How Much Does It Cost to Move Out of State?
Quick answer: The average cost to move out of state is about $4,300, based on moveBuddha pricing data. Full-service movers charge $1,100–$13,700 for moves of 1,000–2,500 miles, moving containers run $2,000–$7,600 cross-country, and a rental truck costs $600–$4,900 plus fuel. This guide breaks down costs by home size, distance, moving company, and route, shows what real customers paid, and explains how to compare the best interstate moving companies.
Jump to the out-of-state moving cost info you’re looking for:
How much does it cost to move out of state?
Moving out of state costs $600–$13,700, depending mostly on whether you hire full-service movers, book a moving container, or drive a rental truck yourself. The more work you hand off, the more you pay.
Here’s how the three main moving methods compare on cost and effort. These ranges come from moveBuddha’s monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and costs reported by Better Moves Project participants.
| Moving method | Typical cost | What you handle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service movers | $1,100–$13,700 (1,000–2,500 miles) | Nothing: the crew packs, loads, drives, and unloads | Larger homes, busy schedules, and fragile items |
| Moving container | $2,000–$7,600 (cross-country) | Packing, loading, and unloading | Mid-size budgets with flexible timing |
| Rental truck | $600–$4,900 plus fuel (long-distance) | Everything, including the drive | Smaller homes and the tightest budgets |
How can you estimate your exact moving cost?
The best way to find an affordable out-of-state mover is to compare quotes from several companies. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so your price range reflects your actual move instead of a national average.
Use it below to get instant estimates from full-service movers, moving container companies, freight services, and rental truck companies, with no personal details required. If you’d rather have movers compete for your move, the moveBuddha Mover Marketplace collects up to five no-obligation quotes from vetted movers with one request.
How much do full-service movers cost to move out of state?
Full-service movers charge $1,100–$13,700 to move out of state over 1,000–2,500 miles, based on quotes we’ve received and what Better Moves Project participants paid. A full-service moving company packs, loads, transports, and unloads your belongings and supplies the equipment and packing materials, so it’s usually the most expensive way to move.
The table below shows estimated full-service costs* by home size and distance.
| Home size | 250 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,500 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BR | $700–$1,900 | $1,100–$2,700 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 2–3 BR | $1,600–$2,900 | $1,900–$4,500 | $2,900–$6,500 |
| 4–5 BR | $2,100–$3,950 | $4,100–$7,800 | $7,900–$13,700 |
*These price ranges are rough estimates. The actual size of your move, additional services, truck parking access, market conditions, time of year, and availability can greatly affect your final cost.
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How much does a moving container cost to move out of state?
A moving container costs $2,000–$7,600 for a cross-country move and $450–$2,100 for moves under 250 miles. You pack and load the container yourself, and the company drives it to your new home, which makes containers a cheaper middle ground between full-service movers and a rental truck.
Moving containers from PODS, U-Pack, and 1-800-PACK-RAT are the most popular options. Here are typical container costs for an out-of-state move:
| Home size | Under 250 miles | Cross-country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 BR | $450–$800 | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 2–3 BR | $750–$1,900 | $3,000–$4,900 |
| 4–5 BR | $900–$2,100 | $5,500–$7,600 |
See how the top container companies stack up in our PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT vs. U-Pack comparison.
Pro tip: Most container companies offer military, student, or online booking discounts, so ask before you reserve. Find current offers in our guide to moving container discounts.
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How much does a rental truck cost to move out of state?
A rental truck is one of the cheapest ways to move out of state, with 16- to 26-foot trucks costing $600–$4,900 for long-distance moves before fuel. U-Haul, Penske, and Budget Truck Rental all offer one-way rentals in multiple truck sizes, but you’ll drive, load, and unload yourself.
We got quotes for a short and a cross-country move to show how much truck size and distance change the price:
| Truck | Under 100 miles* | 2,126 miles** |
|---|---|---|
| Penske 16-ft. | $439 | Not available |
| Penske 26-ft. | $700 | $2,999 |
| U-Haul 15-ft. | $112 | $1,703 |
| U-Haul 26-ft. | $140 | $2,128 |
*York, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware. **Charleston, South Carolina, to Phoenix. Quotes don’t include fuel, which can add hundreds of dollars on a cross-country drive.
Compare more options in our list of best rental trucks.
How much does it cost to move on popular out-of-state routes?
Full-service moves on popular interstate routes cost $1,878–$9,747 for a 2–3 bedroom home, based on quotes and reported costs from Better Moves Project participants. Five of the 10 routes below lead into Florida and Washington, which ranked #4 and #7 among destination states in moveBuddha’s September 2026 moving data. Florida also drew 33.4% of net inbound move searches that month, the most of any state.
