The Cheapest Way to Move Out of State

The cheapest way to move out of state is to have your job pay for the relocation. However, that is only possible in a small percentage of cases, where the employee has a special, hard-to-find skill set. For example, a pharmaceutical company that is working on a Parkinson’s drug may relocate a chemist with a specialty and track record in neurological disorders. However, McDonald’s will not relocate you to flip burgers. Even if you can’t find a job that will pay for your relocation, you can still move out of state cheaply.

Choose a state nearby. If you are moving from Pennsylvania and have to go back and forth between states to look for housing and manage other personal matters, you will spend less moving to Maryland than you will to Florida. Choosing to move a state within a short driving distance is cheaper than moving to a state where you need to fly back and forth or have further distance to drive.

Get rid of belongings you don't need. Take inventory of what you really need. Sell your belongings or give them to charity. You will get a little extra money, and lighten your load while moving. It becomes cheaper when you don’t have to pay for storage or can choose a smaller moving truck because you have less things to move.

Look for specials. As you plan your move, look for discounts on movers and moving trucks. If you will be staying in hotels or motels along the way, use rewards programs and discount sites to find discounted rooms. Check to see if affiliations with professional or social organizations give you a discount on moving expenses. Also, look for move-in specials on apartment listings websites. Verify with the management company that the move-in special is still in effect.

Ask friends to help you move. In addition to moving your belongings from your old home to the new place, see if you have friends along the way where you can park your moving truck to rest.

Tap into your network of friends and family to see if someone has a room for rent, a basement apartment or a couch for you to sleep on. When you take a few months to stay with friends and family, you can find the least expensive place to move without feeling rushed.

Rent a room. When you move into an apartment owned by a property management company, most will require deposits, application fees and other fees that you may be able to avoid when you rent with a private owner. Check with your friends and family, or use apartment websites to find a room for rent or sublet.