How Much Does it Cost to Move Out of State? (DIY Vs Professional Move)
Moving out of state is a big and exciting commitment. It’s easy to get overwhelmed during the planning process, but there’s no reason to. Once you’ve settled on a moving company and budget, you’ll be smooth sailing. So, how much does it cost to move out of state?
The average cost to move out of state is $600, but it ranges from $3,500 to $15,000 or more. Long-distance moves are the most expensive because you must pay the crew for many more hours. Vehicle transportation costs, shipment weight, the size of your home, and additional services all add to the cost.
Insurance is another essential cost, and it typically costs 1% to 2% of the value of your home or belongings. Follow along as we explore how much it costs to move out of state so you can budget accordingly.
Average Cost to Move Out of State
It costs an average of $6,000 to move out of state, but it can cost as little as $4,000 or less. For example, moving between states that border each other may only cost $3,500 to $6,000. However, you can expect to spend up to $15,000 for long-distance moves across several states.
Distance, home size, and weight of the shipment are the biggest cost factors. Let’s look at the factors that determine how much it costs to move out of state.
Size of Your Home
Your home’s size is the biggest cost factor in how much it costs to move out of state. Bigger homes take longer to pack and navigate, and they typically contain more furniture. That often means that a bigger crew is necessary and that the truckload will be heavier.
| Number of Bedrooms | Cost |
| Studio | $1,800-$3,300 |
| 1 | $1,800-$5,000 |
| 2 | $4,200-$8,500 |
| 3 | $4,800-$10,200 |
| 4+ | $9,000-$15,000 |
A 1-bedroom apartment may cost as little as $1,800 for a long-distance move. The small size and lack of too much furniture make it cheap. However, the cost can exceed $5,000 because of distance and additional services.
Moving a mid-to-large home out of state costs anywhere from $4,800 to $15,000 or more. Once you reach 3 bedrooms, the cost will typically exceed $5,000. The bigger floor plan and extra furniture add hours to the move, and time is money.
Shipment Weight
The weight of your belongings also affects how much it costs to move out of state. How heavy everything is determines how it will be shipped. For example, smaller loads are typically classified as LTL or less than a truckload.
These smaller loads weigh less and take up space, so you may not get a dedicated moving truck. In other words, your truck may be shared with another shipment going somewhere else along the moving route. This reduces the cost of the shipment in many cases.
Dedicated or guaranteed shipments that contain only your belongings are more expensive. There’s no ironclad rule, and the cost of a heavier, dedicated ship varies between states and moving services. Heavier loads sometimes mean that additional trucks are required, however, and that can add thousands of dollars to the cost.
Moving Services
Moving companies typically offer several services beyond loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings. Services like furniture disposal, white-glove service, and full packing and unpacking are premium add-ons. Full packing and unpacking means the moving crew will pack your belongings and unpack them at the destination.
This can cost up to $1,500 for big homes with 3-4 or more bedrooms. That said, full packing can cost as little as $300-$500 for studios and 1-2-bedroom apartments in some cases. White glove service is common for out-of-state moves as most people have fragile items they want to protect.
This special service can add anywhere from $800 to $2,000 or more. The cost depends on how many fragile items you have as well as how much they weigh. For example, moving a piano could cost anywhere from $150 to $2,000 or more. Factors such as obstacles like staircases as well as the piano’s size affect the cost.
Distance
Moving out of state can be expensive because of the travel costs. That includes gas mileage, drivers, and the added labor of transporting the crew. The moving crew must travel with the trucks to get to your new home to unload your belongings.
During this time, you must pay the moving crew for labor. That can add thousands of dollars in labor fees to the cost. Many moving companies charge up to 75 cents per mile, but that doesn’t always apply to out-of-state moves. There is typically a mileage limit for long-distance moves, so you may simply pay a flat rate.
Long-distance moves also typically come with higher insurance premiums because of the added risk. That alone can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the moving cost.
Timing
Even something as simple as timing affects how much it costs to move out of state. Summer is the most expensive time to move because of the high demand. People typically tend to move between June and August to avoid unpleasant fall and winter weather.
There is no telling how much cheaper it costs to move in winter as it varies between companies. However, you can expect to at least save several hundred dollars in many cases when you move in the winter. It’s also easier to negotiate moving prices when there is less demand.
Crew Labor
Labor is ultimately just as important as the size of your home when it comes to moving out of state. Each person on the moving crew typically gets paid between $60 and $120 per hour or more. When moving out of state, you must pay people for much longer than you typically would.
For example, you may only pay a crew 3-6 hours for a local 3-bedroom move. The time is typically at least doubled when you move out of state. It’s important to request a cost breakdown including labor when you get a quote for the move if you’re confused about that aspect.
Vehicle Transportation
Vehicle transportation is often necessary when you move out of state. Depending on how far away your new home is, it may not be drivable. Many people fly to their towns and opt to ship their cars.
Moving companies can help arrange vehicle transportation through third parties. Car shipping costs an average of $1,200, but the cost can exceed $2,000 depending on the distance. For example, it may cost only $400-$500 to ship your car from New Jersey to New York.
However, you can expect to spend at least $1,500 to ship your car from New Jersey to California. Keep in mind that you must also factor in the cost of plane tickets if you fly and ship your car.
Moving Insurance
Moving out of state without insurance is a mistake. The extra cost can be intimidating as it’s typically 1% to 2% of the cost of your belongings or the property itself. You can purchase third-party moving insurance, and most moving companies offer coverage as well.
Miscellaneous Costs
Moving out of state also comes with several miscellaneous fees to consider. For example, you must activate utilities at your new home. That typically comes with activation fees that range from $5 to $100 depending on the utility.
You will also likely need to visit the grocery store for essentials right after you move. These days, each trip to the grocery store can easily cost over $100. If you’re a renter, you’ll also need to set aside money for the deposit at your new home.
You must budget for closing costs if you buy a new home. Closing costs typically cost roughly 2%-6% of the cost of the loan. Otherwise, it’s important to look into the cost of living in your new state so you can budget and adjust accordingly.
So, How Much Does Moving Out of State Cost?
Moving out of state costs $6,000, on average. Out-of-state moving can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $15,000 depending on the distance and weight of the shipment. Factors like labor, timing, home size, and vehicle transportation can cost thousands of dollars. Insurance is another essential moving service, and it typically costs 1%-2% of the value of your property or belongings.