Best Moving Loans of 2026: Compare Top Personal Loans for Relocation

A moving loan is an unsecured personal loan you use to cover relocation costs like movers, truck rentals, deposits and travel — repaid in fixed monthly installments over one to seven years.

Moving is an expensive, but sometimes unavoidable, part of life. If you need help covering movers, boxes and bubble wrap, a personal loan could help you.

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MoneyLion is here to help you by offering a service to help you find personal loan offers. You could qualify for offers of up to $100,000 from our top providers. You get to compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

Key Takeaways

• The best personal loans for moving and relocating are unsecured loans you repay over one to seven years: They cover movers, truck rentals, deposits and travel in fixed monthly payments.

• Rates range from about 6% to 36%: Borrowers with scores of 720 or higher usually see 6% to 12%, while fair-credit borrowers often land between 18% and 36%.

• Moving is genuinely expensive: A local move runs $900 to $2,500, while a cross-country full-service move can hit $4,000 to $15,000 — plus deposits and utility setup.

• Top lenders fund fast: SoFi® and LightStream offer up to $100,000 for strong credit, while Upstart accepts no minimum credit score and often offers next-day funding.

• Check employer relocation help first: Many companies offer lump sums of $2,000 to $10,000 or cover a full move, which can shrink the loan you need.

• Weigh the alternatives: Savings, a 0% intro APR credit card or a relocation grant may cost less than borrowing for a move.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Moving costs depend on distance, home size and how much help you hire. Here are typical price ranges to plan around.

• Local move (under 100 miles): $900 to $2,500 for a professional mover

• Long-distance move (over 100 miles): $2,700 to $10,000, depending on weight and distance

• Cross-country move: $4,000 to $15,000 for a full-service mover

• DIY truck rental: $150 to $2,000 plus fuel, boxes and insurance

• Extras to budget for: Security deposits, utility setup fees, storage and travel

How Do Moving Loans and Relocation Loans Work?

Moving loan annual percentage rates (APRs) typically range from about 6% to 36%. Borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher usually see APRs between 6% and 12%, while scores in the 580 to 669 range often land between 18% and 36%.

The stronger your credit score and the lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, the better the amount, rate and terms you may be able to qualify for.

Most lenders allow you to apply online and receive a decision in a short turnaround, with funds often deposited into your account shortly after approval.

Before you take out a moving loan, it’s important to calculate whether you can afford the monthly payments and compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best rates.

Secured vs. Unsecured Moving Loans

Most moving loans are unsecured, meaning you qualify based on your credit and income with no collateral. Some lenders let you back the loan with a car title or savings account, which can lower your APR but puts that asset at risk if you miss payments.

• Unsecured moving loan: No collateral needed, higher APRs, faster approval

• Secured moving loan: Backed by a car, savings or CD, lower APRs, longer approval

Best Moving Loans Compared

Here’s a side-by-side look at popular lenders that offer personal loans you can use for moving.

Rates, lender details and eligibility requirements were last reviewed in July 2026.

How MoneyLion Chose These Lenders

MoneyLion reviewed moving loan options based on annual percentage rate ranges, loan amount limits, origination fees and other charges, funding speed and minimum credit score requirements. Lenders that offered same-day or next-day funding, low or no fees and flexible loan sizes ranked highest.

Pros and Cons of Moving Loans

However, before taking out any type of financing, you want to consider the potential drawbacks.

How To Get a Personal Loan for Moving

Here's the best way to find a loan that's right for your situation:

1. Research Different Lenders

You can prequalify for a personal loan to move without affecting your credit score. Doing so allows you to compare offers from several lenders. You’ll want to compare the loan amount, APR, monthly payment and repayment period.

2. Check Your Credit Score

Before prequalifying, check your credit reports and credit scores. A score of 670 or above on the FICO scale can get you better loan terms, including a lower interest rate. Improving your credit score can take time, but is worth it for better loan terms.

MoneyLion offers a free and convenient way to find offers from our trusted partners to help you improve your credit — such as credit monitoring, credit report disputes, and getting credit by paying bills.

3. Gather Necessary Documents

Once you’ve determined which loan will work best for you, gather the information the lender will need to fund your loan. This includes your personal details, Social Security number, proof of address, W-2s and pay stubs. Having your documentation in order will streamline the application process and help you get funded faster.

4. Fill Out a Loan Application With the Chosen Lender

Applying for a personal loan is pretty straightforward — just give your lender of choice the documentation you gathered when preparing to fill out your loan application. Your lender will check your credit score, payment history, annual income and debt-to-income ratio and decide whether to approve your request.

