How Much Does It Cost To Move Interstate? [2024]

Starting a journey to a new state is exciting and full of potential, but it's important to carefully consider the financial aspects. Whether you're moving for work, family, or a change of scenery, understanding the costs of moving between states is crucial for managing your finances wisely. This includes hiring movers and budgeting for transportation costs. Read this “How Much Does It Cost To Move Interstate?” guide to comprehend the interstate moving costs.

How Much Does It Cost To Move Interstate?

The cost of interstate moving and hiring removalist services can vary between $1,600 and $8,000. This range is subject to variation based on factors such as your departure and destination points, as well as any extra services you may require, such as specialized packing or the use of a shipping container.

Below are the average costs for relocating to another state in Australia with a two-bedroom residence.

Average Costs of Moving to Perth – Western Australia

• Melbourne to Perth: $3,037


• Adelaide to Perth: $3,037


• Sydney to Perth: $3,837


• Brisbane to Perth: $4,512


• Darwin to Perth: $5,182


• Tasmania to Perth: $5,182

Average Costs of Moving to Brisbane – Queensland

• Sydney to Brisbane: $1,637


• Melbourne to Brisbane: $2,075


• Adelaide to Brisbane: $3,512


• Perth to Brisbane: $3,800


• Tasmania to Brisbane: $3,937


• Darwin to Brisbane: $4,835

Average Costs of Moving to Sydney – New South Wales

• Melbourne to Sydney: $1,675


• Brisbane to Sydney: $1,637


• Perth to Sydney: $2,982


• Adelaide to Sydney: $2,975


• Tasmania to Sydney: $3,537



Darwin to Sydney: $4,155

Average Costs of Moving to Hobart – Tasmania

• Melbourne to Tasmania: $3,312


• Sydney to Tasmania: $3,875


• Adelaide to Tasmania: $4,912


• Perth to Tasmania: $5,310


• Darwin to Tasmania: $6,560

Average Costs of Moving to Melbourne – Victoria

• Sydney to Melbourne: $1,675


• Adelaide to Melbourne: $1,937


• Brisbane to Melbourne: $1,937


• Perth to Melbourne: $2,552


• Tasmania to Melbourne: $3,137


• Darwin to Melbourne: $3,432

Average Costs of Moving to Adelaide – South Australia

• Darwin to Adelaide: $1,927


• Sydney to Adelaide: $2,647


• Tasmania to Adelaide: $3,082


• Melbourne to Adelaide: $3,162


• Brisbane to Adelaide: $3,225


• Perth to Adelaide: $4,712

Average Costs of Moving to Darwin – Northern Territory

• Adelaide to Darwin: $4,037


• Brisbane to Darwin: $5,120


• Melbourne to Darwin: $5,407


• Perth to Darwin: $5,842


• Sydney to Darwin: $6,202


• Tasmania to Darwin: $8,005

How Much To Move Home Interstate?

The moving costs depend mainly on how big your house is or just how many things you need to move.

1 Bedroom Apartment (10-15m³): 1,450 - $2,250

The prices are almost the lowest. For example, if there are many heavy or fragile things, like a big refrigerator, more money has to be paid.

2 Bedroom Apartment (16-25m³): $2,250 - $3,250

A move to a bigger apartment requires much space in a truck for things and more hours of work. Also, packing can increase the cost for larger houses.

3 Bedroom House (26-40m³): $3,650 - $5,150

For a three-bedroom house, you are dealing with so much belonging, furniture, and even appliances. You will most likely be assigned the task of dismantling and then reassembling furniture during the move.

4 Bedroom House (41-50m³): $5,150 - $6,250

The larger houses take up more space and therefore require more men to move the household. The moving cost will therefore factor in the extra time and effort needed to move an entire houseful of possessions.

5 Bedroom House (51-60m³): $6,650 - $7,950

Even for the biggest houses, the cost of moving is not only in terms of the volume of goods but also because you may need to make numerous trips or hire a bigger truck. Specialty items like artwork, pianos, or any other item of such nature increase the cost of your home.

