Moving to a new city sounds exciting until you’re three months in, isolated, overpaying for a tiny apartment, and wondering what you were thinking. I’ve relocated twice in my adult life. The first time I asked the right questions. The second time I didn’t. Guess which move went sideways? These moving to new city questions are the ones that separate a great relocation from an expensive regret.
A new city isn’t just a new address. It’s a new cost structure, a new social life to build from zero, new doctors, new commute, new everything. Romanticizing a place after visiting for a long weekend is easy. Living there for two years requires more homework. This checklist has 14 questions that will cut through the excitement and help you decide whether a move actually makes sense for your life, your finances, and your future.
Before You Seriously Consider Moving
Get these five things honest before you start scrolling Zillow in a new zip code.
- Write down the specific reasons you want to move. “I need a change” isn’t specific enough. Is it a job opportunity? Lower cost of living? Closer to family? Better climate? A specific reason gives you something to measure against. A vague reason leaves you chasing a feeling that a new city might not actually fix.
- Calculate your current total monthly expenses. Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation, dining, subscriptions. Everything. You need this baseline to compare against the new city’s costs. Most people underestimate their spending by 20 to 30%.
- Check your financial cushion. Moving is expensive. Between the move itself ($2,000 to $10,000+), first and last month’s rent, security deposits, and the inevitable unexpected costs, you should have 3 to 6 months of living expenses saved before relocating. Less than that and you’re one surprise away from a crisis.
- Visit the city for at least a week, not as a tourist. Stay in a residential neighborhood. Go to a grocery store. Sit in rush hour traffic. Eat at the places locals actually eat. A vacation shows you the highlight reel. Living there for a week shows you the daily experience.
- Talk to people who actually live there. Not transplants who moved six months ago and are still in the honeymoon phase. Talk to someone who’s been there 3+ years. Ask what surprised them, what they’d change, and whether they’d make the same choice again.
Cost of Living
1. Can I maintain my current standard of living on my income (or expected income) in this city?
This is the only financial question that matters, and it requires real math, not vibes. Use a cost-of-living calculator (NerdWallet and Bankrate both have good ones) to compare your current city to the target city. But don’t stop there. Calculators use averages. Dig into the specifics: what does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in the neighborhood you’d actually live in? What are groceries at the store you’d actually shop at? A city that’s “15% cheaper on average” might be 30% more expensive in the neighborhoods that match your lifestyle.
2. What does housing actually cost, and what do I get for the money?
Housing is typically 30 to 40% of your budget, and it varies wildly between cities. A $1,800/month one-bedroom in Austin gets you something very different than $1,800 in Nashville, Denver, or Raleigh. Research actual current listings (not averages from two years ago). Factor in whether you’ll need a car (and the associated $600 to $1,000/month in payments, insurance, gas, and parking) if the new city isn’t walkable like your current one.
3. What’s the state and local tax situation?
Nine states have no income tax (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee, New Hampshire). But no income tax doesn’t mean low taxes. Property taxes in Texas are among the highest in the country. Sales tax in Tennessee is 9.55%. Do the full tax comparison: income tax, property tax, sales tax, and any local taxes specific to the city. A $5,000/year difference in state taxes is $5,000 worth of lifestyle every single year.
Employment and Career
4. Is the job market strong for my field in this city?
Unless you’re fully remote (and confident your company won’t change that policy), you need to know whether your industry has a meaningful presence in the new city. Search job boards for your title and specialty in the metro area. How many open positions are there? What are they paying? Are the major employers in your field headquartered there or just satellite offices? A city with 3 job openings in your field vs. 300 creates very different safety nets if you need to switch jobs.
5. If I’m keeping my remote job, how does the time zone affect my work?
Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast means your 9 AM meetings become 6 AM meetings. That sounds manageable until it’s been six months and you haven’t had a morning to yourself. Also consider: does your company adjust compensation for location? Some do, and moving from San Francisco to Boise might come with a 15 to 25% pay cut even in a remote role. Clarify this with your employer before you relocate, not after.
Community and Social Life
6. How will I build a social life from scratch?
This is the question everyone underestimates. Making friends as an adult is hard, and it’s even harder when you don’t have the built-in structures of school or a physical office. Before you move, research what community infrastructure exists: recreational sports leagues, hobby groups on Meetup, coworking spaces, religious communities, volunteer organizations. If the city’s social scene revolves around activities you don’t enjoy (bar culture in a city where you don’t drink, outdoor sports in a city where you don’t hike), you’ll struggle.
