Relocation Expenses in Idaho: How to Budget Your Move Step by Step

Relocation can quickly become expensive if you haven’t considered all the additional costs. While you might be thinking of the cost of the move itself, you may overlook paying for two homes at once or the Idaho DMV deadline. We’ve created this guide to give you an accurate breakdown of the costs.

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Quick Answer: How Much Will Relocation Cost To Move To Idaho?

There isn’t a definite number. Anyone who gives you a number without knowing your situation is just guessing. Whether you’re moving a small household a short distance within the state, or across the country with storage and overlapping housing costs, the cost will vary considerably. To get an accurate number for your moving costs, simply work out the cost of each of the 6 areas below.

Key Points

1. 6 Key Areas: Moving items, travel, temporary accommodation, storage, setup costs, and overlapping housing costs.

2. Overlapping housing costs can often be the most expensive part of your relocation.

3. Interstate movers must provide written quotes and adhere to federal guidelines.

4. You’ll need to get your License, title, and Registration within 30 days.

5. Any money received from your employer for relocation is considered income for most people.

6 Different Relocation Costs

Every relocation cost we’ve ever seen can be broken down into 6 key areas. Moving items is something everyone will budget for. Travel includes any costs of fuel, flights, hotels and food. Temporary accommodation is any gap between when you leave your old property and when you arrive at your new property. Storage is keeping your items while you’re in this gap. Setup costs are any deposits, utility connection costs, new insurance, and DMV costs. Overlapping housing costs include rent or mortgage payments or mortgage you’re paying for 2 properties.

The table below will help you estimate the costs.

Relocation Cost Estimates From Public Sector Employers In Idaho

We’re not going to give you a figure from a moving company. Moving a one-bedroom apartment 300 miles is very different from moving a four-bedroom house with a gun safe 1500 miles. However, public sector employers in Idaho will tell you how much they consider a reasonable amount to budget for your relocation.

State agencies can provide a reimbursement of up to 10% of base salary or $15,000, whichever is less, for new employees. It’s decided case by case, and leaving within 3 years can mean paying some back. They also have a limit of $800 for storage, handling, and delivery costs for up to 30 days. The City of Boise has set a limit for eligible employees (department directors, senior managers, and command staff) on how much they can be reimbursed depending on how far they’re moving. 50-500 miles: $2,500; 501-1200 miles: $3,600; 1201-1900 miles: $4,600; and over 1900 miles: $5,400. They also have a limit of $1,000 for temporary accommodation for the first 30 days. These are just to help with the cost and not the full cost. (Source: City of Boise)

What Makes Relocation Expenses Increase?

The further and heavier your items are, the higher the base cost will be. After this, most relocations will increase in cost due to moving during the busy summer periods, leaving you unable to find good movers quickly. If there’s a gap between properties you’ll need to pay for storage and hotel costs. If you book late you’ll pay more. Extra services such as packing will increase costs. The easiest thing to save on is timing. If you can complete closing on your new property and ending your old lease within a few days you’ll save more than any coupons.

How To Work Out Your Relocation Costs

1. Set your moving timeframe. Decide the last date you can leave and the first date you can move in.

2. Calculate the gap. For each day between these dates you’ll have to pay for temporary accommodation/storage.

3. Get 3 written quotes from your movers.

4. Calculate travel costs. How far will you be traveling, how many nights and how many people?

5. List any setup costs. Any deposits for rentals, utility deposits, auto insurance and DMV costs.

6. Add any overlapping housing costs. How many months will you be paying for 2 properties?

7. Add in some buffer for any unexpected costs. Such as missing the delivery window or a broken dresser.

8. Check your offer letter. If your employer is covering the costs, ensure you know what they’re covering by having it in writing.

Tools To Help

To help you, create a simple spreadsheet with the 6 areas. Our Affordability Calculator will also give you an idea of how much you’ll be paying for your home, without adding on the moving costs. Our Idaho moving checklist will cover address changes.

When To Use A Professional

If your employer is reimbursing you for the costs, contact a tax professional. Generally, the money will be taxable. Due to federal laws, most people can no longer claim a deduction for moving costs. Only active-duty military with a permanent change of station and specific intelligence community staff from 2026. If you’re buying a property, contact a real estate agent early. How quickly you can sell, buy and move will determine how many months of overlapping housing costs you’ll have.