5. Review the Terms Before Signing the Agreement

You must understand the loan’s agreement terms to know whether you’ll be able to pay it back. Take your time and review the terms carefully before signing the agreement.

6. Use the Approved Funds for Moving Expenses

Once you receive the money, you can begin paying for the services and supplies you need to carry out your move.

Ask About Employer Relocation Assistance First

If you are moving for a new job or a transfer, ask your employer about relocation assistance before taking on debt. Many companies offer lump-sum payments of $2,000 to $10,000, reimburse specific moving expenses or cover a full-service move through a third-party vendor. Getting even part of your move paid for can shrink the loan amount you actually need.

Other Ways To Pay for a Move

Loans are not your only option. Here is how the main choices stack up.

Personal Loan

• Best for: Big moves you need to pay off over time

• Pros: Fixed rate, fixed monthly payment, funds in one to three days

• Cons: Interest costs, credit check required

• Takeaway: A solid pick if your move costs more than you can cover in cash and you want a set payoff date

Credit Card

• Best for: Small moves or short-term financing you can pay off fast

• Pros: No application, potential rewards, 0% intro annual percentage rate offers

• Cons: APRs of 20% to 29% after intro periods, easy to overspend

• Takeaway: Works well only if you can pay the balance before interest kicks in

Savings

• Best for: Anyone with three to six months of expenses already set aside

• Pros: No debt, no interest, no application

• Cons: Drains your cushion, slower to rebuild

• Takeaway: The cheapest way to move if you can leave a buffer for emergencies

Relocation Grants and Assistance

• Best for: Movers relocating for work, school or specific programs

• Pros: Free money, no repayment

• Cons: Limited eligibility, application process, funds may be taxable

Takeaway: Worth checking employer, city and nonprofit programs before you borrow

MoneyLion offers a convenient marketplace to compare high-yield savings accounts from our trusted partners that could help grow your money.

Moving and Relocation Loan FAQs

What is the average interest rate on a moving loan?

The average annual percentage rate on a personal loan used for moving falls between 12% and 15% for borrowers with good credit. Rates run lower for excellent credit and higher for fair or bad credit.

Can you get a moving loan with bad credit?

Yes. Some lenders approve moving loans for credit scores as low as 580, though APRs often reach 30% to 36%. Adding a co-signer or choosing a secured loan can help you qualify for a better rate.

How fast can you get a moving loan?

Many online lenders fund approved moving loans within one to three business days. A few offer same-day funding once you sign your loan agreement.

Are moving expenses tax deductible?

For most people, no. Moving expenses are only deductible on federal taxes for active-duty military members moving due to a military order, as of the 2025 tax year.

How much can you borrow for a move?

Most moving loans range from $1,000 to $50,000, with some lenders going up to $100,000 for borrowers with strong credit and income.

Key Terms

• Moving (relocation) loan: An unsecured personal loan used to cover relocation costs, repaid in fixed monthly installments over one to seven years.

• Unsecured loan: A loan approved on credit and income alone, with no collateral — the most common type for moving.

• Secured loan: A loan backed by a car, savings or CD, which can lower your APR but risks that asset.

• Annual percentage rate (APR): The yearly cost of borrowing including interest and fees.

• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): The share of monthly income going to debt; a lower DTI helps you qualify for better terms.

• Origination fee: A one-time charge some lenders deduct from your loan proceeds.

• Prequalification: A soft-credit-check preview of your rate that doesn't affect your score.

• Relocation assistance: Employer-provided help — a lump sum, reimbursement or full-service move — that can reduce how much you borrow.

Sources

• Federal Reserve: Consumer Credit (G.19) 

• CFPB: What's the difference between a hard and soft credit inquiry? 

• IRS: Topic No. 455, Moving Expenses 

• myFICO: What Is a Credit Score? 

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Emily Gadd, CCC™, contributed to editing this article.

Photo credit: Morsa Images / iStock.com

_{*Fixed rates from 6.99% APR to 35.49% APR. APR reflects the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. SoFi Platform personal loans are made either by SoFi Bank, N.A. or , Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SoFi may receive compensation if you take out a loan originated by Cross River Bank. These rate ranges are current as of 11/03/25 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See SoFi Personal Loan eligibility details at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/#eligibility-personal. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 9.99% of your loan amount for Cross River Bank originated loans which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive and for SoFi Bank originated loans have an origination fee of 0% to 7%, will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.}