Move Shock Calculator
Moving is expensive — often more than you think. Our calculator reveals the hidden upfront costs, monthly changes, and 12-month financial impact of relocating between US cities.
Popular Relocations
Click any route to see the full financial breakdown — upfront costs, monthly impact, and your 12-month cash curve.
Stay Ahead of Cost Changes
Free monthly brief: the biggest cost shifts across US cities. Rent moves, insurance rate changes, salary trends — data you can act on.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Move Shock?
Move Shock is our proprietary metric that quantifies the financial impact of relocating between US cities. It factors in upfront costs (deposits, movers, setup fees), monthly cost-of-living changes, and salary adjustments to produce a 12-month cash flow projection and an overall Shock Score (A through F).
How is the Shock Score calculated?
The score combines four factors: upfront cost burden (35%), maximum cash drawdown (30%), recovery timeline (20%), and move distance uncertainty (15%). A score of 85+ means a smooth transition; below 40 signals major financial stress.
Are these real costs or estimates?
These are modeled estimates based on federal data (HUD, BLS, Census Bureau), moving industry averages, and state fee schedules. Your actual costs will vary based on household size, lifestyle choices, and whether your employer offers relocation assistance.
Does Move Shock account for salary changes?
Yes. When moving to a higher-cost city, we assume a partial salary adjustment (approximately 40% of the cost-of-living difference). When moving to a lower-cost area, we model a smaller pay cut (20% of the difference). This reflects real-world patterns where salaries partially track local costs.