In 2023, approximately 25.6 million Americans made a move, accounting for 7.8% of the total population. As you may be aware, relocating can be expensive. According to current estimates, a local move for the contents of a three-bedroom home costs around $2,200, whereas a long-distance move costs easily twice that much. Furthermore, amid the commotion of purging and packing, it’s easy to overlook some of the moving-related expenses you may incur.
Understanding Moving Expenses
While it may not be as enjoyable as budgeting for a wedding, calculating relocation costs can be equally challenging. There can be a lot to think about, from getting the right packing supplies to selecting whether to do it yourself or hire pros, to knowing your insurance needs. Please consider the following.
Factors That Influence Moving Costs
When moving, there are several things to consider. Here are a few significant ones:
How far are you moving?
Moving across town will take less time, effort, and money than moving across the country (or internationally).
How much are you moving?
If you are a recent college graduate with only a few pieces of furniture, your relocation will likely be less expensive than a family of four packing up their entire home (basement and attic included) and relocating.
Time of year.
Summer is typically the busiest season, with students leaving school and looking for new places to live, and families eager to move into their new home before the school year begins. This increasing demand may result in higher prices.
Services are needed.
If you pack the contents of your studio apartment and have a buddy with a van to help you move, you will most likely spend significantly less than if you are a family of four and want movers to pack and transport all of your furniture and other belongings.
Storage.
If you have to keep all of your belongings for a few weeks before you can move into your new apartment, the charges can pile up.
Access to sites.
Someone who moves into a single-story home with a large driveway will most likely have a shorter relocation than someone who lives in a 20th-floor apartment on a congested city block. Shorter moves cost less than lengthier ones.
Tips to Save Money on Professional Movers
As you consider moving and how much it will cost, you may want to try a variety of methods to keep the costs down:
Before you move,
declutter. The less you have, the fewer packing materials you’ll need, and the faster (and less expensive) your move will be.
Pack whatever you can.
While precious paintings or a beloved guitar may not be suitable for self-packing, you can certainly save money by packing your items in suitcases and duffel bags rather than hiring a professional to do so.
Move during the off-season.
There is less demand during non-summer seasons, so you may be able to negotiate a better price.
While you want to stay within your budget, bear in mind that the cheapest moving quotation may not be the greatest alternative. A moving company’s reputation for providing safe, on-time services can be more important than the lowest price.
DIY moving: Budget and Expenses
Renting a truck or van will cost money. As you may expect, the larger the truck and the longer you drive it, the more expensive it will be. According to Angi.com, renting a truck for a local move can cost between $20 and $100 per day, while long-distance moves can cost $300 to $2,000 or more per day. The average cost in the United States is approximately $1,000. (Keep in mind that you must determine what happens to a truck that you may drive cross-country to relocate. Can you leave it off near your new home, or will you have to pay a charge to return it to its original location?
Packing materials
You will also need to budget for packing supplies. Online packing calculators can help you determine your needs and costs, but estimates suggest that for a small-to-medium home (a two-bedroom apartment or house), you’ll need to spend at least a couple of hundred dollars on cartons, not including supplies like bubble wrap ($2 for 10 feet) and tape ($2.50 and up per roll). Don’t forget to bring some durable markers to help you label the contents of each box.
Moving blankets
Moving blankets are an additional expense. If you buy these, they can cost $10 or more per. You may be able to rent them from a moving company for use in your DIY move.
Consider these hidden moving fees while planning your move:
• Storage charges for any belongings that must be securely stored before being relocated into your new house. You might easily pay $100 to $300 each month for this service. You may also need to pay insurance premiums to secure your belongings.
• Any temporary housing you may require.
• Transportation costs. You may be flying cross-country, yet need to transport your automobile (the average cost of shipping a car is $1,650). Perhaps you’ll drive, incurring petrol, accommodation, and roadside food fees.
The Takeaway
Moving is a significant financial commitment, but it does not have to break the bank. When arranging a relocation, consider whether you’ll do it yourself or hire a professional. Then develop a list of other expenses, such as packing supplies, money for a security deposit at your new home, and new furniture and household goods. You may need to go into your funds or take out a personal loan to cover these costs.
FAQs
Q1: What are the normal costs of moving?
A local move (less than 100 miles) can cost between $800 and $2,500, whereas a long-distance move can cost a few thousand dollars or more. Professional movers or truck rental, packing supplies, transportation to your new place, maybe lodging, and fees such as a security deposit and new vehicle registration at your new residence are all included in the cost.
Q2: What is an acceptable budget for moving expenses?
There is no single amount that represents realistic moving expenses. The number of belongings you need to move, the distance traveled, and the date of the relocation are all important considerations. It can also affect expenses if you employ professional movers instead of doing it yourself. In general, a move can easily cost $1,000 or $2,000.
Q3: How much will it cost to move in 2025?
According to Royal Moving’s own data, the typical cost of a local relocation in 2025 is between $850 and $1,600, while long-distance moves cost between $3,200 and $6,000, depending on distance, volume, and add-on services like packing or storage.
Q4: Why is moving a property so expensive?
One of the most expensive aspects of relocating to a new home is Stamp Duty Land Tax, which is a tax paid on top of the property purchase price.
Q5: Why are the move-in costs so high?
Landlords impose a move-in fee to compensate for the administrative and logistical costs involved with tenant turnover.