A strong relocation package helps organisations attract the right talent and gives relocating employees the confidence to accept a move. Yet packages vary widely between industries, employee levels and locations.

This guide sets out what a typical relocation package includes, examples by employee level and how organisations can benchmark and build a competitive package.

What is a relocation package?

A relocation package is the set of benefits and services an employer offers to help an employee move for work. It can include practical services, financial support or a combination of both. Employees can read your relocation package explained for the employee view.

What a typical relocation package includes

A typical relocation package covers the main costs and steps of moving home. The components below are the most common.

1. Household goods move

A household goods move covers packing, shipping and delivering the employee’s belongings through a household goods provider. See moving household goods internationally for what the process involves.

2. Temporary housing

Temporary housing is short-term accommodation at the destination while the employee finds a permanent home, often for 30 to 90 days.

3. Travel and house-hunting trips

Travel and house-hunting trips cover the final move journey and, in many packages, a visit to the destination to find housing and schools.

4. Destination services and settling-in support

Destination services help employees and families settle into their new location. Support can include home finding, school searches, area orientation and language and cross-cultural training. For a broader look at how organisations structure family support within a relocation programme, see our guide on expat relocation: supporting employees and families abroad.

5. Tax gross-up

A tax gross-up is an extra payment that covers the tax due on relocation benefits, so the employee receives the intended value. Read more in is a relocation bonus taxable?

Average relocation package cost

The average relocation package cost depends on employee level, household size, move distance and whether the move is domestic or international. Benchmarking data from WERC and AIRINC gives the most reliable reference points, and a relocation cost estimate helps set the budget for each move.

Relocation package examples by employee level

Relocation package examples vary by seniority. The table below shows how packages are commonly tiered.

Component	Early-career	Mid-level professional	Executive
Package type	Lump sum	Core-flex or managed	Fully managed
Household goods move	Covered by lump sum	Managed shipment	Full-service managed shipment
Temporary housing	Covered by lump sum	Up to 30 days	Up to 60 to 90 days
House-hunting trip	Not usually included	One trip	One or more trips with family
Home sale and purchase support	Not included	Sometimes included	Usually included
Destination services	Self-service guides	Selected services	Full destination support
Tax gross-up	Sometimes	Usually	Usually

For more on structuring support by level, see tiered relocation policies.

Early-career and graduate relocation packages

Early-career and graduate packages usually take the form of a lump sum, giving employees flexibility and organisations a predictable cost.

Mid-level professional relocation packages

Mid-level packages often combine core managed services, such as the household goods move, with a flexible budget for other costs.

Executive relocation packages

Executive packages usually include fully managed services, home sale and purchase support, extended temporary housing and family support.

Big tech relocation package benchmarks

Big tech relocation packages are often used as a reference point because large technology employers relocate high volumes of talent each year. Packages in this sector commonly combine a lump sum or flexible budget with managed household goods shipment, temporary housing and tax gross-up for eligible employees.

Package types: Lump sum, managed and core-flex

Package types describe how relocation support is delivered.

Type	Description
Lump sum relocation	A fixed payment the employee spends as they choose
Managed	Services arranged and paid for by the employer
Core-flex	Core services for every employee plus a flexible budget or menu

Find out more about the core-flex relocation programme and the different types of relocation policy.

How to build a competitive relocation package

Building a competitive relocation package starts with understanding your talent goals, move types and budget. Useful steps include:

• Benchmark against industry data from WERC, AIRINC and Mercer
• Set clear tiers by employee level and move type
• Include family support where moves involve partners and children
• Decide on a consistent approach to tax gross-up
• Gather feedback from relocating employees to refine the package

How MovePlus supports relocation package design and delivery

MovePlus works with organisations to design and operationalise relocation policies that are clear, scalable and aligned with destination-specific considerations. MovePlus offers full-service and self-service options, so each employee receives the right level of support.

The MOVEPLUS™ platform centralises relocation data, documents and approvals, giving HR and mobility teams visibility of package spend and trends across every move. Get in touch to discuss how MovePlus can support your programme.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a good relocation package?

A good relocation package covers the realistic cost of the move, reflects the employee’s level and family situation and offers clear support from start to finish.

2. Are relocation packages negotiable?

Many organisations allow some flexibility, particularly for senior hires. Core-flex policies offer a structured way to give choice within a set budget.

3. Do relocation packages differ between the US and UK?

Yes. Packages differ in tax treatment, typical benefits and housing practices. For example, the UK allows certain qualifying relocation expenses to be paid tax-free up to a set limit.

4. What is the average relocation package for an employee?

The average depends on employee level, distance and location. Industry benchmarks from WERC and AIRINC are the most reliable guide.