Each year, 9.8% of Americans move—and a third of those relocate to a new state. So if you’re thinking about moving from Los Angeles to New York City, you’re in good company.

But before you ditch the idyllic temps and less-than-idyllic traffic of L.A. for the skyscrapers and snowstorms of NYC, there are some key details to think through: 

Each year, 9.8% of Americans move—and a third of those relocate to a new state. So if you’re thinking about moving from Los Angeles to New York City, you’re in good company.

But before you ditch the idyllic temps and less-than-idyllic traffic of L.A. for the skyscrapers and snowstorms of NYC, there are some key details to think through: 

As someone who grew up in L.A., I understand all of the amazing qualities of this sprawling city, but I also know why, after a while, you might want to try something new. After all, New York City is a big place, with 8 million people, 5 boroughs, and about 3,000 “best slice” spots. Here’s what I learned on my move.

From Coast to Coast: What You Need To Know When Moving from LA to NYC

As Frank Sinatra crooned, “If you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere.” Of course, that implies it takes some fortitude to make it in NYC. (As a Los Angelino, you’ve already got that in spades.) 

Here are a few key differences to consider between the two cities:

What’s the cost of living in NYC vs. L.A.?

One thing that New Yorkers love to talk about is how much everything costs. So, let’s talk about money. 

NYC has one of the nation’s highest median incomes: $87,745. 

However, you should also consider that rising housing costs and the overall cost of living counteract some of those take-home benefits. One study shows that when today’s median household income is adjusted against county cost of living, New York County ranks very poorly: No. 3,105 in the U.S.

So, you can’t simply ask, “Is it cheaper to live in L.A. or NYC?” It’s important to really take into account your own lifestyle and the factors that might impact your take-home pay—everything from groceries to movie theater tickets. Both L.A. and NYC are unsurprisingly among the most expensive cities in the United States; L.A. ranks No. 7, Brooklyn comes in at No. 4, and Manhattan owns the dubious honor of No. 1. 

See fast facts below, based on the latest findings from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

Moving to “Post-COVID-19” NYC

A few things have changed about living in New York since 2020, several of which might inform a move to NYC. 

One factor is that renters in NYC might need to pay broker fees again. These fees, which can range from one month’s rent to 15% of annual rent, were briefly prohibited in 2020. However, that is a “might”, because it’s possible to sort listings so that only no-fee apartments are displayed in your searches. In some cases, the amount itself may be negotiable, but this is something to discuss with a broker up-front.

“Consider that the 40-hour drive from LA to NYC takes about four days on average to complete—and that’s with an average vehicle, not a large moving truck.”

Another thing is that prices have steeply increased from the all-time lows of the pandemic. Not only are NYC prices rising, but it’s made bidding on apartments pretty fierce. Prospective renters might offer to pay over the asking rate, sign leases sight unseen, put down deposits in cash, and do other things that would’ve seemed crazy year ago. While competitive, you probably aren’t used to competition this fierce in LA.

How to ensure you get an apartment in NYC

What helps most is to know exactly what you’re looking for so that you know it when you see it, and that you’re ready to act.

Have all of your paperwork on hand so that you can apply for an apartment right away; typical documents include pay stubs (or similar proof of employment), records from the past year’s tax returns, and proof of the money that’s currently in your bank account (or other assets you hold).

The Mover’s Guide for How To Get From Here (L.A.) to There (NYC)

You’ve made your decision to pack up and head off to the opposite coast. Congrats! Now it’s time for the actual moving part. Although it’s impossible to provide one guide that will suit every situation, this at-a-glance overview offers useful and comprehensive tips for moving to NYC.

How to get your move out of L.A. started

It’s not really possible nowadays to simply decide you’re leaving today. Several experts recommend booking movers two months ahead of your trip, but this is a general rule.  Given this is a long-distance move, you might want to start as far back as three months, especially if you’ll be moving during the busy summer season, which books up fast!

Pack now!

When a friend of mine moved to NYC recently, she started planning a few months out and felt pretty confident, but looking back, she says she could have benefitted from a little extra time to double-check everything, pack a little earlier and slower, and itemize and appraise some of her belongings. Case in point: a few of her boxes went missing. But she had difficulty holding her movers accountable — she wasn’t 100% certain about what specifically was lost because she’d marked them down broadly (i.e., “Kitchen”).

You need to look at NYC places well in advance

Unfortunately, housing inventory doesn’t show up online too far in advance of its availability in NYC. At best, you might see it listed a month early, but that might not feel like a lot of time to find somewhere to live, put in an application, and get everything in order while also planning your move. 

“With moving containers, you pack all your stuff up and have it driven cross-country for you!”

Consider a temporary location, like an Airbnb

This is why some people find temporary places to stay at first or lease places without ever visiting them. If possible, schedule a weekend trip to NYC about a month ahead of your move and plan long days with back-to-back viewings until you find a place. For this to succeed, you might want to enlist a broker and develop a relationship so that they understand your needs.

Tips to make your NYC move-in day smoother

While moving days anywhere might have their little quirks depending on the city, here are some NYC-specific tips for the big day. 

Check and double-check your apartment measurements

Many New York buildings are old (like remodeled tenements), and even new builds are often atypical in size and shape to make the most of limited square footage (Ever hear of “shoebox” apartments?). Measure:

Make sure you can actually get everything into your apartment before you put so much effort into moving your items to NYC!

For move-in, you might need to show your building proof that your movers are insured

This protects the building in the event that any damage occurs to stairwells, hallways, and the like so forth, during the move-in process. Professional moving companies are used to being asked about this, but it might cost a small fee to request a copy of their proof of insurance. (Tip: If the building doesn’t bring this up, don’t ask!)

How to haul all your stuff to NYC

You have a few options for getting yourself (and all your belongings) to NYC:

How much does it cost to move from L.A. to NYC?

First of all, give yourself time to price-shop! Do your research, compare prices, and don’t be afraid to bring other company quotes to places you prefer and ask them to match them. 

And don’t assume all moving companies are the same. Some are definitely more trustworthy and experienced than others.

Remember my friend whose items got “lost” when moving to NYC? She later learned that other complaints about that company losing belongings were buried on Google. With a little more time spent, she would have turned those up before losing her entire jewelry box while trying to save a few bucks.

The great thing is that most websites offer free quotes based on your specific details. Here are a few quotes that I turned up for each of the options above using exact NYC addresses:

The main takeaway is that while the DIY and shipping container options look a lot cheaper than full-service, when all is said and done, the final numbers may not be so far off from each other. It all depends on which company you use, whether or not you choose to drive, how long you take to drive if you choose to, and little add-ons like getting insurance, permits, or adding moving labor. 

Rather than concentrate entirely on the price tag, decide what really works best for your move — then pursue the best company and a fair price.

What’s the best time of year to move to NYC?

Generally, it’s cheaper to move during winter months and holiday weekends when fewer people are moving and demand is lower. 

Demand is highest during a few peak dates in New York City: June 1 or 15 and September 1 or 15.

On and around those dates, it’s more difficult to find movers and rental trucks. But in NYC, there’s more to consider. For example, if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks (loading zones), and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes. 

Parking slots can fill up on prime move-in days, meaning that even if your lease is starting on June 1, if you can’t reserve parking and elevators, you might need to bring some of your things on another day in order to meet the building’s move-in policies and codes. If you’re moving into a more relaxed building, these might not be concerns.

