The Real Cost of Moving: What Most People Don't Budget For
80% of people spend more on moving costs than they prepare for, according to Forbes.
Moving costs have a way of adding up! The truck rental looks reasonable until you add mileage; those free boxes run out halfway through packing up your kitchen, or you forget about the security deposit on your new place. When preparing to move, you’ve got a lot on your mind and plenty to keep track of! We’ve assembled a list of often-unexpected moving costs to help you financially prepare for this milestone.
| Boxes Needed for Household Size | S | M | L | XL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
| One-Bed Apt | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 35 |
| Two-Bed Apt | 20 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 50 |
| Three-Bed (with Garage) | 40 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 85 |
| Four-Bed (with Garage) | 50 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 110 |
Moving Costs
Besides the obvious cost of a moving company (or a rental truck if you’re DIY-ing your move), you’ll need to consider moving supplies and insurance.
Whether you get your boxes for free or purchase them from a hardware store or your moving company, assume you’ll need more than you originally thought.
This guide can help you estimate how many boxes you’ll need, depending on your home’s size.
Pro Tip: Get at least three quotes from movers, and always ask what’s included (labor, fuel, travel time). Be wary of moving companies that charge for estimates and ask you to pay for moving services up-front.
Housing-Related Costs
Overlapping leases are another common culprit for expenses you didn’t see coming.
Overlapping housing costs: During the transition time from one home to another, you may need to pay for a week or two of overlapping housing costs. Estimated costs: 25-50% of your typical monthly rent.
Storage units: If you’re not immediately moving into your new home, don’t forget to factor in the price of a storage unit! Estimated cost: Between $75–$300/month. Or work with a moving company like ours to store your belongings and drop them off when you’re ready!
Security deposits: If you’re moving into a new apartment, you’ll most likely have to pay your security deposit before your previous one is returned to you. Keep this gap in mind! Estimated cost: One month’s worth of rent.
Day-Of Costs
Moving day has a way of generating small expenses that add up before you’ve even unloaded the truck.
Food and drinks: If you’re enlisting the help of friends and family for your move, plan to feed your crew! Estimated cost: $50- $100, depending on group size.
Gas, tolls, and parking: These are easy to overlook, especially for longer local moves or when making multiple trips - estimated cost: $20-$100+.
Tipping your movers: Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a meaningful way to recognize a hard day’s work, especially on hot days, for especially heavy items, or when your crew goes above and beyond. If you’d like to tip, $20-$50 per mover is a common range. (This one’s entirely up to you!)
Replacing & Restocking Costs
Some items in your home will likely get tossed (dry goods and cleaning supplies) while others (furniture) just won’t fit.
Furniture: A couch that fits your old living room may not work in the new one. To help you prepare, take measurements of your existing furniture and leave time to sell it before moving day. Avoid paying to transport furniture you’ll have to get rid of anyway! Estimated cost: Varies.
Cleaning supplies & pantry staples: Most people toss or use up perishables before a move, forgetting they’ll need to start fresh. Keep a list of those almost-empty cleaning products you throw away to make your first store run a little smoother – estimated cost: $100–$300.
Organizational pieces for the new layout: New closets, shelving configurations, and cabinet layouts often mean buying new bins, hangers, or organizers – estimated cost: $50–$200.
Time & Mental Energy Costs
Time doesn’t show up on a moving invoice, but it’s one of the real costs of any move! Consider things like taking time off to move and updating your addresses and subscriptions ahead of time. Check out our complete moving checklist to cover your bases!
So, what’s the real cost of moving?
The cost of a move depends on how far you’re moving, the size of your home, and whether you’re hiring a professional or handling the move yourself. The real cost is the expenses you didn’t budget for, which can cause you to dip into your savings or put them on a credit card.
The best thing you can do is start with a realistic picture of potential expenses. Use this list as a starting point, build in a 10-15% buffer, and give yourself more time to prepare than you think you’ll need.
