How Much Does It Cost To Move to California in 2023?

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California has a lot to offer its residents: beautiful beaches, famous attractions, and yearlong sunshine. It’s no wonder people pay a premium to live there (overall, California has the fourth-highest cost of living, behind Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts).

But how much does moving and living in California cost? Below are average moving costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates*.


California Moving Costs in 2023

an illustration of people wandering along a path that winds through huge redwood treesIf you’re moving cross-country from the East Coast to California, you can expect to spend between $2,182 and $10,329 on your move, according to a recent PODS article. The main factors affecting this cost are distance, the moving service you choose, and the size of your move. A shorter move, such as one between Phoenix and L.A., would cost between $328 and $5,300, while the cost of a move from NYC to San Francisco could cost over $10,000

  • Avg. Timeframe for a California Move – 3.4 Hours
  • Avg. Distance of a California Move – 35 Miles

The average time spent on a move that features an origin, destination, or both within California is just shy of three and a half hours, while the average distance traveled is 35 miles.

How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?

The average cost of California moving labor services is $16 more expensive than the national average. Across all move types and services, it costs an average of $396 to move locally anywhere within the country.

 

“Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.”

 

The national average timeframe for moving is three hours (24 minutes shorter than the average California move), and items are transported an average of 74 miles (39 miles farther than the average California move). The specific moving service you use will make a difference, though.

The Current State of Moving to California in 2023

Between April 2020 and July 2022, California lost over 700,000 more residents than it gained, according to the Los Angeles Times. While the pandemic likely played a part in this exodus, the truth is that California residents have been leaving the Golden State for other, more affordable locales since 2000. California has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, and the highest sales tax rate. In San Francisco, for instance, the average home value is above $1.27 million. A family of four would need $112,903 in household income just to get by.

an illustration of a boardwalk next to a Pacific Ocean beach. Colorful homes line the street. With COVID-19 causing many to shift to remote work, employees who were once tied to a desk suddenly had the freedom to find somewhere more affordable to put down roots. 

Still, California has a very large population (over 39 million) and, despite having a net loss of hundreds of thousands of residents between 2020 and 2022, it still managed to rank as the third most moved-in state by volume last year with +3.6% move-ins.

While the cost of living and high taxes may be a turn-off for some, living in California comes with a gorgeous climate, breathtaking scenery, myriad job opportunities, and endless culture and entertainment. People are still moving to the Golden State and, with all of these perks, “California dreaming” isn’t likely going anywhere.

More 2023 California Moving Stats

Given the multiple moving options available to you, each has many pros and cons, including the price. The average California moving service costs in 2023 were as follows:

Transportation Type Avg. Labor Cost Avg. Transportation Cost Total Cost
Container $461 $2,762 $3,223
Truck $478 $345 $823
Freight Trailer $574 $1,500* $2,074**
**Expressed as a national average, as state-specific data is not available.

Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in California by Job Type

Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which part of your move you hire the labor for makes a difference. Let’s compare the average costs of different labor-only moving services in California to the national averages.

Type of Labor-Only Moving Service U.S. Average CA Average
Moving with on-site help only $345 $353
Moving with unloading help only $395 $387
Moving with loading help only $400 $398
Moving with both loading and unloading help (booked together) $490 $608

Top 5 Least Expensive Cities for Moves Within California (Labor-Only)

City
(Origin or Destination)
Average Move Cost
(Labor-Only)
Huntington Beach, CA $290
Carlsbad, CA $303
Long Beach, CA $325
San Francisco, CA $336
Corona, CA $341

Top 5 Most Expensive Cities for Moves Within California (Labor-Only)

City
(Origin or Destination)
Average Move Cost
(Labor-Only)
Woodland Hills, CA $689
Camarillo, CA $655
Tracy, CA $595
Redwood City, CA $595
El Dorado Hills, CA $579
California moves in the above graphs are calculated using booked moves where the origin city, destination city, or both reside within California and are at least 50 miles apart.

Which Cities in California Are Growing and Shrinking?

A view of a vineyard that continues into the hills in the distance.
Livermore, CA

Californian City With the Greatest Population Increase*** – Santa Cruz, CA (+12.5%)

This mellow beach town is located in Northern California along Highway One. Among other things, it’s known for its surf culture, whale watching, and close proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Californian City With the Greatest Population Loss*** – Livermore, CA (-2%)

Located in the San Francisco Bay area and dating back to 1869, Livermore is the state’s oldest wine region. In addition to its thriving wine industry, the city also enjoys a rich arts and culture scene.

***Based on population increase or decrease between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Most Affordable California Cities (Based on Cost of Living)

Here’s a closer look at six of the most affordable cities in California (according to Niche) and how their average household incomes and home values compare to the state averages.

City Average Home Value Median Household 

Income

Home Value to Household Income(Ratio)
Visalia, CA $361,827 $69,252 100:19
Bakersfield, CA $370,490 $69,014 100:19
Fresno, CA $359,344 $57,211 100:16
Victorville, CA $403,428 $61,206 100:15
Stockton, CA $419,631 $63,916 100:15
San Bernardino, CA $448,953 $55,372 100:12
California $728,121 $84,097 100:12
Sources: Average home values are based on Zillow data and median household incomes are based on U.S. Census data (expressed in 2021 dollars) available as of June 2022.

