What Is The Best Month To Move Apartments?

The month you choose to move can change your total moving cost by 20–30% — and affect everything from apartment selection to mover availability. The short answer: winter months (December–February) are the cheapest, summer months (June–August) offer the most apartment options at the highest prices, and fall (September–October) hits the sweet spot of moderate prices, good availability, and comfortable weather. But the best month for you depends on what you're optimizing for: price, selection, weather, or schedule. This guide breaks it all down month by month.

Moving Costs by Month: Quick Comparison

Here's how demand and pricing typically change throughout the year:

Month	Moving Demand	Cost Level	Apartment Selection
January	Lowest	Cheapest	Limited
February	Very low	Cheapest	Limited
March	Low	Below average	Growing
April	Moderate	Average	Good
May	High	Above average	Very good
June	Peak	Most expensive	Best
July	Peak	Most expensive	Best
August	Peak	Most expensive	Very good
September	Moderate-high	Average	Good
October	Moderate	Below average	Good
November	Low	Cheap	Limited
December	Lowest	Cheapest	Very limited

Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more during June–August than during December–February. If your dates are flexible, that difference alone can save several hundred dollars on a typical apartment move.

The Cheapest Months to Move: December–February

Winter is the most budget-friendly time of year to relocate. With fewer people moving during the cold months, demand for moving services drops sharply, and both movers and landlords respond with better prices.

Why Winter Wins on Price

• Mover discounts: Moving companies cut rates 20–30% to keep crews busy. You'll also have your pick of dates and time slots — even short-notice bookings are usually possible.
• Rent negotiation power: Landlords with winter vacancies are motivated. January and February are when you're most likely to get a lower rent, a waived fee, or a free month on a longer lease.
• Belongings travel better: Electronics, candles, vinyl records, and anything heat-sensitive fare better in a cold truck than a 95-degree summer one.

The Trade-Offs

• Weather risk: Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make loading slippery and unpleasant. Build a buffer day into your plan in case of storms.
• Limited selection: Fewer leases turn over in winter, so apartment inventory is at its annual low. You may have fewer units to choose from.
• Short days: Less daylight means less time for loading and unloading.
• Holiday conflicts: December moves compete with holiday schedules — yours, your helpers', and your building's.

If you move in winter, prep for the weather: salt the walkways, lay floor protection for slush, and wrap furniture in waterproof covers. A mover experienced with winter moving makes a major difference here.

Spring: March–May (Balanced, Trending Up)

Spring is a strong middle-ground choice. Prices and demand rise gradually as the months warm up — March is still cheap, May is approaching peak.

The Advantages

• Mild weather: No ice, no extreme heat. Comfortable conditions for a moving day.
• Time to settle before summer: Move in spring and you're unpacked and settled in time to actually enjoy the summer in your new neighborhood.
• Graduate turnover: If you live near a university, late spring is when graduating students vacate — opening up apartment inventory and improving selection.
• March–April pricing: Still below peak. Booking a May move at March prices (by reserving early) is one of the best value plays of the year.

The Trade-Offs

• School year timing: If you have kids and are switching school districts, a spring move means starting at a new school in the final months of the year — socially tough. Spring break can soften this if you're staying in-district.
• Rain: Spring showers are real. Have tarps and plastic wrap ready.
• Allergy season: Dust from packing plus peak pollen is a rough combination for allergy sufferers.

Summer: June–August (Most Options, Highest Prices)

Summer is peak moving season — roughly 60% of all moves in the U.S. happen between May and September. There are good reasons for that, and good reasons to avoid it if you can.

Why Everyone Moves in Summer

• Maximum apartment selection: Most leases end in summer, so inventory is at its annual peak. If you're picky about floor plans, buildings, or neighborhoods, summer gives you the most options.
• School break: Families can move without disrupting the school year — the single biggest driver of summer demand.
• Long days and predictable weather: More daylight for loading, no snowstorm risk.
• College timing: For students and recent grads, summer aligns with academic calendars.

The Trade-Offs

• Highest prices of the year: Movers, trucks, and even boxes cost more. Expect to pay 20–30% above winter rates.
• Book early or miss out: Good moving crews fill up 3–4 weeks in advance for summer weekends. Last-minute summer moves mean leftover availability at premium prices.
• Rental competition: The best apartments get multiple applications within days. You'll need your documents ready and decisions fast.
• Heat: Loading a truck in 90+ degree weather is exhausting and risky for heat-sensitive belongings. If you move in summer, start at dawn.

