You’ve searched and found an apartment, but don’t relax just yet. Your moving date is rapidly approaching, and you have a lot to do! As soon as you sign the lease, it’s a good idea to start preparing for your move. Before you can even start packing up your apartment, you need to get moving boxes.
Having enough boxes is crucial to making sure you can fit all your belongings and that your move goes smoothly. It can be difficult to guess how many boxes you’ll need and the budget you should allocate for them. To make it easy for you, we’ve answered some of the most important questions when it comes to moving boxes:
How Much Will Moving Boxes Cost?
Moving is expensive on top of all the other costs that come with renting an apartment (like fees, security deposit, pet fees, first month’s rent, etc.). To create a plan and budget, you need to know how much boxes for moving will cost. The price does vary from retailer to retailer so feel free to shop around to find the best price. Some retailers offer the option to purchase bundles of boxes at a discounted per-box price.
| Size |
Price (Per Box) |
| Small |
$1 – $2.50 |
| Medium |
$1.60 – $3.50 |
| Large |
$2.10 – $4.50 |
| Extra Large |
$3.75 – $6 |
How Many Moving Boxes Will I Need?
When figuring out how many moving boxes to get, there are a couple of main factors to consider:
- The size of your current apartment/home: the number of rooms, kind of room, closets, and other spaces.
- How many belongings you have: are you a minimalist, average, or maximalist? Also take note of any specialized items that you might need specific box types for like a TV or your wardrobe.
- How long you’ve lived there: the longer you’ve resided in your current apartment, the more stuff you will have accumulated.
To get you started, here are some estimates for how many of each size box you’ll need for one person based on the apartment size.
|
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Extra Large |
Total |
| Studio |
7 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
23 |
| 1-Bedroom |
10 |
12 |
7 |
3 |
32 |
| 2-Bedroom |
13 |
17 |
9 |
5 |
44 |
| 3-Bedroom |
16 |
23 |
12 |
5 |
56 |
Moving box sizes
Generally, moving boxes are categorized as small, medium, large, and extra-large. The particular dimensions differ a little bit depending on the retailer, but they are generally around the same size.
| Box Size |
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height in inches) |
Volume (Cubic Feet) |
| Small |
16″ × 12″ × 12″ |
1.5 cu/ft |
| Medium |
18″ × 18″ × 16″ |
3 cu/ft |
| Large |
18″ × 18″ × 24″ |
4.5 cu/ft |
| Extra Large |
24″ × 18″ × 24″ |
6 cu/ft |
Types of moving boxes
Moving boxes come in all shapes and sizes as some are designed for specific items and tasks. This includes boxes for:
- Wardrobe/clothes
- TVs
- Dishes/glasses
- Mirrors/pictures
- Books
- Electronics
- Files
Where Can I Buy Moving Boxes?
You can find moving boxes at almost any retailer, both online and in-store, like:
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- U-Haul
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Target
- Menards
- UPS
- Uline
- Staples
Where can I get free moving boxes?
Since you’re already spending a lot on the new apartment and moving, getting free boxes is a great way to save money. Ask friends and family if they have any boxes that you can use or find someone who recently moved and ask them.
Another option is to collect packaging boxes from a local retailer, like a grocery store or big box store. Bear in mind that with free boxes, you’re getting what’s available and these boxes may or may not be what you want. Always ask the store and workers if you can take boxes before grabbing them.
Here are some recommended places to source free cardboard boxes:
- Craigslist
- Freecycle
- Facebook Community Groups/Facebook Marketplace
- Liquor stores
- Bookstores
- Grocery stores (check them for food stains, moisture, and pests)
- Starbucks
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- U-Haul “Take a Box, Leave a Box” Bin at stores
- NextDoor
- Recycling Centers
- Big box stores
- BuyNothing
Can I Rent Moving Boxes?
If you’re eco-minded and want to reduce the waste of buying cardboard boxes, consider upgrading your moving containers to plastic moving boxes. You can buy these reusable bins but if you don’t want to keep them after you move, then consider renting them from a retailer or company. Reusable moving boxes can cost a bit more since they are made out of sturdy plastic, but they can save you a lot of time and hassle as well as being more eco-friendly.
What Additional Moving Supplies Do I Need?
Moving boxes aren’t the only thing you’ll need when packing up all your belongings. To protect all your belongings and make the move easy, these additional moving supplies are suggested:
- Packing paper
- Cushion foam/bubble wrap
- Sharpies/Markers
- Mattress/TV covers
- Plastic stretch wrap
- Packaging tape
FAQ
Do moving companies provide boxes?
If you’ve decided to go with a moving company, ask if they provide boxes. Some include boxes while others only offer it as an add-on or as part of specific packages/services. You may be able to purchase them from the company separately, or it might be better to find your own boxes.
How do I move fragile items?
Reduce the number of broken items with these tips on moving fragile items:
- Always put fragile items on the top of boxes; put any heavy items on the bottom.
- Wrap breakable belongings in bubble wrap and packing paper to make sure they are cushioned and won’t get scratched. Each item should be wrapped individually.
- Fill any empty space in the box with packing peanuts, packing paper, bubble wrap, or whatever you have to prevent items from shifting.
- Buy specialized boxes or dividers for fragile items like dishes, glasses, or your TV.
- Make sure the box is labeled as fragile so it is treated carefully. When packing the truck or car, put boxes with fragile items on the top and make sure they are secure. If you’re worried about it, it might be best to take them with you in the car.
