Moving to another state touches almost every part of your finances: a moving bill that can run into the thousands, two state tax returns next spring, new car and home insurance, and a list of address changes that’s easy to half-finish. Start with three things: get written estimates from licensed interstate movers, check how your new state taxes income and property, and line up health coverage so the move doesn’t leave a gap. The checklist below covers the rest, in order. Your ticks stay in your browser.
6–8 weeks beforeBudget and book the move
- Build a moving budget: movers or truck rental, travel, deposits for the new place, overlapping rent or mortgage, and a cushion for surprises. Use the budget calculator.
- Get at least three in-home or video estimates from interstate movers. Every interstate mover must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a USDOT number; look it up at FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site before you sign.
- Prefer a binding estimate (or a “not-to-exceed” estimate) in writing, and never pay a large deposit up front. A mover that won’t do an inventory or quotes far below everyone else is a red flag.
- Compare the cost of living: rent or home prices, state and local taxes, car insurance and utilities, so you know your new monthly budget before you commit.
- If your employer pays relocation, remember it’s taxable wages for most people. Ask whether they “gross up” the payment to cover the tax.
2–4 weeks beforeCoverage and accounts
- Line up health coverage. Moving to a new ZIP code usually opens a 60-day Marketplace special enrollment window if you had qualifying coverage in the 60 days before the move. Employer plans may have a different network in the new state; call to check.
- Shop car, renters or homeowners insurance in the new state; rates and required coverage differ by state. Don’t cancel the old policy until the new one starts.
- Decide on your bank. If your bank has no branches or free ATMs where you’re going, open an account at a bank or credit union there or switch to an online bank. Find options with the Bank & Branch Finder and see how to switch banks.
- Schedule utility shutoff and start dates and ask about deposits; a letter of good payment history from your old utility can sometimes waive one.
- Collect records you’ll need: medical and school records, prescriptions, vehicle titles and professional licenses.
Moving weekAddress changes
- File a change of address with USPS at the official USPS site (there’s a small identity-check fee online). Beware of look-alike sites that charge more.
- Update your address with your bank, card issuers, lenders, employer (for your W-2), investment and retirement accounts, insurance companies and subscriptions.
- Tell the IRS with Form 8822 if you won’t file a return soon, and update Social Security if you receive benefits.
- Keep moving receipts and the mover’s paperwork (bill of lading, inventory) until any damage claim is settled.
First 30–90 daysMake it official
- Get a new driver’s license and register your car. States give new residents a limited window, often 30 to 90 days; check your new state’s DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address.
- Update your state tax withholding with your employer (Form W-4 for federal, plus your new state’s form if it has an income tax).
- If you left a high-tax state, cut ties clearly: new license, voter registration, home and bank, so your old state doesn’t treat you as still living there.
- Rebuild your emergency fund after moving costs. Use the emergency fund calculator.
State taxes when you move
In the year you move, you usually file a part-year resident return in both states: each state taxes the income you earned while you lived there. If you work remotely for an employer in another state, ask about withholding rules; a few states tax nonresidents who work for in-state employers.
| Tax | What to check in your new state |
|---|---|
| Income tax | Nine states don’t tax wages in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Washington does tax some capital gains. Others have flat or graduated rates. |
| Property tax | Rates and homestead exemptions vary widely; many states require you to apply for a homestead exemption after you buy. |
| Sales tax | State plus local rates; a few states have no statewide sales tax. |
| Car costs | Registration fees, vehicle property taxes and insurance requirements differ by state. |
A state with no income tax isn’t automatically cheaper: higher property, sales or insurance costs can make up the difference. Compare your total yearly cost, not one tax.
Can I deduct moving expenses?
For most people, no. The federal moving expense deduction is permanently suspended, and employer moving reimbursements count as taxable wages. The exceptions are active-duty members of the Armed Forces moving under a permanent change-of-station order and, starting in 2026, certain intelligence community employees who relocate for a new assignment. A few states still allow a moving deduction on the state return.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move to another state?
It depends on distance, how much you’re moving and whether you hire full-service movers or drive a truck yourself. Get several written estimates for your actual inventory, then add deposits, travel and a cushion of 10% to 15% for surprises.
Do I file taxes in both states the year I move?
Usually, yes, if both states have an income tax: a part-year resident return in each, covering the income earned while you lived there. If one of the states has no income tax, you file only in the other.
How do I avoid a moving scam?
Check the mover’s USDOT number and complaint history on FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site, get a written estimate after an inventory, avoid big cash deposits, and never sign blank or incomplete paperwork. Interstate movers must give you the federal “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” information.
Sources: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Protect Your Move), HealthCare.gov (special enrollment periods), USPS, IRS (Form 8822; moving expense rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), state revenue departments. Checked November 2026. This guide is educational and isn’t legal, tax or financial advice.
Related: All life event guides, Rent affordability calculator, Home affordability calculator, How to lower your car insurance premium.