Cheapest Time of the Year to Move: When Is the Best Time for Moving?

Moving can be incredibly expensive. If you’re closely tracking your moving expenses, chances are high that you want to execute your move during the most affordable time of year possible. Luckily, there are many tactics that you can consider to reduce your overall moving costs while still executing a smooth and safe move. The moving date that you choose can have more of a cost impact than you may think. Seasons, months, time of the month, and even the day of the week can impact how much you’ll pay for moving. Regardless of when you move, Alliance provides affordable local moving services.

What Season Is the Best for Moving?

When determining the cheapest time to move, you’ll first want to look at the different seasons. Of course, it might not always be up to you to determine when you’re moving; maybe you’re working with a lease or you are at the mercy of the market. If you have school-aged children, you’ll likely want to move during the summertime. If you like to move during mild conditions, you’ll find a spring or fall move to be ideal. Winter is the cheapest time of year to move as the demand is the lowest and companies have more flexible schedules. 

What Is the Cheapest Month to Move?

The moving industry’s “off-season” typically runs from September through April, so if you’re interested in moving during those months, you could save a good chunk of money. This is likely due to the reduced demand for movers during this time. In terms of statistics, January is the most affordable month to move and is often ideal for those who are working with a limited budget. Keep in mind that January is also one of the coldest months that you can move, so it’s important to be prepared for inclement weather including snow and ice. If you’re not located in the Midwest, January might not be as cold as we’re describing.

What Time of the Month Is Best for Moving?

Now that we’ve touched on the cheapest time of year to move, what about the time of the month that’s the cheapest? Believe it or not, you should also factor in the time of the month that you move as the middle of the month is usually the cheapest option. This is due to the fact that the majority of people execute moves at the beginning and end of the month, meaning moving companies will be particularly busy during those times. If you’re able to execute your move toward the middle of the month, such as during the second or third week, the overall demand for moving services will be lower. 

On What Day of the Week Should You Plan Your Move?

Don’t forget to factor in the day of the week that you move, if possible. While it’s tempting to schedule your move on a Friday or a Saturday when it’s easy to step away from work, you might end up paying more this route. Ideally, you’ll want to choose Monday-Thursday for your moving day of the week as there is less demand. It isn’t always possible to coordinate your schedule, so you might end up moving on a Saturday or Sunday. If this is the case, you might end up paying slightly higher for your movers as there is limited availability during this time. Another benefit of moving on a weekday is you allow yourself time to unpack and get organized before working the following week. 

What Time of the Day Is Best for Moving?

The cheapest time to move is undoubtedly early in the morning. Ideally, you’ll want to move anywhere between 8 am and 10 am. This early starting time means you’ll have additional time throughout the day to get more accomplished. If you are moving during the summer, having an earlier start time is also helpful in terms of cooler weather. While most people choose to move early in the day, you likely won’t get a better moving deal from your moving company. If your goal is to save money, you can consider booking an evening move as the demand will be lower and there won’t be as much traffic.

Other Considerations to Plan a Move

There are other factors to consider if you’re planning your upcoming moving date:

• Weather: If you haven’t already factored in weather to your move, make sure to consider it! This is especially true if you live in a cold climate; you likely won’t want to move in the dead of winter.
• Work schedule: If you are in the middle of a particularly busy season at work, it could be worth the additional money to move on a weekend.
• Family concerns: School-aged children might not be able to step away from school during certain points in the year. In this case, it could make sense to move in the summer. 

Conclusion

Of course, even though there are better times of year to move than others, the decision isn’t always fully in your control. Regardless of when you need to move, it’s important to find a Chicagoland moving company that you can trust. Our family-owned business at Alliance Moving and Storage is happy to help you with all aspects of your move. Whether you’re looking for a full-service moving company or you simply need help with particular aspects of your move, we’re here for you. Call us today for a free moving quote.