When Is the Cheapest Time to Move? Seasonal Pricing Guide

Timing is everything when it comes to moving costs. The same exact move — same distance, same amount of stuff, same services — can cost 20–40% more depending on when you do it. If you have any flexibility in your moving date, understanding seasonal pricing patterns can save you a significant chunk of money.

Month-by-Month Moving Cost Index

Based on average pricing data from thousands of moves, here's how each month stacks up relative to a baseline. Think of 100 as the annual average cost — numbers above 100 mean you're paying more than average, below means you're getting a deal.

Why Summer Is So Expensive

About 70% of all residential moves happen between May and September. This creates a classic supply-and-demand imbalance:

• School schedules: Families with children overwhelmingly move during summer break to avoid disrupting the school year
• Weather: Longer days and warm weather make moving physically easier
• Lease timing: Most leases start/end May 1 or September 1, driving move clustering
• College moves: Millions of students move in/out of dorms and apartments in May and August

During peak season, moving companies can afford to be choosy. They don't need to offer discounts because demand exceeds their capacity. You'll also find fewer available dates, which limits your negotiating power.

Best Days of the Week to Move

It's not just the month that matters — the day of the week affects pricing too:

• Monday – Thursday: Cheapest. Movers have the most availability and may offer mid-week discounts of 10–15%.
• Friday: Moderate. Popular because people want to use the weekend to unpack, but still better than Saturday.
• Saturday: Most expensive. Highest demand day of the week. Some companies charge a weekend premium.
• Sunday: Varies. Some companies don't operate Sundays; those that do may charge overtime rates.

Best Time of the Month

Within any given month, the timing also matters:

• Mid-month (10th – 20th): Cheapest. Fewest people move during this window.
• Beginning of month (1st – 5th): Moderate demand. Lease start dates drive some traffic.
• End of month (25th – 31st): Most expensive within the month. Lease end dates create a rush.

The Sweet Spot: Maximum Savings

If you can be fully flexible, the absolute cheapest time to move is:

1. Mid-January through mid-February, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, in the middle of the month
2. Second best: October or November, mid-week, mid-month
3. Third: March or early April, before spring demand kicks in

Combining all three timing strategies (off-season month + mid-week + mid-month) can yield savings of 25–40% compared to a Saturday move at the end of June.

When You Can't Control Timing

If your move date is fixed (job start, lease timing, school enrollment), you can still save:

• Book early: During peak season, book 6–8 weeks ahead for the best rates and availability
• Be flexible by a few days: Even shifting from Saturday to Wednesday in the same week can save 10–15%
• Get multiple quotes: Competition matters more than ever when you can't control timing
• Reduce your load: If you can't save on timing, save on weight by decluttering aggressively

Regional Timing Differences

Peak season patterns vary slightly by region:

• Sunbelt states (FL, AZ, TX): See a "snowbird" peak in October–November as retirees head south
• College towns: Have micro-peaks in late August and late May
• Northern states: Have more compressed peak seasons (June–August only) due to weather
• Military bases: PCS season (May–August) creates heavy local demand