Remember, consider available apartment inventory. If you choose a month when fewer people are moving out, there might be fewer vacancies for you to choose from.

“…if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks…and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes.”

Do I need a car in NYC?

This is a question that always gets asked, and there are, unfortunately, only three real answers:

How much money should I save before moving to NYC?

It’s hard to give an exact number to save up before you make your move since that figure really depends on where you’re going and what your rent situation will be. But I can give you a list of factors that can help you come up with a number that makes sense.

You’ll need to have enough money to cover:

All in all, you’re easily looking at ~$5,000+ estimate for moving from L.A. to NYC. That’s between a rental truck or moving service, first and last month’s rent, and other miscellaneous costs. (Even the most extreme DIY scenario will still net a couple grand in expenses.)

Of course, it’s always good to add some buffer in there to cover the extras that are sure to come up. Nothing makes you feel more like a New Yorker than a crazy curveball thrown at you at the moment you least expect it.

Hopefully, this advice helps you feel more confident about moving from L.A. to NYC. Now all you need to do is take the leap.

Illustrations by Meredith Miotke

Moving to a new home is supposed to be exciting.

But, as thrilling as your future may be, moving is obviously stressful.  It demands a lot of time and effort, and it’s common to feel anxious at the prospect of an unfamiliar location, culture, or workplace. There’s also the financial stress of hiring movers, putting up security deposits, and traveling to your new destination. It’s infamously one of life’s biggest stressors.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Moving stress absolutely

Moving to a new home is supposed to be exciting.

But, as thrilling as your future may be, moving is obviously stressful.  It demands a lot of time and effort, and it’s common to feel anxious at the prospect of an unfamiliar location, culture, or workplace. There’s also the financial stress of hiring movers, putting up security deposits, and traveling to your new destination. It’s infamously one of life’s biggest stressors.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Moving stress absolutely can and should be minimized. Read on to learn how to make your own move as stress-free as possible.

[Download the moving stress checklist here!]

Target the stressors that happen on moving day right now

One of the biggest reasons people get stressed out about moving is because they feel overwhelmed. By putting a plan in place and doing some prep work well before you start the moving process, you can nip that problem in the bud. 

Yes, it’s time—get seriously organized about your move

Feeling like your day is out of control or worrying that your belongings are missing is definitely stressful. Keeping your move as organized as possible will minimize that stress.

Build in some buffer times leading up to move day

Everyone hopes that moving day goes smoothly. Of course, there’s always a chance that mishaps derail your schedule. Packing might take longer than expected, or maybe your movers forget something at your old place.

Whatever may or may not happen, try not to schedule everything down to the wire. 

Outsource your responsibilities as much as possible

Many people plan on a total DIY move, taking on too many responsibilities for their timeline. This is where reasonable outsourcing comes in.

“…[T]he best time to move is during the off-season, either October-November or March-April. This is when you’re most likely to experience the mildest weather conditions.”

Even if you’re a bit strapped for cash, there are solutions to get the help you need for a stress-free move. Here are some tips to consider for outsourcing your moving tasks:

Choose the right day and time for moving day

When you move is just as important as how. Attempting to move during times of high traffic or bad weather will only add to the stress of the situation. 

Don’t forget to food prep snacks and drinks for the day of the move

Let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with you when you’re “hangry”. But the hustle and bustle of moving might mean you skip meals or have to resort to fast food. 

Be sure to prep some easy, maybe healthy meals like sandwiches or salads, along with some disposable cutlery. Have portable snacks handy, too, such as nuts, string cheese, jerky and other foods that will help you feel full and focused. And don’t forget to carry plenty of water with you to avoid getting dehydrated.

There’s no guarantee any move will be entirely stress-free. But if you prepare well ahead of time, pace yourself, and have a game plan, a lot of the usual anxiety-causing culprits won’t seem so bad. And remember, outsourcing help for your move is a surefire way to take some of the tasks off your to-do list.

If you’re thinking about moving to Chicago, you have an important decision to make. (No, not whether Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s has the best deep dish.) You need to think carefully about where to lay down your roots.

Chicago is divided into 77 distinct community areas, which are then divided further into smaller neighborhoods (as many as 200). They’re an important part of the culture in Chicago, which is often collectively referred to as the “city of neighborhoods”.  

If you’re thinking about moving to Chicago, you have an important decision to make. (No, not whether Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s has the best deep dish.) You need to think carefully about where to lay down your roots.

Chicago is divided into 77 distinct community areas, which are then divided further into smaller neighborhoods (as many as 200). They’re an important part of the culture in Chicago, which is often collectively referred to as the “city of neighborhoods”.  

Chicago’s Neighborhoods

Chicago is home to affluent areas, working-class communities, bustling towns, and sleepy pockets of the city; there’s a diverse array of places to live within the city of Chicago. Here’s a statistical breakdown of the top Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs to help you narrow down your next hometown.

Use the drop-down to find any city in the Chicago area.

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Albany Park

Population: 45,575

Median household income: $65,737

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,182

Zillow home value index: $384,483

Albany Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country. It’s located in the Northwest side of Chicago and is fairly quiet and family-oriented. It has a low cost of living compared to other areas, especially its housing.

Andersonville

Population: 14,913

Median household income: $85,830

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,838

Zillow home value index: $604,733

Andersonville is a bustling, Swedish-influenced neighborhood on the Northside of Chicago. It’s home to tons of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and parks, and has a welcoming, artistic vibe. Andersonville is also known for its thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

Arlington Heights

Population: 77,000

Median household income: $100,221

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,002

Zillow home value index: $427,953

Arlington Heights is one of the more affluent cities northwest of Chicago. It’s sometimes called “Action Heights,” an ironic nickname hinting at the fact that it’s really a sleepy suburb. It’s home to the famous Arlington Heights Race Track and a handful of celebrities even have homes there.

Beverly

Population: 27,330

Median household income: $100,631

Average 2-bedroom rent: $976

Zillow home value index: $417,451

Beverly is known for its incredible architecture and is one of the largest historic districts in the country. With deep Irish roots, Beverly is also home to Chicago’s annual South Side Irish Parade, a massive family-friendly celebration that takes place every St. Patrick’s Day. You can also find the most Irish pubs in the city along Western Avenue. 

Boystown

Population: 17,354

Median household income: $92,486

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,454

Zillow home value index: N/A

Formally known as Northalsted, Boystown is another LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood in Chicago. In fact, it’s the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the U.S.! Boystown is known for its great nightlife, eclectic shopping and some of the city’s most popular events.

Bridgeport

Population: 58,913

Median household income: $41,478

Average 2-bedroom rent: $791

Zillow home value index: N/A

Home to the Chicago White Sox and Guaranteed Rate Field, Bridgeport is a great neighborhood for baseball fans. Not into sports? Bridgeport also boasts an excellent art and cultural scene.

Bronzeville

Population: 2,876

Median household income: $30,979

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,250

Zillow home value index: $295,403

Bronzeville is Chicago’s hub of African American life and culture. Each August, more than one million spectators gather in Bronzeville for the Bud Billiken Parade, the country’s biggest African-American parade. You can also find a rich arts district and many galleries.

