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title: "Apple Relocation Package: What Employees Actually Get" description: "Apple's relocation includes up to $12,500 cash, full-service move via Sirva, 45 days corporate housing, car shipping, and flights. Here's what real employees report." author: Sam Price keywords:
If you've accepted an offer from Apple that includes relocation, you're looking at one of the more comprehensive packages in tech. The details matter though—Apple doesn't publish its policy, so what you actually get depends on your level, your route, and what you negotiate. Let me walk you through what employees are reporting across verified accounts.
Apple keeps its relocation policy under wraps—no published standard, no public docs. Once you accept an offer with relocation, you get connected to Sirva, the third-party firm that runs the whole thing. A dedicated Sirva consultant becomes your main contact. They walk you through what you're eligible for, coordinate logistics from offer acceptance to final delivery, and answer the operational questions that actually matter (like whether the movers are doing a full unpack or bailing early).
Here's the critical bottleneck: your background check through HireRight has to clear before Sirva can even start. If your start date is tight, this is where things get real. Professional movers book four to six weeks out. Get your background check done fast—it's the best insurance you have for protecting your moving timeline.
Employees who've gone through the process describe it as well-run. One 2023 relocate from the Midwest to the West Coast called it "super awesome" and specifically cited the tax gross-up and logistical support as major advantages. The whole thing works as an integrated package—not a pile of reimbursement forms. You get cash, you get the move handled, you get temporary housing. It's structured that way.
Before you talk to Sirva, do yourself a favor: get independent moving quotes for your route. Knowing what your move actually costs on the open market changes how you make decisions about storage, housing timing, and whether to ask for extra services. Use our moving cost calculator to compare real quotes from carriers serving your route.
Apple's relocation covers the major costs of a long-distance move end-to-end. Here's what employees consistently report.
You get one month of your base salary, capped at $12,000–$12,500 for domestic moves. International relocations max out at $12,500, though some senior or exec-level moves may exceed that. The money comes as direct deposit, separate from the managed move. It's meant for the incidentals—security deposits, furniture for your new place, whatever the movers don't cover.
Apple's structure differs from Google here: Google runs a points system where you pick cash or managed move. Apple gives you both, as separate line items.
Sirva brings in professional movers who pack, transport, and unpack your stuff. They also offer a junk removal and donation service at your origin—useful for decluttering before the trucks show up. The unpacking is included, but here's the gotcha: some employees report that movers did only a partial unpack without being explicitly asked for the full service. When you nail down your move order with Sirva, make sure full unpacking is written in.
Storage for your household goods is available through Sirva too. Some employees report six months' coverage; others say it only extends through your corporate housing window. Pin down the specifics with your consultant.
You get 45 days in a furnished corporate apartment at your destination. These units are consistently described as upscale. If you're driving instead of flying, you also get up to five hotel nights at your origin. If you decide to skip the 45 days and move into permanent housing earlier, Apple may reimburse your first month of mortgage, according to employee reports on Blind.
Apple covers economy airfare for you and immediate family members. Each family member gets one checked bag. If you prefer to drive, Apple reimburses mileage for up to two cars and covers hotel stays (roughly one night per 350 miles). Meals and incidental travel costs may be reimbursable too.
Up to two vehicles get shipped to your destination. You also get a rental car for up to 30 days at the destination, or until your vehicles show up—whichever comes first. Most cross-country vehicle shipping takes one to three weeks, so the rental coverage usually bridges the gap.
Homeowners: Sirva connects you with Sirva Envoy, a real estate agent referral program. Employees who use referred agents report receiving a $5,000 net benefit plus a 0.5% cash rebate from the agent. This is separate from your cash allowance. As of 2023, Apple stopped supplementing these homeowner benefits to cover taxes, so they show up in your W-2 at the grossed-up value instead of with an extra tax supplement on top.
Renters: Apple covers early lease termination costs for up to two months of rent, capped at $4,000. Document your lease break fees and confirm the reimbursement process with Sirva before you give notice.
Apple doesn't publish its numbers, so everything below is pulled from employee accounts. Your actual amount varies by level, distance, household size, and which services you use. These are benchmarks, not guarantees.
| Situation | Reported cash allowance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard domestic move | 1 month base salary, capped at $12,000–$12,500 | Blind, Fishbowl |
| Domestic: ICT3 or lower | $7,000 | Blind |
| International relocation | $12,500 reported; may vary by destination | Blind |
| Early career SWE | ~$15,000 lump sum | |
| Required relocation (DOA team) | $7,000 stipend only; standard package not offered | AppleInsider |
The cash is separate from the managed move, so your total package value is higher than the cash number alone. An ICT4 employee who relocated cross-country in 2021 reported: $12,500 cash, 45 days corporate housing, two car shipments, 30-day rental car, full packing and unpacking, and one-way family flights. If you priced that managed move on the open market, you'd be looking at $5,000–$20,000 depending on home size and distance.
That $7,000 figure from Apple's forced 2024 relocation of its San Diego Data Operations Annotations team to Austin? That's not the standard package. Those employees got a stipend with no managed moving services—a special circumstance, not what you should expect.
