Take charge of your big move with these stress-busting tips
Moving out of state is a significant change, which often comes with a ton of stress (and moving boxes). But with careful planning and help from professional movers, you can dodge surprises, keeping your move as calm and cost-effective as possible. So, take a breath, enjoy the excitement of a new life event, and follow our steps for moving out of state.
Individual reasons for switching states are innumerable. People have many motivations for making an out of state move, including:
Housing changes: People switch states to find a different home, a more affordable location, or to transition to a new type of property. Others move to a new kind of environment, such as moving to a rural area for the peace and quiet or moving to the city for a more active nightlife.
Personal reasons: Changes in homeowner’s personal lives may prompt them to move states, including changes in marital, financial, or familial status.
Employment: A new job is a popular reason for moving to a new state, as well as moving after a career change.
The cost of an out-of-state move depends on many factors, including distance traveling, amount of belongings, and whether you hire professional movers near you. Moving out of state involves extra expenses that can make it pricier than staying stateside. Let’s break it down into several options:
Professional movers: $900–$2,540
Moving truck rental: $30–$3,500
Ship a moving container: $2,000–$5,000
Moving states can also involve additional expenses such as gas costs, moving permits , and road tolls. Long-distance moves may also involve stopping for multiple meals and staying overnight in hotels.
Planning a move to a different state? Let’s review vital steps to help make the process go smoothly—and save you a lot of money and time.
Before diving into the details, create a firm overall plan for your out-of-state move. You’ll need to make specific decisions about your moving date, moving method, and budget.
Start researching early and narrow down where you want to move in a state.
Online communities and forums can be a great place to ask questions and advice about the best spots to move, where housing is affordable, what schools to choose, and other details. Look up local taxes to see if there will be notable changes in income or property taxes so you can budget effectively for those, too. You may also want to ask about local business, traffic hours, and other details —make a full list of questions. With these insights, try to visit your high-priority areas in person to help narrow down a location. If you will be renting, start rental applications as soon as possible.
Once you choose a location, confirm details about your moving timeframe and budgeting. Start taking inventory of your belongings to determine whether to rent a moving truck or ship a moving pod.
Be sure to determine whether you qualify for any moving benefits to offset the expense of moving to another state. Always ask your employer about any benefits related to moving. If you are moving for a job, you’ll likely qualify for employer programs or discounts to cover some (or all) of the costs.
Look up your new state’s moving programs to see if they’ll help pay for your move. Certain states that want to attract newcomers have programs that cover moving expenses and even monthly costs for your first year, but you’ll have to apply first.
Other programs may be available to low-income movers, veterans, and people living with disabilities.
Apply to moving benefits and programs months before the move so they’ll go into effect in time. Pay attention to any details, like a required timeframe, proof of certain kinds of employment, and requirements to build or buy a house.
You can never start packing too early. The first steps are taking inventory of your belongings and deciding how much to declutter your home to avoid moving unwanted items. It’s best to donate items or hold garage sales months before the big move.
You’ll also want plenty of time to find moving supplies and start packing your nonessentials. A checklist for packing can be a great aid, and learning how to pack for a move can save you time and money. You’ll want to budget several hundred dollars for packing supplies and materials if you plan on packing yourself.
DIY moving is possible, especially for those in apartments or small homes, but out-of-state movers require hiring movers to manage a cross-state move. Start calling local moving companies and asking for quotes several months before your move. Movers can become very busy during warmer seasons and their schedules fill up quickly, so act fast to book them during your moving window.
Movers can help you with add-on services, such as packing and unpacking, but you can save money by taking care of the details yourself. Don’t forget to consider costs like moving insurance, which is important when moving out of state, and storage costs if you need to store belongings when downsizing or arranging for a new home.
Once your moving date and professional moving team is set, you’ll need to book your moving vehicle. Renting a moving truck is a common moving method because you can choose from a variety of truck sizes based on the weight and number of your belongings. For out-of-state moves, consider hiring a moving truck driver to transport your items, otherwise you’ll have to drive the large moving truck yourself, which is difficult without prior experience.
Moving to a new state doesn’t require a special permit, but you may still run into permit rules during the process. Research state and city websites to find more information on moving-related permits and their costs. Permits to watch out for include:
A city moving permit allows you to park a moving truck on a street in front of your property. Professional movers may take care of this type of permit.
A trip permit allows you to use an unregistered vehicle in a state for an extended period of time.
