving cost, from the distance you're traveling and the size of your home to the moving method you choose and the weight of your belongings. Understanding each factor before you book helps you build a realistic budget and avoid surprises on moving day.

Distance

Distance is one of the most direct cost drivers for an out-of-state move, with most companies charging $6 to $16 per mile and the cost of a cross-country move averaging around $4,600. The table below shows how costs vary by distance for moves of up to 1,000 miles.

Home Size

Home size plays a major role in out-of-state moving costs, ranging from $700 for a small one-bedroom apartment to $10,000 or more for a home with three or more bedrooms. The table below breaks down average moving costs by number of bedrooms.

Labor

The cost to hire movers runs $25 to $50 per hour per mover, though adding crew members raises that rate quickly. Three movers cost $75 to $150 per hour, and a four-person crew runs $100 to $200 per hour. The table below shows how hourly labor costs scale with crew size.

Load and Unload vs. Full-Service Moves

Adding full-service packing and unpacking to your move costs an additional $1,000 on average, though the final price depends on the weight and volume of your belongings. Specialty handling for fragile or sensitive items will push that cost higher. When planning your move, you can hire packers for moving or bundle packing services directly through your moving company.

Moving Method

Professional movers cost $2,700 to $10,000 for moves over 100 miles, a moving pod runs around $3,000, and renting a moving truck is the most affordable path at $300 to $5,000 for moves over 50 miles, though it requires you to pack, drive, and unload everything yourself.

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 to $2 per box

• Large moving boxes: $2 to $3 per box

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

• Bubble wrap: $20 to $40 per roll

• Moving blankets: $10 to $20 each

• Packing tape: $2 to $4 per roll

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

• TV boxes: $10 per box

Weight

The weight of your belongings is the second-most influential cost factor after distance, with movers charging $0.50 to $0.80 per pound on average. While some companies estimate costs based on home size, most require a detailed inventory of all items, including boxes, to give you an accurate quote.

Timing

Choosing the right time to move is one of the most effective ways to reduce your costs, and tips for planning your move date consistently point to the off-season as the smartest window. A winter move avoids the peak spring and summer demand that drives up truck rental and labor rates, and scheduling on a weekday rather than a weekend can trim costs further.

Tipping

If you're wondering how much to tip movers, the standard range is 10% to 20% of the total move cost. Tipping is not required, but it is a widely appreciated way to recognize your crew's hard work. Check with your moving company before moving day to confirm their preferred method and timing for receiving tips.

Out of State Moving Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For

When moving to a new state, other general ongoing expenses to consider include the local cost of living, state tax structure, housing costs, and utilities.

Cost of Living

Researching the cost of living in your new state, including housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare, gives you a clearer picture of how your day-to-day expenses will change. That context helps you adjust your ongoing budget before you arrive rather than after.

Taxes

Every state has its own tax structure, and differences in income tax, sales tax, property tax, and local taxes can meaningfully affect your take-home pay and spending power. Factor these changes into your financial plan before you finalize your move so there are no surprises when you file.

Housing Costs

Beyond the purchase price or first month's rent, ongoing costs like property taxes, homeowners association (HOA) fees, maintenance, and repairs add up quickly. Researching these expenses during your home search gives you a more accurate picture of your true monthly cost before you commit.

Utilities

Utility costs for electricity, water, gas, and internet vary significantly by location and usage, so it pays to research average rates in your new area before setting your monthly budget. Knowing whether your destination trends high for utility costs helps you plan more accurately from the start.

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

Out of State Moving Additional Costs: What to Budget For

Several add-on services can increase the total cost of a long-distance move, and knowing the typical price range for each helps you budget accurately. Furniture assembly and disassembly cost runs $35 to $90 per piece, while piano moving costs average $2.50 to $10.00 per mile. Specialty services like antique or fine art moving range from $150 to $2,500 per piece, moving a shed costs up to $2 per mile, and moving a mobile home costs $1,000 to $20,000. Other common additions include the cost to ship a car at $700 to $1,200, move-out cleaning costs at $120 to $420, and moving insurance at approximately $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 before packing: Reduce the weight and space requirements to save on moving costs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Negotiate your rate: 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. 

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