7. Does the city’s culture and pace match my personality?
Cities have personalities, and mismatches cause chronic unhappiness. New York’s pace will burn out someone who thrives on calm. A small Southern city’s slow pace will bore someone who craves constant stimulation. Think honestly about what energizes you and what drains you. Do you need walkable streets and late-night options, or do you prefer space, quiet, and nature? There’s no wrong answer, but there are wrong fits.
Healthcare
8. Can I find quality healthcare providers who accept my insurance?
This matters more than people realize until they need a doctor and can’t find one taking new patients. Before moving, call your insurance company and verify coverage in the new city. Search for primary care physicians, specialists you see regularly, and any mental health providers in the area. In some cities, wait times for a new patient appointment are 2 to 6 months. In others, you can get in within a week. If you have a chronic condition or see specialists, this question is critical.
9. How accessible are hospitals and emergency care?
Look at the distance from your likely neighborhood to the nearest hospital and urgent care facility. In rural areas and some suburbs, the nearest ER could be 30 to 45 minutes away. Also check hospital quality ratings through CMS Hospital Compare or Leapfrog. A city with a world-class medical center is very different from one with an underfunded community hospital, especially in an emergency.
Schools and Family
10. If I have kids (or plan to), what are the school options?
School quality varies dramatically not just between cities but between neighborhoods within the same city. Check ratings on GreatSchools.org, but also look at parent reviews, teacher-to-student ratios, test scores, and extracurricular offerings. Private school costs ($10,000 to $30,000+/year) should factor into your budget if public options don’t meet your standards. Don’t overlook childcare availability and costs either. Daycare in some cities runs $1,500 to $2,500/month per child.
11. How close will I be to family and my existing support network?
There’s a difference between “we’ll visit each other” and actually doing it. A 4-hour drive means you’ll see family 4 to 6 times a year realistically. A 5-hour flight means 2 to 3 times. If you have young kids, aging parents, or a close-knit group you rely on, distance from that network has a real emotional and financial cost. Flights for a family of four add up to $2,000 to $6,000+ per year easily.
Safety and Livability
12. What are the crime rates, and where do they concentrate?
Every city has safer and less safe areas. Don’t look at city-wide statistics alone. Use tools like CrimeMapping.com or NeighborhoodScout to check crime rates at the neighborhood level. Visit the area at night, not just during daytime tours. Talk to residents. Also look at trends: is crime increasing, decreasing, or stable? A neighborhood that was sketchy five years ago might be gentrifying rapidly, and one that felt safe might be heading the other direction.
13. What’s the commute like, really?
Google Maps at 2 PM gives you a fantasy commute. Google Maps at 8 AM on a Tuesday gives you reality. Check commute times during actual rush hours from your likely home to your likely workplace. Factor in weather (ice and snow add 20 to 40 minutes in winter in cold-climate cities). Look at public transit options if they exist. A 25-minute commute vs. a 55-minute commute is an hour of your life every single day. Over a year, that’s 250 hours.
14. What’s the climate like, and can I honestly live with it year-round?
Loving a city in October doesn’t mean you’ll love it in August or February. Houston in summer means 100-degree heat with crushing humidity for four months. Minneapolis in winter means subzero temperatures and ice. Phoenix is a furnace from May through September. Seattle’s rain is more of a constant drizzle than dramatic storms, and the gray skies from November to March cause real seasonal depression for some people. Be honest about your weather tolerance.
What to Prepare Before Making Your Decision
Gather these before you decide:
- A detailed monthly budget comparison between your current city and the target city, covering housing, transportation, groceries, healthcare, taxes, and entertainment
- A list of 3 to 5 neighborhoods you’re considering, with research on each one’s walkability, safety, school quality, and commute to your workplace
- Insurance verification confirming your health, auto, and renter’s/homeowner’s insurance will transfer or what the cost difference will be
- A realistic moving cost estimate including the move itself, travel, first/last/security deposit, utility setup, and a buffer of $2,000 to $5,000 for surprises
- A 90-day plan for building social connections (specific groups, activities, coworking spaces you’ll try in the first three months)
- Contacts for at least 2 to 3 people who live in the city, ideally people who’ll share honest opinions and not just hype up their hometown
Typical Cost Range and Factors
Moving costs in 2026:
- Local move (same metro area): $500 to $2,500 for professional movers
- Long-distance move (cross-state): $2,500 to $7,500 for professional movers with a full household
- Cross-country move: $5,000 to $12,000+ depending on volume and distance
- DIY truck rental (cross-country): $1,500 to $4,000 plus gas, hotels, and food
- Shipping a car: $800 to $1,500
- First month, last month, and security deposit: $3,000 to $9,000 depending on rent
- Utility setup fees: $100 to $500
- New city essentials (winter coat, different wardrobe, car if you didn’t need one before): $500 to $5,000
What drives costs up: Peak moving season (May through September), large homes with lots of stuff, long distances, packing services, specialty items (pianos, antiques), and moving to high-cost-of-living cities.
