If you’re feeling overwhelmed by an upcoming relocation, keep in mind that moving stress is completely normal. Moving stress is so common that 55% of people rate the experience as “highly stressful,” and they rank it as worse to deal with than getting divorced or beginning a new job.
But why is moving so stressful? There are a lot of reasons, including the fact that the process comes with both physical and emotional challenges that put you and your entire household to the test. Not to mention the financial burden. With many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, adding in the cost of a move puts tremendous pressure on those responsible for the bill.
Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to make it easier on yourself. In this guide, you’ll find statistics, tools, and coping strategies to help you manage moving stress and make the transition easier.
Moving Stress Statistics
When moving stress starts to settle in, it helps to know that you’re not alone. Our research shows that relocating can put a significant strain on many people’s finances, health, and well-being. Here’s what the data says about the hidden health toll of moving:
How Stressful Is Moving?
- 55% say that moving rates 7+ on a 10-point stress scale
- 1 in 10 describe moving as traumatic or “crisis-level”
- 53% say moving was more stressful than expected, while 22% say it was much worse
- 31% would pay $10,000 to avoid moving again
Top Stressors of Moving
- 52% cite finances as the #1 stressor
- 41% report stress on household members, while 38% cite logistical chaos
- 47% say packing is the most stressful task, followed by 42% for cleaning the old home, and 39% for handling logistics like utilities and movers
Mental & Emotional Health Impact
- 55% feel overwhelmed because of their move
- 50% report anxiety
- 47% feel fatigued
- 45% experience burnout
- 37% struggle to sleep during a move
Women experience more intense stress symptoms than men, including:
- 62% vs. 43% report feeling overwhelmed
- 50% vs. 38% report burnout
- 43% vs. 30% report irritability
- 41% vs. 30% report difficulty sleeping
How Stressful Is Moving Compared to Other Life Events?
- 29% would rather get divorced than go through another move
- 36% would rather have a colonoscopy
- 21% would prefer to lose their job
Why Moving Is So Stressful
Moving is particularly taxing because it affects every aspect of your life, from your job to your relationships. It disrupts major life factors, such as where you live and where your kids go to school, and minor things, such as where you shop for groceries. The process comes with logistical and emotional challenges for everyone.
The Logistics of Moving
Moving is a puzzle that never seems to end. As soon as you decide to relocate, you’ll need to sell your home or get out of your lease. Movers are a great help — but before booking, you must choose a moving day that works for you, your current and future employers, and everyone in your household.
Moving also comes with a significant amount of administrative work. Depending on your situation, you may need to research new schools, disconnect and reconnect utilities, change your address, and update your insurance coverage.
Then, there’s the packing, which 47% of people say is the most stressful part of moving. And it’s no wonder why. You have to sort and declutter — and decide whether to sell, donate, or toss the extra items — before you can box up each room. The entire process can take weeks to complete.
The Emotions of Moving
Relocating can be an emotional experience filled with highs and lows. The prospect of new adventures and opportunities is exciting, but you might also be sad to leave friends and familiar places.
These intense emotions, coupled with the fear of the unknown, can add to the stress of moving. You might find your mood changing from one day to the next as you realize what it means to leave a comfortable home and job and start fresh.
Money challenges can be emotionally exhausting — for 52% of people, financial strain is the most stressful part of moving, especially when the move requires you to miss weeks or months of work. In fact, work interruptions are a major source of stress for 35% of men and 26% of women.
Moving Is Stressful for the Entire Household, Not Just Us
When you’re moving with other people, you’re not the only one feeling the pressure of a relocation — it hits everyone in your household. Your kids might worry about changing schools and making new friends. Your partner could stress about money, finding a new routine, and supporting the family through the transition.
This fact — that your family is struggling — can be a significant source of stress for you. In fact, 41% of people say it’s one of the most difficult parts of moving. It’s normal to feel guilty or responsible, especially if you’re the driving force behind the move.
Compounding stress can cause issues in your relationships over the course of a move. If you’re like most people, stress can make you feel less patient or more easily irritated. It’s not surprising, then, that fighting with your partner is one of the biggest problems that come with moving.
Common Signs of Moving Stress
An overwhelming majority of people (95%) experience at least one negative stress symptom when they’re moving, but moving stress isn’t always easy to identify. It can manifest in a wide variety of ways, depending on your personality and your situation.
For some people, the symptoms of stress are obvious. They might feel more anxious or irritable than usual, or they might find themselves fighting with other people in the household. In some cases, feelings of overwhelm could make it difficult to make progress on packing and planning.
Signs of moving stress can also be subtle, showing up in seemingly unrelated areas of your life. For example, you might find that you’re having unusually intense dreams. Stress can also make you get sick — so if you’re down with the cold or flu, the move might be the cause.
Not sure if you’re dealing with stress symptoms? According to our research, these are the most common signs of moving anxiety and stress, and the percentage of people who report them:
- Overwhelm – 55%
- Anxiety – 50%
- Fatigue – 47%
- Feeling burnt out – 45%
- Irritability – 38%
- Difficulty sleeping – 37%
- Decision fatigue – 30%
- Stress dreams – 25%
- Fighting with a partner or family member – 24%
- Brain fog – 21%
- Panic attacks – 19%
- Getting sick – 13%
Who Feels Moving Stress the Most?
Moving stress affects people disproportionately based on lifestyle factors. For example, families with young children are very likely to feel high levels of stress during a move because kids come with a completely separate set of logistics. In addition to meeting their own needs, parents must find and vet new childcare providers, schools, play areas, activities, and doctors.
