There is no doubt about it. Moving will cost you a lot of money. The cost can vary depending on how much stuff you need to move, what you need to move, and where you need to move.
Without a doubt, the further you need to move, the more costly it will be. International moves are very expensive where a move across town you can spend less than a few hundred dollars.
For moving out of state, you will see a higher price tag. Do not let this deter you, though!
I moved from Florida to New York in 2017 for less than $3000. That number includes all packing materials, gas, moving truck and trailer rentals, food, and hotel.
If you are money conscious (like most of us), it is best to budget your moving expenses ahead of time. It is easy to budget the cost of renting the moving truck and gas expenses. These are easily calculated.
How much you need for packing materials may be a little harder, but with some estimation tools online, you should be able to get a rough estimate.
If you plan to use a moving company, you will need to contact them for proper estimates on moving. Always estimate higher than they give you because you will probably forget some belongings in the quote.
Below, we will break down the expenses of moving out of state for you in all potential categories.
Table of Contents
The Cost of Packing Materials
The cost of packing materials will vary highly on the materials you use and how large of a house needs to be packed. Generally speaking, high-quality materials will not only make your life easier but protect your belongings better as well.
Through three moves, we learned never to buy cheap packing tape. We always moved in the summer and once cheap packing tape is met with humidity, boom – a broken and flimsy box.
You can mitigate some of the cost of packing materials by asking friends for old boxes. Also, grocers will generally give you sturdy boxes after delivery day. These boxes work particularly well for fragile items and heavy items like books.
In order to budget for packing materials, we will assume you are purchasing quality materials. With that in mind, it will cost approximately $100 per bedroom of your home. This includes the shared living spaces like kitchens and living rooms.
All in all, a two-bedroom house will run you between $200 and $250 in packing materials while a four-bedroom house will cost between $400 and $450.
The Cost of the Moving Truck
The cost of renting a moving truck is variable with market and availability. Additionally, long trips and one-way trips always cost more than renting in-town. In our economy, there are almost countless places to rent moving trucks.
However, only a few companies will let you drive one way (because they need an accompanying location in your new town).
For a local move and a one-day rent, the moving truck will cost you between $100 and $200. For long-distance moves, you should not be surprised to see a bill above $1500. This $1500 will not only cover the actual rental of the truck, but the mileage as well.
If you plan to put insurance on the rental truck, you will need to account for that, too. One thing unmentioned until now is the size of the truck. There are different truck sizes you can choose based on how many belongings you have.
Furthermore, you may need to rent a trailer to tow with your moving truck for your personal vehicle. We towed my husband’s pickup truck on a trailer behind our moving truck. This will come at an extra cost but is less than paying someone to drive it for you.
The Cost of the Extras (Gas, Hotels, Food)
Gas
Gas is more expensive this summer than it has been in years. That being said, you will need to account for the cost of gas for all vehicles you are driving. The fuel efficiency of a moving truck is horrible. For long distance drives, you will need to fill up every 100-150 miles.
Want to figure out exactly how much your moving truck gas will cost you? Check out our Moving Truck Gas Cost Calculator.
Any personal vehicle you are driving will also have a gas expense. How much you need to fill up will depend on the type of vehicle you drive.
Hotel
With moves out of state, you may need to split the drive into two days. With this plan, a hotel room is in order. While you may not book a 5-star hotel for your crash pad in between drives, you can plan to spend at least $150 on a hotel room for the night.
Food
Finally, you need to eat to keep your strength up. You can pack food and beverages ahead of time, but the cost of food is still there. I would not expect food to cost you more than $100 for your trip.
What does it cost to hire a moving company?
Moving companies will help with all portions of the move. There are companies that will pack up all your belongings and transport them to your new location. If you are on a tight budget, but still need a moving company, you can pack all your belongings yourself and hire them to transport the materials.
The national average for two packers is $85 per hour.
Overall, the price decreases per packer per hour as you add more packers. For instance, four packers will usually cost you $130 per hour. You are paying only for their labor. The cost of packing materials still needs to be included.
Most moving companies want you to call for a quote. This is partially because every situation is different. Someone with a smaller house or fewer belongings will cost less than others. However, some packing companies will tell you ranges for the size of your home.
Packing a two-bedroom house costs between $300 and $450. On the other hand, a four-bedroom will cost you between $750 and $1200.
After all your items are packed, you will need to transport them to your new home. The total distance between locations will be an enormous factor in cost for your move. For a move greater than 250 miles, the average cost for a moving company is at least $2000.
When moving a larger home like four-bedrooms, the expenses can total almost $20,000 for a cross-country move. However, a move closer to 1000 miles in length will run you closer to $5000.
Final Thoughts
Moving is expensive. With proper budgeting and planning, you will find the right deal for you.
Not only is it possible to reduce your expenses with moving materials, but you can also research moving companies for the best deal. Certainly, packing your own belongings and transporting your own belongings will save you the most money.
However, this is not always possible based on your physical abilities or schedule.
In the end, budgeting and research will lead you to the best deal for your area.