Bucktown

Population: 26,964

Median household income: $128,536

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,794

Zillow home value index: $650,319

Bucktown is a trendy neighborhood in Chicago that borders on Wicker Park. Due to the prices, it’s considered an upscale neighborhood. It’s a great place for walking, and you can find a ton of restaurants and shops along Damen Avenue.

Budlong Woods

Population: N/A

Median household income: $68,770

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,233

Zillow home value index: $324,332

Originally the site of a pickle farm, Budlong Woods is known for its quiet, tree-lined streets and family-friendly atmosphere. Legion Park borders its west side, where residents can enjoy hiking and sightseeing. 

Chicago Loop

Population: 26,081

Median household income: $149,688

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,875

Zillow home value index: $389,677

Also known as “The Loop,” this area is the heart of Chicago. You can find tons of shopping and dining options, plus many historic and architectural landmarks. While there’s plenty to do around Chicago’s Loop, it does get overcrowded during tourist seasons.

DeMotte (IN)

Population: 4,159

Median household income: $56,077

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,485

Zillow home value index: $247,034

DeMotte is a small town in Indiana, located about an hour away from Chicago. It’s home to the “Field of Dreams”, which features a jogging path, several fields, basketball courts, and a community pool. Residents also enjoy a local farmer’s market, as well as the annual Touch of Dutch festival.

East Village

Population: 3,724

Median household income: $47,103

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,504

Zillow home value index: $566,196

The East Village is a small neighborhood bordered by Division Street, Ashland Avenue, Chicago Avenue, and Damen Avenue (some claim it’s actually just part of Ukrainian Village). You’ll find many moderately priced single-family homes here. 

Edgewater

Population: 42,289

Median household income: $81,027

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,601

Zillow home value index: $261,484

Located between Rogers Park and Foster Avenue, Edgewater is home to stunning views of Lake Michigan, with miles of beaches and green spaces. It’s great for antique and vintage shopping, and is known for its theater district. At just two square miles, it’s a small neighborhood that still offers a short commute to the city.

Edison Park

Population: 11,178

Median household income: $116,503

Average 2-bedroom rent: $1,854

Zillow home value index: $432,176

Located on the Northwest side of the city, Edison Park is a classic Chicago suburb with fairly affordable prices. It has a good nightlife and plenty of casual dining options. It’s also a convenient spot for commuting professionals due to the close proximity to downtown.

Elmhurst

Population: 45,326

Median household income: $123,869

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,415

Zillow home value index: $515,588

Located about 18 miles west of Chicago, Elmhurst is another family-friendly suburb. Many large corporations have their headquarters here. Residents enjoy spending time at Wilder Park, where there are always tons of activities and events. You can also find a lot of restaurants and museums here.

Forest Glen

Population: 8,173

Median household income: $121,600

Average 2-bedroom rent: $2,176

Zillow home value index: $462,947

Forest Glen is a typical affluent, suburban Chicago area. It’s clean, quiet, and contains the Edgebrook and Sauganash  less

If you have a home gym and are planning to move soon, you may be wondering what the best way is to make sure all that heavy, expensive equipment makes it to your new place in one piece — preferably without breaking any of your other stuff.

As a person who’s moved a home gym myself, I’ll go over how I organized, cleaned, and packed my gym for a move, plus give some advice on how to create the optimal space for your home gym at your new destination.

How To Pack Up and Move Home

If you have a home gym and are planning to move soon, you may be wondering what the best way is to make sure all that heavy, expensive equipment makes it to your new place in one piece — preferably without breaking any of your other stuff.

As a person who’s moved a home gym myself, I’ll go over how I organized, cleaned, and packed my gym for a move, plus give some advice on how to create the optimal space for your home gym at your new destination.

How To Pack Up and Move Home Gym Equipment

You may be wondering where to start when it comes to preparing, packing, and loading all of your home gym equipment. Well… it actually all starts with a pencil!

The five steps below will outline everything you need to make sure transporting your equipment goes as smoothly as your resistance training routine.

1. Take stock of your equipment (write it down!)

You should start any move of your gym by taking stock of your equipment. 

Set all your stuff up in front of you, big or small, as though you plan to use every piece of it in a single day.

While it’s in front of you, take a measurement of how much space it takes up; you will need to arrange it in your new room, after all.  (Here is when you should also note any pieces that have been gathering dust because you hardly use them.)

“…Google exercise equipment consignment businesses in your area to quickly sell big pieces, such as stationary bikes, treadmills and gym sets.”

Your next step will be to separate your equipment into two simple piles:

Consider each piece and ask yourself how many times you’ve used it over the past month, or whether it’s worth the effort to clean, pack, lift, load, unpack, and set up again. If you don’t need it and love it, put it in the “get rid of” pile. Trust me, you want the smallest load possible if you want to save any money on your move.

2. Sell, donate, or toss unwanted equipment

If you want a little extra cash to offset those moving expenses (which includes how heavy your load is, aka how much mileage your U-Haul truck gets), Google exercise equipment consignment businesses in your area to quickly sell big pieces, such as stationary bikes, treadmills and gym sets.

Online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook can also be an efficient way to sell unused gym equipment if you have the time and know-how.

If selling isn’t up your alley, consider just donating it! Check your local charities/Goodwills to see if they could use any of your gently used gym equipment for their programs. 

You definitely should throw out anything damaged and unusable. Check with your local recycling depot or landfill to see if they will take electronic equipment like treadmills and rowing machines. 

3. Properly clean and sanitize so you don’t bring smells with you

The next step is to clean and sanitize your home gym equipment properly.

Bacteria can cover gym equipment, and even if it doesn’t make you physically ill, it can cause skin irritation and bad odors if not sanitized. Don’t bring that to your new place.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as some materials are very sensitive to harsh chemicals and can degrade. Remember that vinegar and bleach can damage rubber mats, resistance bands, and rubber parts like o-rings.

You can clean most of your equipment with a solution of warm water and a small amount of mild soap like Dawn Dishsoap or commercially available gym wipes like Wipex that are available on Amazon. Be very careful around computer equipment, like the digital displays on a Peloton Bike.

“Remember that vinegar and bleach can damage rubber mats, resistance bands, and rubber parts, like o-rings.”

Let everything dry completely before packing it up to prevent moisture damage, mold or mildew.

4. Pack gym equipment safely and securely (try stretch wrap)

Once everything is cleaned and dried, it’s time to pack!

Use painter’s tape to label what each item is and where it will go when unpacked. Painter’s tape is less likely to leave a sticky residue compared to duct or masking tape.

Zip-tie any loose cords so they are not tripping hazards while loaded. If you need to actually disassemble any equipment, keep all the parts together in a sandwich bag, and don’t forget to label that as well. If necessary, movers can also help with disassembly and/or reassembly.

For large equipment, use stretch wrap to immobilize moving parts like pedals or handles. This prevents any of your other possessions from getting caught and broken in between the part and the machine.

5. Load your equipment toward the back of your truck

If you don’t have a full-service move booked, then loading your equipment is all on you.

You need to ensure everything is secured so it doesn’t shift during transit. Packing your heavier and bigger items into a moving truck first ensures they don’t damage your other belongings. Your heaviest items should be at the front of the truck, near the driver’s cab, for optimal weight distribution. This will keep you safe on the road and improve gas mileage.