These ranges cover a standard full-service move, sorted from shortest to longest distance. Packing, storage, and specialty item fees add to the total.
| Move | Distance (miles) | Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| FL to GA | 350 | $1,878–$4,857 |
| CA to AZ | 750 | $2,637–$6,567 |
| CA to WA | 1,100 | $2,976–$6,973 |
| TX to FL | 1,200 | $3,539–$8,159 |
| NY to FL | 1,300 | $2,704–$6,506 |
| IL to FL | 1,300 | $3,061–$7,558 |
| CA to TX | 1,500 | $3,455–$7,846 |
| NY to TX | 1,750 | $3,443–$7,864 |
| CA to FL | 2,750 | $4,631–$9,747 |
| NY to CA | 2,800 | $4,350–$8,645 |
*Cost ranges reflect full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home over approximate distances. DIY and container options cost significantly less.
How much do top interstate moving companies charge?
Better Moves Project participants paid an average of $3,501–$9,870 with top interstate movers and PODS, depending on the company and distance. Each mover prices differently, so the company you choose can change your cost by thousands of dollars.
The table below shows average final costs reported for each company by distance.
| Company | Under 750 miles | 750–1,500 miles | Over 1,500 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway | $5,923 | $7,196 | $9,870 |
| American Van Lines | $4,263 | $4,853 | $6,218 |
| PODS | $3,501 | $4,608 | $5,801 |
| Mayzlin | $4,697 | $5,746 | $6,581 |
PODS came in lowest at every distance, but the trade-off is convenience. With a container, you handle the packing, loading, and unloading.
Because two movers can price the same move thousands of dollars apart, the moveBuddha Mover Marketplace sends your move details to vetted movers once and returns up to five no-obligation quotes you can compare side by side.
What did real customers pay to move out of state?
Five Better Moves Project participants paid $5,060–$8,798 to move out of state with full-service movers over 723–3,000 miles. Accurate inventories made the biggest difference between a final bill that matched the quote and one that didn’t.
Here’s what each of these five participants was quoted and what they actually paid. Click a move to read the full story.
| Move | Distance (miles) | Move size | Quote | Final cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL to TN | 723 | 2 BR | $5,200 | $5,060 | $140 under |
| MI to FL | 1,019 | 2 BR | $9,081 | $8,798 | $283 under |
| NJ to LA | 1,303 | 1 BR | $4,300 | $5,100 | $800 over |
| CA to NY | 2,911 | 345 cu. ft. | $5,425 | $5,425 | $0 |
| CA to FL | 3,000 | 5 rooms | $5,768 | $8,345 | $2,577 over |
Isabel’s California to New York move cost exactly her $5,425 quote, and Melissa and Pavan both paid less than quoted. Joshua paid $800 over after adding items on moving day, and Shayndel paid $2,577 over because she left items off her phone inventory. List everything you plan to move, and ask for an in-home or video survey before you accept an estimate.
How often does the final bill match the quote?
Across 87 out-of-state moves documented by Better Moves Project participants, 45% paid more than their quote, 36% paid exactly the quoted price, and 20% paid less. When the bill went up, the median overage was $665.
Full-service moves ran over more often than container and rental truck moves. Here’s how the two compare:
| All moves | Full-service movers | Containers and trucks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moves documented | 87 | 62 | 25 |
| Paid more than quoted | 45% | 50% | 32% |
| Paid exactly the quote | 36% | 31% | 48% |
| Paid less than quoted | 20% | 19% | 20% |
| Median overage when over | $665 | $800 | $590 |
| Median final cost | $4,561 | $5,169 | $2,952 |
Based on out-of-state Better Moves Project stories published on moveBuddha as of November 2026, comparing each participant’s written quote with their final bill. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
What affects the cost of moving out of state?
How you move, how far you go, and how much you bring drive most of your out-of-state moving cost.
These are the main factors to plan around:
- Weight and volume: The weight or volume of your belongings is one of the biggest cost factors. Bulky items like pianos, safes, and oversized sectionals can add $150–$400 each.
- Distance: The farther you move, the more you pay in transportation and fuel. A one-bedroom full-service move runs $1,100–$2,700 at 1,000 miles and $1,500–$3,500 at 2,500 miles.
- Timing: Peak moving season runs May through September, and summer moves cost the most. January and February are usually the cheapest months, and midweek dates often cost less than weekends.
- Type of mover: Some types of moving companies cost more than others. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average.
- Additional services: Professional packing adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound on average. Storage-in-transit typically costs $0.50 per cubic foot per month, or about $257 a month for a one-bedroom home.
