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If you’re stressed about moving expenses, Costco can help. See how much your Costco membership can save you on your next move. [[{“value”:”
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Moving isn’t cheap. A local move, according to HomeAdvisor, is in the range of $878 to $2,554, while a cross-country move can cost $2,401 to $6,890. As someone who just recently moved across the country, I can tell you that the upper end of that range will be more accurate for most people.
Hiring professional movers is convenient and saves time, but self-moving is by far the cheaper route. Plus, Costco members who are moving themselves can get discounts on Budget rental trucks, which could save hundreds of dollars. If you’re a member (or need one more reason to join), here’s how Costco can help you save on your next move.
Get up to 25% off Budget truck rentals
It’s true: The Budget truck rental discount is one of Costco’s best-kept savings secrets.
Costco members save roughly 25% off the retail rate (time and mileage) for a Budget truck rental, plus get 24/7 roadside assistance and one free additional driver. Depending on the size of your truck, this could save you hundreds of dollars.
Truthfully, this is an incredible deal. To give you an idea of how much you could save, I ran some numbers for a hypothetical move from Nashville to Albuquerque (a distance of about 1,220 miles) starting on Aug. 26, 2024. Here’s what you’d pay through Costco vs. booking the truck directly through Budget.
This is the price of the truck only and doesn’t include add-ons (like hand trucks and furniture pads) or taxes. Remember, too, that Costco members can get an additional driver for free, while non-members who book directly through Budget will have to pay a per-day fee.
If you do the math, it’s not a clean 25% off between the two. That’s because the Costco discount is applied to the list price of the truck. Since Budget Truck is currently offering 10% off its trucks, the prices above don’t reflect the exact list price. Still, even with the 10% added in, getting the Costco discount would leave more money in your checking account.
Moving supplies are cheap, but other alternatives exist
On Costco.com, you can buy moving boxes and heavy-duty shipping tape. The moving boxes are the classic Bankers Boxes and come as a set of eight small boxes and 12 medium-sized ones. The price is currently $49.99 (after a $13 discount), which beats out Amazon ($64.99) and Walmart ($53.91) for the same set.
To be sure, there are cheaper ways to acquire moving boxes. In fact, you might even get some from Costco for free. Costco goes through plenty of boxes throughout the day and will sometimes offer them to customers to help pack up their goods.
If your Costco is willing to help out, it might even set aside boxes for you instead of recycling them. Call ahead in the morning and see if your local store is willing to save boxes throughout the day. Ask specifically for produce boxes — those that held bananas or apples work best — as these are sturdier than others and stack neatly like moving boxes. The boxes might not all be in the best condition, but many will work just fine.
It pays to check Costco first before you start planning your next move. Compare the price of its Budget truck rental discount with other moving companies to see if it really offers you the best rate. And if you do end up buying moving boxes at Costco, be sure you use the right Costco credit card, as you don’t want to leave any cash back on the table.
Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.
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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Costco Wholesale, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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