If you’re not keen on wrestling with your rowing machine, movers are pros at making sure your truck is loaded efficiently and securely. Hiring professionals to assist with this part might be a good idea if you’re nervous like I am.

Unloading and Re-installing Your Home Gym

You’ve gone through all your equipment, purged what you aren’t keeping, cleaned, and packed up the rest. Now it’s time to unload and set up your new space.

Here are some important things to consider before you carry the first dumbbell off the truck.   

1. Figure out your new place’s floor situation

You may already have an idea of where you want your home gym to be in your new space. But it’s important to consider the constraints of the new room by its type of flooring.

Thick carpeting can make weight lifting dangerous if it’s too soft, while bare concrete can increase the impact on sensitive joints. Other materials might be damaged by particularly heavy equipment or repeated impacts. In all cases, inexpensive gym flooring can make whatever you have to work with more ideal for your workout. You don’t want to go through all this work just to mess up your body and your floor!

2. Don’t forget to take measurements (including space for movement)

Before you unload, make sure you have measured the space you plan on using to be certain it will accommodate your home gym equipment. There’s nothing worse than spending energy hauling your treadmill to the basement just to find out it won’t fit!

A good old-fashioned measuring tape is all you need for this step. However, if you’re organizing more than one big piece of equipment, or you have many pieces of smaller equipment, downloading a design app lets you virtually place items in a size-accurate mockup of your new space before you even get your stuff there.

“…thick carpeting can make weight lifting dangerous if it’s too soft, while bare concrete can increase the impact on sensitive joints.”

Keep in mind a workout space isn’t just what will fit, but also what you’ll be doing. If your workouts usually involve a lot of arm or leg movements, like aerobics or jump rope, make sure you add that into your calculations. You don’t want to smack a weight against a wall and cause a dent in your brand new place, after all!

3. Clean the space before you get there

Don’t wait until there are hundreds of pounds of an exercise bike and squat rack in the way; clean the flooring first because this will be your best chance to vacuum and scrub every corner. 

If you’re installing heavy equipment, prevent floor damage by using those aforementioned heavy equipment mats.

If you’re moving your equipment into a garage or basement, plan ahead for or prevent any moisture or debris so your workout space doesn’t get damaged, especially in the spring and winter.

Bonus: How To Make a Gym Out of Anything

Maybe you moved to a new home where you have less or more space than your previous one. Maybe you’re looking to use your space as a chance to redecorate.

Whatever the reason, I found there are secret ways to creatively — and safely — store all of your equipment without making your new space look like it’s accepting gym membership applications.

Peg Walls

Peg walls (or peg boards) are great for hanging lightweight barbells, resistance bands and ropes, jump ropes, yoga equipment, towels, and more. Keep in mind these are not ideal options for storing heavy-weight plates or kettlebells. (Heavy stuff like weights can be stored on a more traditional rolling storage rack, which I recommend so you can move it out of the way when you need to use your space for another purpose.)

Cubbies

Cubbies can store a lot of your heavier equipment that needs to be close to the ground and out of major walking paths. Cubby-style storage can sneakily be a part of your couch or bed frame, or you can even get a cube-style bookcase that alternates between books and equipment (so stylish!).

Built Closet Shelves

Closet shelves that you build are a natural choice for storing equipment. Installing wire racks or closet organizers can keep chaos at bay, but be sure to put your heavy equipment on the floor or lowest shelves.

Building a space specifically for weights and other gym items is what you need to do in order to prevent your regular shelves from breaking. This also helps prevent you from getting injured because you were forced to put a heavy weight up on a high shelf. (This is not how you want to get your reps in!)

Entertainment Center

Entertainment centers, like bookshelves, can double as workout storage if you’re exercising in a living room or bonus room. Opting for a larger entertainment center with closet door features can help get equipment out of sight so you can comfortably use the space for entertaining. Plus, it just looks cool.

It might feel like getting home gym from one place to another is a workout all by itself, but it’s really no sweat! Just make sure your new space is good to go, you clean and secure the equipment you’re taking with you, and that you load it properly into your moving vehicle.

And if all of this stuff still seems like the wrong kind of exercise, keep in mind hiring hourly movers to disassemble, reassemble, and properly move heavy machinery is always an option!

During the hustle and bustle of moving, it can be easy to let important tasks fall through the cracks. And one of the most important ones that can get lost in the shuffle is changing your address. 

You might have already filled out a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, but you might not realize that your mail will only be forwarded for 12 months. After that, letters and packages could get lost if they’re sent to your old address.

That’s why it’s crucial to update

During the hustle and bustle of moving, it can be easy to let important tasks fall through the cracks. And one of the most important ones that can get lost in the shuffle is changing your address. 

You might have already filled out a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, but you might not realize that your mail will only be forwarded for 12 months. After that, letters and packages could get lost if they’re sent to your old address.

That’s why it’s crucial to update your address with every organization individually. Sound daunting? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with a list of all the essential places you should update your address.

The 2022 Change of Address Checklist

Below is a list of all the addresses you’ll need to update before you move. To make the process as smooth as possible, be sure you have your new complete address on hand and double-check that it’s accurate before you start making changes.

Forward Your Mail First

USPS 

One of your first steps when moving should be to notify the post office. It’s important to ensure all of your mail makes it to your new address. You can submit an official change of address form online.

Mail will begin forwarding to your new address within three business days, but the U.S. Postal Service recommends you fill out the paperwork to forward your mail up to two weeks in advance. Most mail is forwarded for free, but some types, like packages, might require a fee to be transferred.

[CLICK HERE TO FORWARD YOUR MAIL TO YOUR NEW ADDRESS]

Important Government Agencies

Department of Motor Vehicles

The DMV should also be at the top of your change of address checklist. Some of the documents you can update while you’re there include your driver’s license, passport, vehicle registration, and voter registration. The DMV is notorious for long wait times, so it’s a good idea to make an appointment and prepare all your necessary paperwork ahead of time.

(all info above taken from usa.gov )

Internal Revenue Service

It’s also important to notify the IRS if your address has changed so you continue receiving tax refunds and other important correspondence. You can update your address when filing your taxes, or file a Form 8822. 

[FILL OUT THIS FORM]

Social Security Administration (Disability, Medicare, Benefits, etc.)

If you receive Social Security, disability, medicare, supplemental security income, or any other government benefits, you’ll need to update your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA) so you keep receiving those funds. Even if you get a direct deposit, the SSA may stop your benefits if they can’t contact you via U.S. mail. There’s a free change of address form you can access online. 

[CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH SSA]

Your Employer(s)

These days, many people work remotely or on a flexible schedule. So you might not think it’s that important to give your boss a heads up about your new address. However, you should change your address on file with HR right away; many important tax and payroll forms require a current address. Plus, some employers base salary and benefits on your location.

This may be as easy as logging into a portal on a platform like ADP, but the process varies from company to company. Make sure you contact HR and payroll for yours as soon as you’re able. 

Utility Companies

Electricity, gas, trash, water

If you’re moving to a nearby town, you might be able to call up your utility providers and have them transferred to your new address. However, if you’re moving long-distance, you may need to cancel your current services and start new accounts with your new address.

Be sure to research which companies operate in the area of your new home before you move. There are sites that use your ZIP Code to tell you what utilities are available near you. This might even let you compare services and shop around for a better deal on your bill. 

