Moving to a new state can be an exciting adventure, but also a costly one if you don’t plan wisely. Depending on how much stuff you need to transport and the distance travelled, hiring professional movers for an interstate move can tally thousands of dollars or more.
If keeping relocation costs affordable is a priority for your out-of-state move, this guide covers smart strategies for minimizing expenses – including leveraging do-it-yourself options, timing your move strategically, finding hidden savings, and more.
Follow these tips to save substantially on your upcoming relocation and get settled without breaking the bank!
Key Factors That Impact the Costs of an Out-of-State Move
How much does it cost to move out of state? As with any major purchase, numerous variables affect the overall price tag including:
Distance – Long distance interstate moves covering 1,000+ miles cost significantly more than shorter in-state distances under 500 miles. Expect base costs from $2,000-$5,000 moving a 1-3 bedroom home depending on total mileage.
Weight – The overall quantity and size of items being moved plays a major role in costs. More stuff – especially heavier items like furniture and appliances – means higher prices.
Season – Avoid moving during the peak summer season when demand is highest. Movers charge less for moves in the off-season fall through spring months.
Keeping these key factors in mind as you plan, compare options, negotiate rates, and make decisions can help yield major savings on your total out-of-state relocation budget.
Now, what are the cheapest ways to actually transport your stuff to another state? Let’s explore the lowest cost moving methods…
Lowest Cost Moving Methods to Consider
If you’re willing to put in sweat equity packing up boxes yourself, some popular money-saving options for moving out-of-state include:
Rent Your Own Truck – Rather than paying for full moving services, you drive the truck yourself after renting it (plus car towing trailer if needed). Budget costs start around $1,000 or less before gas and expenses. Be prepared for a road trip though!
Get a Portable Moving Container – Container companies drop off containers for self-packing at your current home, then pick them up and ship to your new address. Costs often undercut full-service movers since you do the packing labor yourself.
Hire a Freight Shipping Company – You pack items into wooden crates that freight shippers transport as air/train cargo to your new home. Often used for overseas moves but also domestic relocations.
Book Discounted Movers – Even hiring professional movers, research options thoroughly and negotiate discounts. National chains with wholesale buying power may offer better rates than local guys.
Moving your entire household to another state while keeping costs down does demand significant effort – packing yourself, finding reputable vendors, supervision, etc. But for those short on funds, it opens up affordable options outside of pricey white glove moving services.
Next let’s talk about squeezing the most savings possible out of the moving services you do use.
Tips to Get the Best Deals on the Moving Services You Use
While renting your own truck or container saves over hiring traditional movers, you’ll likely still need to partner with companies for hauling, storage, equipment, packing materials, etc. Use these keys to lock in the lowest rates:
Get Multiple In-Depth Quotes – Prices vary widely, so get in-home estimates from at least 5-7 moving companies before deciding. Confirm exact details in writing.
Ask About First-Timer Discounts – Moving companies want your repeat business so play up it’s your “first move.” Score discounts like 25% off labor hours or 10% off total costs.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Season Savings – Steer clear of June-August. Opt for fall through spring to avoid demand surcharges running $200-$600 extra.
See if Your Employer Offers Relocation Assistance – Some companies will subsidize thousands towards moving costs to fill key positions. Doesn’t hurt to negotiate if they want you!
Inquire About Cancellation Policies and Insurance – Understand any fees if plans change last minute. Also confirm what insurance options they offer to cover your items, including specialized item insurance for expensive possessions or collectibles. Knowing policies upfront prevents stressful surprises later!
Between stacking early booker discounts, off-season price cuts, employer contributions and other optimizations, you could potentially save 25-40% cumulatively off typical quoted summer rates from moving companies. That equates over $1,000 in savings for many mid-sized interstate moves!
How to Reduce Overall Moving and Relocation Costs
Beyond just transport logistics, what other opportunities exist to minimize costs associated with an out-of-state move?
Create a Relocation Budget – Track all expected income and expenses. Consulting moving checklists helps identify often overlooked costs like appliance hookups, utility transfers, buying/leasing new furniture if not moving existing items, etc.
Hold a Garage Sale – Sell household goods and furniture you don’t want rather than paying to move them. Put that cash towards hiring your moving truck/container. Remember, less stuff = lower moving costs.
Ship Certain Items Separately – Use cost effective USPS flat-rate boxes for expensive, fragile or important items you don’t want movers handling like collectibles, heirlooms or treasured gifts from loved ones.
