When Is the Best Time to Move?

The time of year you move can significantly impact your moving experience, influencing your total moving costs and the amount of stress you experience.

And between boxes and other packing supplies, a moving van, and hiring movers, moving adds up fast. Add on stressors like changing jobs, schools, and the task of making new friends, and the whole experience becomes understandably taxing.

So when is the best time to move? Well, the answer depends on a few factors. Your personal situation, budget, and preferences will determine the best season for you to move.

Answer: it depends. The best season for you to move will ultimately be determined by your personal situation, budget, and preferences. Here are some of the pros and cons of moving in each season:

• Fall: Fall weather is usually ideal for moving. However, if you’re moving in late fall, you might have to worry about rain or snow setting in and making a move more challenging. Because most people move in the summer, you may be able to get a better deal on a move on September 1st or later—and you might spend less buying a home in your new city.
• Winter: Winter is the most affordable time to move because the demand is the lowest—and it’s easy to see why. In a winter month, there’s a good chance that cold weather, snowy conditions, or rain could impact a driver’s route and make it difficult to load and unload a moving van. (Especially if you live somewhere like Washington, D.C. or Denver.) Bad weather conditions could also interfere with your travel plans, and if you have kids in school, they’ll have to leave in the middle of the school year.
• Spring: Late spring weather is usually milder than the winter and summer, making it an ideal time to load your moving truck. Since demand is usually lower during this time, you can probably get a decent deal on your moving services.
• Summer: Summer is the official moving season, making it a more expensive time to move. However, you might also be able to sell your house for more money since most buyers are looking during this peak season. It’s also the best time to move with kids since they’ll be out of school.

Answer: September–April. If cost is your main concern, the best month to move is between September and April. Late fall to early spring is the moving off-season, meaning demand is lower and moving services are more affordable.

Answer: Mid-month. Most people move at the end of the month, so demand is slower in the middle of the month. This means costs will be lower, and you’ll have a better chance of getting the moving services you need. (And you might get a better rate, too.) If you’re apartment hunting or buying a house, moving mid-month will mean you’ll face less competition as you house hunt.

Answer: Monday–Thursday. Since most people move on the weekend, the moving industry recommends moving during the week when demand is lower. Of course, this can be difficult for people who work Monday through Friday—but if you can swing it, there are definitely some perks!

Answer: early in the morning. As they say, the early bird gets the worm! Early morning is the ideal time to move for a few reasons. Since most moving truck rental companies charge a daily rate, picking up a moving truck in the morning will give you the most time to load, unload, and return the truck on time. Early mornings apply to renting a moving container, too. If you live in a tight area or busy neighborhood, it’s important to avoid run-ins with heavy traffic times if you can.

If you’re moving in a summer month, moving early will help you avoid the heat of the day. No matter what time of year you’re moving, you’ll probably have the most motivation and energy to move if you get an early start. And if you’ve hired a moving crew, they’ll be more likely to work quickly in the morning when their energy is at its peak.

The best time of year to move depends on your priorities and needs. If you’re looking for the cheapest time to move into an apartment, move mid-week, mid-month, in the winter. But if you’re looking for the best time to move a family and sell a home, peak moving season (summertime) is a popular choice.

In reality, there are pros and cons to every moving season, whether you’re planning a long-distance move, a local move, or even coordinating an international move. No matter when you move, make sure you schedule your moving date well in advance and shop around for the best rates.

Would you like to learn more about how to optimize your move? Check out Move.org for the Ultimate Moving Checklist.

The cheapest time of year to move is from Labor Day in September to April, which is considered the off-season for moving. Since most people move in the summer, the demand is lower during this time, and most moving companies offer lower rates. Winter is the least popular time to move, meaning the rates are likely the lowest during these months.

June, July, and August are the most popular months to move. Many people opt to move in the summer because inclement weather is less likely (although cities like San Antonio or Phoenix will be extremely hot), school is out of session, and it’s the best time to sell a house.

The best time of year to move depends on your situation. Most people move in the summer because the weather is more reliable, it’s easier with school-aged children, and it’s a great time to sell a house. Fall and spring are a good time to move because the weather is more moderate and demand is lower. However, wintertime is best if you’re looking for the cheapest time to move.

If cost is your primary concern, it’s better to move in the winter. Demand for moving services is the lowest, and most moving companies offer reduced rates. However, if convenience is your main concern, summer may be the best time to move. This is when it’s easier to relocate—especially if you’re moving long-distance. It’s also a good time to sell a house, and you’ll be less likely to run into bad weather when loading a moving truck or traveling to your new home.

You’ve learned about the best time of year to move, and now it’s time to kick things into gear. Check out these resources to start planning:

• The 5 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies of 2022
• The Best Moving Container Companies
• The 5 Best Moving Truck Rental Companies of 2022
• Best Local Moving Companies of 2022