Phone, internet, cable

These services are often bundled together under one provider, which makes updating your address a breeze. If not, however, you’ll need to change your address with each company so your service isn’t potentially interrupted. While your cell phone service probably won’t be affected, your cable or internet provider may need to change based on your new location. Many of the largest cable and internet providers have processes dedicated to helping you move your service, including changing your address on your account. 

[AT&T] [Verizon] [Comcast Xfinity] [Spectrum]

Miscellaneous

Depending on where you live, you might be responsible for other utilities. For example, you might pay for your own recycling or sewer service. If that’s the case, don’t forget to change your address with these companies and cancel service if you’re moving to a new area where they don’t operate. 

Financial Institutions

Banks

Make a list of all the places where you have checking and savings accounts, safe deposit boxes, investment portfolios, and other banking products. You’ll need to let these banks know that you’re moving. Even if you have online bank accounts or e-statements, it’s important to have your current address on file in case there are certain communications (or checks!) that need to come through snail mail. less

During the hustle and bustle of moving, it can be easy to let random tasks fall through the cracks. One of the most important ones that can get lost in the shuffle is changing your address… literally everywhere.

You might have already filled out a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, but you might not realize that your mail will only be forwarded for 12 months. After that, letters could get lost if they’re sent to your old address. (Not to mention that packages

During the hustle and bustle of moving, it can be easy to let random tasks fall through the cracks. One of the most important ones that can get lost in the shuffle is changing your address… literally everywhere.

You might have already filled out a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, but you might not realize that your mail will only be forwarded for 12 months. After that, letters could get lost if they’re sent to your old address. (Not to mention that packages typically don’t get forwarded at all.)

That’s why it’s crucial to update your address with every organization individually. Sound daunting? Don’t worry — we’ve got a list of all the essential places where you need to update your address before you move.

The 2022 Change of Address Checklist

Below is a list of all the addresses you’ll need to update before you move. To make the process as smooth as possible, be sure you have your new complete address on hand and double-check that it’s accurate before you start making changes.

Forward Your Mail First

USPS 

Your first step when you’re a couple weeks out from moving should be to notify the post office. You can submit an official change of address form online.

Mail will begin forwarding to your new address within three business days, but the U.S. Postal Service recommends you fill out the paperwork to forward your mail up to two weeks in advance.

Most mail is forwarded for free, but some types, like packages, won’t automatically forward and might require a fee to be transferred.

[CLICK HERE TO FORWARD YOUR MAIL TO YOUR NEW ADDRESS]

Important Government Agencies

Department of Motor Vehicles

The DMV should also be at the top of your change of address checklist. Some of the documents you need to update through the DMV include your:

The DMV is notorious for long wait times, so it’s a good idea to make an appointment and prepare all your necessary paperwork ahead of time.

(all info above taken from usa.gov )

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

It’s important to notify the IRS if your address has changed so you continue receiving tax refunds and other important correspondence. You can update your address when filing your taxes, or file a Form 8822. 

[FILL OUT THIS IRS FORM]

Social Security Administration (Disability, Medicare, Benefits, etc.)

If you receive Social Security, disability, medicare, supplemental security income (or any other government benefits), you’ll need to update your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA) so you keep receiving those funds.

Even if you get a direct deposit, the SSA may stop your benefits if they can’t contact you via U.S. mail. There’s a free change of address form you can access online. 

[CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH SSA]

Your Employer(s)

These days, many people work remotely or on a flexible schedule, so you might not think it’s that important to give your boss a heads up about your new address. However, you should change your address on file with HR right away; many important tax and payroll forms require a current address. Plus, some employers base salary and benefits on your location!

This may be as easy as logging into a portal on a platform like ADP, but the process varies from company to company. Make sure you contact your HR and payroll as soon as you’re able.

Utility Companies

Electricity, gas, trash, water

If you’re moving to a nearby town, you might be able to call up your utility providers and have them transferred to your new address. However, if you’re moving long-distance, you may need to cancel your current services and start new accounts at your new address.

Be sure to research which companies operate in the area of your new home before you move. There are sites that use your ZIP Code to tell you what utilities are available near you. Doing it this way might even let you compare services and shop around for a better deal on your bill! 

Phone, internet, cable

Phone and internet services are often bundled together under one provider, which makes updating your address with all of them a breeze. If they’re not, however, you’ll need to change your address with each company so your service isn’t potentially interrupted.

While your cell phone service proooobably won’t be affected, your cable or internet provider may need to change based on your new location. Luckily, many of the largest cable and internet providers have processes dedicated to helping you move your service, including changing your address on your account.

Below are a few of the more common internet and cable companies.

[AT&T] [Verizon] [Comcast Xfinity] [Spectrum]

Miscellaneous (e.g., recycling, sewer, etc.)

Depending on where you live, you might be responsible for other utilities. For example, you might pay for your own recycling or sewer service. If that’s the case, don’t forget to change your address with these companies and cancel service if you’re moving to a new area where they don’t operate. 

Protip: Simply Google each utility type + your new city name, and you’ll probably find the right website to update your info.

Financial Institutions

Banks

Make a list of all the places where you have:

You’ll need to let these financial institutions know that you’re moving. Even if you have online bank accounts or e-statements, it’s important to have your current address on file in case there are certain communications (or checks!) that need to come through snail mail. less

Updated: July 2022

We’ve all seen it: that $19.95 per day deal that’s advertised on the side of seemingly every U-Haul truck and van across the country. And that price looks mighty nice.

But just like renting a truck is only one small part of your move, that $19.95 U-Haul rate is likely to end up being just a fraction of your final bill. We know, because we went out to rent a U-Haul with one question in mind: how much does a U-Haul really

Updated: July 2022

We’ve all seen it: that $19.95 per day deal that’s advertised on the side of seemingly every U-Haul truck and van across the country. And that price looks mighty nice.

But just like renting a truck is only one small part of your move, that $19.95 U-Haul rate is likely to end up being just a fraction of your final bill. We know, because we went out to rent a U-Haul with one question in mind: how much does a U-Haul really cost? 

Here’s absolutely everything we learned.

The Big U-Haul Cost Breakdown

How much does a U-Haul truck rental cost?

After trying to rent a truck on their website, we found out the $19.95 price point refers to local moves only, not a “one-way” move, where you drop off at a different location – aka a long-distance move. (More on those prices later.)

The famous $19.95 price point is also exclusive to any one of their three smallest options:

And most importantly, the $19.95 only accounts for U-Haul’s “rental truck fee”. (And while this price is consistent for local moves, mileage rate and taxes can vary based on location.)

Here are the U-Haul fees that make up one (1) U-Haul bill

How much did it cost for us to rent a U-Haul for a day?

Our final cost was $52.40 for the most bare-bones rental imaginable.

Below we break down how U-Haul gets their prices, what else we could have bought instead, as well as what we had to do to get our quotes.

How much do the bigger U-Haul trucks cost?

It’s not possible to pinpoint the exact cost of a specific truck size because mileage and tax rates vary, but local U-Haul truck costs are consistent everywhere. There are sites that ballpark individual truck size costs, but if you want an estimate based on user-reported, real-time prices for U-Haul moves, click on the graph below.

Can you rent a U-Haul for more than a day?

