Finding help with moving costs: Your ultimate guide

A couple sitting on the floor with their dog in the middle of moving
| 16 min read Financial Assistance

Moving to a new place is exciting, but it’s not always easy. There’s a lot of time and effort that goes into it. Aside from cleaning and packing, there are additional financial commitments such as transport costs and security deposits. All of these expenses add up and can be pricey – and, as a result, many people find themselves needing help with moving costs.

The physical labor of moving is challenging on its own, and moving expenses can make it even more difficult for low-income families and vulnerable groups. According to This Old House, the average cost of moving in 2026 is just over $3,000, and long-distance moves can cost even more. This is no small sum, especially for someone living paycheck to paycheck.

The good news is that there are low-income moving assistance programs to help with the financial burden. Here, we’ve put together some handy resources to help ease the financial pressure, so you can comfortably settle into your new place.

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Understanding moving expenses

There are so many factors that go into moving, and it’s important to understand the costs involved. There are expenses associated with almost every aspect of moving: packing, cleaning, transportation, deposits, as well as any unexpected expenses that may pop up. 

  • In order to pack, you’ll need to buy boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other supplies. If you’re moving from an apartment, you may not need that much, but moving from a house will cost more for packing materials. If you pack yourself, you’re likely to spend between $50 and $300, depending on how many itemsyou have, If you’re hiring a professional packing service, this will cost more.
  • Cleaning is another expense to consider. You’ll need to buy enough supplies to clean your former home top to bottom – think antibacterial wipes, dish soap, trash and vacuum bags, dusters, mops, and more. You can also hire a professional cleaning service, which can cost between $200 and $400 for a 2,000-square-foot house, according to Angie’s List. 
  • Transportation costs associated with moving will depend on how far you need to go. Naturally, local moves will be cheaper, whether you’re hiring a moving van with a driver or renting one to drive yourself. Renting a U-Haul and driving yourself will be 40%-60% cheaper than a full-service moving company. 
  • Deposits are perhaps one of the most expensive parts of moving, as they require a high investment up front. Many landlords, whether it’s an apartment or house, require security deposits in the amount of one to two months’ rent up front.
  • Finally, plan for unexpected expenses. If you’re moving long-distance, for example, you may need to purchase insurance on some of your items. Things like gas, meals, and hotels can also get expensive when moving further away. And don’t forget gratuity for your movers, cleaners, and/or packers. 

All these costs are why it’s a good idea to create a realistic moving budget. The best way to do this is to declutter your home and inventory your items so you know exactly how much you need to pack. Take note of the distance between your old and new places, and look into your transport options. Once you’ve decided whether you’re hiring professional help or doing everything yourself, calculate the costs and add a 10-20% buffer for unexpected expenses. 

6 ways to get help with moving expenses

Based on the expenses outlined, you may be wondering how to get help moving. Luckily, there are plenty of options available if you need financial assistance for the move, whether it’s applying for grants or getting charity support. 

1. Apply for moving grants

Those eligible may want to look into grants for moving expenses. Here’s a quick list of who typically qualifies: 

  • Low-income families
  • Single-parent households
  • Military veterans
  • Senior citizens
  • Unemployed individuals
  • Domestic violence victims
  • Individuals or families displaced due to disasters 
  • Other vulnerable groups

There are plenty of grants available both locally and nationally that can provide financial assistance with moving. Whether you’re looking for a transportation grant or a grant for housing, you’ll be able to find it. 

One of the best-known options is the nationwide grant offered by Move.org. It’s free to apply, and the application only takes a few minutes. This grant is a one-time relocation package of $500 that can go towards moving essentials like car shipping, truck rental, or paying a moving company. You must live in the US and be moving within the next six months to apply. Once you apply, Move.org will contact you within 30 days of your move-in date to see if you qualify. 

Other nationwide grants include: 

  • Emergency Solutions Grants: Helps with emergency shelter, house placement, and house search.
  • Modest Needs: Provides one-time grants of $750 to $1,250 to workers who live just above the poverty line. This grant is paid directly to the company of your choice (truck rental, cleaning services, etc.).
  • Rural Housing Service: Focuses on individuals and families living in rural communities.

You can also find a moving grant for low-income families or individuals specific to your state or even your local community. For example, Administration for Community Living (ACL) grants are awarded to states and organizations that provide assistance and support to senior citizens and the disabled. You can find the ACL’s grant overview here.

To get a grant, you’ll need to make your application compelling. When asked to write for a grant application, make sure you tell a personal story, and make it clear why you need this grant. You can also detail the reason for your move and your moving goals. 

