The average local move costs between $800 and $2,500. A long-distance move can run $3,000 to $10,000 or more before you factor in packing materials, temporary housing, storage, and the last-minute expenses that nearly every move produces. For most households, moving ranks among the most expensive events of any given year.
A significant portion of those costs is negotiable, avoidable, or offset by benefits you may not know you have. This guide covers the most effective strategies for cutting your moving costs, from timing your move correctly to earning a real estate rebate through SimpleMove®.
If you want a complete relocation framework, start with our guide to 10 essential tips for a stress-free move, then use this article to tighten your budget at every stage.
Why Moving Costs More Than Most People Expect
Most people anchor their moving budget to one number: the moving company quote. That number rarely captures the full picture. Add packing supplies, utility deposits, overlap housing costs, meals during the move, cleaning fees, and the small purchases that accumulate in a new home, and the actual cost climbs fast.
Understanding where the money goes before you commit to any plan is the first step toward controlling it. The strategies below address the biggest cost categories, not just the obvious ones.
1. Declutter Before You Pack a Single Box
Moving costs scale directly with volume and weight. Every item you bring increases the time and cost of loading, transporting, and unloading. Before you touch a single box, walk through your home and remove anything you haven't used in the past year.
Sell furniture, electronics, and appliances through local marketplaces. Donate clothing, books, and household goods to charity. The goal isn't minimalism for its own sake: it's a direct reduction in your moving bill. A household that ships 20% less volume can often save several hundred dollars on long-distance moves where pricing depends on weight.
Decluttering also gives you a cleaner starting point in your new home, which reduces the cost and effort of settling in.
2. Get At Least Three Moving Quotes
Moving company pricing varies more than most people realize. Two companies quoting on the same job can differ by 30% or more. Getting one quote and accepting it leaves money on the table.
Request in-home or video estimates from at least three licensed movers before you book. In-person estimates are more accurate than phone quotes because the estimator sees exactly what needs to move. Ask each company for a binding or not-to-exceed estimate rather than a non-binding one, which can increase after the move is complete.
Check each company's registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) before signing anything. Rogue movers and moving scams target people who skip this step. WHR Global's employee relocation services include vetted moving vendor networks for employer-sponsored relocations, which removes this research burden for employees whose companies cover the move.
3. Time Your Move to Get the Best Rate
Moving company pricing follows a predictable pattern. Demand peaks on weekends, at the beginning and end of the month, and during summer (May through August). If you have flexibility, moving mid-week, mid-month, or between September and April can reduce your estimate by 10% to 25%.
This applies to truck rentals, storage units, and temporary housing as well. Each of these cost categories responds to demand, and moving during off-peak periods puts you in a stronger negotiating position across the board.
4. Pack Yourself Instead of Paying for Packing Services
Full-service packing from a moving company typically adds $500 to $2,000 to your bill, depending on the size of your home. If you have the time and energy, packing yourself eliminates that cost entirely.
Collect free or low-cost boxes from liquor stores, grocery stores, buy-nothing groups, and moving supply swap platforms. Use towels, blankets, and clothing to pad fragile items instead of buying bubble wrap. Start packing non-essential rooms four to six weeks before your move so you're not rushing at the end.
If you have specific items you'd rather not pack yourself, such as a large mirror, fine art, or a big-screen TV, ask your moving company to handle only those items. Partial packing costs significantly less than full packing.
5. Maximize Your Employer Relocation Benefits
If your employer sponsors your move, read your relocation policy carefully before booking anything. Many employees underuse their relocation benefits because they don't know the full scope of what the policy covers.
Common covered expenses include moving company fees, temporary housing, house-hunting trips, and destination services like school search and area orientation. Some policies include a lump-sum payment you can apply toward any move-related expense, including items not explicitly listed. WHR Global's employee relocation services help companies design and administer these policies, and their team can help relocating employees understand exactly what their specific benefit includes.
If you're not sure what your package covers, ask your HR team or your relocation management company before you spend money out of pocket. WHR Global's moving checklist resource outlines the full range of expenses that employer relocation programs typically address.
6. Earn a Real Estate Rebate Through SimpleMove®
One of the most significant and least-known ways to save money on a move is through a real estate rebate. When you buy or sell a home through SimpleMove's network of vetted real estate agents, you receive a cash rebate at closing based on the transaction price.
This rebate comes from a portion of the agent's commission and requires no negotiation on your part. The savings apply to both buy-side and sell-side transactions, and they stack if you're selling and buying at the same time. For a typical home sale and purchase, the combined rebate can offset a substantial portion of your total moving costs.
Use the calculator below to see what your rebate could look like based on your home's selling and buying prices.
SimpleMove Rebate Calculator
Enter your home's selling and buying prices to estimate your cash rebate at closing.
7. Sell What You Don't Need Before Moving Day
Every piece of furniture or appliance you sell before your move has a dual benefit: it reduces your moving cost and puts cash in your pocket. Furniture, in particular, costs more to move long-distance than most people expect relative to its replacement value in a new city.