What keeps costs down: Moving in the off-season (October through April), downsizing before the move, getting multiple quotes from movers, packing yourself, and choosing a lower-cost-of-living destination.
Red Flags vs. Green Flags
| Red Flag | Green Flag |
|---|---|
| You’re moving primarily to escape a problem (bad relationship, bad job) that could follow you | You’re moving toward a specific opportunity or goal |
| You’ve only visited the city as a tourist and never experienced daily life there | You’ve spent at least a week living in a residential neighborhood |
| You don’t know anyone in the new city and have no plan to meet people | You have contacts, a social plan, or a community you’re excited to join |
| The move would drain your savings below 3 months of expenses | You have 6+ months of expenses saved, including moving costs |
| Your only income source is a job that hasn’t confirmed the relocation | You have a confirmed job, remote arrangement, or multiple opportunities lined up |
| You haven’t researched the cost of living beyond looking at apartments online | You’ve done a detailed line-by-line budget comparison |
| You’re making the decision impulsively after a vacation or breakup | You’ve been researching for months and your reasons are clear and specific |
| Family or partner isn’t on board, and you’re hoping they’ll come around | Everyone affected by the move is aligned on the decision |
Money-Saving Tips
- Move in the off-season. Movers charge 20 to 30% less in October through April compared to peak summer months. If you can time your lease to start in the off-season, you’ll save on both moving costs and potentially rent (landlords are more flexible on pricing when demand is lower).
- Sell what you won’t need. Moving heavy furniture cross-country can cost more than replacing it. Do the math on each big item. If shipping your $300 couch costs $200, sell it for $150 and buy a used one in the new city. You’ll come out ahead and start fresh. A label maker makes organizing packed boxes much easier when you’re unpacking in an unfamiliar space.
- Negotiate your relocation package. If you’re moving for a job, most companies will negotiate on relocation assistance even if they don’t initially offer it. Ask for moving expense reimbursement, temporary housing, or a signing bonus to cover costs. The worst they can say is no.
- Open a bank account with no out-of-network ATM fees. Switching banks is a hassle, but continuing to pay $3 to $5 per ATM transaction because your bank doesn’t have branches in the new city adds up to $100+/year in pure waste.
- Don’t sign a long lease immediately. If you can swing it, rent month-to-month or sign a 6-month lease first. The neighborhood you think you want might not be the one you end up loving. Flexibility costs a bit more per month but saves you from being stuck in the wrong spot for a year.
- Use your employer’s EAP for the transition. Many Employee Assistance Programs cover counseling sessions, financial planning, and relocation support. Moving is one of the top life stressors. Take advantage of free resources if they’re available.
Quick Reference Checklist
Run through these before making your final decision:
- Can I maintain my standard of living on my income in this city?
- What does housing actually cost in the neighborhoods I’d live in?
- What’s the state and local tax situation?
- Is the job market strong for my field?
- If keeping a remote job, how does the time zone affect my work?
- How will I build a social life from scratch?
- Does the city’s culture and pace match my personality?
- Can I find quality healthcare providers who accept my insurance?
- How accessible are hospitals and emergency care?
- What are the school options if I have kids?
- How close will I be to family and my support network?
- What are the crime rates at the neighborhood level?
- What’s the realistic commute during rush hour?
- Can I honestly live with this climate year-round?
Glossary
Cost-of-Living Index: A numerical score that compares the cost of goods and services in one city to a national baseline (usually 100). A score of 120 means the city is 20% more expensive than the national average. A score of 85 means it’s 15% cheaper. Useful for quick comparisons, but always verify with specific costs for housing, groceries, and transportation.
