What will moving cities actually cost you?
Movers and flights are the obvious costs. Brokerage and a new security deposit are the ones that catch people off guard.
Questions people actually ask
- Is the security deposit really a 'cost'?
- It's refundable when you eventually leave, but it's still cash you need on hand the moment you sign a lease — often 2-3 months' rent in most Indian cities. That's real, immediate cash-flow pressure even though it isn't a permanent loss.
- Does my new employer usually cover any of this?
- Sometimes — a relocation allowance or lump sum is common for more senior roles, less so for early-career hires. Whatever your employer covers, subtract it from the categories above before treating this total as your actual out-of-pocket cost.