When Is the Best Time To Move?

Did you know the time of year—and even the time of month—in which you move can affect the price you pay movers? Moving services are not in high demand year-round, which homeowners and renters can use to their advantage to plan the most affordable moves possible.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about the pros and cons of moving in each season before you book your moving date.

Each season has advantages and disadvantages related to moving. The best season in which to move will depend on your unique circumstances and what you need from your movers. For example, moving in winter is cheaper but poses the risk of weather-related issues, while moving in summer is more convenient but costs more. 

Below, we break down the pros and cons of moving in each season.

Moving in Spring

Although it comes with its own challenges, moving in spring helps you avoid potential winter storms and cold weather while saving you money on your move.

Pros of Moving in Spring

Here are a few upsides to moving between March and June.

• Warmer weather: One reason summer is so busy for moving companies is that warmer temperatures make it easier and safer to move. When you move in spring, you get the value of moving outside the peak season with a lower risk of inclement weather.
• Safer road travels: Any snow or ice on the roads is likely to melt by the time early spring rolls around. While there is no guarantee that a late-season snowstorm won’t come, spring can be a great time to move if you want to maximize your chances of clear roads.
• More money in home sales: As summer is the busiest time to move, it should be no surprise that spring is the most popular time to buy a home. While this tip won’t benefit home or apartment renters, selling your home in spring and moving shortly thereafter could net you more money.

Cons of Moving in Spring

There are a few downsides to moving in spring, such as the following:

• School: School is still in session during spring, meaning if you have kids, they may have to miss school or change schools late in the year. If you have older children who are preparing to head off to college or take standardized tests in the spring, missing school for a move can set them behind.
• Possibility of poor weather: Many parts of the United States, such as the Northeast, are still cold in early spring, making moving difficult and even dangerous in the event of ice and snow.
• Pollen: Pollen levels spike in the spring, which means it’s one of the most uncomfortable times of year to move if you have allergies.

Moving in Fall

Fall can be another good time to move, offering mild temperatures and affordable rates. 

Pros of Moving in Fall

Here are some of the reasons you may want to move in autumn.

• Comfortable weather: Fall’s mild temperatures aren’t as hot as summer’s or as cold as winter’s, offering a more comfortable moving day.
• Less demand: Like spring and winter, the fall season is less popular for moving due to school considerations, meaning you’re more likely to get an affordable rate.  
• Improved road conditions: Fall poses a lower risk of bad weather, making transporting your belongings easier for movers. Traffic is less dense in fall, and roads will be in good condition before the first winter show.

Cons of Moving in Fall

There are also a few negative aspects to moving in fall.

• School’s start: Fall is the beginning of the school year, which can be tough to manage for families. If you move after the first day of school, kids may have to change schools or miss class at an inconvenient time.
• Allergens: Mold, mildew, and ragweed explode in the fall, making a fall move painful for allergy sufferers.
• Hurricanes: If you’re moving along the Atlantic Coast, remember that September through November is hurricane season. Heavy rain and wind can damage or delay your moving shipment and make transportation difficult.

Moving in Summer

Summer is the busiest time of year to move, which makes it the most expensive. However, it can be the most convenient for parents with school-age children and those with real estate considerations.

Pros of Moving in Summer

There are several upsides to moving in summer.

• Warm weather: With so much loading and time spent outdoors, summer’s balmy temperatures can make loading and transportation much more enjoyable.
• School breaks: Parents with schoolchildren and college students may need to move in the summer so they’re already settled into their homes when classes begin.
• Longer days: The summer season has the longest days, giving you more hours of daylight to load, transport, and unload your items.

Cons of Moving in Summer

Of course, there are also some cons to moving in the summertime.

• High rates: Summer is the most popular time of the year to move, so you’ll pay higher rates for professional services.
• High temperatures: While warm weather is nice, too hot of weather can be excruciating to perform physical labor in. Your summer move may come with sweltering heat and high humidity.
• Heat-sensitive items: Electronics, records, and other photosensitive items may need special attention or moving services during the hotter months, further increasing the price you’ll pay to move.

Moving in Winter

Winter can be the best time to move if you are on a tight budget. Winter is the least popular time of the year to move due to extreme weather and freezing temperatures in many parts of the country. However, with proper planning, you can pull off a seamless winter move with significantly lower rates.

Pros of Moving in Winter

While it may not be the obvious choice, there are pros to moving between December and March.

• Lower rates: Most Americans move during summer and late spring because these seasons coincide with the end of the school year. Winter is the cheapest moving time because there is less demand for moving services.
• Better real estate opportunities: If you’re having trouble finding housing within your budget, try home or apartment hunting in the winter. Winter is the slowest season for real estate, so you’re more likely to find a new apartment or home at a great rate. 
• Lower chance of delay or rescheduling: Since there are fewer people moving in the winter, you don’t have to compete with as many people for services. This can reduce your chances of a delay or schedule conflict.

Cons of Moving in Winter

Moving in winter has its cons. Here are a few to consider.

• Ice and snow: Weather conditions in winter tend to be harsher and more challenging to navigate. If you live in an area where snow and ice are common, loading and transporting your items on time will be more complicated.
• School year considerations: School-age children will be in the middle of their school year during winter, which makes it a non-ideal time to enroll in a new school.
• Holiday season: The winter holidays are notoriously stressful and expensive. The winter may not be the ideal time to move if you already know you have inflexible holiday plans.

The answer to this question will depend on your needs. If you’re on a strict moving budget, the best month to move may be December or January when demand is low. If your children will be starting a new school year at your new home, summer moves between late June and early September can be worth the price.

If you can’t choose the month in which you move, you can still save money by picking an advantageous day of the week to hire movers. In the same way that summer is the peak season to move, the weekend is also the most popular time of the week to move. This means you’ll pay more to move on a Friday or Saturday.

If you’re looking for ways to save money, the best day of the week to move can be any day from Monday through Thursday. You may also want to book your move in the middle of the month to save as much as possible. Mid-month moves are usually more affordable than those planned for the end of the month, as that’s when leases end.

Whether you’re moving in late fall to save money or in the middle of summer to get your kids settled into their new home before school starts, a professional moving company will make your move easier and less stressful. Our top recommended moving company for long-distance moves is International Van Lines (IVL). IVL is a full-service moving provider offering service in all 50 states.

As a full-service moving company, IVL offers a wide range of optional add-ons you can purchase to make your move less stressful, from full packing services to home gym setup. IVL will help you create a custom moving package at a price you can afford.

Get a quote: Get a free quote from International Van Lines.

Learn more: International Van Lines Review

The best time to move depends on your needs. If the cost of moving is your main concern, consider booking your move in late fall, winter, or early spring. You can book your move on a weekday in the middle of the month to save even more. If convenience is most important to you, a summer move on a weekend can be the best time to move.

It’s also important to choose the right team of professional movers to get you to your new home. Moving companies consider their own schedules when setting their service prices, which means it’s possible to get different estimates for a move of the same size and distance. We recommend you get quotes from at least three moving companies before booking your move to ensure you get the best rate.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.