When you’re planning a big move, you need moving cost calculators to know exactly how much you’re spending. There are a lot of costs that add up, from the trucks that you need to rent to the movers you need to hire. What’s more, you may have to spend a lot of money on a deposit for an apartment or a down payment for a home, so the last thing you need is an unexpected expense.
The good news is that we’re here to help. In this article, we take you through the best moving cost calculators.
What is a Moving Cost Calculator?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand what a moving cost calculator is. Thankfully, it’s a fairly simple concept. A moving cost calculator is a unique calculator that helps you estimate the cost of your move.
You’ll find that most of these calculators have a few fields that you can fill out to calculate the cost of your move. Some examples include:
- Where you’re moving from
- The location you’re moving to
- The number of items you’re moving
- The date, or dates, of your move
Every moving calculator will have some unique fields and calculations, but this is what you can expect to find. Once you enter your information, it’s usually followed by a summary of the costs.
The Five Best Moving Cost Calculators
There are dozens of moving cost calculators out there. However, some are better than others. Thankfully, we’ve researched some of the best moving cost calculators and cover each one below.
1. MoveBuddha
The best moving cost calculator is MoveBuddha. What we love about this moving cost calculator is the fact that it’s free, simple, and accurate. As long as you enter the correct information, MoveBuddha’s moving cost calculator will give you an accurate estimate for your next move.
To use the calculator, you enter where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, the size of the move, and the date. Then, you can view a summary of how much your move will cost, depending on the services you choose.
For example, the calculator compares how much it would cost if you hired full-service movers that load and move your items compared to you loading a container and the company picking it up. Plus, you get an average cost for professional moving companies and some recommendations for companies you can get a quote from.
2. Moving.com
Moving.com is another great resource you can leverage if you need a moving cost calculator. It’s a simple one that requires you to enter where you plan on moving to, if you’ll use packing services, and the date.
Then, you can get an estimate of what a professional moving service will cost. There aren’t a lot of comparisons, just an average, and you have to provide your information to get quotes. That said, the rest of the content on the page is educational and informative.
3. Extra Space Storage
Another great one, Extra Space Storage offers a simple moving cost calculator. All you need to enter is where you’re moving to and from, the size of the move, and whether or not you plan on hiring movers.
Then, you get an estimate of the costs based on storage units, moving trucks, boxes and supplies, and the distance of the move. While this one is simple and easy to use, you’re missing out on the dates, which many other calculators offer.
4. Allied Van Lines
This moving cost calculator from Allied Van Lines is another great choice because it’s in-depth and includes crucial information, like moving dates. You’ll need to enter where you plan on moving to and from, the size of the move, and whether it’s a home or apartment.
Then, you can enter your information and receive a quote based on the information that you provide. While this is different from the calculators that show you some averages, it’s a great way to get an accurate estimate.
5. Consumer Affairs
Last but not least, we have Consumer Affairs, which is one of the more in-depth moving cost calculators out there. Unlike some of the more traditional options, Consumer Affairs focuses on using a lot of information and then sending you a quote via email.
If you have the time, it’s one of the better options due to how in-depth the questions can be. That said, for people in a hurry, and if you don’t want someone collecting your information, it’s one of the worst.
Plan Your Next Move With the Best Moving Cost Calculators
When it’s time for your next move, we always recommend using the best moving cost calculators. After all, why not know how much it will cost for you to get to where you’re going?
While there are dozens of moving cost calculators out there, we always recommend starting with MoveBuddha’s moving cost calculator. Then, you can compare estimates with other options.
Also read: 10 Risks of DIY When Moving to a New Home