How To Avoid Unexpected Costs

Ensure you receive written quotes. Under FMCSA’s interstate moving rules, you cannot be charged more than 100% of your binding quote (unless you approved extra services in writing) or 110% of your non-binding quote at delivery. Anything above that is billed 30 days after delivery. If they won’t give you a price in writing then this is your answer.

Be aware of the Idaho timeframe. New residents will need to obtain an Idaho driver's license and title/registration for their vehicles within 30 days of moving. Ensure you take your vehicle for a VIN check and allow up to 6 weeks for your plates to arrive. Also ensure you update your auto insurance to an Idaho policy. Active-duty military and Idaho college students with valid out-of-state licenses are exempt from the license rule. (Source: Idaho Transportation Department)

Claim your homeowner’s exemption. If you’re buying a property, Idaho has a 50% exemption for the value of your home up to $125,000 for your primary residence. This can be claimed through your county assessor. If you don’t, you’ll be paying more in property taxes. (Source: Idaho State Tax Commission)

Information Table

Cost Type	Description	How To Calculate
Moving Items	Movers or rental truck, packing, insurance and fuel.	3 Written Quotes Or Truck + Fuel.
Travel	Fuel, Flights, Hotels & Food.	Miles, Nights & People.
Temporary Accommodation	Short-term rental or hotel.	Rate Per Night/Month x Gap Between Properties.
Storage	Storage Unit or Movers.	Rate Per Month x Months Needed.
Setup Costs	Deposits, Utility Connection, DMV & New Insurance.	Contact Each Provider. DMV Costs Vary Depending On Vehicle & County.
Double Occupancy	Rent/Mortgage For 2 Properties.	Rate Per Month x Months Of Overlapping Housing Costs.

Data Table: Relocation Benchmarks In Idaho

Benchmark	Figure
New Hire Limit (State Agency)	Up to 10% of Base Salary or $15,000, Whichever Is Less
Storage, Handling & Delivery (State)	Up to 30 Days - $800 Max.
City of Boise (50-500 Miles)	Up to $2,500
City of Boise (501-1200 Miles)	Up To $3,600
City of Boise (1201-1900 Miles)	Up To $4,600
City of Boise (Over 1900 Miles)	Up To $5,400
City of Boise (All Distances)	Up To 80% Of Actual Cost Or Limit.
City of Boise (Temporary Accommodation)	Up To $1,000 (First 30 Days)
License, Title & Registration (Idaho)	Within 30 Days (ITD)

Read More: what it is like living in Idaho · the best places to live in Idaho

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FAQs

How Much Are Relocation Expenses When Moving to Idaho?

This depends on how far, how much and how long you need temporary accommodation. Using the benchmarks, Idaho state agencies can reimburse up to 10% of salary or $15,000, whichever is less. The City of Boise has a limit of $2,500-$5,400 depending on how far you’re moving.

What Is Considered A Relocation Cost?

Usually moving items, travel to your new home, temporary accommodation, storage and setup costs (deposits & DMV). What your employer will reimburse you for will depend on their policies so ensure you read them.

Can You Claim Relocation Costs?

No, for most people. Due to federal laws, you can no longer claim a deduction for moving costs except for active duty military with a permanent change of station and specific intelligence community staff from 2026.

Are Relocation Reimbursements Taxable?

Yes, generally. As noted in Idaho’s state moving policy, all of their reimbursements have tax implications. Most private employers will also treat them as income.

How Long Do I Have To Get An Idaho License & Register My Car?

The Idaho Transportation Department states you’ll need to obtain an Idaho license and vehicle title/registration within 30 days.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Move To Idaho?

Move less, keep the gap between properties short, avoid peak summer dates and obtain multiple written quotes. Often you’ll save more by selling or donating furniture.

Conclusion

You don’t have to guess your relocation expenses when moving to Idaho. Simply calculate the 6 areas, ensure you obtain written quotes, be aware of the 30-day DMV deadline and keep the gap between properties short. As there can be changes to fees, deadlines and employer policies, ensure you confirm with your movers, employer and state. Garrett Pancheri & Dustin Cagle at Living In Idaho are happy to help you with the home side of your move. At worst you’ll get a straightforward answer to your relocation costs.