Move or Improve Why Installing a Home Elevator Beats the Cost of Moving

Leaving a family home filled with memories is never easy. For many homeowners, especially those who want to age in place, the thought of moving to avoid stairs can feel like giving up a lifetime of comfort and community. Yet staying put often makes more financial sense than relocating. When you weigh the true costs of moving against the investment in a home elevator, the numbers tell a clear story: installing an elevator can be a smarter, more cost-effective choice that also adds lasting value to your home.

The Hidden Costs of Moving The Math

Moving involves more than just packing boxes and hiring movers. The expenses add up quickly and can catch homeowners off guard. Here’s a breakdown of the key costs you face when selling your home and buying a new one in 2025:

• Real Estate Agent Commissions

Typically 5% to 6% of the sale price. For a $600,000 home, that means $30,000 to $36,000 paid out just to agents.

• Land Transfer Taxes

Depending on your location, this can range from 1% to 2% of the purchase price. On a $600,000 home, expect $6,000 to $12,000.

• Lawyer Fees

Legal costs for closing the sale and purchase usually run between $1,000 and $2,500.

• Closing Costs

These include title insurance, inspections, and other fees, often totaling 1% to 3% of the purchase price.

• Movers

Professional moving services can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more depending on distance and volume.

Adding these up, moving can easily cost $40,000 to $60,000 or more before you even settle into your new home. This doesn’t include the emotional cost of uprooting your life, finding new doctors, and adjusting to a new neighborhood.

The Cost of a Home Elevator

By contrast, installing a home elevator typically costs between $35,000 and $80,000 as a one-time expense. This price includes the elevator unit and installation, construction costs vary. Unlike moving, this investment stays with your home and enhances its accessibility and appeal.

When you compare these figures, the cost of a home elevator often matches or undercuts the hidden expenses of moving. Plus, it avoids the disruption and stress of relocating.

Home elevator installed in a luxury home, showing sleek design and accessibility

Does a Home Elevator Increase Home Value?

A home elevator does more than just solve mobility challenges. It increases the marketability of your property by appealing to a wider range of buyers. Seniors, multi-generational families, and anyone looking for aging in place solutions see an elevator as a valuable feature.

This is a form of future-proofing your home. Instead of limiting your buyer pool to those comfortable with stairs, you open your home to people who want accessibility without sacrificing style or location. Studies show that accessible home features can boost resale value by 5% to 10%, depending on the market.

Real estate agents often note that homes with elevators sell faster and at higher prices because they meet a growing demand for accessible living. This means your elevator is not just a convenience but a strategic investment in your home’s long-term value.

The Intangible ROI

Beyond dollars and cents, staying in your own home offers priceless benefits. You keep your established social connections, remain close to trusted healthcare providers, and maintain your daily routines without upheaval.

For many, the emotional and psychological comfort of aging in place outweighs the appeal of a new home. Installing a home elevator supports independence and safety, reducing the risk of falls and injuries on stairs.

This intangible return on investment improves quality of life and peace of mind, which no moving cost calculation can capture.

Why an Elevator Often Costs Less Than Moving

When you consider the 5% to 6% real estate commission alone, the cost of selling your home can exceed the price of installing an elevator. Add in land transfer taxes, closing costs, and moving expenses, and the financial case for staying put becomes even stronger.

A home elevator is a one-time investment that adds value, accessibility, and comfort. Moving is an ongoing expense with emotional and financial risks.

If you love your neighborhood, your home, and the life you’ve built, investing in an elevator lets you keep all that while adapting your space to your needs.

If you’re considering whether to move or improve, a home elevator could be the solution that saves you money and enhances your lifestyle. Book a free home feasibility study today to explore how an elevator can fit your home and future.