What's the most popular month of the year to move? (And why you should care)

Whether you love it or hate it, moving is a transition that most of us go through at some point in our lives. In fact, the average American moves at least 11 times in their lifetime, according to data from the United States Census Bureau . In 2023 alone, approximately 12.1% of the U.S. population relocated to a different residence. If you compare that percentage to the overall U.S. population, you've got millions of households on the move. But when are these moves taking place? 

The short answer is during the summer months. Moving during the summer is popular for many different reasons. However, popular doesn't always translate to better, and moving during the summer comes with its own set of challenges. In this guide, we'll take a look at the most (and least) popular times of the year to move, as well as the pros and cons of trying to book a move when everyone else is.

What's the most popular month to move?

It should come as no surprise that summer is the most popular time of the year to move. The kids are out of school, adults are taking time off work, and warmer weather usually means you won't have to deal with snow or ice. If we want to get specific, June in particular is the busiest time of the year for most moving companies. National moving companies , like Two Men and a Truck, for example, can complete thousands of moves within just the last weekend of June itself.

"Traditionally, the busiest month of the year for Two Men and a Truck is June, with the busiest time of the month being the last weekend of the month," Jeremy Buhrmann, a Two Men and a Truck operations manager in Grand Rapids, North Michigan , told Yahoo Local in an email. "During June 27 to 29, Two Men and a Truck franchises completed 4,967 moves and moved 15.4 million pounds of belongings."

While June is by far the most popular month to schedule a move, May through September are also prime times to relocate, according to national moving company Allied Van Lines . However, that's not just because of favorable weather and summer breaks. The real estate market also comes into play when deciding when to move. According to sales data from Zillow , May is the best month to sell your house, with May sellers earning an extra 1.6% on the sale of their home. For renters, many leases expire during the summer, increasing the odds of booking a summer move.

"Spring flowers and foliage help make homes look their best, and a spring listing usually leads to an early summer move," Buhrmann said.

What's the least popular month to move?

You've probably already guessed it, but winter is considered the offseason in the moving industry. January and February specifically tend to be the months with the fewest bookings. This is for a variety of reasons: colder temperatures, the risk of snow and ice and shorter daylight hours. Kids are also back in school, and adults have likely just come back to work from holiday break.

While moving in the winter comes with its own set of challenges, there are potential benefits too, namely financial. According to MoveBuddha , moves that take place in January and February tend to be 30% cheaper. For long-distance moves (which usually cost thousands of dollars), this can make a big difference. 

Should you move during the busy season?

The best day to book a mover is a day that matches your schedule and budget. That being said, if you've got your heart set on a summer move, it's important to understand that you'll be up against some tough competition. The best thing you can do is book your moving company as far out in advance as possible.

"For anyone planning a move during the summer, especially in June, make sure to schedule your move well in advance," Buhrmann said. "That way, you can get on the schedule for your preferred moving date."

Moves during the peak season also cost more. If you have some flexibility in your move date (and don't mind braving the colder weather), you can save some money by planning for a fall or winter move instead. Plus, you'll have a much higher chance of getting your preferred date, like a coveted Saturday or Sunday time slot. Buhrmann also recommends that you start packing as soon as possible. Creating a moving checklist with tasks like hiring movers, building your army of moving boxes, getting your utilities set up ahead of time and decluttering your home are things you'll want to be on top of before moving day rolls around.

"A checklist leading up to moving day will help everyone stay on track," Buhrmann said. Getting your life together early will save you a ton of stress later down the road.

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