2. Get charity support for moving costs

There are several nonprofit organizations that provide financial aid for low-income individuals and families. Financial support ranges from short-term to long-term assistance based on each program and each individual’s circumstances. The following are some charities that help with moving expenses, including both local organizations and national support services.

The YWCA

The YWCA is one of the largest women’s organizations in the US, helping women and their families. This nonprofit works to empower women, promote justice and peace, and eradicate racism through support services. The organization also offers financial help to low-income individuals for relocation assistance. To apply for financial aid, you must live near a YWCA office. Once you locate your local YWCA office, go to their website and check out the available housing resources and eligibility criteria.

Salvation Army’s Housing Now Program

This program offers short-term rental and housing assistance for low-income families experiencing homelessness. Aside from rental assistance, the Housing Now program also provides home visits, case management, and other resources. To be eligible, applicants must live in the Denver metro area. View their website for more eligibility guidelines.

The Salvation Army also runs long-term housing support services for vulnerable groups, including affordable housing programs for low-income seniors to apartment assistance for vulnerable young adults.

Catholic Charities

This charity focuses on families who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless. They provide emergency moving assistance as well as other needs-based support, such as emergency rent payments, counseling on foreclosure prevention, and workshops on predatory lending and fair housing. To apply for help, contact your local agency.

The Milligan Foundation

This national nonprofit provides support to domestic violence victims who are in immediate need of transportation and/or relocation services. They can purchase air, train, or bus tickets, provide an escort to and from the points of travel, and assist with your search for shelter.

3. Government moving assistance programs

Low-income families or individuals may qualify for housing programs offered by the US government. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has multiple moving assistance programs. Take a look at their website to learn more about their services.

Below are other government resources that help with moving costs and more:

The Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher (also known as Section 8) is a federal program providing housing assistance to over 2.3 million American households, including low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Recipients who receive the voucher can use it to help pay for privately owned housing.

Good Neighbor Next Door

The Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program is offered through HUD. It helps teachers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and others buy a home with a 50% discount on the listing price. Only eligible single-family homes in revitalization areas are listed for purchase through the program. Take a look at the listings in your state to get started.

Federal Relocation Assistance Program

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) offers grants through the Federal Relocation Assistance Program. If your home is affected by a natural disaster, this program can provide resources to help with moving expenses. Additionally, this program can also help with temporary housing or home repairs.

Veterans Affairs Housing Assistance

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs, housing assistance is offered to veterans and service members. The housing assistance grants can help refinance a loan or purchase a home. The VA also offers resources to help veterans improve, build, or keep the home that they have now.

There are also plenty of state-specific or even local government resources who help with moving expenses. To find these, you can utilize 211, a free national hotline designed to connect you directly to resources in your community. You can call 211 or visit their website to find government resources in your area. 

4. Use crowdfunding to get financial help

Crowdfunding can help you quickly and easily overcome the financial barriers you may face while moving. When dealing with a personal financial crisis, it can be difficult to ask for help. But with crowdfunding, it’s easy to share your fundraiser with friends and family on social media.

One advantage of online fundraising on GoFundMe is that there isn’t an application process to start raising money. Additionally, you can secure funds faster than other forms of financial aid from the government or nonprofits. This is helpful because you can access the donations you receive throughout your fundraising, even before your fundraiser reaches its goal.

To make your GoFundMe successful, there are a few important fundraising tips to follow:

  • Share your personal story: Appeal to people’s emotions by including personal details.
  • Use visuals: Include photos of you and your family, and anything else relevant to your moving story. 
  • Set realistic goals: Don’t ask people for more than you need; be modest in your fundraising goals and clearly outline how these funds will be used.
  • Leverage social media: Share your fundraiser on your accounts and ask friends and family to do the same. 

5. Local churches and community organizations

If you want to bypass agencies that help with moving expenses, you can always look locally. There are plenty of local churches and community organizations that might be able to step in. 

While some churches and organizations might provide direct financial assistance with relocating, it’s more common that they’ll donate materials needed, such as boxes and other packing materials, or even volunteers who can help with some of the physical labor. They may also be able to help with your housing search. 

Here are some local churches and community organizations in select cities to get you started: 

  • South Louisville Community Ministries: This organization provides emergency assistance regarding hunger and housing to low-income residents of Louisville, KY. 
  • St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix: This church provides one-time financial assistance with rent, mortgage, and/or utility payments to residents in this part of Arizona. 
  • Red Rocks Church: This church in Denver has compiled a list of local Colorado housing resources you can be put in touch with depending on your needs. 