Under the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, relocation benefits to non-military employees are ordinary taxable income, no matter how the employer structures them. Without a gross-up, a $12,000 allowance can net out to $7,000–$8,000 after federal and state taxes, depending on your bracket and where you're moving.
Apple appears to provide a tax gross-up, meaning they cover the tax hit so your benefit doesn't shrink. But gross-up policies shift. They may vary by role or situation. Before you pack anything, confirm the current tax treatment with your Sirva consultant or HR. Do not budget based on the stated cash amount until you know whether your specific offer includes a gross-up. Don't get surprised on your W-2 a year later.
Repayment terms for Apple aren't well-documented in employee accounts. Most big tech companies include a repayment clause that requires you to return all or a prorated portion of relocation benefits if you leave within one to two years of your start date. Apple likely has one, but the specifics aren't widely reported.
If there's any realistic chance you might leave within the repayment window, keep the cash accessible until the period closes. For a deeper dive on how repayment clauses work across the industry, check out our guide to negotiating relocation packages.
Apple's managed move includes full packing and unpacking, but employees report that movers sometimes stop after a partial unpack without being explicitly asked for more. When you confirm move details with Sirva, make sure the full unpack is written into your move order. Don't assume it—spell it out.
HireRight has to clear you before Sirva can move. Professional movers book four to six weeks out. If you have a set start date, complete the background check as fast as possible after your offer.
If you already have a home lined up at your destination, you might be able to swap the 45-day corporate housing for a first-month mortgage reimbursement. The two options aren't equivalent in value for every situation. Understand both before you choose.
Sirva can arrange junk removal and donations at your origin home. This is included in the package. Do it before the packers arrive. Movers deal with less stuff, the process moves faster, and you reduce the risk of shipping overages.
Even with a managed move, knowing what your route actually costs puts you in control during the consultation. If you have specific requests—storage extensions, extra housing days, whatever—having real cost data gives you leverage. Use our moving cost calculator to compare quotes for your specific route.
If a tax gross-up applies to your offer, get it confirmed by HR or Sirva in writing before you move. Ask whether it covers both the cash allowance and non-cash benefits. Knowing the real after-tax cash amount prevents a surprise when it shows up in your W-2.
Competitive markets like the Bay Area and Austin make it hard to sign a lease or close on a home in 45 days. Start looking before you arrive.
Most Apple relocations land in a handful of markets. Moving costs vary a lot by route and home size, so get quotes before you budget.
Start with our moving cost calculator to get ballpark pricing for your specific route.
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Yes. Apple offers relocation assistance to new hires and internal transfers. The package is administered through Sirva and includes a lump-sum cash allowance, a full-service managed move with professional packers and movers, 45 days of corporate housing, car shipping for up to two vehicles, a rental car for up to 30 days, one-way flights for you and your family, and assistance with lease breaks or home sale costs. Apple doesn't publish its relocation policy, so specific terms depend on your level and offer.
Apple doesn't publish its numbers. Based on employee reports on Blind and Fishbowl, the cash allowance is typically one month of base salary capped at $12,000–$12,500 for domestic moves, with $12,500 reported for international relocations. Earlier reports and lower-level hires cite $7,000. The cash sits on top of the managed move, which covers professional movers, packing, and unpacking. These figures are employee-reported and unconfirmed by Apple.
Apple provides 45 days of corporate housing in a serviced apartment at your destination. Employees consistently describe the units as upscale. You also get up to five hotel nights at your origin if you're driving. If you skip temporary housing, Apple may reimburse your first month of mortgage or rent instead.
Yes. Sirva administers Apple's entire relocation program. Homeowners selling a property in connection with their move are paired with Sirva Envoy, which offers an agent referral program with a $5,000 net benefit plus a 0.5% cash rebate from the referring agent. Your dedicated Sirva consultant walks you through benefits and coordinates all moving logistics after your offer is accepted.
Yes. Apple's relocation includes shipping for up to two vehicles. You also get a rental car for up to 30 days at the destination, or until your vehicles arrive—whichever comes first. If you drive instead of flying, Apple reimburses mileage for up to two cars.
Based on employee accounts, Apple grosses up relocation benefits for taxes, meaning the amounts on your W-2 are adjusted so the tax obligation doesn't reduce your actual benefit. However, gross-up policies can change and may vary by situation. Confirm the current tax treatment of your specific package with HR or your Sirva consultant before your move.
Specific repayment terms for Apple's relocation aren't widely documented in employee accounts. Most major tech 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. Review your offer letter or relocation agreement for the specific terms before accepting relocation assistance.
Apple's cash allowance (one month base salary capped at $12,000–$12,500) is paid as direct deposit. The managed move, corporate housing, car shipping, and other services are arranged separately by Sirva and aren't cash-outable. Unlike some other tech companies, Apple doesn't offer a blanket cash-out option in lieu of the full managed move package. Confirm the exact terms of your offer with your Sirva consultant.