Set Up Your New Place Before Your Stuff Arrives – Sleeping on an air mattress or using paper plates for a couple weeks maybe inconvenient but cuts costs over paying for temporary housing while finding permanent digs or covering pricey expedited services. You’ll appreciate some necessities ready so you’re not digging through boxes to find essentials.
Transfer Out-of-State Memberships – Gym memberships, Amazon Prime, streaming services, etc often have national or out-of-state benefits. Transfer vs canceling/re-starting them once relocated. Also update insurance and automatically paid billing services right away with your new address.
Getting everything in order administratively along with finding small cost optimizations makes achieving move-in day that much smoother on a budget.
Now let’s explore some outside-the-box funding ideas for covering relocation costs…
Creative Ways to Cover Your Relocation Costs
Beyond traditional savings and affordable payment plans with moving companies themselves, what unique ways could help fund a long distance move?
Ask for Relocation Reimbursements When Negotiating Job Offers – Especially for specialized roles where candidates have leverage, inquire about subsidized moving packages during the offer process. $5,000 cash bonuses and expense coverage up to $10,000 may be on the table for executives or developers relocating across the country.
Use Credit Card Rewards Towards Moving Expenses – Many cards offer bonus categories on truck rentals and moving purchases. Or cash out points for statement credits to soften costs. Just commit to paying off balances in full.
Finance Large Expenses on 0% Promotional Credit Cards – Again, with a plan set to pay off within the 0% interest timeframe. Put your moving container or truck rental on the card, then make payments from your moving budget. This bridges cash flow gaps from upfront costs.
Sell Your Junk or Get Cash Back Rebates on Removal – Getting cash for your junk not only lightens your load to move but provides funds that offset relocation costs. Check sites like decluttr and ecoATM for prepaid shipping labels to mail them old devices and used goods instantly converted into credits towards your move.
With some elbow grease spanning yard sales, rewards bonuses, junk removal rebates, tax write-offs for moving expenses and more, prospective movers could realistically save an extra $2,500 or more off total relocation costs through these unconventional funding avenues.
Now, what might a full move tally with optimized logistics and hidden savings unlocked? Let’s run the numbers.
What Your Full Out-of-State Moving Costs Could Be Depending on Your Situation
Budgeting for a cross-country move versus in-state relocation can yield vastly different totals. To set realistic expectations, here’s what typical moves may cost end-to-end with affordability best practices implemented:
Moving a 1 bedroom apartment out-of-state
- Renting your own U-Haul truck plus towing trailer: $1,500
- Packing supplies: $300
- Storage locker for 1 month: $100
- Takeout food while unpacking: $200
- Replacement furniture (donated old IKEA stuff): $1,000
- Total: $3,100
Moving a 3 bedroom home 1,000+ miles
- Portable United Van Lines container transport: $3,500
- Professional movers packing help: $1,200
- Storage locker for 2 months: $200
- Gas, lodging, and food for drive: $800
- Garage sale earnings: -$500
- Total: $5,200
Factor your individual circumstances like distance travelled, amount of items to move, availability for self-packing, number of household members relocating, and so on. But tallying up all logistics using the lowest cost transportation methods OUT THERE alongside smart savings hacks, savvy out-of-state movers should be able to keep end costs under $5,500-7,000 for complete moves of average-sized homes.
Key Takeaways on Affordably Moving Out of State
If an upcoming interstate move has you cringing thinking how expensive it’ll be, keep these top tips in mind:
Leverage Self-Service Options to Significant Save – Skip full-service movers and consider renting your own truck, portable container, or freight shipping for substantial savings handling packing/loading/driving yourself.
Time Strategically Around Peak Season – Steer clear of summer madness. Opt for off-peak fall, winter or spring dates to avoid painful surcharges when movers are in high demand.
Negotiate Discounts & Special Offers – From first-timer deals to employer subsidies to credit card rewards, ask about available savings opportunities with all vendors and services needed for the move. They add up!
Downsize Your Possessions – Each item less you move means significant savings. Take advantage of garage sales, free junk removal programs, donations pickups and more to profit from shedding belongings not worth moving.
Understand All Potential Unexpected Costs – Beyond core transport expenses, don’t get blindsided budgeting for oddball needs like appliance installs, furnishings, storage rentals, replacing adult rec sports league fees or pet documentation fees. Relocation checklists help identify sneaky incidental charges.
With strategic planning and resourcefulness, moving your residence out of state can cost thousands less than you maybe imagined. Savor the cross-country journey roadtripping in your rental truck as the savings sink in!