Calculate the total cost of relocating for a job. Estimate moving expenses, housing costs, travel, and more. Plan your move budget.
The relocation calculator estimates the total cost of a job relocation: hiring movers, transporting vehicles, temporary housing, deposits and lease setup in the new city, and the salary adjustment needed to maintain your standard of living. The output is a budget estimate within roughly ±20% for typical 2-bedroom moves between major US metros, wider for international or very long-distance moves. It is for planning, not for booking — always get 2–3 actual quotes from licensed movers before signing a contract. Most employers offer some relocation support; ask for it before accepting an offer that requires moving.
Use cases
Budgeting a self-funded relocation. When the employer is not covering the move, the calculator surfaces costs you may not have considered: temporary housing during the apartment search, breaking your current lease, vehicle transport. Total can easily exceed $10K for a long move.
Sizing a relocation package ask. Use the tool's estimate as the basis for the relocation package you negotiate. Even a $5K stipend is meaningful; larger packages include movers, temporary housing, and tax gross-up. Ask after the offer is on the table.
Comparing cost-adjusted offers across cities. Pair this tool with /salary/cost-of-living. A 20% higher offer in a 30% more expensive city plus a $15K relocation cost is a real-terms pay cut. The combination surfaces it before you accept.
How it works
Enter origin and destination cities. The calculator uses public mover-rate data for major metros. Smaller cities or cross-border moves are wider — verify with quotes for high-confidence numbers.
Specify move size (1BR, 2BR, etc.) and vehicle count. Mover costs scale roughly with cubic feet, not weight. Vehicle transport is separate. Both calculate independently and combine.
Add temporary housing and deposit estimates. Most relocations need 2–4 weeks of temporary housing. New leases require first/last month plus deposit. Cumulative housing costs often exceed the moving cost itself.
Get 2–3 actual mover quotes before booking. Calculator outputs are estimates. Real quotes from licensed movers are required before the move; rates vary by season and route.
Examples
A candidate moving from Chicago to NYC for a $20K higher base. Calculator estimates $12K relocation cost + $8K higher first-year living costs. Net Year 1 gain is small. Candidate negotiates a $15K relocation package, making the move neutral on Year 1 and clearly positive Year 2.
A candidate moving cross-country with a self-funded budget. Estimate comes in at $11K. Candidate plans 6 months ahead, books movers in off-season for 20% savings, and uses the tool's breakdown to allocate budget by category.
Frequently asked questions
What does the relocation calculator estimate?
Total moving cost for a relocation: hiring movers, transporting vehicles, temporary housing, deposits and lease setup in the new city, and the salary adjustment needed to maintain your standard of living. Output is a budget estimate, not a binding quote.
How accurate are the moving-cost estimates?
Within roughly ±20% for typical 2-bedroom moves between major US metros. International moves and very long distances are wider. Always get 2–3 actual quotes from licensed movers before signing — the calculator is for budgeting, not for booking.
Should I negotiate a relocation package from the new employer?
Yes, always ask. Most employers offer something — even a $5K relocation stipend is meaningful. Larger packages include movers, temporary housing, and tax gross-up. Ask after the offer is on the table; package size is often more flexible than base salary.
Tips
Always ask for a relocation package — even small ones ($5K stipend) are meaningful.
Off-season moves (October–April) are 15–25% cheaper than peak summer moves.
Vehicle transport is often cheaper than driving + lodging on long routes.
Get quotes from at least 3 licensed movers; rates vary by 30%+ for the same route.
Tax gross-up is the most overlooked relocation benefit — without it, a $15K stipend nets you ~$10K after taxes.