These estimates will include standard moving services such as loading, transporting your belongings, and unloading. However, you may pay extra for packing, special handling of fragile items, and long-distance fees.

Costs of Moving Furniture Interstate

Relocation of individual furniture pieces varies from size, and weight, to movement complications.

Cost of Relocating a Bed: $50 to $150

A bed removal depends on the location, size and whether it needs dismantling. Big ones or those with drawers make relocation complicated and expensive.

Moving Big Appliances: $80 - $180

The refrigerator, washer, oven, and others are relatively delicate. These receive special care as they must be disconnected, tied up for the move, and sometimes reinstalled in a new location.

Sofa: $200 - $400

Moving a sofa, especially big or sectionals, can be quite difficult and would probably require disassembling. Its cost depends on the size and how heavy it is, the effort exerted to move it through doorways, and even up stairways. One would require packing materials for additional protection of the upholstery.

Dining Table: $150 - $300

Dining tables, especially those made of solid wood and glass, are fragile and need to be cared for so as not to break. The larger ones have to be broken down and to be protected in wrapping would be required particularly if there is a glass top or intricate design.

Wardrobe: $150 - $300

Whereas with wardrobe, dismounting the bigger units and covering mirrors or finishes is expensive. They are heavy; it is a costly affair to get them across narrow hallways or stairways. Not to mention packing material and time to further ensure safe transportability as well.

Kitchen Appliances: $150 - $300

Refrigerators and stoves are not light and should be placed with great care when moving so as not to damage electrical components or finishes.

Large TV: $50 - $150

A big television has to be moved in such a way that the screen is very well padded up because those can easily break. It depends on the size; some of the very large sets may need special packaging, and sometimes, crating.

Costs of Moving Pool Table Interstate

Many consider that a pool table is among the harder objects to be moved due to its dimensions, weight, and complexity of its construction. A standard pool table would be approximately $500 to $1,500 to move interstate. Pool tables usually vary from 7ft to 12ft in diameter. The larger the table or made with slate material, the heavier it is. Heavier tables then require specialized tools and a good deal more man-hours to disassemble and reassemble; therefore, more expensive. Pool tables must be disassembled to be portable. They remove the felt, rails, and slate before putting them all back together in a new location. This adds time and labour to the move, plus costs overall.

If you're moving the table from a basement or moving up a few floors of stairs, the movers will charge more because it requires a lot of effort and time. Generally speaking, tight spaces have to be maneuvered much more precisely, hence costing you more.

Additionally, if the pool table happens to be expensive and can easily be damaged during your move, you may want to invest in some transit insurance on it.

Costs of Moving Piano Interstate

Moving a piano, once again, is a specialty job that requires professional care and expertise. Again, it will depend on the kind and distance of the piano, and even more so with:

• Upright Pianos: $150 - $700


• Baby Grand Pianos: $300 - $1,000


• Grand Pianos: $500 - $1,500

Some pianos have to be moved up or down stairs. This is usually a more complicated and labour-intensive task. Most movers charge additional fees for this from $150 to $300.

After moving, pianos often need readjustment for the changed levels of humidity and jostling during the transport. Piano tuning services are not included in the moving cost and add a few hundred dollars to the overall bill.

Additional Costs to Consider for Interstate Moving

When preparing for an interstate relocation, extra moving costs are obvious. You must consider the following to prepare a safe interstate moving budget.

• Insurance: When moving, always cover your belongings. Most insurance covers damage or loss of household items. However, full coverage can be up to $1,000. Basic will only cover minimal damage, but high-value items or comprehensive coverage may cost more.


• Relocation Travel: Most families also need to relocate themselves and their pets to the new place, which costs anywhere between $500 and 4,000. It will depend on distance, number of travellers, and type of transport. If it is going to be a long trip, then there's fuel, meals, and accommodations for long driving trips involved. You may also have to hire pet transport services or take care of your pets during the move.


• Storage: You might need short-term warehousing for your effects, especially in case your new place isn't ready to take you in. Storage facilities cost between $150 to $400 per month, depending on the size of the storage and also depending on how long you rent it. Moving companies usually offer short-term storage; however, long-term storage will surely be charged extra as an added expense.


