How Much Does Moving Actually Cost Here's the Truth

While the thrill of moving from one home to another can take over your every waking thought - with visions of new memories, interior decorations, and a new neighborhood to explore dominating your concentration - there is so much more that goes into the moving process if you want to make it a seamless one. 

Moving boxes

You need to research areas you’d like to reside in, including school districts if you have children, what appliances or furniture you’ll need for your new home, and ultimately, if there will be any upfront maintenance or construction to take care of. 

And do you know what all these things have in common? They cost money. Moving can be a huge investment. But, how much exactly? 

Here’s a look at what types of costs to consider when budgeting for your move. 

Factors That Influence Your Move

To be perfectly honest, there’s never going to be a precise, down-to-the-penny number you can expect to see when it comes to total moving costs. There are so many different factors to take into consideration when it comes to budgeting your upcoming move. 

Here are some of the elements, among others, that can influence how much you’ll need from your piggy bank when moving:

• Are you making a long-distance move or moving a few towns over?
• Are you planning to rent or own your new place?
• Are you bringing your car with you or are you planning to take public transportation? Similarly, do you need to pay for parking where you move?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms are you looking for?
• How many people are you moving with?
• Are you hiring movers or thinking of doing everything yourself? 

As you can see, there are a ton of components that influence the moving process and costs associated with that move. Organization is key when it comes to a seamless move. 

Do research into any potential hidden fees with moving and keep a folder of all the factors that will ultimately impact your move, so you can keep track of your finances and start painting a clear picture of what your move will look like. 

Let’s Talk About the Numbers

While final costs will be contingent upon your geographic location, the number of belongings you have, the time of year you’re planning to move, and a few other items, on average you can expect your move to cost anywhere between $500 to $1,400. The lower cost can be attributed to a one-bedroom apartment, while the highest price point is factoring in a multi-bedroom home. 

Here are some other prices you should anticipate when it comes to moving: 

• Renting a small moving truck costs about $50.00, while a large truck can cost up to $2,000 for a long-distance move.
• Hiring a moving company for a short distance move can range anywhere from $80.00 to $100.00 for an hour.
• To hire a full-service moving company for a local move, it’ll cost an estimated $900.00, while a cross-country move could run you about $10,000.
• In order to rent a moving container, it is about $250.00 and about $4,500 for a large container for a cross-country move.

Moving day

While all these numbers may seem daunting, just remember they are merely estimates and pricing can be higher or lower depending on your specific needs. And never forget the end-goal in this scenario: a new, beautiful home for you to enjoy!

Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood or simply upgrading to a larger apartment in your own building complex, moving can be a truly exciting time in one’s life. Once you appropriately budget for the costs and get settled into your new place, you won’t even think twice about moving costs. 

You’ll simply be looking around with a smile on your face and satisfied that you are in between the four walls that you happily wanted to be in.