Financial factors to consider when moving

UC professor offers guidance to USA Today on potential hidden costs of moving

Moving can be a stressful and expensive endeavor.

Gary Painter-2023

Gary Painter

When it comes time to move, there are important financial implications to consider, Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, told USA Today.

For one, it’s important to consider the costs of moving when budgeting to purchase a new house.

“If you buy a new home, you have closing costs on the mortgage. It is critical to account for the total costs of moving across the country,” Painter said. “Moving costs can be substantial depending on the distance of the move, the quantity of goods moved and the time of year — as more people move in the summer.”

If an employer pays for moving costs, that’s considered income and is taxable.

“Even if your new company pays for the moving costs, you will have to count the reimbursement as part of your gross income and will be required to pay taxes on it,” Painter said. “If they don’t compensate you for moving costs, it is important to keep in mind that these costs are not deductible.”

See more from USA Today.

Featured image at top: A man moves boxes into a new home. Photo/HiveBoxx via Unsplash

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

Related Stories

1

News Cincinnati loved in 2025

January 2, 2026

The story of prohibition bootlegger George Remus was among WLWT's favorite segments in 2025. UC Law Professor Christopher Bryant spoke with journalist Lindsay Stone about Remus using a temporary insanity defense during a murder trial.

2

What to know about this year’s big tax changes

January 2, 2026

Local 12 reported that taxpayers can expect some major changes this tax season. Gary Friedhoff, adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, recently spoke to Local 12 about how to avoid surprises.