Apple Relocation Package and Policy (2026)

Here is a snapshot of what Apple employees report receiving for relocation:

How Apple’s relocation works

Apple does not publish a standard corporate relocation policy. Once you accept an offer that includes relocation, Apple connects you with Sirva, the third-party relocation management company that administers the program. A dedicated Sirva consultant walks you through your benefits, coordinates the logistics of your move, and serves as your main point of contact from offer acceptance through your final delivery.

Background screening must be completed before Sirva can begin the relocation process. If your start date is tight, complete HireRight as quickly as possible, since movers are typically booked four to six weeks out. Getting the background check done fast is the best thing you can do to protect your moving timeline.

The relocation process itself is described consistently as smooth and well-supported. An employee who relocated in 2023 from the Midwest to the West Coast described the experience as “super awesome” and said the tax gross-up and the level of logistical support gave them peace of mind. The managed move, corporate housing, and Sirva coordination all work together as a package rather than a series of separate reimbursements.

What Apple’s relocation package includes

Apple’s relocation package covers the major costs of a long-distance move from end to end. Here is what employees consistently report across Blind, Fishbowl, and Reddit accounts.

Lump-sum cash allowance

Apple pays a cash allowance equal to one month of your base salary, capped at $12,000–$12,500 for domestic moves. For international relocations, the cap has been reported at $12,500, though some senior and executive-level moves may exceed that. The allowance is paid as a direct deposit, separate from the managed move. It is intended for incidental costs like security deposits, furniture for your new place, and other out-of-pocket expenses that the managed services do not cover.

Apple’s structure differs from companies like Google, which offer a points-based system where the cash-out and managed move are two versions of the same allocation. With Apple, the cash and the services are separate components of the same package.

Full-service household goods move

Sirva coordinates professional movers who come to your home, pack everything, transport it, and unpack at your destination. A separate service is also available to come to your origin home and remove or donate any items you do not want to bring. Employees who have used the unpacking service note that it is included, but it should be confirmed explicitly when you set up your move order. One employee reported that movers only did a partial unpack before leaving, even though the full service was covered.

Storage for household goods is also available through Sirva. Some employees report storage coverage of up to six months, while others report storage only through the end of their corporate housing window.

Temporary housing

Apple provides 45 days of corporate housing in a furnished apartment at your destination city. The units are consistently described as upscale. Up to five hotel nights are also covered at your origin city if you are driving to your new location.

If you choose not to use the 45-day corporate housing, Apple may reimburse your first month of mortgage payment, according to one employee on Blind.

One-way travel

Apple covers one-way economy airfare for you and your eligible immediate family members. Each family member is covered for one checked bag. If you prefer to drive, Apple reimburses mileage for up to two cars and covers hotel stays at one night per 350 miles driven. Meals and incidental travel costs may also be reimbursable.

Car shipping and rental car

Apple ships up to two vehicles to your new location. You also receive a rental car for up to 30 days at the destination, or until your own vehicles arrive, whichever comes first. For most cross-country moves, vehicle shipping takes one to three weeks, so the rental car window generally provides enough coverage. See our guide to car shipping costs if you want to understand what Apple is paying for on your behalf.

Homeowner and renter assistance

If you own a home you are selling as part of your move, Apple connects you with Sirva Envoy, which provides a local real estate agent referral. Employees who use the referred agent report receiving a $5,000 net benefit and a 0.5% cash rebate from the agent. This is separate from the cash allowance. One employee on Blind noted that as of the 2023 policy update, homeowner cash benefits are no longer supplemented to cover taxes, meaning they show up in the W-2 at the grossed-up value rather than with an additional tax supplement on top.

If you are a renter, Apple covers early lease termination costs for up to two months of rent, capped at $4,000. Document your lease break fees carefully and confirm the reimbursement process with your Sirva consultant before you give notice.

How much is Apple’s relocation package?

Apple does not publish its relocation amounts. The figures below are compiled from employee accounts, and individual amounts vary by level, move distance, household size, and what services you use. Treat these as benchmarks rather than guarantees.

