By the Numbers
Anyone who’s ever had to relocate knows there’s a lot more to it than just stacking boxes and going through roll after roll of packing tape. Moving can also burn a hole in your wallet.
To make transporting your stuff as easy—and affordable—as possible, we’ve done the heavy lifting and assembled these money-saving facts.
16.7 million | The approximate number of American households that move annually. |
Since so many of your fellow countrymen are moving, it’s simple to snag free boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies on Craigslist. If gratis goodies are unavailable in your area, do the planet—and your wallet—good by buying high-quality used boxes at usedcardboardboxes.com.
Source: US Census Bureau
20% | The additional percentage it costs to move during the summer. |
It’s not just about where you move, but when. Prepare for an off-season residence change by hosting an end-of-summer garage sale to purge unnecessary items and pad your bank account. Don’t restock your garage with items that don’t sell, though. Donate the leftovers to charity and snag a tax deduction in the process.
Source: Unpakt.com
11.7 | The number of times the average person moves in a lifetime. |
For bookworms, that’s a lot of times to transport heavy tomes. Instead of loading books into the moving van, consider shipping your library via the post office. The media mail rate was created to send used books—and other educational materials—at a discount. Learn more at usps.com.
Source: US Census Bureau
35% | The percentage of Americans who never leave their hometown. |
Most people stick around because they believe their hometown is a good place to raise kids, according to a Pew Research Center survey. And while they might not leave the city limits, plenty of townies swap addresses each year. Saving money during in-town moves is a cinch if you pack up mid-month when demand for moving services is at its lowest.
Source: US Census Bureau
$12,230 | The average cost of a professional household move. |
That’s a whopper of a price, but keep in mind it covers a full-service package. To get the most bang for your buck, do your homework and gather several estimates. And remember, prices are always negotiable. For example, you could offer to handle some tasks, such as disassembling furniture, to cut down on the workload and the bill.
Source: Worldwide ERC 2010 Report
50 miles | The minimum distance you need to move to get a tax break. |
If your zip code switch was precipitated by a job change, you may be able to deduct expenses such as transportation, storage costs, and travel during your relocation. In addition to meeting the distance requirement, employees must prove they worked full-time for at least thirty-nine weeks following the move.
Source: IRS guidelines