Yes, you can (usually) extend your rental at the same daily rate if you need it longer than 24 hours (for a local move). All we had to do was call before the truck was due back and ask the store for an extension.

There’s also no limit to the number of days we could extend our rental. The only exception would be if our truck was reserved for the days we wanted. That’s why it’s best to extend your rental when you make your original reservation. Otherwise, you have to return your truck and get a new rental truck that isn’t reserved for the additional days you want.

If you wanted to extend your rental to multiple days and there were no rental trucks available, U-Haul would likely sell you on one of their moving containers as an alternative, if those are available in your area.

For long-distance moves, depending on the distance, U-Haul assigns a minimum number of days with your truck. This might just be a single day for a shorter distance like 150 miles or less. We asked and yes, you can add days to your long-distance rental — but only with advance coordination with your local U-Haul store, and only as long as your truck is still available.

Beware: U-Haul tacks on an ADDITIONAL $40 fee to every day you keep your truck after five days.

Here are the daily U-Haul rates for adding days to a U-Haul long-distance truck rental:

By the way, there are no discounts for returning the moving truck earlier than the minimum assigned number of days, but you still can return it earlier. Virtually the only advantages would be that it would reduce the likelihood of anything happening to the truck while in your care, and to get it off your to-do list.

Trailers and Hitches 101: How exactly does renting a U-Haul cargo trailer work?

Middletownstorage.com

We didn’t rent a cargo trailer with our truck, but we got all the info straight from U-Haul.

There are three types of trailers U-Haul offers:

For smaller loads or something super fragile (or heck, even quarantined), U-Haul offers trailers that hitch to cars and trucks, pending location availability. U-Haul likes to say they’re perfect for moving a dorm room.

Like their trucks, U-Haul advertises these as being as cheap as $14.95 (not including tax), and just like the trucks, that quote is only for the smallest versions of them AND only if you’re moving locally. There’s no limit to the number of days you can keep them, as long as availability permits. You generally get five days to use a U-Haul trailer for long-distance moves. Your quote will be based on your start and end locations.

All trailers are subject to regular U-Haul fees (minus gas and mileage) and – most importantly – come with an installation fee if you don’t have the proper hitch.

How much does it cost to get a U-Haul hitch installed on my vehicle?

Tacomaworld.com

All types of U-Haul trailers require a proper hitch and lighting to hook to your vehicle.

You can use your own hitch if it’s compatible – a Class 2 or Class 3 with a 2-inch hitch ball (a Class 1 is kinda like a bike rack hitch, in case you’re curious). If you don’t have a proper hitch, you must have one installed. You can either get that done on your own, or make an appointment to have U-Haul install a hitch for a fee roughly around $100 or greater.

But note that U-Haul won’t install third-party hitches. Of course, trailer hitches and installation is an additional fee to your U-Haul rental bill.

For the heck of it, we asked U-Haul how much it would cost to get one of our cars modded for towing a trailer, and for pieces and installation. We were quoted $509.07 online to mod my incredible 2014 Kia Soul.

The U-Haul rep I spoke with about hitches told me that the cost of installation depends on the complexity of the installation. Installation tends to be cheaper on older cars because the electrical wiring is simpler than with more expensive, newer cars.

(Fun fact: we were actually quoted a better price over the phone – $458.80 – so you may want to give U-Haul a call, as well as run an online quote for the hitch.)

Either way, this isn’t exactly a steal, given that doesn’t even include the rental. But at least you’ll be good to go for the future. You will be buying all the pieces you need, but expect to get up-charged versus if you found the pieces elsewhere.

Let it be known that technically, you can actually rent a trailer for your U-Haul truck rental (which already has a hitch and lighting hook up on it) if for whatever reason you needed a little additional space.

What’s the difference between the three different U-Haul trailers?

There are actually three different kinds of trailers you can typically rent. (Note: there might be more at an official U-Haul dealership.)

U-Haul Cargo Trailers

subaruoutback.org

U-Haul cargo trailers officially come in three different sizes and come with a built-in, lockable latch, so they’re secure.

None of them generally come built with the U-Haul “EZ Ramp,” so prepare for that.

How much does a U-Haul Cargo Trailer cost?

For local moves, U-Haul trailer rentals generally cost as little as $14.95 before fees, and as much as $29.95 for the biggest size, after fees.

Without any hitch installation and for single-day use, the smallest cargo trailer (4’x8′) with no ramp was quoted to us at exactly $14.95, before taxes or miscellaneous fees. For their biggest cargo trailer (6’x12′), it was $29.95 under the same stipulations.

For a long-distance move, that quote goes out the window. Our quote from Florida to Texas for the smallest trailer (4′x8′), minus the taxes and miscellaneous fees and for up to seven days, was $114.00 plus tax. And the largest cargo trailer (6′x12′) was $257.00 plus tax! This is exactly how your U-Haul price can skyrocket fast.

Don’t forget the hitch installation charges if you need it, which adds another couple hundred, at minimum, depending on the year/make/model of your car.

U-Haul Utility Trailers

Utility trailers are needed when you have to transport something tall or oddly shaped. So when you move your arcade cabinet (okay, probably a refrigerator), you can strap it to this and haul it behind your vehicle.

Bring your own ramp, though, because only the 5′ x 9′ and 6′ x 12′ utility trailers come with U-Haul’s fold-out “EZ ramps”. (Careful, they rent a 6′ x 12′ trailer without a ramp, too.)

How much does a U-Haul Utility Trailer cost?

You may see this sticker inside your U-Haul

For local moves, prices generally begin at $14.95 and go up to $34.95 for the biggest size. The daily local rates don’t vary.

We were only able to get a quote for a long-distance move for a 5′ x 9′ Utility Trailer because it turns out the 4′ x7′, 5′ x 8′, and 6′ x12′ Utility Trailers are only available for local and roundtrip moves. Our quote was $153 plus the rental fee and taxes for five (5) days from Clearwater, FL to Arlington, TX. (Keep in mind this doesn’t include optional damage coverage or if you need to have a hitch installed.)

You can expect both larger and smaller utility trailers to scale roughly the same in cost as U-Haul Cargo Trailers.

U-Haul Vehicle Trailer

corvetteforum.com

Finally, if you need to tow a vehicle and aren’t looking to ship your car, check U-Haul’s car towing site, and maybe also call ahead to see if the U-Haul near you has any car and motorcycle trailers available.

This type of move can definitely save you some cash compared to normal car shipping, but keep in mind that do-it-yourself car transport is not for moving rookies and requires a lot of time and some skill.

How much does a U-Haul Vehicle Trailer cost?

For our local move, U-Haul trailer rental rates for a tow dolly for a front-wheel drive vehicle started at $44.95/day and an auto transport trailer started at $54.95/day.

To get an idea for a hypothetical long-distance move, we came prepared with two faraway ZIP Codes. Before fees, our quote from Florida to Texas was quoted as $80 for a tow dolly and $222 for an auto transport trailer for 5 days. We thought this was pretty cheap, as long as you’re up for driving it yourself.

Keep in mind that hitch installation, taxes and other fees are not included in this quote, which as you can see, can add hundreds more to this cost.

Oh, by the way, the rep told us U-Haul won’t let you rent any trailer of any kind if your vehicle doesn’t have a hardtop, SUV and Jeep included. They also strongly recommend you not exceed 55mph with any of this stuff attached to your vehicle.