And, of course, there are many more churches and organizations like these across the country. 

6. Social media platforms

The final method for how to get money to move is to leverage your social media platforms. Aside from sharing your GoFundMe on your accounts, you can also search for groups and pages that can connect you with people willing to help. The most common platform to use for this is Facebook, where you’ll find many groups.  

Here are some Facebook groups to check out if you’re looking for assistance: 

How to navigate the various options

There’s a lot of information out there on housing assistance, so let’s break it down.

Types of assistance

Direct financial assistance is only one part of the puzzle that is moving. Many types of assistance are available: 

  • Financial: Grants and monetary donations from a fundraiser, such as on GoFundMe.
  • Logistical: Packing assistance, transport coordination, and storage coordination if needed. 
  • Housing support: Assistance with finding a home as well as home repairs. 
  • Physical labor: Moving furniture or lifting heavy items. 

Eligibility requirements

Eligibility requirements will vary for different types of assistance. Grants typically require an application process, usually with an online or physical form detailing your situation. For certain grants, you may need to be below a certain income level or live in a specific city or state. 

Logistical, housing support, and physical labor assistance have fewer requirements for eligibility. Usually, you can reach out to the organization you’re seeking help from and let them know what you need. They may verify your situation before assisting you.

How to apply for assistance

How you apply for assistance will depend specifically on which type of assistance you need and which organization you’re seeking help from.

Many government-funded programs and other grant organizations will have links to their applications on their websites. These will usually ask for certain documents and personal information. Others, usually local community organizations, may require you to apply in person. 

Regardless of how you apply, be ready to share your personal story and your goals for moving. 

Tips for navigating the application process

If you’re going down the government assistance or grant route, you will likely need to have certain information readily available, such as your income level, where you live and where you’re moving to, and how you’re planning to spend the money granted to you. 

Once you apply, the approval process can take some time. It’s important to be patient, as many organizations may not contact you until about a month before your moving date. Once you’re granted the funds, they will either be paid directly to you or, in some cases, to the service of your choice (truck rental, rent payment, utility deposit, etc.). 

Can I Write Off Moving Expenses?

In 2018, tax laws changed in the US, which now means that in most states, you can’t write off your moving costs. This means you can no longer claim this deduction on your federal return.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, including people who are in the military or who meet certain circumstances. Certain states still allow people to write off their moving expenses.

These states are:

  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Pennsylvania

However, each state has a different interpretation of the tax deduction, so be sure to do your research.

Stories of people using GoFundMe to get help with moving costs

Every day, people start a GoFundMe for their needs and dreams. If you need rent relief, GoFundMe is here to help. The following are stories of individuals who have plucked up the courage to ask for donations and have created a fundraiser to get help with moving expenses:

Help Nora and Kassandra with Moving Costs

Nora and Kassandra are facing eviction from their apartment and have spent the last two months trying to find another place. Unfortunately, during their search, they fell victim to a scam and lost nearly $600 after responding to a fake listing. Now, they have found a home to move into, but they need some help with the moving costs. They have launched a GoFundMe to help offset the cost of their deposit, the cost of movers, and all the hassle of getting set up in a new apartment. So far, they have raised more than $6,000.

Help Alyssa’s Family with Urgent Moving & Medical Costs

Alyssa’s father has been undergoing grueling treatment for pancreatic cancer and has sadly been given two to four months left to live. In order to care for him, Alyssa has had to drop her hours down to part-time, and she is struggling to make ends meet. In order to continue to care for her father, she wants him to move in with her. She has started a GoFundMe to help with the moving costs, and she has raised more than $3,000 so far.

Start raising money to cover moving costs

Moving to a new home comes with a lot of expenses. If you need emergency rental assistance or emergency financial assistance, GoFundMe is here to support you every step of the way. Crowdfunding takes the fear out of asking for help from your network of family and friends and can help you fund essential life moments.

It’s easy to start a fundraiser on GoFundMe, and we are on hand to show you how it works and to answer any questions you may have. Start today to begin raising money for relocation assistance.ave. Start today to begin raising money for relocation assistance.

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FAQs

How can I reduce my moving costs?

A great way to reduce moving costs is to DIY the packing, cleaning, and even transport, if you can. You’ll save a lot of money if you don’t pay for professional services for these things. You can also ask friends to help with cleaning and moving the items you have from one place to another. 

What should I do if I have unexpected moving costs?

If you budget correctly, you should have a 10-20% buffer for unexpected moving costs. However, if you exceed this buffer, you can reach out to local organizations to see if they can help. Call 211 to find out what resources are available in your area.

Written by GoFundMe