Best Moving and Relocation Loans in 2025
Checking rates won’t affect your credit score
Lender details at a glance
What are moving loans?
Moving loans are a type of personal loan that’s used to cover relocation expenses. Personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don’t require collateral like your car or home. They also come with fixed interest rates and repayment terms, so you’ll always know how much you owe and when you can expect to be out of debt.
Moving and relocation loans can typically be used for:
- Storage costs before a move
- Moving supplies, like boxes and tape
- Renting a van or truck (and filling its gas tank)
- Hiring professional movers
- New furnishings
- Security deposit or first and last month’s rent
- Hotel accommodations or other temporary living situation before moving in
Lenders determine your creditworthiness as a borrower by analyzing factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio.
Moving loans: Pros and cons
Moving can be expensive, so you may be looking for a way to fund your next move. Before settling on a moving loan, it’s wise to weigh the pros and cons of this type of debt.
Pros
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Fixed interest rate and fixed monthly payments
With a moving loan, your monthly payments will stay constant across a set term — typically 12 months or longer, although shorter terms may be available. -
Likely lower APRs than credit cards
Borrowers with good credit may qualify for a lower interest rate with a personal loan. -
Potential for fast funding
Some lenders will deposit funds into your account within a day of loan approval. -
No need for collateral
If you can’t repay your loan, you won’t risk losing an asset to the lender (though some lenders offer the option of secured personal loans).
Cons
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You’ll pay interest on moving costs
To get the best deal on moving supplies and expenses, you’ll want to pay with cash and avoid going into debt for moving altogether. -
Borrowing minimums can be high
Even the smallest personal loans tend to start at around $1,000, so if you’re seeking a low-dollar moving loan, you might be better off saving up. -
Borrowers with subprime credit scores may not qualify
Borrowers with good credit can qualify for competitive terms, but those with poor credit will have a hard time qualifying. -
You may have to pay additional fees
On top of interest, you may be responsible for fees. Many lenders charge an origination fee, which can be up to 12% of your loan amount.
How to get a moving loan
Fill out a simple form
Answer a few questions about yourself and your loan. This process will take about two minutes.
Compare offers
We’ll do your loan shopping for you and send you offers from up to five lenders. You can compare rates, fees and repayment lengths to choose the best moving loan for you.
Get your money
You’ll submit a formal application with the lender you choose. Your lender will send you the money once you’re approved.
How to qualify for a moving loan
Because moving loans are typically unsecured, most lenders rely heavily on your creditworthiness to determine whether to approve your loan request. Lenders consider factors like your credit score, profile and length of history when evaluating your moving loan application.
To improve your chances of qualifying, you can take the following steps:
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Improve your credit score
Each lender is different, but typically, you’ll want a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for a moving loan with decent rates. If your credit score is on the low side, you can take steps to improve your credit score by lowering your credit usage (paying down on balances) and making sure you pay your bills on time. -
Pay your bills on time
Your payment history makes up a large portion of how your credit score is calculated (35% of your FICO Score). Late payments can cause your credit score to drop and can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. -
Check your credit report for errors
Unfortunately, credit report errors are common. These errors can impact your credit score as your score is based on the events on your credit report. You can dispute credit report errors by contacting the credit bureau(s) publishing the error and the creditor who reported the activity.
Moving loans for bad credit
If you need to move but you have bad credit, there are still options available to help you cover your relocation expenses.
- Apply for a secured loan. While you will have to put up a valuable asset as collateral (like a vehicle or savings account), you may have an easier time qualifying because collateral-backed loans present less risk to the lender. You may even receive lower rates. However, if you aren’t able to repay the loan, the lender can legally seize your collateral.
- Research lenders with the best personal loans for cosigners — someone’s is creditworthy and agrees to repay the loan on your behalf if you struggle in repayment.
- If you’re in a pinch, some lenders may work to get you a bad credit loan before moving — though you should expect high interest rates because the lender takes on more risk in lending you money.
Moving loan alternatives
Pay with a credit card
It’s possible to pay for your moving expenses with a credit card. To avoid paying interest, make sure you pay off the entire statement balance before the due date. You could also look for a credit card with an introductory 0% APR period — that way, you can avoid paying interest as long as you pay off the card by the time the period expires.
Borrow from loved ones
A small, no-interest loan from family could be an option — as long as it’s repaid in full and in a timely fashion. If you have friends or family willing to lend you money, then go for it. Just remember to borrow family loans responsibly so you don’t tarnish any relationships.
Budget for months in advance
Chances are that you’ll have a few months between the time you secure the lease or mortgage for your new place and the day you actually need to move. Put that time to good use by tightening your budget and saving extra money. If you’re moving for your job, you might even ask your employer to offer relocation assistance.
Sell some of your old furniture
Downsizing or upgrading your furniture? Sell any furniture you don’t want to bring with you and put that money toward moving expenses. You can consign furniture at some antique shops or sell it through a third-party marketplace like Nextdoor or Facebook. Not only can this bring in extra cash, but you can also avoid having to move so much stuff into your new home.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — because personal loans offer flexibility, many lenders offer consumers the option to take out a moving loan. You can use that loan in multiple ways, whether that’s paying for a moving truck or a security deposit for your new home.
Moving loans are typically unsecured and come with fixed interest rates so your monthly payments will remain the same each installment.
Whether it’s a good idea to borrow a moving loan depends on your financial position. Before taking out a loan, examine your budget to see how much you need to borrow and make sure you are able to afford the monthly payments. If you’re unable to repay the loan, a loan default can have a severe impact on your credit score and potential legal repercussions.
Even if you have bad credit, there are still ways you can fund your moving expenses. If you’re not able to improve your credit score quickly enough, consider getting a loan with a cosigner. This can improve your chances of getting approved since two people are making the commitment to repay the loan instead of just one.
You may also consider borrowing money from a loved one, though this can open a can of worms if you’re unable to repay the loan or agree to its terms.
Our methodology
We reviewed more than 30 lenders to determine the overall best four moving loans. To make our list, lenders must offer competitive annual percentage rates (APRs). From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:
Here’s the criteria we assessed to choose the best moving loans:
Accessibility: Lenders are ranked higher if their personal loans are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification and application processes.
Rates and terms: We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
Repayment experience: For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.
According to our standardized rating system, the best moving loans come from Best Egg, LendingClub, SoFi and Upstart.