How much do U-Haul U-Box containers cost?

We also didn’t actually rent a storage container but were told they are available for long-distance moves. Here was our quote, though:

My U-Box Container Quote for Clearwater, FL to Arlington, TX

U-Box Container that fits about 1.5 rooms (+1-month use): $99.952-dozen furniture pads: FREEGentle ride shipping (guaranteed delivery 13 days after pickup): $1,242One-way transit fuel cost: FREETruck delivery: $115Subtotal (before taxes): $1,456.95

However, according to Moving101’s real-time, user-reported prices, the average price for a U-Box move is $2,755.

For a complete breakdown on all U-Box moving container costs before you make your U-Haul U-Box reservation, check out the Moving101 U-Box page.

How U-Haul Mileage and Gas Fees Work

How much does U-Haul charge for mileage?

In general, the price per mile is region-specific. Mileage rates are also higher for local moves.

For a rental truck:

We drove the U-Haul all of eight miles from and back to the U-Haul store to take pictures. For this, we were charged $0.99/mile, for a total of $7.92.

Imagine, now, how much your mileage fee will stack if you drive your rental 20, 50, maybe even 100 or more miles to and from the rental location? That’s why some call it “consumer-unfriendly“. Let’s hope there are U-Haul coupons out there somewhere.

What are the mileage rates for a long-distance/one-way U-Haul rental?

If you’re moving long-distance, a certain number of miles is accounted for and rolled into your final rate. There are technically no mileage limits, but if you drive more than this number, you’ll be charged $0.40/mile, which seems to be consistent for long-distance rentals regardless of location.

Remember, a one-way/long-distance to U-Haul simply means dropping it off at a different location than the one you rented it from. Technically, this could mean as near as a town over. Keep this in mind when typing in “U-Haul near me” into Google… just return it to where you got it.

Also, mileage is cheaper for long-distance moves, but other fees are way, way more expensive, so make sure you stick to local (in-town) rates, if possible.

Do U-Hauls have unlimited miles?

With U-Haul, there’s no limit to the number of miles you are allowed to drive.

But remember, for local, in-town rentals, miles are never included in the rate – you’re charged per mile. For long-distance moves, you’ll be charged $0.40/mile for anything beyond the expected mileage that U-Haul declares is necessary for your move.  

If you do need to put on some extra miles, you’re better off looking at Penske or Budget. This area is where the $19.95 price promise really falls apart, unless you’re moving something across the street from your U-Haul store.

How do U-Haul gas fees work?

Simply put, you will pay for any gas you use. You gotta bring it back with at least as much gas as it started with.

The U-Haul clerk marked down the exact mileage and gave us their daily rate for gasoline. We had the choice of filling up what we used ourselves out in the wild, or paying U-Haul $6.25 a gallon (!) to do it for us after we returned it as a “convenience fee.”

And heed this warning straight from our receipt: “If returned with less than 1/4 tank, I agree to pay a $30.00 service fee.”

We spoke with a U-Haul rep who told us there’s no universal rule at U-Haul for this convenience fee, so this may be location-specific. (Oh, and in case you were wondering, U-Haul usually won’t reimburse you if you return the truck with more gas than you had to start with, so easy does it at the gas pump.)

Protip: Here’s how to save money on your rental truck’s gas.

How much mileage (MPG) does a U-Haul truck get?

A 10′ U-Haul truck should get in the neighborhood of about 7–10 mpg, although this can vary depending on what size truck you rent. The 15′ trucks and bigger are equipped with a fuel economy meter on the dashboard that shows you whether or not you’re getting the “Best MPG” in real-time. Our 10-footer had one too.

Protip: Normally, U-Haul is supposed to give you a truck with a full tank, but the tank can have less than this, and you’re only required to replace the gas you use. (We were given a truck with 5/16 of a tank of gas.) Make sure your truck’s tank is full when you take it off the lot. And by full, we mean full! (The fuel tank capacity for the 10′ truck is 33 gallons according to the equipment contract.)

When you pick up your truck, your U-Haul rep might think “full” means the needle on the gas gauge is more or less at full. But when you drop it off, that same rep will likely insist it isn’t full if there isn’t gas splashing out from under the gas cap.

U-Haul Insurance and Movers 101

What are my U-Haul insurance options?

U-Haul has two (2) main kinds of insurance. They’re called SafeMove and SafeMove Plus. Just like everything else, the added cost varies depending on whether you’re move is local or long-distance.

Keep in mind that absolutely no U-Haul insurance covers damages due to “…improper packing, normal shifting of cargo in transit or theft of cargo“. When in doubt, U-Haul will probably win out.

Here are the differences between their two insurances.

SafeMove is basically coverage for if someone hits your truck. It gives you:

You’ll have to look to your own insurance if you hit someone else, or get Safemove Plus, which covers you against damage done to another vehicle. And your stuff inside is only covered if you get hit, there’s a fire, a windstorm, or if your truck literally overturns.

SafeMove Plus is basically the coverage for if you were to cause an accident:

It covers overhead damage, like the kind you see on YouTube where people slam their trucks into low clearances, as well as tire protection. (You know, the two most likely things to go wrong if anything were to go wrong.) And as a “safeguard” to your personal insurance, if you were to cause an accident or mess up their equipment somehow, this covers up the first million dollars (literally) of losses.

For our tiny little “move,” we were scared by U-Haul customer service into picking up U-Haul’s regular SafeMove coverage for $14. SafeMove Plus would have cost us $28.

Do I have to buy insurance with my U-Haul?

No, you don’t have to buy insurance of any kind to rent a U-Haul.

Here’s the thing though. While you’re statistically in the clear, U-Haul’s policies are perfectly crafted to screw you if absolutely anything were to go wrong.

Keep in mind that U-Haul only offers SafeMove for their rental trucks. Pickup trucks and vans have their own type of insurance they call Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

“It seems counter-intuitive, but given equipment costs and time constraints of U-Haul’s local moves, getting movers might realistically end up saving you the most money.”

U-Haul also offers SafeTrip for $5 extra per day, which means if you need roadside assistance they’ll send someone out to help. Kind of sad that you have to pay extra for this, but the option is there.

Bonus Insurance: SafeTow

SafeTow is U-Haul’s coverage for trailers, tow dollies, and auto transports. It’s available at different coverage levels from $8 per day up to $16 per day. Here’s what it covers: 

Damages and cleaning fees

Also, if you leave some kind of a noticeable mess, they will charge you up to $25. Maybe don’t eat while you drive … or transport hay.

U-Haul Equipment

We didn’t rent any equipment or buy any boxes or supplies, but we definitely had the option!

Sure, it’s possible to move without renting (or buying) any special equipment. But even if you hire a crew of movers to come in with all their hand trucks and dollies to load (and unload) your truck, you’ll at minimum still need your own blankets to protect your belongings.

Here’s how much the stuff cost for us.

Average* U-Haul equipment purchase prices:

Keep in mind that you can rent some equipment versus buying it. U-Haul has furniture pads for $5 per half dozen, as well as furniture dollies ($7 for local and $12 for one-way/long-distance moves) and appliance dollies ($10 for local and $15 for one-way/long-distance moves).

*These prices came from U-Haul’s website and may vary by location. You may want to check your local store first before buying online in case their prices are cheaper.

