Best Moving Loans

Moving to a new home could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars — not just for housing and transportation but also for supplies, services, and fees. If the sheer expense is just one of the moving-related headaches you’re facing, consider taking out a personal loan. Based on factors including interest rates, funding times, and no loan origination fees, we chose LightStream as the best lender for moving loans.

Below, we’ll cover the best moving loans available, walk you through the pros and cons, and list some alternatives.

Best personal loans for moving and relocation

Although it's our top pick for moving loans, keep in mind that LightStream's minimum loan amount is $5,000. If you need a smaller loan, consider Upgrade, Universal Credit, LendingClub, or another lender listed below.

How much does it cost to move?

Americans spent an average of $3,020 on their moves in 2025, according to a survey by This Old House. Given the cost of housing and transportation, it might make sense to use a personal loan or another form of credit to finance your move.

The cost of moving could range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on several factors, including:

• How far you’re moving
• Where you buy (or borrow) moving supplies
• If you hire professional movers
• The time of year
• What and how much you’re moving

“The price varies depending on whether [people] decide to hire professional movers or work it out on their own,” says Jonathan Ayala, a licensed real estate salesperson at Hudson Condos. “The average price for local moving companies is somewhere from $500 to $1,500 per move, depending on how many possessions you have and the distance moved. When renting a truck and performing all the work themselves, people could get this price down to anywhere in the $100 to $300 range; however, gas, mileage from the truck rental company, and equipment rental — such as dollies — should be factored in as well.”

Hidden costs of moving

Beyond the obvious expenses, such as hiring movers, renting a truck, or buying packing supplies, Ayala points to several potential hidden costs you might not think of when planning your move.

“People also tend to forget those utility transfer or activation fees, which would most commonly run from $30 to $100 per service,” he says. “Another cost that sometimes lurks in the shadows is the cost of cleaning supplies or, more grievously, professional cleaning services if a deep cleaning is stipulated prior to vacating by your landlord.”

If you’re moving from one rental to another, you may need to budget for the first month’s rent, security deposit, and/or a lease-break fee at your current rental. If you’re buying a house, you obviously have much bigger expenses, such as the down payment, inspection, closing costs, and homeowners' insurance.

One other expense people forget to factor in? “Time,” says Alexei Morgado, Realtor and founder of the real estate exam prep program Lexawise. “Moving is a lengthy business and involves the boxing of your belongings, the cleaning of the place you are leaving, the actual moving, the unboxing, and potentially cleaning your new place.”

What is a moving loan and how does it work?

A moving loan is often a type of personal loan that allows you to pay for the costs of moving, even if you don’t have the money in the bank. 

Moving loans are straightforward and easy to manage. Personal loans typically involve a lump sum paid to you upfront, which you repay in monthly installments over a fixed number of years. By the end of the loan period, you’ll have paid back what you borrowed, plus interest and any fees.

Loan fees, interest rates, borrowing amounts, funding speeds, and terms vary by lender, but here’s a look at common moving loan features:

• Interest rates: 6.49% to 35.99%
• Borrowing amounts: $1,000 to $50,000 (with a few lenders offering loan amounts as high as $100,000 or more)
• Funding speeds: Same day to a few business days
• Loan terms: 2 to 7 years
• Origination fees: 0% to 15%, varying by lender

When to take out a moving loan

While taking on debt to pay for the cost of a move isn’t ideal, sometimes your choices are limited. You might not have the cash on hand to pay for everything upfront, especially if:

• You're moving to another state or a different part of the country
• You have a lot of furniture, clothing, and personal belongings

The distance you're traveling and the amount of cargo you're transporting can affect the cost of moving significantly. A moving loan might also make sense if you need to move urgently for reasons such as:

• Taking care of a sick loved one
• Relocating for a job
• Losing your home to a fire or natural disaster
• Long-term medical treatment

Learn More: How Do Personal Loans Work?

