Last updated: October 28, 2026
How much does it cost to move out of state? According to HomeGuide, the average cost to move out of state is $2,000 to $9,500 if you hire professional movers. A smaller load often costs less: across our published routes, Ship Smart ships a one-bedroom of about 1,500 lbs for $1,200 to $3,150.
Between those numbers, the price mostly comes down to how much you ship and who does the work of packing, loading and driving. This guide covers the cost by method, what a rental truck really adds up to, how much to set aside, and which option tends to cost least for what you own.
Here is how four common methods compare for the same one-bedroom load, from paying for every step to doing most of it yourself.
| Method | Who Does the Work | Typical Cost for a One-Bedroom Load | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional full-service movers | A crew loads, drives and unloads for you | $1,500 to $7,000 | Larger homes and anyone who wants no lifting |
| Moving container | You load and unload; the company hauls the container | $2,000 to $4,500 | Loading at your own pace |
| Rental truck | You load, drive and unload | $1,500 to $2,500 (5 to 7 day rental, not including fuel) | A full household when you have helpers and time |
| Small-load shipping with Ship Smart | Packing, first-floor pickup and the drive are included | $1,200 to $3,150 for about 1,500 lbs across our published routes | A studio, a one-bedroom or a few pieces |
Pricing shown is based on national averages. Actual cost will vary based on origin location, delivery location, access, weight, volume, added services and details specific to your estimate.
Sources: mover, container and rental truck figures are from HomeGuide’s one-bedroom estimates; Ship Smart figures are from our published route price tables.
Across our published routes, the price bands for common small loads look like this:
Your quote is built from the actual packed weight of the shipment and the room it takes on the truck. There is no minimum weight, so a small load is never billed like a full house. That figure already covers professional packing and white glove pickup from the first floor of your home or business. From there the shipment rides as LTL (less-than-truckload) freight, sharing a trailer with other customers’ goods, so you pay only for the space you use.
This is the basic idea behind small-load moving. A full-household mover prices a dedicated truck and crew, so a studio or one-bedroom often costs less by weight on a shared truck; see how a partial move is priced for the full comparison.
For the figure on your own items and addresses, check your exact price in our online estimator.
Six factors push an out of state moving cost up or down, and you control part of most of them.
Basic valuation coverage comes with every shipment, and additional coverage is available. If the total is still a stretch, financing through Enhancify can spread the cost. For the math behind a quote, read how small-move pricing works.
A truck quote covers the truck, not the trip. CORT lists these costs for driving a rental truck yourself:
CORT’s estimated total for doing it yourself is $1,200 to $3,240+.
The truck is still the lowest-cost choice when three things are true: you have a full household, you can load and drive it yourself, and you have the days to spare. HomeGuide also names the rental truck as the lowest-cost way to move to another state. With only a few rooms of goods, though, you pay for the whole truck and the whole trip however empty the back is.
The cheapest way to move out of state depends on what you own, so start with your load rather than a method.
Shipping your things is only one part of the money you need to move out of state. Plan for three layers:
Nelson Westerberg says a basic out-of-state moving fund should cover moving costs ($1,000 to $3,000), initial housing expenses ($2,000 to $5,000) and an emergency buffer ($1,000 to $2,000). By its estimate, that fund generally ranges from $4,000 to $10,000 for an interstate move.
The first layer is where load size matters most. A one-bedroom shipped by weight falls in the $1,200 to $3,150 band across our published routes. That can leave more of the fund for deposits and the first weeks in a new city.
It can be. Nelson Westerberg puts a basic interstate moving fund at $4,000 to $10,000; $5,000 sits near the low end. It is most realistic when your shipment is small and housing costs where you are going are modest. Across our published routes, a one-bedroom of about 1,500 lbs ships for $1,200 to $3,150. The rest can go to deposits and a buffer.
Across our published routes, Ship Smart ships a one-bedroom of about 1,500 lbs for $1,200 to $3,150 and HomeGuide puts professional movers at $1,500 to $7,000 for a home that size. For a closer look, see what it costs to ship a one-bedroom apartment.
Both play a part. Ship Smart prices by the actual packed weight of your shipment and the space it uses, with no minimum weight, so a small load is not charged like a big one. From there, the distance between your addresses and the delivery level you pick, from Will-Call to Full Service, change the rate.
Think of it in two parts: pickup and transit. With Ship Smart, pickup is scheduled 2 to 10 business days after booking, and same-week pickup is often possible, though extra fees may apply. Transit time then depends on the route. For typical timelines and what affects them, read how long small moves take.
Ready to see your own number? Get an exact price from our online estimator or call (866) 333-8018. Every estimate includes white glove pickup from the first floor and professional packing. Ship Smart has handled small moves since 1999 and is licensed, bonded and insured. Before you book any mover, look up its USDOT number with the FMCSA; ours is DOT 2226241 (MC-381032).