Across employee accounts, the cash allowance is reported as separate from the managed move, so the total value of the package is higher than the cash figure alone. An employee at ICT4 who relocated cross-country in 2021 described a package that included $12,500 in cash, 45 days of corporate housing, two car shipments, a 30-day rental car, full packing and unpacking, and one-way flights for the family. The managed move component alone, if priced on the open market, could run $5,000–$20,000 depending on home size and distance.

The $7,000 figure reported for the 2024 forced relocation of Apple’s San Diego Data Operations Annotations team to Austin was a special circumstance, not the standard package. Those employees were given $7,000 to cover the move with no additional managed moving services.

Are Apple’s relocation benefits taxed?

Under the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, relocation benefits paid to non-military employees are treated as ordinary taxable income regardless of how the employer structures them. Without a tax gross-up, a $12,000 cash allowance can net as little as $7,000–$8,000 after federal and state taxes, depending on your bracket and location.

Apple appears to provide a tax gross-up on relocation benefits, which means Apple covers the tax liability so your benefit is not reduced by withholding. That said, gross-up policies can change and may vary by role or situation. Confirm the current tax treatment with your Sirva consultant or HR contact before your move. Do not budget based on the stated cash amount until you know whether a gross-up applies to your specific offer.

The repayment clause

Specific repayment clause terms for Apple’s relocation are not well-documented in available employee accounts. Most corporate relocation packages at major technology companies include a repayment clause requiring you to return all or a prorated portion of relocation benefits if you leave within one to two years of your start date.

If there is any realistic chance you might leave within your repayment window, keep the cash accessible until the repayment period closes. For more on how repayment clauses work across the industry, see our guide to negotiating a relocation package.

How to maximize your Apple relocation package

Confirm the full unpack service before moving day

Apple’s managed move includes full packing and unpacking at no additional cost, but employees report that movers sometimes do only a partial unpack without being explicitly asked for the full service. When you confirm your move details with Sirva, make sure the full unpack is written into your move order.

Expedite your background check

Sirva cannot begin the relocation process until HireRight clears your background check. Professional movers are typically booked four to six weeks in advance. If you have a set start date, complete HireRight as quickly as possible after your offer is accepted.

Decide early about corporate housing vs. first month mortgage reimbursement

If you already have a home lined up at your destination, you may be able to take a first-month mortgage reimbursement instead of the 45-day corporate housing. The two options are not equivalent in value for every situation, so understand both before you decide.

Use the junk removal service before the movers arrive

Sirva can arrange for a company to come to your origin home to remove or donate items you do not want to bring. This service is included in the package. Using it before packing day means movers are only dealing with things that are actually going with you, which can speed up the process and reduce any risk of exceeding shipping limits.

Price your route before the consultation

Even with Apple’s managed move, knowing what your route actually costs puts you in a better position during your Sirva consultation. If you have specific requests like storage extensions or additional housing, having real cost data to reference helps. Use moveBuddha’s free moving cost calculator to compare quotes for your specific route.

Confirm the tax gross-up in writing

If the tax gross-up applies to your offer, confirm it with HR or your Sirva consultant before you move. Ask whether it covers both the cash allowance and the non-cash benefits. Knowing the real after-tax amount of the cash allowance prevents a surprise when it hits your W-2 in the following year.

Plan permanent housing before your 45 days run out

Competitive markets like the Bay Area and Austin can make it challenging to sign a lease or close on a home within 45 days. Start your housing search before you arrive.

Moving to an Apple hub city?

The majority of Apple relocations land in a small number of markets. Moving costs vary significantly by route and home size, so get quotes before you make any budget assumptions.

Why compare movers through moveBuddha?

Pros and cons of Apple’s relocation package

FAQ

Relocation packages by company

Relocation policies vary widely between employers. We’ve researched specific company programs, drawing on public policy documents and employee reports so you can see exactly what to expect before you negotiate.

Ryan Carrigan

Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.