How to compare personal loans for moving

Whether you’re taking out a personal loan to consolidate debt, pay for a wedding, or cover moving costs, you should always compare multiple options to make sure you’re getting the best deal. You can check with banks and credit unions or compare online lenders using an online loan marketplace like Credible to prequalify with no hard credit check and compare multiple lender quotes at once. 

Just note that a prequalification quote isn’t an offer of credit, and the APR, terms, and fees of a loan offer may differ. Plus, most lenders will run a hard credit check once you apply for a loan, which could ding your credit score for up to a year.

When looking at moving loans side-by-side, make sure you consider:

• APR: Annual percentage rate, or APR, represents the annualized cost of borrowing money, combining interest rates and any upfront fees such as origination fees. Prioritize finding a loan with a low interest rate and low (or no) origination fees. 
• Funding time: If you need to cover moving costs as soon as possible, look for a moving loan offering same-day or next-day funding. Most lenders can fund a personal loan within a few business days.
• Loan amounts: Not every lender offers small personal loans. If you need less than $1,000 or $2,000 to cover your move, your options might be more limited. (Lenders also have different maximum lending amounts, but that should not likely apply if you’re only financing a move.)
• Loan terms: Find a lender that offers a loan repayment schedule you’re comfortable with. For instance, if you want to keep monthly payments low because you’re on a tight budget, look for a moving loan with a longer repayment term. Spreading your payments out over more months is the easiest way to reduce your monthly costs.

Learn More: How To Compare Personal Loans

Pros and cons of using a personal loan to move

If you're considering getting a personal loan for your upcoming move, there are some pros and cons you should consider:

Pros

• Pay over time: You can pay for the cost of moving over time rather than upfront.
• Fast funding: You can get the money quickly. If you’re pressed for time, lack of funds won’t slow you down.
• Lower rates than credit cards: Personal loans generally have lower interest rates than credit cards and emergency loan options, such as cash advances and predatory payday loans. Unlike credit cards, personal loans typically charge simple interest rather than compound interest.
• Collateral not required: Unsecured personal loans don’t require you to put up a valuable asset as collateral.

Cons

• Could be high cost: Due to interest and fees, you could pay more for your move by financing it than you would if you paid upfront.
• Lowers discretionary income: You’ll have a stricter budget for several years as you work to pay off your moving loan.
• Credit impact: A hard credit inquiry from a loan application could have a negative impact on your credit score, possibly lowering it by up to 10 points for as long as one year.
• May not qualify: You may not be able to qualify if you don’t meet a lender’s credit score requirements for a personal loan.

Related: Should I Get a Personal Loan?

Moving loan interest rates

The following table has average moving loan rates based on Credible personal loans data from the past 12 months. 

How to get a personal loan for moving

In many cases, the process is fast and easy. Here’s how to apply for a personal loan:

1. Determine how much you need to borrow

Calculate how much you need to borrow and how much you can afford to spend each month on a monthly payment.

2. Check your credit score

Checking your credit score can give you a better idea of which lenders you might qualify with since some have minimum credit score requirements.

3. Research and compare lenders

Armed with this information, you can compare loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders.

4. Apply with your preferred lender

Fill out the application for the lender you choose. You will need to provide some documentation for the personal loan to help the lender make their decision, such as:

• Pay stubs
• W-2s or 1099s
• Bank statements
• Proof of address
• Proof of identity

You’ll also usually need to submit to a credit check. If your credit reports are frozen, temporarily thaw them ahead of your application.

Finally, you’ll need to provide your bank information for funding the loan, if approved.

5. Wait for approval and accept the funds

Once approved, read through the fine print of the loan agreement closely. If you agree with the terms and conditions, sign the agreement and wait for the funds to be deposited into your bank account.

You’ll have a lot on your mind with an upcoming move, but don’t forget to set up autopay for your new moving loan. Missing even one payment can have a significant impact on your credit score.

Learn More: How To Apply for a Personal Loan

Tips on getting a moving loan with bad credit

Getting approved for a moving loan is much easier if you have a credit score of 640 or more, although some lenders offer personal loans for fair credit and bad credit. 

