Moving Loans: Pay for Your Move in Monthly Payments
| Loan type | Personal installment loan |
|---|---|
| Common uses | Movers, truck, deposit, first month's rent |
| Amounts | $100–$5,000 through our network |
| Example | $2,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR ≈ $200.91/mo |
| Funding | As soon as next business day |
Why moving costs add up fast
A move usually means paying for two places at once. You might owe a security deposit and first month's rent on the new place before your old deposit comes back, plus movers, boxes, gas and time off work. A moving loan covers those upfront costs so you can move on schedule and repay over the following months.
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Moving-cost checklist
Add up these items to decide how much to request:
- Movers or truck rental, fuel and mileage
- Packing supplies
- Security deposit and first (sometimes last) month's rent
- Application and move-in fees
- Utility, internet and transfer deposits
- Travel: hotel nights, meals, flights
- Storage if move-in dates don't line up
- Basic furniture or appliances for the new place
Subtract what you'll get back from your old deposit and request the gap.
Worked example: sizing a loan for a local move
Here's how the checklist turns into a request. The figures are hypothetical; plug in your own quotes and lease terms.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit on the new place | $1,100 |
| First month's rent | $1,100 |
| Truck rental, fuel and supplies | $350 |
| Utility and internet setup | $150 |
| Total | $2,700 |
| Minus cash you already have set aside | −$900 |
| Amount to request | $1,800 |
At an assumed 30% APR, $1,800 over 12 months is about $175.48 a month. If your old landlord returns your deposit a few weeks after you move out, putting it toward the loan, where early payoff is allowed without a fee, lowers the total you pay.
Sample payments
| Move size | Amount | Term | Payment at 35.99% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local apartment move | $800 | 12 months | $80.37/mo |
| Deposit plus movers | $1,500 | 12 months | $150.69/mo |
| Long-distance move | $3,000 | 24 months | $177.13/mo |
Your lender's offer will show the exact rate, term and total cost.
Personal / installment loan calculator
Estimate only. Your rate depends on your credit, income and state; your lender shows the exact terms before you sign.
Moving for a job?
If you're relocating for work, ask your new employer about relocation help or reimbursement. A moving loan can bridge the gap until reimbursement arrives. Lenders usually want to see income, so an offer letter with a start date and your current pay history both help. If you're between jobs, other regular income such as benefits can count.
Keep receipts for everything you pay during the move, such as the truck, movers, hotel nights and mileage. Employers that reimburse usually ask for them, and having a clear record makes it easy to put any reimbursement straight toward your loan balance.
What lenders look at during a move
- Steady income. Current pay stubs or benefit deposits. If you're starting a new job, an offer letter with your start date and pay helps show what's coming.
- A checking account you'll keep, since it's where funds land and payments come from.
- Your housing payment. Lenders compare your new rent with your income, so list the rent you'll actually be paying.
- A current address that matches your ID and bank records. If you're mid-move, use your current address and update it with the lender after you move.
- Your state's rules, which set loan size and pricing; see personal loan rates by state. Moving to a new state? Your loan generally follows the rules of the state you live in when you apply.
Moving with bad credit
Credit challenges are common during big life changes. You can apply with any credit type. Lenders in our network focus on steady income and a checking account in your name, and many use alternative credit data. Note that landlords may run their own credit check for the apartment; that's separate from your loan. More tips: personal loans for bad credit.
Simple ways to lower moving costs
- Move mid-month or midweek, when movers and trucks are often easier to book.
- Get two or three written mover quotes.
- Sell or donate what you don't want to pay to move.
- Collect free boxes from local stores.
- Ask your new landlord whether the deposit can be split over two months.
Every dollar you save is a dollar you don't need to borrow, which also keeps your monthly payment smaller.
Timing your loan around move day
- Apply about a week before deposits are due, on a weekday.
- Use the checking account you'll keep after the move.
- Update your address with the lender after you move.
- Set the first payment date after your first paycheck in the new place, if the lender allows it.
Moving across state lines? Lenders serve borrowers by state, so apply using the state you live in at the time you submit the form. If you've already moved, use your new address and make sure your ID or a recent bill can confirm it. Check your state's options from the personal loans hub. Loan amounts and terms can differ from one state to the next, so the offer you see reflects the rules where you live.
Common moving-loan mistakes
- Guessing instead of totaling. Use the checklist so you don't come up short on move-in day.
- Forgetting move-in fees such as application, pet or key fees.
- Applying the day deposits are due. Give yourself a few business days.
- Closing your old bank account mid-loan without updating your lender's payment details.
- Ignoring the total cost. Compare the total repaid, not only the monthly payment.
Got your moving total? Request it in about 3 minutes.
What you need to apply
- Age 18+ and a US resident
- Steady income (job, self-employment or benefits)
- A checking account in your name
- Phone and email
See personal loan requirements.
Request your moving loan
Zebra Finance is a free loan-matching service, not a lender. You fill out one short form, and we share it with lenders in our network that serve your state. Many lenders make a decision within minutes, and if you are approved and sign, funds can arrive as soon as the next business day. Your lender shows the exact amount, fees, APR and payment schedule before you sign, and you are free to decline. See how it works.
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan to move?
Yes. Many people use a personal installment loan to pay for movers, a truck, a security deposit and first month's rent. Through our network you can request $100 to $5,000. The lender sets the final amount and terms, and you see them before you sign.
How much should I borrow for a move?
Add up movers or truck rental, deposits, first month's rent, utility setup and travel, then subtract any deposit refund you'll get back. Request that gap. For example, $1,500 over 12 months at 35.99% APR works out to about $150.69 a month.
Can I get a moving loan with bad credit?
You can apply with any credit type. Lenders in our network look at steady income and bank history along with credit, and some use alternative credit data. Bad credit may affect the amount or rate you're offered, and approval is up to the lender.
How fast can I get a moving loan?
Many lenders decide within minutes of your request. If you're approved and sign, funds can arrive as soon as the next business day. Applying a week ahead of move-in costs gives you room in case a lender needs extra verification.
Is a moving loan better than putting the move on a credit card?
It depends on your card limit and rate. A moving loan gives you a fixed payment and a set payoff date, which many people find easier to budget than a revolving card balance. It also keeps your card available for emergencies. Compare the monthly payment and total cost in your loan offer before deciding.
Can I use a personal loan for a security deposit?
Generally yes. Personal loans can be used for most personal expenses, including deposits and rent. Check your loan agreement for any use restrictions.
Can I get a moving loan before I start a new job?
Sometimes. Lenders want to see income that can cover the payment. If you're still being paid at your current job, or you receive benefits, that income can count. Some lenders will consider an offer letter with a start date and salary. Requirements vary, and approval is up to each lender.
What credit score do you need for a moving loan?
There's no single minimum. Lenders in our network consider all credit types and weigh steady income and bank history alongside credit. Higher scores may qualify for larger amounts or lower rates, while lower scores may see smaller amounts. Your lender shows the exact APR and payment before you sign.