Fall: September–October (The Sweet Spot)

If you want the best overall balance — moderate prices, decent selection, good weather, and available movers — late September through October is arguably the best time of year to move.

The Advantages

• Prices drop after Labor Day: The summer rush ends, and rates fall back to average or below.
• Movers are available again: Scheduling flexibility returns. You can often book a fall move 1–2 weeks out.
• Pleasant weather: Cool, dry, comfortable moving conditions in most regions.
• Leftover summer inventory: Units that didn't rent in the summer scramble are still available — and landlords are more willing to negotiate on them.

The Trade-Offs

• School-year disruption: For families, a fall move means pulling kids out mid-semester — missed school days and leaving new friendships behind.
• University towns get tricky: If you live near a major university, August–September brings a flood of student renters that can spike competition and prices locally.
• Shrinking selection: Inventory declines as winter approaches. By November, options thin out considerably.

Beyond the Month: Day and Date Matter Too

Whatever month you choose, two more timing decisions affect your price:

• Move mid-month. The first and last days of the month are the busiest because that's when leases turn over. Mid-month dates (the 10th–20th) get better rates and better mover availability.
• Move on a weekday. Weekends book up first and cost more. A Tuesday or Wednesday move is typically the cheapest and easiest to schedule.
• Avoid holiday weekends entirely. Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends combine peak season with holiday demand — the most expensive moving days of the year.

The cheapest possible combination: a mid-month, mid-week move between December and February. The most expensive: the last weekend of June, July, or August. Read more: The Cheapest Way to Move: 11 Money-Saving Tips

So Which Month Is Best for You?

• Optimizing for price? January or February. Cheapest movers, most negotiable rent.
• Optimizing for apartment selection? June or July. Peak inventory, peak competition.
• Optimizing for balance? Late September or October. Moderate everything, pleasant weather.
• Have school-age kids? June–August, between school years.
• Flexible on everything? Mid-month, mid-week, October through April.

Moving in Chicago? The city has its own rental rhythm — most leases turn over around May 1 and October 1, buildings have elevator booking requirements, and lake-effect winters add their own logistics. We've covered the local specifics in a separate guide: When Is the Best Time to Move in Chicago.

Plan Your Move with Move4U

Whatever month you choose, booking early locks in better rates and your preferred date. Move4U's apartment moving team works year-round — including winter moves with full weather protection. Get a free quote for your target date, and if your schedule is flexible, ask us which nearby dates offer better rates.

Read more: How to Prepare for a Move: Complete Checklist | The Ultimate First Apartment Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Month to Move

What is the cheapest month to move apartments?

January and February are consistently the cheapest months to move. Demand is at its annual low, so moving companies discount rates 20–30% compared to summer, and landlords with winter vacancies are most willing to negotiate rent, waive fees, or offer move-in specials. The trade-offs are limited apartment selection and winter weather risk.

What is the most expensive month to move?

June, July, and August are the most expensive months, with rates typically 20–30% above winter pricing. Demand peaks because families move between school years and most leases end in summer. Within those months, the last weekend of each month and holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) are the absolute most expensive dates.

What is the best month to move overall?

For most people without school-year constraints, late September through October offers the best overall balance: prices drop back to average after the summer peak, movers have availability again, the weather is comfortable, and leftover summer inventory means landlords are more open to negotiation.

Is it cheaper to move mid-month?

Yes. The first and last few days of each month are the busiest because leases typically start and end then. Moving mid-month (roughly the 10th–20th) gets you lower rates and much better mover availability. Combining mid-month with a weekday (Tuesday or Wednesday) maximizes the savings in any season.

When should I book movers for a summer move?

Book 3–4 weeks in advance at minimum for a summer move — and even earlier (5–6 weeks) if you need a weekend date or a month-end date. Good crews fill up fast during June–August, and last-minute bookings mean limited availability at premium prices. For winter moves, 1–2 weeks of notice is usually sufficient.

Is it bad to move in the winter?

Not at all — winter is the cheapest time to move, and with preparation it's perfectly manageable. The main risks are snow and ice on moving day, fewer daylight hours, and limited apartment selection. Build a buffer day into your plan for weather, salt the walkways before loading, protect floors from slush, and use a moving company experienced with winter conditions.

When are apartments cheapest to rent?

Rental prices generally bottom out in winter, with January and February offering the lowest rates and the most negotiating power. Landlords would rather fill a unit at a discount than carry a vacancy through the slow season. The widest selection, however, comes in summer — so the cheapest month to rent and the best month to find your ideal apartment are usually not the same month.

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