Key Takeaways
- Movers spend close to $20,000 to set up their new homes, according to a survey by Realtor.com.
- These costs include updated home and auto insurance, refreshed furnishings, appliances, and new cars.
- Moving can also change the way people shop, with Realtor.com finding increased use of grocery delivery, among other services.
Moving to a new home is expensive. The costs don’t end once the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
A new Realtor.com survey found that movers spend almost $20,000 setting up their new homes, often feeling motivated to update their lifestyles with new items and services.
Movers bought new furnishings, with 40% of Realtor.com users also getting new appliances. A third of movers also updated their home and auto insurance and made other changes to their spending habits. Movers, including renters, are three times more likely to buy or lease a car than people who stay put, according to the survey, with many getting larger vehicles than they had before.
A report released in January by moving company HireAHelper found that almost 26 million Americans moved in 2024, or about 8% of the population.
“It’s a moment of possibility—one where people are open to trying new things and spending both time and money to settle into their new homes,” said Laura Eddy, vice president of research and Insights at Realtor.com.
Moving alters how people shop, according to Realtor.com. Online grocery usage jumped from 37% to 67% for movers in their new homes. Similarly, 65% of users reported utilizing online pharmacy services, reflecting a more than 40% increase after moving.
More than 30% of movers also switched companies for their home or auto insurance, and a similar amount added a new type of coverage, such as flood or fire insurance.
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