The best time to move is during the slow season — from September to May. The best days of the week to move are generally Monday, Thursday, and the weekend because movers tend to be less busy.
If you’re moving on a tight budget, you might want to pack up and go during the winter months when there’s less demand. But keep in mind if your moving includes places that have severe cold weather and storms that could make it challenging, if not impossible, to move as scheduled.
The end of the month is the best time to move because it’s easier to cancel your utilities before the new month begins. You also won’t have to deal with the landlord charging you a prorated rent payment, which is a daily rent payment for the extra days you’ll be staying rather than paying for the full month. But it might be harder to book a moving company or rental truck at the end of the month because other people could have the same idea.
If you want to lock in a less popular (and cheaper) move date, plan to move in the middle of the month. Ask your landlord if you can end your lease two weeks early or two weeks late and adjust the rent accordingly. You can still leave mid-month if they say no, but you’ll have to pay the full month’s rent.
Homeowners have even less flexibility with moving timelines. You have to schedule your move around the closing date you agree on with your buyer. But you can have someone trust watch your property until you close on the sale. Then you can book the move for when it’s most convenient or budget-friendly.
The best days of the week to move are usually Monday and Thursday. These days are the least popular and usually the cheapest. But weekdays might not be the most convenient time to move if you need to get time off from work or pull your kids out of school. And if you need any moving help from friends, Saturday or Sunday is usually easier. So, even if it’s harder (and more expensive) to book a mover or truck, you might want to move on the weekend.
January is the best month to move into an apartment because rent prices are typically the cheapest at the beginning of the year. Also, fewer people tend to move mid-winter.
The most expensive time to sign a new lease is in July. Landlords know they can ask for a higher rental rate during the summer because it’s a popular time to move.
If you’re buying a home, summer is usually the best time to move in, so you don’t have to deal with winter weather. You’ll want to move in shortly after your closing date if possible so the home doesn’t sit empty for too long. However, you might not have control over when you’re able to move into your new home.
If you’re renting a house, the winter is probably the cheapest time to move in because it’s the off-season for moving. The landlord will probably want you to move in at the start or the end of the month. But you can always ask for a different arrangement if you’d prefer another date.
