Personal Loans for Moving and Relocation in 2024

Moving loans can help cover expenses if you can’t pay for relocation with savings. Compare alternatives before applying.

Last updated on May 28, 2024
Written by 
Annie Millerbernd
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Kim Lowe
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Jackie Veling
Co-written by 
Lead Writer
Annie Millerbernd
Written by 
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Kim Lowe
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. This does not influence our product evaluations or star ratings.

View Advertiser Disclosure +
  • 35+ personal loans reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
  • 20+ years of combined experience covering personal loans and financial topics.
  • Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 20+ categories and 70+ data points.
  • Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's personal loans content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in consumer lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Harvard Kennedy School, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

Compare personal loan rates in just 2 minutes

Check rates from multiple lenders at once Explore loans up to $100,000 There’s NO impact on your credit score

Personal Loans for Moving and Relocation in 2024

Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
Learn more
Lightstream

LightStream

Visit Lender
on LightStream's website
on LightStream's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
on NerdWallet
View details
Best for Moving loans with fast funding
Rate discount

6.99-25.29%

$5,000-$100,000

660

5.0
/5
Best for Small moving loans
Fast funding
Flexible payments

7.80-35.99%

$1,000-$50,000

None

SoFi

SoFi Personal Loan

Top 3 most visited 🏆
Visit Lender
on SoFi's website
on SoFi's website
5.0
/5
Best for Moving loans for good credit
Rate discount

8.99-29.99%

$5,000-$100,000

None

5.0
/5
Best for Moving loans for good credit
Fast funding

7.99-24.99%

$2,500-$40,000

660

4.5
/5
Best for Moving loans for fair credit
Secured loans
Wide range of loan amounts

7.99-35.99%

$2,000-$50,000

600

Lending Club

LendingClub

Check Rate
on NerdWallet
on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Best for Moving loans for fair credit
Flexible payments

9.06-35.99%

$1,000-$40,000

600

Achieve

Achieve Personal Loans

4.0
/5
Best for Joint moving loans
Rate discount

8.99-29.99%

$5,000-$50,000

640

4.0
/5
Best for Moving loans for bad credit

8.99-35.99%

$2,000-$50,000

560

5.0
/5
Best for Moving loans for bad credit
Rate discount

9.99-35.99%

$1,000-$50,000

580

Our pick for

Moving loans with fast funding

Lightstream
Visit Lender
on LightStream's website
on LightStream's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
on NerdWallet
Lightstream

LightStream

4.5
Est. APR

6.99-25.29%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Min. credit score

660

Our pick for

Small moving loans

Upstart

Upstart

Est. APR

7.80-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

None

Our pick for

Moving loans for good credit

SoFi

SoFi Personal Loan

Est. APR

8.99-29.99%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Min. credit score

None

Discover

Discover® Personal Loans

Est. APR

7.99-24.99%

Loan amount

$2,500-$40,000

Min. credit score

660

Our pick for

Moving loans for fair credit

BestEgg

Best Egg

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

600

Lending Club

LendingClub

Est. APR

9.06-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$40,000

Min. credit score

600

Our pick for

Joint moving loans

Achieve

Achieve Personal Loans

Est. APR

8.99-29.99%

Loan amount

$5,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

640

Our pick for

Moving loans for bad credit

Prosper

Prosper

Est. APR

8.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

560

Upgrade

Upgrade

Est. APR

9.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

580

» MORE: Compare unsecured loans

What is a moving or relocation loan?

A moving loan is an unsecured personal loan used to pay for moving expenses, such as movers and new furniture. A personal loan used for relocation comes in a lump sum that you repay, plus interest, in fixed amounts usually over a few years.

These loans are available from online lenders, credit unions and many banks. Online loans typically fund faster, but you may get a better rate from a local bank or credit union.

If you have fair or bad credit (689 credit score or lower), credit union loans may be an especially good option, since they tend to offer lower rates and more flexible terms for borrowers with low credit scores. Federal credit union loans can start under $1,000 and have a maximum APR of 18%.

How much does it cost to move?

The cost to move depends on several factors, such as how far you’re moving and where to, how much you’re bringing and how you’ll get them there.

On average, a move across town costs about $1,689, while a cross-country relocation costs about $4,567, according to HomeAdvisor.

Your moving expenses could include:

  • Boxes and supplies.

  • Professional packers or moving crew.

  • Moving truck or trailer.

  • Shipping containers.

  • Airfare.

  • Gas.

  • New furniture.

  • Cleaning service.

  • Security deposit and first and last month’s rent.

Make sure to budget for the move before applying for a moving loan, since you won’t be able to request more money once the loan is funded.

Pros and cons of moving loans

Taking a personal loan for moving expenses is just one financing option. Here are the main pros and cons of getting one for a big move.