“To prevent a stressful last-minute rush, create a schedule as soon as you have a moving date… If you’re moving on July 1 and you think it will take four weeks to declutter and pack, for example, you should start at the beginning of June.”
People who relocate frequently, such as students and young professionals, can also experience intense moving house stress. Students constantly transition from their parents’ homes to school, which can be expensive and time-consuming. For young professionals moving to advance their careers, each transition requires a housing search and building a new social circle.
However, moving stress doesn’t necessarily ease up as you get older. Advanced professionals moving for jobs might have bigger salaries, but they may also be paying to move a family. And since the stakes are higher in terms of career and finances, they also have more riding on the new job.
Strategies and Tools to Reduce Moving Stress
The data is clear: moving in general is stressful. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. With the right strategies and tools, you can plan a move that’s easier on you and everyone in your household.
Keys to a Low-Stress Move
When it comes to figuring out how to make moving less stressful, the magic is often in the planning. By tackling the sources of stress proactively, you can enjoy a more relaxed experience.
1. Plan backwards from your moving date
There’s nothing worse than racing to pack the night before your movers arrive. To prevent a stressful last-minute rush, create a schedule as soon as you have a moving date. Estimate how much time it will take to complete each task — finding housing, packing, booking movers, cleaning your house, etc. — and work backwards.
If you’re moving on July 1 and you think it will take four weeks to declutter and pack, for example, you should start at the beginning of June. And if you’re anticipating an eight-week housing search, you should start looking at listings in April or May.
Mapping out the timeline this way can be an important reality check. It reminds you of how much there is to do and how much time each task takes, which helps prevent you from procrastinating. Taking action early and working gradually is the key to stress-free moving.
2. Divide the responsibilities of moving
If you have a partner, don’t try to collaborate on every moving task. Instead, consider your to-do list and divide the tasks fairly based on each person’s availability, skills, and interests.
Here’s the key: each person should take full ownership of the task. That means that if your partner is responsible for setting up new utilities, they’re in charge of all the decisions and scheduling. And if you’re in charge of the new lease, you should also make the deposit and find out about move-in requirements.
This strategy eliminates a lot of questions and discussions, which can reduce stress for both people. You don’t have to weigh in on when to connect the power in your new home, and your partner doesn’t have to remind you to ask about reserving an elevator on moving day.
3. Implement an organizational system for your move
Disorganization can make your move more chaotic, which increases stress. That’s where a system comes in — it collects important information and helps you stay on task.
As you start the process, create a folder on your computer or designate a physical container. Use it to store copies of all relevant documents: leases, utility contracts, real estate documents, HOA rules, truck rental agreements, and moving-company contracts. With everything in one place, you’ll know where to look when you forget the size of your moving truck or what day the internet service will be active.
“Money challenges can be emotionally exhausting — for 52% of people, financial strain is the most stressful part of moving, especially when the move requires you to miss weeks or months of work.”
While you’re at it, create an inventory of every item in your home. As you pack, number each box, and every time you put an item in a box, add the box number to your inventory list. This simple strategy eliminates the need to dig through multiple boxes when you’re hunting for the coffee maker or hair dryer.
Tools to Make Moving Easier
With the right systems and resources, you can take control of your move and cut down on stress at every stage.
- HireAHelper’s moving checklist: Use this checklist to identify all the tasks involved in your move and build a schedule.
- HireAHelper’s change of address checklist: This guide helps you make a list of all the organizations and institutions you’ll need to contact to change your address.
- Apps and AI tools: Use ChatGPT or moving apps to help you create a budget, make a packing plan for your specific house size, make an inventory, and delegate tasks according to each person’s availability.
Emotional Coping Strategies During a Move
Once you’ve tackled the practical stressors of moving, it’s time to tackle the emotional challenges. Protecting your mental health before, during, and after the move can reduce stress for you and your family.
Use these coping strategies to manage your emotions when moving:
- Set time limits for decision-making: Decision fatigue can add emotional stress when you’re moving, so instead of agonizing about what to pack or donate, set a time limit. For example, you might give yourself 30 minutes to sort a box of items into keep, sell, donate, and discard piles.
- Outsource everything you can: Take a look at your to-do list, and outsource the tasks that don’t require your direct involvement. Instead of hauling your old couch to a thrift store, schedule a pickup or instead of running to the grocery store, get your groceries delivered. Your tasks will still get done, and there will be fewer demands on your attention.
- Stick to your schedule: When you’re in the thick of moving, it’s difficult to make time for a regular exercise class or happy hour with friends. Keep these engagements whenever possible — you’ll feel happy and relaxed as you go back to packing.
Professional Help That Can Ease Stress
Sometimes, the best way to reduce emotional stress is to bring in the professionals. If you’re starting to feel the pressure, you can hire professional movers to do the heavy lifting and driving. If there’s room in the budget, you can even add on a packing service for extra convenience.
Is the stress of moving starting to take over your life? Consider seeking professional mental health support. A therapist or counselor can help you work through the emotions and learn how to deal with moving in a healthy way.
Final Thoughts
Moving stress is normal, but it doesn’t have to get out of control. With comprehensive planning and the right support systems, you can make stress more manageable. The key to success? Anticipate common sources of stress and find ways to address them in advance.
If you’re dealing with moving stress, take heart — it’s uncomfortable but temporary. Once the move is complete, your life will likely return to normal. And when it does, you’ll enjoy the long-lasting benefits of an exciting new life chapter.