That doesn’t mean a personal loan is off the table. Here are a few ways to improve your chances of getting approved for a personal loan with bad credit:

• Request to borrow a smaller amount: If you can pay for a portion of the move out of pocket, request to borrow less money. This represents a smaller risk to the lender and thus improves your chances of approval.
• Use a co-applicant or co-borrower: If a friend or family member with strong credit is willing, apply for a joint personal loan. You’ll share access to the loan funds and share responsibility for repayment.
• Get a secured loan: Secured loans require collateral; collateral for personal loans might include your car, expensive jewelry, or investment accounts. Collateral makes the loan less risky for the lender, so they’re more likely to approve you. Just be careful: If you default on your loan, the lender can take that collateral. 

Other ways to pay for your move

If you need to move but can’t afford it, a personal loan is a great option — but it’s not your only option. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

Save up in advance

If you need to move urgently, saving up won’t help you. But if you want to move but are in no major rush, you can instead wait until you’ve saved up enough money. Even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, there are ways to save money for a move over time.

1. Open a high-yield savings account: Build up a reserve in a savings account that pays well above the average interest rate. 
2. Cut unnecessary expenses: You could save a lot of money by making meals at home, using coupons and buying generic brands at the grocery store, getting rid of streaming services and gym memberships, and keeping utility costs down by lowering the thermostat in winter and raising it in the summer.
3. Get a side gig: You might supplement your income by getting a side hustle, such as food delivery, dog walking, or house-sitting. Put all this extra income directly into the savings account, and don’t touch it until you’re ready to move.

Related: How To Start an Emergency Fund

Pay with a credit card

Credit cards generally have higher interest rates than personal loans, but paying for a move with a credit card can make sense in a few instances:

• You have a rewards credit card and will be able to pay off what you spend within one month — so you don’t pay any interest and earn cash back or points.
• You open a new credit card with a 0% APR introductory period — and can pay off the costs before the end of that intro period. Note that you typically need good or excellent credit to qualify for a 0% APR offer.
• You can’t qualify for a personal loan for moving.

Compare: Personal Loan vs. Credit Card: Which Is Better?

Ask for relocation assistance

If you’re moving for a job, you can ask for relocation assistance. Not every employer pays for relocation, but it’s always worth asking for. You can even negotiate for it when you are discussing the benefits package before accepting a new job.

Crowdfund

You can certainly ask friends and family to help you move to keep costs down, but you can also turn to loved ones for a loan to help cover the cost. Borrowing money from friends and relatives can be uncomfortable; always prioritize repaying loved ones as quickly as possible to avoid damaging your relationship.

Alternatively, you can turn to a crowdfunding platform to raise money from friends, family, and even strangers online.

How to save money on your move

Although you might have to get creative, you do have some options for reducing the cost of your move. 

• Asking friends and family for help instead of hiring movers (but remember to thank them with beverages and snacks)
• Get multiple quotes on movers and rental trucks to find the best deals
• Selling or donating bulky items, like furniture and clothing you no longer need or want
• See if you can get free boxes from local supermarkets, retailers, or liquor stores

Methodology

Credible evaluated 32 lenders across 1,216 data points to find the best personal loans for moving. We chose the best lenders based on the following weighted categories:

• Rates and fees: 18.75%
• Eligibility and options for bad and no credit: 17.5%
• Availability: 12.5%
• Loan amounts and terms: 10%
• Customer satisfaction: 10%
• Customer service: 10%
• Efficiency and fund delivery: 10%
• Discounts: 7.5%
• Credible proprietary data: 3.75%

Credible’s team of experts gathered information from each lender’s website and from our partners directly. We also considered each of our partner lenders’ statistics over a 12-month period — including average funding times, average credit scores for approved applicants, and average rates. Each data point is verified by a senior editor to make sure it’s accurate at the time of publication. 

Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our personal loans lender rating methodology.

Disclosure: Some lending partners that participate in Credible’s comparison marketplace offer loans to borrowers with scores as low as 550. Borrowers with low scores will have fewer lending options than borrowers with higher credit scores.