Walkability Score: A number from 0 to 100 (via WalkScore.com) that measures how easy it is to run daily errands on foot. A score of 70+ means most errands can be accomplished walking. Below 50 means you’ll need a car for almost everything. This directly affects your transportation budget and lifestyle.
Metro Area (MSA): The greater metropolitan statistical area around a city, including suburbs and surrounding communities. When people say “I live in Atlanta,” they might mean they live 30 miles from downtown Atlanta in a suburb with a completely different cost of living, commute, and lifestyle. Always clarify whether data refers to the city proper or the metro area.
State Income Tax: A percentage of your income that goes to your state government, on top of federal taxes. Rates range from 0% (no state income tax in TX, FL, NV, WA, WY, SD, AK, TN, NH) to over 13% (California’s top bracket). This can mean thousands of dollars difference in take-home pay depending on where you live.
Helpful Tools and Resources
A complete packing kit with assorted box sizes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers costs less than buying everything separately. Saves multiple trips to the store during an already stressful time.
Label every box by room and contents so unpacking in your new city is fast and organized. Beats the "mystery box" approach where you can't find your coffee maker for three days.
A good city guide covers neighborhoods, local culture, dining, and practical tips that online research can miss. Read one before your scouting trip to maximize your time.
- NerdWallet Cost-of-Living Calculator - Compare cost of living between any two cities with breakdowns by category (housing, food, transportation, healthcare). The most practical free comparison tool available.
- WalkScore - Check the walkability, bike-ability, and transit scores for any address. Essential for understanding whether you’ll need a car and what daily life actually looks like in a specific neighborhood.
- NeighborhoodScout - Detailed neighborhood-level data on crime, schools, demographics, and real estate. Goes much deeper than city-wide averages. Some features require a paid subscription, but the free data is still useful.
- CMS Hospital Compare - Compare hospital quality ratings, patient outcomes, and safety scores. Especially useful if you have specific healthcare needs or want to evaluate emergency care in a new city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I give a new city before deciding it’s not right for me?
At least 12 months. The first 3 months are an adjustment period where almost everything feels hard (that’s normal, not a sign you made a mistake). Months 4 through 8 are when you start building routines and friendships. By month 12, you have a realistic picture. The exception: if you’re in financial distress or your safety is at risk, don’t wait a year.
Is it worth moving for a 20% salary increase?
It depends entirely on the cost-of-living difference. A $70,000 salary in Omaha goes further than $84,000 in Seattle once you factor in housing, taxes, and daily expenses. Do the net purchasing power calculation, not just the gross salary comparison. If the 20% raise translates to genuinely more money in your pocket after expenses, it’s worth considering. If it’s a wash, other factors (career growth, lifestyle, personal goals) should drive the decision.
Should I move without a job lined up?
Only if you have 6+ months of expenses saved AND the job market in your field is strong in the target city. Moving without a job is a calculated risk, not a leap of faith. If you don’t have both the savings and the market research supporting the decision, get the job first and then move. The stress of job hunting while also adjusting to a new city and burning through savings is brutal.
How do I know if I’m running away vs. running toward something?
Running away: you can’t articulate what you’re running toward, you haven’t addressed the problem you’re escaping, and you’d move anywhere as long as it’s “not here.” Running toward something: you can name specific goals the new city enables, you’ve researched it thoroughly, and you’d choose this city specifically even if your current situation improved. The distinction matters because problems that live inside you will follow you to any zip code.
What if my partner or family doesn’t want to move?
This needs to be resolved before you commit, not after. A forced relocation builds resentment that can damage or end relationships. Have an honest conversation about each person’s priorities, fears, and dealbreakers. Consider a trial period: rent in the new city for 3 to 6 months while keeping your current home as a safety net if finances allow. Compromise might also mean choosing a city that works for both of you instead of the one only you want.
Next Steps
You’ve got 14 questions that separate an exciting opportunity from an expensive mistake. Run through every one of them honestly. Not the answers you hope for, but the answers you’d give a friend who asked for your real opinion.
If the answers mostly line up in favor of moving, start planning. Visit for a week, crunch the budget numbers one more time, and build your 90-day social plan. If the answers reveal more red flags than green ones, it’s okay to stay put. Staying isn’t failure. It’s often the smarter move.
For more life decision checklists, check out our Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue Before Booking and browse all our guides in the Events and Lifestyle category.