Moving in 2025? Here’s How Much It Will Cost You (and Why Most People Regret It)

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, even though respondents were aware moving isn’t cheap, 44% said the cost of moving still surprised them, and 38% said the total cost of moving was higher than they expected.

Here’s more on how much a move will cost you — and why you might regret it. 

How Much Will a Move Cost?

More than you might think. According to the survey, 60% of those who moved said moving isn’t affordable, and it’s no surprise why. Overall, Americans spent an average of $2,050 on their move in 2024. Those who chose to move themselves spent $1,334, while those who hired a moving company spent $2,907 — over 50% more. 

Not only that, but it’s important to budget for both expected and unexpected expenses. A whopping 78% of Americans underestimated costs during their move, including the following:

• Miscellaneous purchases – 27%
• Gas and travel expenses – 26%
• Cleaning – 21%
• Moving truck rental – 19%
• Packing supplies – 18%
• New furniture and appliances – 18%
• Temporary storage – 18%
• Utility setup – 17%
• Change-of-address fees – 14%
• Hiring a moving company – 13%
• New security deposit – 12%
• Repairs – 10%
• Replacing damaged items – 8%
• Tipping the movers – 7%
• Moving insurance – 4%

Why You Might Regret Moving

Overall, 70% of Americans regret moving, with 34% saying they completed the move without giving full consideration to the long-term consequences. And for some, the regrets started before the move: 33% of respondents said they considered backing out of their plans at least once. 

Other regrets American movers have, according to the survey, include: 

• Not discarding more of their belongings prior to moving – 22%
• Missing their old home – 18%
• Spending too much money on the move – 18%
• Hassle of moving – 18%
• Not budgeting for unexpected expenses – 14%
• Not moving to a bigger place – 13%
• Move took too long – 12%
• Failed to label boxes properly – 11%
• Negatively impacted their relationship – 10%
• Unhappy with location of new home – 9%
• Missing items – 8%
• Broken items – 6%
• Failed to negotiate the price with movers – 6%
• Didn’t compare quotes from movers – 5%

Consider a Move Carefully and Budget Wisely

Hiring a moving company costs around $3,000, while a DIY move runs closer to $1,300. Compare quotes whether you’re opting for full-service movers or renting a truck. Additionally, extra expenses always come up, and it’s better to budget more than you need than not enough. 

Finally, you don’t want to have too many regrets once you’re settled, so avoid packing things you can live without, stay organized and make sure all of your belongings will make the trip safely. Even more important, ask yourself if the location you’re planning to move is where you really want to be. If not, ask yourself if you can live with the decision for a while or if you need to reconsider. 

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