Moving Out of State: What to Know

Moving out of state comes with a lot of responsibilities and considerations, including decisions about buying versus renting, whether to secure a new job first, differences in tax laws and squaring things away at your new state’s DMV.

Should you move out of state?

Before opting for an out-of-state move, here are a few questions to consider.

Carefully research the cost of living in your desired state. The price of groceries, entertainment, housing and other expenses can vary widely from state to state. Additionally, property tax, sales tax and income tax may also differ depending on your state. This cost-of-living calculator can help you understand cost differences in the state you’re considering.

Be sure there are enough good doctors, hospitals and clinics — as well as dentists, schools, restaurants, entertainment and cultural attractions in or close to your chosen location.

Think about whether it’s more comfortable and cost-effective to drive to your new home or fly and have your car shipped. A long-distance drive puts wear and tear on your car, but car shipping can easily run four figures for long-distance trips. Selling your car is another option. If your car isn’t in the best shape, weigh the cost of shipping it vs. selling your car, then buying another one in your new state.

While it’s probably safest to have a job lined up before you move, it’s possible to move to the location of your dreams before you’ve found a new job if you do some careful planning and can tolerate some risk. Research the job market in your desired state to make sure there’s plenty of demand for people in your field, update your resume and consider submitting applications before the move to accommodate longer hiring processes.

This might help you decide.

Using a comprehensive moving checklist can help ensure that your moving process goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Virtually all moves involve getting estimates from reputable movers, obtaining moving supplies, scheduling utility cut-offs and arranging temporary housing if there’s a gap between when you leave your old home and when you move into your new one.

Here are some additional things that are especially important to take care of as you plan for an out-of-state move:

Here are a few responsibilities are particularly important to address after moving to a new state.

Get a new state driver’s license, and transfer the registration and title for your car to your new state. Each state has its own regulations for how long you have to complete each of these requirements; you may have as little as 10 days (for example, in California) or as long as 60 days (for example, New Jersey)[0]

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Find new doctors, dentists and other health providers for the whole family. It’s wise to take care of this as soon as possible after your move, before anyone gets sick or has a dental emergency.

Find a new veterinarian, make sure your pets are up-to-date on vaccines and register for a pet license in your new state or city.

Unless you’ve been using a large, national bank, you won’t likely find a branch of your old bank in your new state. Although most banking transactions can be completed remotely, you may still want quick access to cash or a safe deposit box.

If you’re putting a security system in your new home, contact your local sheriff, police station or fire department to find out if your new state and city requires an alarm permit. This license may be necessary for law enforcement to respond to your alarm — and to avoid possible fines.

Each state has its own taxes and tax laws. Here are two important state-specific taxes to know.

Certain states charge an annual property tax on vehicles, which may come as a surprise if you’ve been living in a state that doesn’t collect this tax. States that impose a property tax on vehicles include:

If you’re moving from a state with no income tax to a state that has one, you’ll need to file a state income tax return in addition to your federal tax return each year. If you’re moving to a state with no income tax, you’ll have one less form to file.