Is Relocating for a Job Worth It?

Evaluating career growth opportunities

Here are some opportunities for career growth that a job relocation can provide:

Immediate career benefits

Moving to a company's headquarters or a major office will make you more visible to senior leadership and may provide access to high-profile projects. Relocating may allow you to build stronger networks and position yourself for promotions that might not be available at a satellite office or remotely.

Some job offers include a relocation package to help offset moving costs, though this is more common with higher-paying positions. If the new job offers a significant salary increase, a relocation package might not even be necessary.

Industry hub advantages

There’s definitely more upward mobility in cities that act as industry hubs, but the cost of living is often higher. Many tech hubs appear on our list of 10 U.S. cities with the highest cost of living, including New York, San Francisco, Seattle and San Jose.

But living in an industry hub can enhance your career possibilities in the following ways:

• Network expansion: You’ll be living close to industry leaders and a large number of your peers. Plus, industry hubs are more likely to host important conferences and professional events.
• Job security: Being in an industry hub gives you better job security because there are more employers to choose from if you’re suddenly laid off.
• Skill development: You’ll be exposed to cutting-edge practices and technologies.
• Career flexibility: You can take advantage of offers from similar companies without having to relocate again.

Long-term professional impact

A willingness to relocate can sometimes let employers see your commitment and flexibility, which may open doors to you throughout your career.

You’ll want to think about whether the move aligns with your five- and 10-year goals. A short-term salary boost might not compensate if your current satellite location is growing.

Assessing personal and family impact

Consider your closest relationships, including your partner, children, family and friends.

Effects of job relocation on relationships

When you have a partner, the decision to relocate affects two careers. Your partner may need to leave their job, sacrificing seniority, benefits or even career momentum.

Be sure to discuss these factors with your partner:

• Employment prospects: Research job opportunities in your partner's field at the new location.
• Licensing transfers: Professional licenses and certifications don’t always transfer between states.
• Income impact: Your partner may not be able to find another job right away. Be sure to calculate the income change of the entire household, not just your salary increase.
• Career timing: Assess whether the move aligns with both career trajectories.

Effects of job relocation on children

Moving can be particularly stressful for children, especially if they’re still in school. Children can lose established friendships and support systems. Teenagers, especially, can struggle with relocation, sometimes more so than younger children.

There are some steps you can take to reduce moving stress for your kids. For example, take some time to research the quality of schools, whether your child’s credits will transfer and whether beloved extracurricular activities will be available. Moving during the summer minimizes academic disruption, while midyear moves may affect grades and graduation requirements.

Here’s a list of things to consider before moving:

• School rankings: Compare the academic performance and resources at schools in your new location.
• Special programs: Check the availability of programs that support your children, such as gifted programs, special education or specific sports.
• Social adjustment: Look for events that provide your children with opportunities to build new friendships, like youth organizations or religious groups.
• College implications: With older teens in high school, you’ll want to examine the impact of a move on your child’s college applications.

Effects of job relocation on support networks

Moving for work often means leaving important support networks behind. Despite advancements in technology that allow families to communicate better, physical distance can change the nature of your relationships. You may lose childcare support from family and friends or miss spontaneous gatherings and family milestones.

Building new connections requires intentional effort. A study from the University of Kansas found that it takes 40 to 60 hours spent together to form a casual friendship. A close relationship usually takes 200 hours. That makes it important to act quickly after you relocate. When you arrive, join professional organizations, community groups or clubs associated with your hobbies so you can start building new relationships.

Financial implications of relocating

Companies often offer a set amount of money to help you move, known as a relocation package. But if you aren’t offered a package by your employer, relocation assistance is sometimes available through government programs and grants.

Ask the company if they plan on offering you a relocation package to offset the cost of moving.

Cost of living analysis

A salary increase means little if the cost of living outweighs your new salary.

Be sure to compare your net pay after cost-of-living and taxes in your new location, not just salary.

Research differences in:

• Housing costs: Mortgage or rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities
• Transportation: Gas prices, parking fees, public transit costs, vehicle registration
• Daily expenses: Groceries, dining, entertainment, childcare
• Taxes: State income tax, sales tax, property taxes

You can use online cost-of-living calculators to get an idea of how much your salary will need to be to offset the costs.

» MORE: How much do you need to make in a major city?

Hidden financial considerations

In addition to the upfront costs, moving comes with hidden financial considerations, some of which might include:

• Dual housing expenses: Maintaining two residences during your transition
• Career transition costs: Job search expenses and potential lost income from your partner
• Lifestyle adjustments: Like higher insurance rates and new commuting costs
• Emergency fund needs: May increase with the cost of living

Another consideration is whether your relocation package offers enough to offset your tax costs. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, most relocation benefits are taxable income, which has the potential to add thousands to your tax bill. Before 2017, these benefits were not taxable, and employers could deduct relocation expenses.

» COMPARE: Top-ranked moving companies

Weighing the pros and cons of relocation

Here are some pros and cons to weigh before making a decision:

Alternative options to job relocation

If you decide that relocation isn’t for you, there are some alternative options you might ask your employer to consider:

• Remote work: Ask if the job you’ve been offered could become a remote role.
• Temporary relocation: You might ask if you can take the new position on a trial basis. If the promotion includes hands-on elements for a short amount of time, like project management or employee training, you might ask if you could just relocate temporarily for monthly or quarterly visits. This arrangement might work well if the nature of your job is seasonal, for example, if you need to be hands-on during tax season or intense sales windows, like Black Friday.

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