We moved 9 times in 12 years — two of them long distance. I have learned more about saving money on a move than I ever wanted to know. Here is everything that actually worked.
Free Moving Boxes
Never buy boxes if you can help it. I once scored 50 boxes for free — just by watching Craigslist and Facebook groups for a month before our move.
People who just moved want to get rid of boxes fast and will give them away in a heartbeat. When you see a listing move immediately because they go within hours.
Also check local grocery stores and liquor stores — liquor store boxes are my personal favorite for packing glasses and breakables. The divided compartments are perfect and they are incredibly sturdy.
If you absolutely have to buy boxes — we bought 60 once for $75. After the move we sold them on Craigslist for $50. Net cost: $25 for 60 brand new boxes. Not bad!
Check out my full guide to 15 places to get free moving boxes — including Nextdoor, Freecycle and the U-Haul Box Exchange!
Moving Trucks
Always check ALL local options — prices vary wildly and the pickup location matters because you pay per mile. On one move I found a 20% off code for Budget that applied to both the truck AND the mileage.
We ended up with a 24-foot truck for one day for $31 plus $0.55 per mile. The closest U-Haul was 5 miles further away — at per-mile rates that adds up fast.
- Compare U-Haul, Budget, Penske and local companies — prices vary significantly
- Search for promo codes before you book — they exist and they work
- Use a cash back credit card for the rental — just pay it off immediately to avoid interest
- Use Rakuten or TopCashBack — some moving companies pay cash back through these programs
- Ask friends and family with trucks and trailers — offer pizza, gas money and a gift card. For a local move this can be the cheapest option by far
Movers — When You Need Help With the Heavy Stuff
We are at the age where we no longer move our own furniture. It just isn’t worth it. Here are the options we have used and what they actually cost:
Day Labor
Places like AbleBody or ManPower can get you two guys for four hours for around $120-$150 depending on your area. We have done this twice and both times the guys were great and absolutely gave us our money’s worth.
Perfect if you just need help with the big furniture and are handling the rest yourself.
Important note: There is no insurance going this route. If something gets damaged you have no recourse. Fine for most furniture — not ideal if you have really valuable pieces.
Friends and Family
The cheapest option — but always compensate them. Gift cards, cash, gas money, food and drinks — something. On our last move we hired a friend and one of his friends and paid them by the hour. I felt better being able to direct them on how I wanted things handled and they got paid fairly for their time. Win win.
Local Moving Companies
Usually around $90 per hour for two movers and a truck with a 2-hour minimum. They carry insurance on your furniture which is the big advantage. Get multiple quotes — prices vary a lot. And ask these questions before you book:
- When does the clock start? — one company I called started the time when they LEFT their store 40 minutes away. That was an automatic hour and twenty minutes of paid time before they touched a single box
- Do they prorate? — do they charge every 15 minutes or every full hour?
- W2 or 1099 employees? — 1099 workers are not covered by Worker’s Comp which means an injury could end up on your homeowner’s insurance
- Are they insured and bonded?
- Is there a fuel surcharge?
Check the BBB and Google reviews before hiring anyone. U-Haul actually has great reviews of local movers they recommend — worth checking even if you are not renting a truck from them.
Real Cost Breakdown — Our Last Move
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY with friends + truck rental | ~$310 | Truck $70 + friends at $15/hr for 16 hours = $240 |
| Local moving company | ~$395 | $90/hr × 4 hours + $35 fuel surcharge |
Not a huge difference — but hiring friends meant the whole day instead of half a day, and we could direct exactly how we wanted things handled. Both options are worth considering depending on how much stuff you have and how much time you want to spend.
Bonus Money Saving Moving Tips
- Moving for a new job? Many employers cover moving expenses — always ask HR before spending a dime out of pocket. Track everything that isn’t covered as it may be tax deductible
- Change your address online with USPS for $1 — they send you a packet of coupons including 10% off Lowe’s and more. Worth every penny
- Downsize before you pack — moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of everything you don’t need. A garage sale before the move can recoup a significant chunk of your moving costs
- Sell your boxes after the move — list them on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist immediately. They will be gone within a day and you get most of your money back
- Use cash back programs on everything — truck rentals, moving supplies, new furniture for the new place. Check Rakuten and TopCashBack before every purchase during a move
Have a moving money saving tip that is not on this list? Leave it in the comments — after 9 moves I thought I knew everything but I am always open to learning more!
Need boxes? Check out my guide to 15 places to get free moving boxes — including a $320 savings stat that will make you never buy boxes again!
