What Is the Best Month to Move Out?

Moving can be one of the most stressful and expensive life events—but did you know that when you move can make a big difference? Picking the right month can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars, reduce the chances of scheduling headaches, and help you avoid extreme weather conditions.

Consider this: moving in July means battling scorching summer heat and paying premium prices since it’s one of the busiest times of the year. On the other hand, moving in January might be much cheaper but could mean navigating icy roads and shorter daylight hours.

So, what is the best month to move out? The answer depends on your priorities—whether it’s saving money, avoiding bad weather, or aligning with your personal schedule. Below, we’ll break down the advantages and disadvantages of each season, and help you determine the optimal time to plan your move.

Peak Season vs. Off-Peak Season Moves

Choosing the right time of year to move can affect everything from pricing to availability to the overall stress of the process. The moving industry experiences two major moving periods:

1. Peak Moving Season (May–August) – When demand is highest, prices spike, and competition for movers is fierce. ~70% of moves happen in this time.
2. Off-Peak Moving Season (October–April) – When moving demand slows down, and discounts and better scheduling options become available. You can save 20-30% if you move in this time.

Best Months of the Year to Move

Early Spring (March – April) – Moderate weather, moving companies gearing up but not at full demand yet. Cite that in many areas of the US, March and April offer mild weather and lower prices before the summer rush. Real estate market starts picking up (more homes available) but you beat the crowd by moving in spring.

• 👍 Pros: Mild temperatures (no sweltering heat or blizzards), increasing daylight, lower moving rates than summer.
• 👎 Cons: Rain is possible, spring allergies for some, and families with kids might still be in school. Demand begins rising by late spring, so April/May prices creep up.

Late Summer/Early Fall (September – October) – September and October have cooler weather and a post-summer dip in moving demand. Movers have more availability and often lower rates than summer peak. If someone asks for a single best month, many experts would pick September or October for the balance of cost and weather.

May (Late Spring) – May is somewhat a sweet spot before peak. It’s actually known as National Moving Month when activity surges, but it’s earlier in the peak cycle: weather is excellent and while demand is rising, it’s not as fully booked as June/July. Many leases and home sales close in May.

• 👍 Pros: Ideal weather, lots of home inventory on the market (if buying), and movers are widely available if booked early.
• 👎 Cons: Demand is growing – May can be very busy (some classify it as peak), so prices may be higher than spring. Need to schedule movers in advance.

Worst Months to Move

Mid-Summer (June – July) – These are peak moving months to avoid if possible. Schools are out and most people schedule moves in June/July, meaning highest moving costs and competition for movers. Trucks and crews are extremely busy. Also, in many areas, summer heat is at its worst in July.

• 👍 Cons: Premium pricing due to demand, need to book movers weeks or months ahead, and the heat can make the move physically taxing or even dangerous. For example, Phoenix experienced 31 consecutive days over 110°F one summer, and even professional organizers noted clients “regretted waiting till the middle of the summer to move” because of the brutal conditions.
• 👎 Pros: Longer daylight hours and no school conflicts (that’s why many still choose summer despite the drawbacks). If moving in summer, mitigate issues by booking very early and moving in the morning to beat the heat.

Deep Winter (January – February) – These months are the polar opposite of peak – in fact, if budget is your priority, January (and December) often have the lowest demand and cheapest rates. However, they’re considered among the worst times to move for other reasons.

• 👍 Cons: Cold weather in much of the country – snow, ice, and hazardous conditions can derail a move or make it miserable. There’s also limited daylight (short days) which restricts how long you can comfortably load/unload. Plus, the holiday season in late December can conflict with moving plans.
• 👎 Pros: It’s off-season, so movers offer their lowest rates and more scheduling flexibility. If you live in a mild climate or don’t mind the cold, you can save a lot moving in winter. (AT Movers expert even notes that from a price perspective, “winters are far better than summers for moving”.) Just plan around storms and have a backup plan.

Late December – Moving during the holidays is also tough: many people understandably don’t want to uproot around Christmas/New Year’s. Movers may have limited staff, and costs can spike if you require them during holidays. You also contend with winter weather. Unless necessary, late December is a time to avoid; early January might be slightly better once holiday events are over.

(Note: “Worst” is subjective – if you absolutely must move in a peak or winter month, the later sections of this guide will help you make the best of it. And if you have flexibility, the “best” months above will generally make your move easier.)

Why Spring and Fall Often Win Out

Reiterate that spring and fall are often recommended by moving experts because they offer a middle ground between the extremes of summer and winter. For example:

• In spring (especially March/April), moving companies haven’t hit peak capacity yet, so you can often negotiate better prices or at least find your ideal moving date. Moving costs are often lower before the summer rush. The weather is comfortable for working outdoors (important when loading a truck).
• In fall (Sept through early Nov), you benefit from the cooler weather after summer heat. Demand for movers drops after the school year begins, so prices dip in fall. You might also get lucky with real estate: late fall can be a buyer’s market for homes in some regions, as sellers who listed in summer try to close deals – meaning you might snag a better house price or rent deal when moving in fall.

If you looking for the single best month overall considering all factors: September or October could be pointed to as ideal in many cases (nice weather, lower costs). And indeed, many moving professionals cite mid-September through October as an optimal moving period.

Other Timing Considerations (Week of Month, Day of Week, Time of Day)

Even once you’ve picked the month, choosing the right week and day can make a big difference. Pick the cheapest day to move and save 5 to 10%!

Move Mid-Month if You Can: Most leases and home sales close at the turn of the month, which means the first and last weeks of any month are crunch time for movers. In contrast, scheduling your move in the middle of the month often gets you lower quotes and more choices. Demand is lowest around weeks 2–3 of a month. You’re also less likely to face scheduling conflicts or fully booked trucks.

Bonus: if you’re renting, mid-month moves might mean prorating rent, which sometimes results in a minor savings or at least a less hectic lease signing process.

Pick a Weekday, Not a Weekend: Everyone wants to move on the weekend when they’re off work – which is exactly why moving companies charge more Friday through Sunday and get booked solid. If you can get a day off work, aim for a Monday–Thursday move. You’ll likely secure a better rate and have your pick of time slots. Another perk: banks, utility companies, and offices are open on weekdays, so it’s easier to handle any last-minute issues (like getting utilities turned on or renting equipment).

Pro tip: Some movers even offer mid-week discounts to encourage bookings. Moving mid-week also means less traffic on the road in many areas, so your moving truck can get to the destination faster.

Start Early in the Morning: Regardless of month, the early bird gets the smooth move. Beginning your move first thing in the morning (7am-8am) is wise for several reasons. You avoid the worst heat of the day in hot months, you make the most of daylight in shorter winter days, and you leave buffer time if things run long. Movers often prefer morning starts when everyone is fresh and energetic. By midday, especially in summer, fatigue sets in and temperatures peak – so loading as much as possible before noon will reduce risk of heat exhaustion and keep the team efficient. If you’re doing a DIY move, morning is when you’ll have the most stamina and any helpers are most likely to be available. (If you’re not a morning person, just remember it’s for one day – and it will pay off in a less stressful move.)

Key Factors to Consider for YOUR Move

Ultimately, the “best” time to move can vary from person to person. Consider these factors to align the timing with your unique situation (this is an area where you can exercise experience – think of what matters most to you):

Climate and Weather

Think about the weather in both your current location and your destination. If you live in a place with harsh winters (blizzards, icy roads), a summer move might be safer despite the cost. Conversely, if you’re in an area with extremely hot summers (hello, Arizona or Texas!), you might favor a winter move when temperatures are tolerable. Always check typical weather for the month you’re considering – e.g. is it hurricane or rainy season? – and have contingency plans. Moving in mild weather will reduce risks to your health and your belongings.

Budget Constraints

If saving money is priority #1, aim for the off-season months (late fall through winter) when moving rates are lowest. Get quotes for different time frames; you might be surprised how much cheaper February is than June. According to experts, October through April tends to offer the best prices on rentals and movers, with the absolute cheapest deals often in January/February when demand bottoms out. On the flip side, if you move in peak season, budget for higher costs – maybe 20-30% more – and book well in advance to lock in a decent rate. Also consider your own cash flow (e.g. bonus season or tax refund timing) when choosing when to move.

Work and Career

Look at your work schedule and commitments. Choose a time when you can take a couple of days off to focus on the move. For some, the end of the year is slower at work (making a December move feasible), while for others an early summer move is easier after Q2 projects wrap up. Avoid your industry’s crunch times. Also, if you’re relocating for a new job, see if your start date is flexible – you might negotiate a start in an off-peak month or get moving expenses covered if you have to move at a pricier time.

School Calendar (Family Considerations)

For families, this is huge. If you have kids, you’ll likely want to move during summer break to avoid disrupting their school year. This is why many moves happen in summer despite higher costs. Alternatively, some families opt for late spring (April/May) after school testing is done, or early fall (August) right before the new school year starts. If you move mid-year, be mindful of enrollment dates and try to do it during a long holiday break to ease the transition.

Tip: If you’re child-free but live in a city with a lot of college students, try not to move the weekend of September 1st or May 31st – those dates align with campus lease turnovers and can make traffic and local services crazy (for example, in Boston nearly all leases start Sept 1, creating a notorious moving crunch).

Housing Market Timing

Are you buying or selling a home as part of your move? The time of year can influence prices. Spring and summer are peak real estate seasons – great for sellers (you might fetch a high price for your home in June), but tougher for buyers competing for houses. If you’re buying, you might find more favorable deals in the fall or winter, when there are fewer bidders and some sellers lower prices. Interest rates and local market conditions could also sway your timing. Research your local housing market trends: if home inventory in your area is highest in July, you’ll have more choices if you move then (but maybe pay more for the house), versus moving in January when inventory is slim but you could snag a bargain from a motivated seller.

Lease Considerations

If you’re renting, map out your lease end date and the start date of your new lease. Ideally, create a small overlap if you can afford it – for instance, end your old lease on the 31st but start the new one by the 25th of that month. Having a week or two of overlap can be a lifesaver, allowing you to move at mid-month with less rush. It also gives you time to clean your old place and set up the new one. If an overlap isn’t possible, try to negotiate with your new landlord for early move-in or with your old one for a slightly extended stay. When timing your move-out, also consider if you might incur any fees for breaking a lease early or extending it slightly; sometimes timing your move by just a month later can avoid penalties.

Personal Factors

Finally, consider your personal life events. Avoid moving during particularly stressful or busy periods in your life (e.g. not during your wedding month, not right after a surgery, etc.). Also factor in help availability – do you have friends or family who can assist? If so, aligning your move with when they’re free (and when it’s not too inconvenient for them, like not during their own holidays) can be very helpful. Moving is a personal milestone, and picking the right moment – when you feel ready and prepared – is as important as picking the cheapest or coolest month.

No matter when you move, remember to book reputable movers well in advance if you’re moving during the popular months. A little extra planning goes a long way to securing the date you want. Also, apply the mid-month, mid-week strategy for savings and smoother logistics regardless of month.

Choosing an off-peak month (and even a mid-week, mid-month date) can make your move much more manageable and affordable. Planning ahead is key to take advantage of these timing benefits.