List large items on local marketplaces four to six weeks before your move date. Give yourself enough lead time to sell at a reasonable price rather than accepting low offers in the final days. Use the proceeds to buy furniture in your new home, which lets you choose pieces that fit the actual space rather than forcing existing items into a new layout.
8. Compare Temporary Housing Options Before You Book
If a gap exists between your move-out and move-in dates, temporary housing becomes a significant cost that many people don't plan for until they're already in the gap. Extended-stay hotels, furnished apartment platforms, and short-term rentals all serve this need at very different price points.
Research your options before your move date, not after. Extended-stay properties often offer weekly rates that run substantially lower than nightly rates. Furnished apartment platforms sometimes include utilities, laundry, and parking, which reduces the true cost compared to a hotel. WHR Global's temporary accommodations resources help relocating employees find vetted options in their destination city. For global moves, WHR Global's global temporary housing network provides access to pre-screened short-term housing in cities worldwide.
If your employer covers your move, confirm whether temporary housing qualifies as a reimbursable expense before you book. Most employer relocation policies include some temporary housing benefit, and booking without confirming can leave you paying out of pocket for something the policy would have covered.
9. Understand Moving-Related Tax Implications
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 suspended the federal moving expense deduction for most taxpayers through 2025. Active-duty military members relocating under orders remain eligible for the deduction, and some states still allow it at the state level regardless of federal rules.
If your employer reimburses your moving expenses, understand how those reimbursements affect your taxable income. Some relocation benefits count as taxable compensation, and others qualify for exclusion under the tax code. A tax professional familiar with relocation can help you structure your benefits to minimize the tax impact. WHR Global's personal relocation services include support for individuals navigating the financial complexity of a move.
10. Use Destination Services to Settle In Faster
Settling in quickly in a new city carries a direct financial benefit. Every week you spend unfamiliar with your new area, you make inefficient decisions: you pay more for services, choose convenience over value, and miss the local options that residents rely on. Destination services accelerate the orientation process so you start making good decisions sooner.
Services like area tours, neighborhood orientation, and local resource guides help you identify the right grocery stores, service providers, and neighborhoods for your lifestyle and budget. WHR Global's destination services provide structured settling-in support for relocating employees and their families. If you're moving internationally, WHR Global's international relocation services extend this support to global assignments where the learning curve is steeper and the cost of unfamiliarity is higher.
If you're also moving with pets, keep that part of the plan front and center. Our guide to how to move with pets without the chaos covers everything you need to plan a smooth relocation for your animals alongside your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective way to reduce moving costs?
Decluttering before you pack and getting multiple moving quotes deliver the fastest results. Reducing your move volume directly lowers your bill, and competitive bidding among movers often produces meaningful price differences. Timing your move during off-peak periods and packing yourself add further savings with relatively low effort.
Does the SimpleMove® real estate rebate apply to every home purchase and sale?
The rebate applies when you use a real estate agent from the SimpleMove® network for your transaction. Both buy-side and sell-side transactions qualify, and you can earn a rebate on each. Use the rebate calculator above to estimate the amount based on your specific transaction prices.
How do I find out what my employer's relocation package covers?
Start with your HR team or your company's relocation policy document. If your company works with a relocation management company, that team can walk you through what the policy includes and how to submit expenses. WHR Global's employee relocation services include policy explanation and expense support as part of their standard offering.
Is it cheaper to move in winter?
Yes, in most markets. Moving companies see lower demand from September through April, which means more availability and often lower pricing. The tradeoff is winter weather, which can complicate moves in colder regions. If you have flexibility and live in a mild climate, winter is one of the best times to move for cost savings.
What moving expenses qualify for a tax deduction?
As of 2025, most taxpayers cannot deduct moving expenses at the federal level due to the suspension under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Active-duty military members relocating under orders remain eligible. Some states continue to allow the deduction at the state level. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation and location.
Should I sell furniture before a long-distance move?
Often, yes. Long-distance movers price by weight, which makes large, heavy furniture expensive to transport. If you own pieces that you could replace for less than the cost of moving them, selling before your move makes financial sense. Use the proceeds to buy furniture in your new city once you know the space and your needs.
Put More Money Back in Your Pocket Before, During, and After Your Move
Saving money on a move doesn't require cutting corners. It requires planning earlier, comparing your options, using the benefits available to you, and making a few strategic decisions before moving day arrives. Every strategy in this guide works on its own, and together they can reduce your total moving costs by thousands of dollars.
SimpleMove® is a free self-service platform that helps you manage every stage of your relocation, from building your budget to earning a real estate rebate at closing. Use it alongside the tips in this guide to take full control of your moving costs.
For employer-sponsored relocations, WHR Global provides end-to-end relocation management for companies and their employees, including cost containment strategies and policy design that help both employers and relocating employees get the most from every relocation dollar.
Ready to get started? Contact the SimpleMove Team