• Packing Supplies: Don't forget to budget for the actual supplies you will need: boxes, bubble wrap, and straps. Of course, that can add another $100 or so depending on how much you need. Some moving companies even offer free basic packing materials as part of their services; extra packing supplies can account for more cost.


• Utility Transfer: You'll be paying approximately $500 to transfer utilities, update your car registration and mail, as well as get services started at your new place. Some of these processes take some time, so prepare in advance to not lose any service at your new home.

Factors Impacting Interstate Moving Costs

How much does it cost to move interstate? It's essential to think about several key factors that can influence the total price of your move.

• Distance: When you're calculating moving costs, how far you have to go matters. That's because longer distances mean more fuel for the journey, which can add up. Plus, it takes longer to get there, and coordinating everything becomes more complex. The farther you move, the more money you're likely to fork over. Keep that in mind as you're planning your relocation.


• Volume of Belongings: The amount of stuff you're taking with you when you move can impact how much it's going to cost. If you've got a lot of furniture, appliances, and personal items, you're going to need more space, like bigger trucks or extra shipping containers. And of course, more space means more money.


• Time: Timing is very important if you are planning to move. If you move during peak seasons, it is going to add more costs. That’s why you should try moving during off-peak seasons which can lead to finding more affordable rates.


• Transportation: Transportation will add more costs while moving interstate. The costs depend on the distance, cargo, and the mode of transportation you choose. This happens just because of the fuel, tolls, and crew accommodations.


• Extra Services: When planning your move, it's important to think about any extra services you may need apart from just moving your items. These could involve help with packing and unpacking, assembling furniture, or storing your belongings for a short or long period. With the help of these services, you can move freely but they also come with extra expenses.

Some Ways to Save on Interstate Moving Costs

• Start planning early for better deals and avoid extra and unforeseen expenses.


• Go through your belongings before moving and sell, donate, or recycle them that are no longer needed. Less stuff means lower costs. More stuff leads to higher costs.


• Talk to different moving companies for the best and most affordable deal.


• You should try moving during off-peak seasons which can lead to finding more affordable rates.


• Pack your items yourself instead of paying for packing services. This will help you save extra money.


• For smaller moves, you can save money by dividing transportation expenses with others, reducing the financial burden on each individual.

Moving Insurance for Interstate Moves

When preparing for your interstate relocation, it's important to consider purchasing moving insurance to safeguard your possessions. You have the choice between declared value protection, based on weight, or full-value protection, reimbursing the total value. Third-party insurance is also worth considering for added flexibility. Costs will differ based on coverage and provider, so comparing options is recommended. Choosing the right insurance will give you peace of mind during your move, with your belongings financially secure.

Packing and Moving Tips

• Before you pack, you have the option to remove unnecessary items to decrease the amount of things you have to transport.


• When you label boxes, make sure to indicate what is inside and which room they belong to for easier unpacking.


• Cover your fragile items while being transported, and wrap them individually with bubble wrap or packing paper.

Finding the Right Interstate Moving Company

• Check service marketplaces like ServiceTasker™ and find several interstate moving companies with reliable services.


• Look how you can get quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and service information.


• Focus on companies with a valid license, insurance, and positive reviews to ensure reliability.


• Checking experience and availability is a must to see if they align with your moving plans.


• Once you've narrowed down your options, you should schedule meetings with the top contenders to ask questions and evaluate their professionalism before finalizing your decision.


• Before you finalize your decision on a moving company, it's crucial to obtain a written contract. This document should cover all the details of the move, including services, pricing, dates, insurance, and other essential information to protect both you and the moving company.

Conclusion

Moving interstate requires careful planning to manage costs and ensure a smooth transition. Understanding factors like distance, timing, transportation, and services can help you clearly understand “How Much Does It Cost To Move Interstate?”. Save by preparing early, decluttering, comparing quotes, and packing yourself. Get moving insurance, choose a reputable company, and secure a written contract for a worry-free interstate moving experience.