Working remotely brings perks beyond attending Zoom calls in comfy clothes. It lets you relocate nearer to loved ones, migrate to a more pleasant climate, or settle in a state with a lower cost of living.
So long as your job doesn’t require in-office presence, you can pick almost any locale — though you may have to adapt to meetings scheduled in other time zones.
Relocating to your ideal spot still requires cash. Whether you hire professional movers or rent a truck and do it yourself, moving involves expenses. Selling a house, purchasing a new one, covering the first two months’ rent plus a security deposit, and recovering the deposit from your previous residence — all these items factor into the moving decision and can add up to thousands.
When you cross state lines, there are additional, often overlooked expenses. Some are new fees you’ll need to pay, while others amount to “time is money’’ costs that consume hours of effort.
The Costs Beyond the Moving Van
Let’s peel back the surface and examine the financial and logistical items you’ll face when relocating to a different state.
Driver’s License and Vehicle Documentation
Most states allow a grace period to obtain a new driver’s license (for instance, Illinois gives 90 days), but it’s wise to update it soon because many tasks require ID that reflects your current address.
Expect a fee to get a new license; you might also need to take a vision or written test depending on the state. This license will serve as your official photo ID that shows where you live. The national average for a new driver’s license is about $34, although in Virginia the charge is $89.
Car Registration
You’ll be required to register your vehicle(s) in the new state, obtain new plates and local registration stickers. Even if your old registration has months left, switching over will prevent awkward explanations if you’re pulled over or involved in an accident.
The average fee for vehicle registration and plates is around $54 across the country, though in Florida the cost can be $225.
Notify your auto insurer of your new address and license plates. Insurance premiums are location-sensitive, so your rate may increase or decrease after the move.
Voter Registration
Changing your voter registration won’t usually cost money, but it will take time. You’ll want to update your registration to reflect your new state and ensure you’re removed from voter rolls in your prior state to avoid complications.
Registering to vote typically doesn’t have a fee and can be completed online in 42 states and Washington, D.C.
Banks and Accounts
You may be able to keep your existing checking or savings account, but routing numbers can differ because they’re tied to the bank branch location. Ask your bank whether you must notify direct deposit sources (employer, pension, refunds) of any routing number change. Many banks allow you to manage this digitally.
If your bank lacks branches or ATMs in your new area and you switch banks, you’ll need to update any services that use your banking details — subscription services, automatic payments, payroll deposits, and payment apps.
Electric, Water and Gas
Utility bills are usage-based, so you should tell providers at your old address to stop billing once you leave, and arrange service to begin at your new home. Failing to cancel old accounts could result in being billed for services you no longer use.
Starting service at a new address may incur reconnection or security deposit fees, especially if utilities were turned off by the previous occupant.
For instance, NV Energy in Las Vegas may ask for a security deposit equivalent to the past 12 months of service for the property you’re moving into. If the property never had service, you might face a $140 deposit to initiate power.
Contact utilities two to three weeks before you move. Some providers require deposits prior to activation, and deposit amounts can depend on your credit score.
In certain states you can choose among energy suppliers; consult your real estate agent or municipal utility staff — typically responsible for water, waste, and sewer — before finalizing arrangements.
Internet and Wi‑Fi
Internet service is a necessity for most remote workers, even if you forgo cable TV. Monthly fees vary widely by region and provider. Expect to pay roughly $5–$15 monthly for modem and router rental on top of the service charge.
The average cost for internet and Wi‑Fi is about $61, though this hinges on local availability and whether you choose cable, fiber, or satellite. Adding cable TV will raise your bill.
City Services
If you’re leaving a single-family home, your city may bill you for municipal services like trash pickup or sewer. Notify City Hall that you’ve moved so they can discontinue any services or charges linked to your name at the old address.
Memberships and Subscriptions
Gyms and clubs won’t automatically cancel a recurring membership, so you’ll need to contact them to stop billing. This applies to any paid memberships (fitness centers, country clubs, sports facilities). Stories abound about the difficulties of terminating gym memberships, so be persistent and get confirmation of cancellation.
Clothing and Wardrobe
Changing climates often means altering your wardrobe. Moving to a warmer or colder region will require season-appropriate clothing, outerwear, and footwear. If you’re heading to a snowy climate, you’ll need winter jackets and boots.
How much you spend is up to you, but factor wardrobe changes into your budget. If you’re moving from warm to cold, thrift shops in your former, warmer area may have plenty of winter gear that previous residents sold or donated when they relocated south.
Who Needs Your New Address?
It’s surprising how many places need your updated legal address after a move. This applies whether you stay within the same state or cross state lines, but requirements and procedures can differ across states.
Most address updates are free, yet each one takes time — and time adds up.
- Your employer. Even if you keep your remote job, your employer should be notified of your new location.
- Post Office. File a change of address with your previous post office so mail sent to the old address is forwarded. Take note of any mail you’ve received recently to identify parties who’ll need your new address. Also notify the post office in your new area. This service costs $1.05.
- Subscriptions. Update any mail-delivered subscriptions to your new address.
- Passport. Good news: you don’t need to change the address on your U.S. passport. If you’d written an address inside, you can erase or update it manually if needed.
- Ride‑sharing apps. Update your “home” and saved addresses so drivers don’t try to take you back to your old city.
- Delivery services. Ensure grocery, meal, and package delivery apps have your correct address.
- Other apps. Scan your phone for apps that store your address and update them accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Costs
Here are answers to common questions about the expenses tied to relocation.
There are the obvious costs — renting moving trucks, hiring movers, and transportation to your new location. Other expenses include stopping utilities at the old home and initiating them at the new one, which can bring activation fees.
Expect fees for replacing your driver’s license and registering your vehicle, and possibly security deposits for power, cable, or internet setups. Auto insurance premiums often shift after a move, possibly up or down. The USPS charges a small fee to officially change your address.
Many of the hidden costs are time-related rather than strictly financial, but you could still be billed for services at your previous address if you don’t notify providers that you’ve moved.
Most movers provide long-distance move calculators. Your moving budget depends on how many belongings you have and how far you travel. Moves typically cost thousands, though you can trim expenses by shipping items or transporting some belongings yourself.
Alex Riley is a seasoned journalist focused on personal finance topics since 2013. He contributes articles to Savinly.