Pros of moving loans

  • Lower rates than some credit cards. If you have good credit, you may get a lower rate on a personal loan than on a credit card. Personal loan rates range from about 6% to 36%.

  • Fast funding. If the move is soon, some online loans fund as quickly as the same or next business day after you’re approved. Submitting a complete application with all the required documents can speed up funding.

  • Predictable payments. Personal loans have fixed interest rates, meaning the monthly payment will be the same for the life of the loan. This can help you budget for the payments. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate monthly payments based on loan amount, interest rate and loan term.

Cons of moving loans

  • Long-term debt. You’ll likely be paying for the move long after settling into your new home, since repayment terms on personal loans can extend up to seven years.

  • Fees. Some lenders charge origination fees that can range from 1% to 10% of the loan amount. This fee is included in the annual percentage rate and may be subtracted from the loan proceeds. For example, a $5,000 loan with a 5% origination fee ($250) would net you $4,750.

  • High rates for bad credit. If you have bad credit (629 credit score or lower) or a lot of existing debt, a personal loan can be expensive. In this case, the interest rate may be above 20% and possibly even higher than 30%.

Should I get a personal loan for moving?

A personal loan is one of a few financing options for your move. Because there aren’t many restrictions on how to use a personal loan, you can spend the funds on moving expenses and things like new home furnishings.

A personal loan may be the right choice if you don’t have savings or cheaper financing options, like a 0% interest credit card or a relocation package from a new employer.

How to get a loan for moving

Borrowers with strong credit and a low debt-to-income ratio have the best chances of qualifying for a low rate on a moving loan, although requirements vary by lender. Building your credit and improving your debt-to-income ratio are good ways to boost your chances of qualifying for a moving loan.

Here are the steps to apply for a personal loan.

  1. Decide how much you need: Personal loans come in a lump sum, unlike a credit card or line of credit, and it’s not always easy to go back and borrow more. Make sure to have a strong idea of how much the move will cost before you apply.

  2. Pre-qualify: Pre-qualify with a lender to see your estimated loan amount, APR and monthly payments. Pre-qualifying doesn’t affect your credit score, so you can compare offers from a few lenders before committing to a loan.

  3. Prepare documents and apply: Once you’ve decided which offer to accept, gather documents like identification, Social Security number, W-2s and pay stubs. Having all of these documents ready can get you through the application more quickly and may help the lender approve the application faster.

  4. Make a repayment plan: Be sure you have a plan to make your payments on time, which can help you build credit and avoid late fees. Most lenders don’t penalize you for making extra payments or paying the loan off early. If you’re able to pay extra, you’ll save on interest in the long run.

Alternatives to moving loans

Savings are the cheapest way to pay for a move, so if you have an emergency fund or time to budget beforehand, you could avoid borrowing as much or getting a loan altogether.

If not, compare these alternatives with a personal loan to find the financing option that’s best for your plans:

Relocation package: If you’re relocating for a new job, ask your new company about paying for some or all of your moving expenses. If you didn’t discuss it during the negotiation process, it could be worthwhile to ask before going into debt for the move.

Credit cards: Borrowers with good or excellent credit may qualify for a 0% APR credit card, which charges no interest if the balance is paid off within the promotional period — usually 15 to 21 months.

Family and friends: Getting a loan from family or friends can be a low- or no-interest way to borrow money that won’t affect your credit score. Tread lightly with this option if borrowing money would mean risking your relationship with the lender.

Sell your stuff: Do you really need that piano? Selling larger items like a couch or pool table puts cash in your pocket and reduces moving costs. List items for sale online or hold a moving sale.

Last updated on May 28, 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 financial technology companies and financial institutions. We collect over 50 data points and cross-check company websites, earnings reports and other public documents to confirm product details. We may also go through a lender’s pre-qualification flow and follow up with company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.

Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer consumer-friendly features, including: soft credit checks to pre-qualify, competitive interest rates and no fees, transparency of rates and terms, flexible payment options, fast funding times, accessible customer service, reporting of payments to credit bureaus and financial education. Our ratings award fewer points to lenders with practices that may make a loan difficult to repay on time, such as charging high annual percentage rates (above 36%), underwriting that does not adequately assess consumers’ ability to repay and lack of credit-building help. We also consider regulatory actions filed by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to consumers and how meaningfully they impact consumers’ experiences.

NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Personal Loans for Moving and Relocation in 2024

  • LightStream: Best for Moving loans with fast funding
  • Upstart: Best for Small moving loans
  • SoFi Personal Loan: Best for Moving loans for good credit
  • Discover® Personal Loans: Best for Moving loans for good credit
  • Best Egg: Best for Moving loans for fair credit
  • LendingClub: Best for Moving loans for fair credit
  • Achieve Personal Loans: Best for Joint moving loans
  • Prosper: Best for Moving loans for bad credit
  • Upgrade: Best for Moving loans for bad credit
NerdWallet Pixel