Moving Cost Calculator
Add up movers, travel, deposits, overlapping rent and setup costs to see the cash a move takes.
Free · No sign-up · Your inputs stay in your browser
Your numbers
Count the cash a move takes
Your projection
Have $10,065 ready
Before contingency
$9,150
Overlapping rent
$1,000
Contingency
$915
The old deposit usually comes back weeks after the move, so do not count it toward this cash. Moving expenses are only tax-deductible for active-duty military moving under orders.
About this tool
Method, assumptions, practical next steps, and limits.
A move costs more than the truck
Most of the cash a move needs is due before the old deposit comes back. Adding it up ahead of time avoids putting the move on a credit card.
How the calculation works
Cash needed = (movers + travel + deposit + first month + rent × overlap days ÷ 30 + setup + household) × (1 + contingency)
With $2,400 for movers, $600 for travel, a $2,000 deposit, $2,000 first month’s rent, 15 days of overlap ($1,000), $350 of utility setup and $800 of household items, the subtotal is $9,150. A 10% contingency brings it to $10,065.
What to know
For interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registers movers and publishes a guide to your rights; check the company’s USDOT number. Moving expenses are deductible only for active-duty military moving under orders.