- Coverage: Interstate movers must offer free Released Value Protection, but it pays only 60 cents per pound per item, according to the FMCSA. Full Value Protection costs extra and covers repair or replacement, and you can compare it with third-party moving insurance.
- Fuel: Fuel surcharges add 8%–15% to transportation charges on long-distance moves. Many movers tie them to the national average diesel price published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which was $6.127 a gallon on Nov. 9, 2026.
What other costs come with moving out of state?
Expect expenses beyond the move itself when you relocate to another state. Add these to your moving checklist:
- Housing costs: Budget for closing costs if you’re buying, or a security deposit and first month’s rent if you’re renting. These upfront costs often land in the same month as your moving bill.
- Cost of living: Moving to a more expensive area raises everyday costs from day one. Compare groceries, rent, and state income taxes before you commit to a new city.
- Vehicle fees: Your new state will charge for a driver’s license, title, and registration. If you won’t drive your car there, estimate shipping with our car shipping calculator.
- Utilities: Setting up utilities can mean deposits and connection fees. Call providers a few weeks ahead so service is on when you arrive.
- Restocking: You’ll need to replace items you can’t move, like cleaning products and perishable food. Most movers won’t transport flammable or perishable goods across state lines.
- Repairs: Your mover’s liability coverage may not fully cover lost or damaged items. Released Value Protection, for example, pays just $15 for a 25-pound TV.
- Access fees: Long carries, stairs, and shuttle service add $75–$500 or more when the truck can’t park close to your home. Shuttle service alone often starts around $200.
How can you lower the cost to move out of state?
The fastest ways to lower the cost to move out of state are to move less, move off-peak, and compare quotes.
Try these tips:
- Declutter first: Every item you declutter before the move cuts weight and lowers your quote. Sell or donate furniture that would cost more to move than to replace.
- Pack yourself: Professional packing adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound, so packing your own boxes saves real money. Have movers pack only breakables if you want a middle ground.
- Move off-peak: January and February are usually the cheapest months to move, and fall and winter rates run lower than summer. A midweek or mid-month date can also lower your price.
- Compare quotes: moveBuddha users save 30% on average compared to people who book the first quote they get. Our calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points collected every month.
- Get an accurate inventory: Half of the full-service Better Moves Project participants above paid more than quoted, often because their inventories missed items. An in-home or video survey keeps your quote close to your final bill.
Pro tip: Ask for a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate so your price can’t climb on moving day. Learn the difference in our guide to binding vs. non-binding estimates.
Need more ideas? See our guide to cheap ways to move out of state.
FAQs
How much does it cost to move out of state?
It costs about $4,300 on average to move out of state, based on moveBuddha data. Full-service movers charge $1,100–$13,700 for moves of 1,000–2,500 miles, while containers and rental trucks cost less. Get a personalized estimate with our moving cost calculator.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house out of state?
Moving a three-bedroom house long-distance costs $2,212–$14,191 with full-service movers, based on moveBuddha pricing data, with distance and add-on services driving most of the spread. A moving container for a 2–3 bedroom home costs $3,000–$4,900 cross-country. See the full breakdown in our guide to three-bedroom move costs.
How much money should you save to move out of state?
Save enough for the move itself, which averages about $4,300, plus a security deposit and first month’s rent, utility deposits, and new vehicle registration fees. Keep a cushion for surprise charges: 45% of 87 Better Moves Project participants who moved out of state paid more than quoted, with a median overage of $665.
What is the cheapest way to move out of state?
The cheapest way to move out of state is usually to rent a truck from U-Haul or Penske and do all the packing, loading, and driving yourself. A moving container is the next cheapest option, and full-service movers cost the most. See more cheap ways to move out of state.
What is the cheapest month to move out of state?
January and February are usually the cheapest months to move out of state, based on moveBuddha’s average cost data. May through September costs the most because demand peaks. Learn more about peak moving season.
Are out-of-state moving expenses tax deductible?
Not for most people. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made the suspension of the federal moving expense deduction permanent starting in 2026. Active-duty military members moving under permanent change of station orders, and some intelligence community employees, can still deduct qualified moving expenses.
How do you move out of state?
To move out of state, line up housing and income first, then set a budget that includes any relocation package from your employer. Choose a moving method, get at least three quotes, and declutter before you pack. A moving checklist keeps every step on track.
How do you choose an out-of-state mover?
Choose an out-of-state mover with an active USDOT number and interstate operating authority you can verify on the FMCSA site. Check BBB and Google reviews, and skip any mover that wants a large deposit or won’t do an in-home or video survey. Compare vetted options in our list of best interstate moving companies.
Why use moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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