As you enter the 30 days before your move to a new state, it’s time to switch over your utilities. Cancel key utilities at your old residence and consult the new utility companies to make sure services are turned on and payment methods are finalized. Don’t forget key utilities like:
Water
Sewer
Electricity
Internet
Trash and recycling services
Gas lines
Cable TV
If you are renting, consult your landlord about the process for starting any necessary utilities. Your online streaming services will follow you without many changes, but if you have any local gym memberships, recurring passes, or local-based subscriptions, consider canceling them. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, cancel it or start updating your policy with your new residence.
In the weeks ahead of your cross-state move, calculate the number and type of moving boxes you need and begin putting everything in its moving spot. Be sure to label your boxes properly, use specialty boxes for items like TVs and fragile items, and place the heaviest items on the bottom. If you’re using full-service movers who are packing for you, organize your belongings in piles so they know which items to pack together.
Prepare for movers by clearing a path to the moving vehicle, making a moving day plan for kids and pets to keep them out of the way, and confirm pick-up and drop-off times with the moving team.
As the moving day gets closer and you start packing your most important belongings into the final boxes and bins, reserve several boxes to keep the essentials with you. You should keep these items in your personal car as you travel. These boxes should include key things like:
Important medications and medical equipment
Important legal documents and IDs
Valuable items like jewelry, artwork, and electronics
Important mementos
Hygiene items and toiletries
Toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies
Snacks and extra food
Pet food and supplies
Chargers for your phone and other important devices
Wi-Fi router
When you arrive at your new address, meet your realtor or landlord for access, and take your time getting used to the new space. If movers are helping to transport your belongings to your new home, stay in contact with them and remain patient as they deliver your belongings. Once the movers finish unloading or unpacking your boxes and furniture, be sure to tip your movers to show your appreciation for their help with the out-of-state move.
In the meantime, conduct a full inspection of your new home. Check that the utilities are working as planned, inspect water and electricity functions, and ensure appliances and HVAC units are in place. Be sure to hook up your router and make sure you can access the internet easily.
As you start unpacking, take your time and make space for a few more important steps. First, now that the move is official, it’s time to change your address information, including on your health insurance and healthcare policies, phone plan, banking information, and any other subscriptions.
Now that your move is largely complete, conduct in-person research on your new state to discover important facts you may not have known (or may have forgotten in the rush). Consider researching these important points:
Local traffic laws
Transportation options including public transportation and parking systems
Local vets and pet registration rules
Local weather and seasonal changes, including winterization steps
Voter registration and ballot drop-off options
State programs for solar energy environmental programs or low-income aid programs
Trash and recycling schedules
License-changing protocols
There are several additional steps you can take to save as much as possible during your out-of-state move:
Reuse moving supplies and materials, such as moving boxes
Always get multiple quotes for your moving jobs to compare prices and find the best deal
Consider holding a garage sale to raise some extra cash to add to your moving budget
Look into using USPS Media Mail, which can ship heavier media packages (like books) up to 70 pounds
If you are changing jobs, formally request a moving subsidy even if your employer isn’t offering one
Plan your move during the off-season, like the colder seasons. Shipping and professional prices are likely to be lower, roads are easier to navigate, and you’ll have less stress.
A move to another state is a longer, more extensive move, which means hiring professional movers is a more common option. Hiring professional local movers are more expensive, but they can handle moving large items, arranging for storage, and handling any permits. They can also save you time and stress if your schedule is tight, although it’s important to find a trustworthy mover with good reviews.
Hiring professional movers costs between $880 and $2,540, depending on distance, add-on services, and number of movers. Cross-country moves cost $2,400 to $6,860, depending on similar factors. Moving especially large or delicate items will quickly increase those costs. You will also want to pay for moving insurance for such a significant move.
You should budget cash for about two to three months of living expenses, including everything from rent and food to utilities and transportation. Before planning an out-of-state move, break down the anticipated cost of the transition, including moving vehicle rental, hiring movers, and packing materials. Since cross-country moves cost between $2,400 to $6,860, plan to save accordingly.
Common advice says to give it around a year to get used to living in a new state. There is a lot to do and some things that will seem new or strange. Individual experiences will vary, but stay patient if you feel uncomfortable right after a move, and be sure to spend time exploring everything the local area has to offer.
Many people find success in pursuing their hobbies and meeting up with other like-minded people in their area. Taking new classes or learning something new in a group is also a good way to meet people. Social apps like Meetup can also help. Since moving is a very busy time and your schedule can quickly fill with additional responsibilities, it’s a good idea to budget time for going out and meeting other people.
