Average Cost To Move Across The Country (2024)

There are many ways to save money when budgeting for your long-distance relocation. The below expert hints, tips, and pieces of advice can help you as you consider where you can safely cut costs without compromising on the overall moving experience.

1. Downsize your household:

Before starting the moving process, take time to downsize and declutter your home. Doing so allows you to reduce the total amount and weight of household items that need to be packed and loaded. Among several common strategies that cross-country movers use to get rid of items are simply tossing them in the trash, holding garage or yard sales, or donating various items to charity. Keep in mind that downsizing can not only help you save on your move, and declutter your residence, but may also prove necessary if you’re moving into a smaller home.

2. Find free packing materials:

Shh, don’t tell major retailers: While packing and moving materials like boxes, paper, and bubble wrap can often be somewhat expensive, you can actually collect many at little to no cost with a little legwork. For example, you might check with your local grocery or wine and spirits store to see if they have any empty boxes handy, or with friends and family to collect second-hand materials. Many online stores also offer items like bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, and packing tape at volume discounts, as may your local dollar store or discount warehouse. The more you collect by using a little networking and ingenuity here, the more you’ll stand to save on your cross-country move in the end.

3. Ask for help from friends and family:

Unsurprisingly, labor costs are often one of the largest expenses associated with moving across the country. You can save a ton of money on an upcoming move by recruiting friends and family members to help you pack and load your belongings, though. Many will often be happy to assist free of charge, or in exchange for soda and pizza. Remember: Every hour that buddies or loved ones help out is another hour on the clock that won’t be charged to your wallet on the back end.

4. Pack your own boxes:

You can also save big on the cost of a cross-country move by packing your own furniture and belongings, especially if you’re looking to hire a professional moving company. Again, every hour they’re not billing you for work translates to literally hundreds in savings. For example, a homeowner who utilizes a portable moving container that they pack themselves could save more than $1,000 as opposed to hiring a team of two or three movers to help out. As ever, DIY options remain the most cost-effective here.

5. Choose a less busy time to move:

You may also be able to score cost savings on your move by scheduling your moving date to occur during slower seasons such as winter if possible. Doing so may allow you to easily rack up four figures or more in potential discounts just by delaying your move by a few months. That’s because market prices tend to fluctuate with supply and demand. Booking your move at a time when professional movers could use more business can help you secure more competitive rates.

6. Get multiple moving quotes:

Not all movers are created, or charge, equal. Noting this, prices may vary considerably from one professional moving firm to the next. As a result, you’ll want to get free quotes from at least four or more professional moving services and compare as many cost estimates before picking a provider. Keep in mind as you go here that the cheapest option isn’t always the best either, as customer service and support levels may vary. Always take time to do your research and check customer reviews and references before picking a service, and be sure to look at recent reviews and scores that may be outliers. Many services may boast a high rating, but if these reviews are based on pre-pandemic performance or the work of laborers who may no longer be with the firm, they might not be representative of the current experience.

7. Read the fine print:

Some moving companies may charge hidden fees or introduce ways to inflate costs to increase the bottom line. It’s not uncommon to find many of these potential clauses or sticking points contained in the fine print of contracts or estimates. Given that there are many potential ways to get around this (showing up with a smaller team than discussed, taking breaks and running up the clock, working at a more relaxed pace than is warranted, etc.) it’s important to keep a watchful eye.

8. Look for possible discounts:

Be advised that select moving services may offer discounts to certain customers, like senior citizens or veterans of the Armed Forces. Likewise, a shrewd negotiator may be able to secure a break on overall pricing or the costs associated with labor and materials. In addition, if possible, you’ll also want to take time to catalogue and provide a detailed inventory of what belongings you plan to move so they don’t try and spring any surprises on you at the last minute. Note that doing so can also help you get a better sense if, say, the size of the job only requires a team of two movers, or if hiring three (while costlier by the hour) may help you expedite the work and ultimately save more in the end. You may also be able to qualify and apply for various moving assistance programs if needed.

As a seasoned expert in the field of long-distance relocation and budgeting, my extensive experience allows me to provide valuable insights and practical advice on optimizing your moving expenses without compromising the quality of your relocation. I've successfully assisted numerous individuals and families in navigating the challenges of cross-country moves, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition.