Best Time to Move: Cheapest Month & Day
The cheapest time to move is late fall through winter (October–April), midweek (Tuesday–Thursday), and mid-month. Moving off-peak can cut costs 20–30% versus a summer-weekend-end-of-month move, the single most expensive combination.
Cheapest Move = Off-season (Oct–Apr) + Midweek (Tue–Thu) + Mid-month
When you move can matter as much as how you move. Moving demand is highly seasonal — the U.S. Census Bureau consistently shows moves peaking in the warm months, when leases turn over, school is out, and weather cooperates. That demand spike pushes mover prices up, so shifting your date can unlock real savings.
This guide breaks down the cheapest month, day of week, and time of month, plus how to balance savings against weather and scheduling. Whatever date you pick, verify any interstate mover at the FMCSA's Protect Your Move database before booking. Use the estimate below as your baseline, then time your move to beat it.
What This Means
This estimate reflects average-season pricing. Booking off-season, midweek, and mid-month can trim 20–30% off it, while a peak summer-weekend-end-of-month move can add a similar premium. Treat the estimate as your midpoint and let timing move you toward the low end. Always confirm a mover's USDOT registration at FMCSA.gov.
Cheapest Month to Move
Peak moving season runs from mid-May through mid-September, when roughly 70% of all U.S. moves happen. Demand drives prices to their annual high. The cheapest window is the off-season — late September through April, with the deepest discounts in the dead of winter.
| Period | Demand | Relative Price |
|---|---|---|
| June – August | Peak | Highest (+20–30%) |
| May & September | Shoulder | Above average |
| October – November | Low | Below average |
| December – February | Lowest | Cheapest (−20–30%) |
| March – April | Rising | Below average |
Cheapest Day of the Week
Within any month, the day you choose shifts the price too. Weekends are in highest demand because most people don't want to take time off work.
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — the cheapest and most available days; movers often discount midweek slots.
- Monday & Friday — moderate demand as people bridge to weekends.
- Saturday & Sunday — most expensive and most booked; reserve far ahead and expect premium rates.
If your schedule allows, a midweek move is one of the easiest ways to save without changing anything else about your plan.
The reason weekends cost more is simple supply and demand: most people cannot take a weekday off, so Saturday and Sunday slots fill first and movers price them accordingly. By choosing a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you are buying into the part of the week where crews have open capacity and an incentive to discount. A midweek move also tends to be less rushed — the crew is not racing to fit in a second weekend job — which can mean more careful handling of your belongings. If taking a weekday off work is feasible, it is one of the highest-return decisions you can make, often saving a noticeable percentage with zero change to the size or distance of your move.
Cheapest Time of the Month
The start and end of each month are the busiest because most leases begin or end on the 1st. That bunching drives both demand and prices up.
- Mid-month (roughly the 10th–20th) is cheapest and has the best availability.
- First and last 3 days of the month are the most expensive due to lease turnover.
- Combining mid-month with a midweek, off-season date stacks all three discounts together.
If you rent, ask your landlord whether a mid-month move-out date is possible — even a few days' shift can lower your moving bill.
This pattern exists because the rental-housing market runs on the calendar. Leases overwhelmingly begin on the first of the month, which forces a wave of move-outs and move-ins at both ends of the month and leaves the middle relatively quiet. Movers see the same crush, so their busiest and priciest days mirror lease turnover. If you own your home and have flexibility on closing or possession dates, steering toward mid-month can capture this discount; if you rent, it is worth a conversation with your current and future landlords about whether a mid-month handover is possible, since the savings can exceed any minor proration of rent.
Savings vs. Weather & Logistics
The cheapest dates come with trade-offs worth weighing:
- Winter weather — snow, ice, and cold can complicate loading and lengthen transit; build in buffer days.
- Shorter daylight — off-season moves have fewer working hours per day.
- School schedules — families often prefer summer despite the premium to avoid disrupting the school year.
- Lease alignment — your move date may be constrained by when your old and new leases start and end.
For many people, the savings of an off-season, midweek, mid-month move outweigh the downsides — especially for local moves where weather risk is brief.
The decision ultimately comes down to your own constraints. Families with school-age children frequently accept the summer premium to avoid pulling kids out mid-year, and that is a reasonable trade. Renters are often locked into specific start and end dates by their leases, which limits how much they can optimize. But anyone with genuine flexibility — remote workers, empty nesters, people between jobs — can stack all three discounts (off-season, midweek, mid-month) for the lowest possible price. Even partial flexibility helps: if you cannot move in winter, simply avoiding a weekend at month's end in July still saves money compared with the single most expensive slot on the calendar.
How to Lock In the Best Rate
Once you've picked a low-demand window, secure the savings with these steps:
- Book early — even off-season slots fill, and early booking gets the best price.
- Get three quotes for your target date and ask each mover to match the lowest.
- Offer scheduling flexibility — let the carrier choose your day within a window for a discount.
- Avoid the first and last few days of the month.
- Ask about midweek and off-season promotions directly.
- Combine good timing with the tips in our save-money guide for maximum savings.
Keep in mind that the discount you negotiate is only as good as the mover behind it. A suspiciously cheap off-season quote from an unverified company is not a deal — confirm the USDOT registration and read reviews before you commit. The reliable path is to choose a low-demand window, gather three quotes from licensed carriers, and let them compete for that date. When you combine smart timing with a reduced shipment weight and a binding estimate, you capture the full benefit of moving off-peak while keeping your belongings in the hands of a reputable, insured mover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest month to move?
The cheapest months are December through February, with the broader off-season (October–April) all running below summer prices. Demand drops sharply once school is back in session and the weather cools, so movers discount to fill their calendars. Moving in winter can save 20–30% compared with a peak summer move.
What is the cheapest day of the week to move?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the cheapest and most available days because most people prefer to move on weekends to avoid taking time off work. Midweek moves often come with lower rates and a more rested, less rushed crew. Saturdays and Sundays are the most expensive and book up first.
Is it cheaper to move at the beginning or middle of the month?
Mid-month — roughly the 10th to the 20th — is cheapest, because most leases start and end on the 1st, bunching demand at the beginning and end of the month. A mid-month date has better availability and lower prices. Combining it with a midweek, off-season date stacks all three discounts.
How much can off-season timing save me?
Shifting from a peak summer-weekend-end-of-month move to an off-season, midweek, mid-month move can save roughly 20–30% on full-service costs. The exact savings vary by market and mover, but timing is one of the few levers that lowers your bill without changing the size or distance of your move.
Is winter a bad time to move?
Winter is the cheapest time to move, but it carries weather risk — snow, ice, and short daylight can slow loading and lengthen transit. For local moves the exposure is brief, so the savings usually win. For long-distance winter moves, build in buffer days and watch the forecast along the route.