How much does moving labor cost?

When you go to a U-Haul shop, it’s likely they’ll try and sell you on movers. Even the inside of their trucks have advertisements for moving labor all over them.

How much are U-Haul movers? Movers prices will vary dramatically, depending on the number of hours booked, how many movers you book, whether they are doing a load, unload, or both, and how soon you need them. U-Haul’s rate is for two helpers, and there’s a two-hour minimum per location (your starting point and end point). But if both locations are near each other, you may be able to combine the loading and unloading at both locations into one two-hour block.

Movers through U-Haul cost as little as $200 to as much as $5,000, which is why you need to get your own moving quote to compare against theirs.

Moving equipment can sometimes add up to cost almost as much as local movers!

The way U-Haul’s movers work is that they have a network of local move helpers that sign up to receive job requests via their marketplace. But unlike HireAHelper’s $1,000 guarantee if anything goes wrong or gets broken during a mover, with U-Haul you’re mostly taking your chances. They’ll connect you with movers, but it’s beetween you and them after that.

We found this part of their terms a little unsettling:

“Furthermore, the Moving Help request and its acceptance and if applicable, any resulting provision of Services, are solely between You and the Moving Helper. Therefore, when and where there are any claims, demands, liabilities, damages or losses incurred as a result of the same, You, your heirs, successors and assigns, do hereby waive and release Us (Our officers, directors, agents, parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies and employees) from any such claims, demands, liabilities, damages or losses.

You acknowledge and agree that both You and the Moving Helper each have the right to pursue a claim against one another in a Court of competent jurisdiction or in another similar forum of dispute resolution.”

This, compared to cheap movers through HireAHelper, which provides some insurance for free (and $1,000 service guarantee if anything goes wrong), plus additional insurance starting at $12.

And in case you were wondering, for us to add movers to our made-up, on-the-spot move, U-Haul quoted us $312.

Are movers actually worth it?

The difference between a move that takes you all day, breaks your back and your friendships, and keeps your stuff out of the hands of amateurs could be as little as $200, depending on how much stuff you have. Movers may be the most value you can get from any single add-on.

Other Factors That Affect Your U-Haul Cost

What actually happens at the U-Haul store after you reserve online or over the phone

We went online and used a credit card to book a 10′ rental truck, and we thought the booking was all paid up. But it wasn’t — our card was just used to make the reservation.

While our vehicle was reserved online (thank goodness), we had to reproduce the same or another form of payment in person (cash was acceptable as well), regardless of what we used online to reserve it. Makes sense, but might be a stumbling block for some people.

After that, U-Haul put a hold on our bank account upfront for all the estimated costs (rental fee, environmental fee, tax, and mileage). They asked us how many miles they thought we’d drive for our local move and added that to the total cost for the hold. If you end up driving less, they’ll charge you less in the end. If you end up driving more, they’ll charge more. Plus they’ll add any applicable miscellaneous fees.

When we returned with the vehicle, they checked out the truck before charging us to verify gas level and mileage (and probably to check for damages). We were given a paper receipt with the total costs. Because we used a debit card already on file, no further action was needed.

Paying for a U-Haul in cash?

We were told cash customers need to put down a $100 deposit or the estimated rental charges, whichever is more. (Yes, seriously.) This would eventually be reimbursed – minus our total cost – upon return of the vehicle.

Here’s how the cash payment breakdown works, straight from their website:

“If you’re paying with cash, the following is due when you pick up your equipment:*

Local/in-town truck: $100 or estimated rental charges (whichever is greater)

One-way truck: $100 plus rental rate 

*Cargo vans and pickup trucks must be reserved with a credit card. Deposits cannot be made in cash.

The total estimated charges for your rental are due when you pick up your equipment regardless of your method of payment. Payment can be made by credit card, debit card or cash. 

Cash is accepted for pickup and van rentals. However, a valid credit or debit card with a major credit card logo will also need to be presented in the name of the renter.”

Haggling and U-Haul coupons

There are no formal military, senior, or student discounts at U-Haul. However, it’s up to the discretion of the U-Haul store you’re renting at if they offer it for asking. The rep let it leak that anywhere between 10-15% discount is what they’re allowed to apply to an order if they decide.

How old do you have to be to rent a U-Haul? 

Wanting to test the age limits, we sent one of our 20-year-old team members to officially do the honors of picking up the vehicle. No matter, as U-Haul says you need only be 18 years old with a valid driver’s license, and just 16 years old to rent a trailer attachment.

The Cheapest We Were Able to Get Our U-Haul

Our final cost for our U-Haul was $52.40.

Total: $52.40

We got a 10′ truck, U-Haul’s smallest with no ramp, and drove it a “colossal” eight miles. We bought the cheapest insurance, absolutely zero equipment and zero labor, and got hit with no other fees (since we didn’t actually put anything in the truck).

Our bill was still almost three times the advertised price.

Of course, $52.40 isn’t a bad deal, depending on what you need it for. The problem is that if you needed only a quick lift to pick something up, $50+ can render a lot of good deals useless.

On the other hand, if you were seriously moving, odds are great you’d drive many more miles, and your mileage would probably be way higher, given you probably aren’t hauling air. And if it’s during the busy moving season, the rental rate will likely be greater than $19.95.

An extremely conservative estimate for a very small, local move is probably closer to around $125 for the rental. You’ll realistically need one of the larger trucks for a real move.

And that is strictly local. For long-distance moves, even a small load will be much closer to $1,000 or more. And that is assuming you don’t need a hitch installed.

The Bottom Line

Nobody pays $19.95 plus tax. How much you finally shell out will depend on your circumstances, your preferences and your requirements. Keep the above in mind as you plan out your move. You’ll probably save at least enough for some extra coffee on the drive to your new home!

It’s no secret that gas prices have risen faster than a helium balloon on the moon. 

In June of this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that the price of regular gasoline reached a nationwide average of $4.93 per gallon.

At the moment, the high-cost trend is on the decline, but prices are still a high-octane headache. This means for those of us who are moving this year… yup, high costs are going to hit us there too.

To put it in perspective, a move from

It’s no secret that gas prices have risen faster than a helium balloon on the moon. 

In June of this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that the price of regular gasoline reached a nationwide average of $4.93 per gallon.

At the moment, the high-cost trend is on the decline, but prices are still a high-octane headache. This means for those of us who are moving this year… yup, high costs are going to hit us there too.

To put it in perspective, a move from Washington, D.C. to Portland, Oregon covers about 2,800 miles. In 2021, driving a loaded U-Haul that distance while getting 10mpg would have run about $850 in gasoline costs. The fuel cost in 2022 for that same trip is a stunning $1,300!  In fact, a recent study by HireAHelper found that 2022 is the most expensive year on record for moving. Yikes.

What do high gas prices in 2022 mean for my move with a U-Haul, Penske, or Budget truck? 

Airlines, full-service moving companies and portable storage container companies all tack on a fuel surcharge to your final bill that reflects the current price of gas.

This could mean anywhere from a couple hundred to a thousand bucks added to the final cost of your move!

(If you are hiring a company that does the work for you to haul your stuff to your new home, make sure you get a clear explanation of what their total fuel surcharge will be.)

But what about renting a truck yourself? To start saving money there, it’s first important to understand how gas costs and fuel policies for rental trucks work.

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