Cost of Moving Within California (NorCal Versus SoCal)

A beach in San Diego
San Diego, CA

Contrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.

That said, Southern California is home to the most expensive city for moving in the entire country: Riverside. On average, state moves originating in Riverside totaled $538.

Least Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Oceanside, CA $383 SoCal
Long Beach, CA $395 SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA $402 SoCal
Roseville, CA $414 NorCal
San Diego, CA $415 SoCal
Sacramento, CA $423 NorCal
San Francisco, CA $432 NorCal

Most Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Riverside, CA $538 SoCal
Oakland, CA $487 NorCal
Santa Monica, CA $487 SoCal
Carlsbad, CA $477 SoCal
San Jose, CA $457 NorCal
Los Angeles, CA $454 SoCal
Irvine, CA $437 SoCal

What Are California’s 2023 Tax Rates?

The costs of moving to California aren’t just about hiring movers, buying packing supplies, or renting self-storage. If you’re moving from out of state, there’s a good chance the sales tax rates in California will be higher (possibly much higher) than you’re used to, affecting the final cost of moving-related expenses. Not to mention California’s high income taxes, which will almost certainly take a toll on your disposable income.

Below is a breakdown of California tax rates.

Sales taxes in California include:

  • California sales tax rate: 7.25% (highest in the U.S.)
  • Average local sales tax rate: 1.57%
  • California gasoline tax rate: 63¢
  • California cigarette tax rate: $2.87 (per 20-pack)

California income tax rates are as follows:

California Income Tax Brackets Based on Filing Status
Single or Married Filing Separately Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er) Head of Household Tax Rate
$0 – $10,099 $0 – $20,198 $0 – $20,212 1%
$10,100 – $23,942 $20,199 – $47,884 $20,213 – $47,887 2%
$23,943 – $37,788 $47,885 – $75,576 $47,888 – $61,730 4%
$37,789 – $52,455 $75,577 – $104,910 $61,731 – $76,397 6%
$52,456 – $66,295 $104,911 – $132,590 $76,398 – $90,240 8%
$66,296 – $338,639 $132,591 – $677,278 $90,241 – $460,547 9.3%
$338,640 – $406,364 $677,279 – $812,728 $460,548 – $552,658 10.3%
$406,365 – $677,275 $812,729 – $1,354,550 $552,659 – $921,095 11.3%
$677,276+ $1,354,551+ $921,096+ 12.3%
Source: H&R Block

If you’re considering moving to California, be sure to look at your new city’s cost of living compared to your salary. Keep in mind that even if you’re moving for a job, it may not be necessary to live in one of the big, expensive cities listed above. There are plenty of affordable California suburbs — which aren’t necessarily in the middle of nowhere — including Morada, Desert Edge, and Golden Hills.

And, when you’re ready to book movers in California, use Hire A Helper’s moving calculator to understand what your own unique moving costs might be.


*Unless otherwise indicated, the previous statistics are based on thousands of moves carried out by the halfway point of 2021. These data points are calculations of average and median costs of “labor-only” and/or “Mover + Truck” moving services booked through HireAHelper.com, as well as “Long Distance Move” moving services from MovingPlace.com, and may also include additional related moving data from industry partners and affiliates collected between 2020 and 2021.

Illustrations by Naomi Ann Clarke

Moving in San Diego? Here’s a Budget-friendly Guide

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Looking for cheap San Diego movers?

I hear ya. Cost is definitely one of the most important factors for people planning a move — however, it’s not the only one! Moving is stressful, time-consuming, and you’re handing most of your stuff over to relative strangers. A slightly higher cost for better quality and peace of mind is worth every penny. 

One of the key things to look for is a trustworthy moving company with professional, responsible movers. This is especially important in California, which has become notorious for moving fraud (especially for out-of-state moves). 

 

“Don’t be afraid to hire additional moving helpers. While it might feel like you’re paying more, if you’re hiring moving labor by the hour, you could wind up shaving some time off the move…”

 

But what does a reliable moving company look like?

For one, make sure that they have their insurance policies up to date and licenses (MC#/DOT) in order. You’ll also want to search for some positive reviews from real former customers. Moving insurance can give you peace of mind as well — so can opting for a moving provider that offers a service guarantee

Below are some must-know’s for moving to and around San Diego!


San Diego Moving Options

movers load a white upholstered chair into a moving van

There are generally three options for moving in San Diego: do-it-yourself, hybrid, and full-service.

  • DIY is going to be your most budget-friendly option. You’re not hiring professionals to help you out, so you just need to pay for your truck, your supplies, and so forth. The tradeoff is all of the extra time and labor your move will require.
  • Hybrid is the option where you pay for help for part of the move, but still do the transportation yourself. In other words, you pay for moving helpers to load or unload your things, while you rent and drive the moving truck.
  • Full-service means that movers come to your house, pack your things onto their own moving truck, drive your belongings to your new place, and unload everything into the proper rooms. There are some options that have you pack your own stuff into boxes first, but typically full-service takes care of your move from start to finish. Naturally, this means it’s the most expensive option

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San Diego Moving Costs

The moving style you pick from above will greatly impact how much you pay for your move. Keeping in mind that a number of factors can vastly skew the overall total cost of a move (including things like gas, moving insurance, overnight lodging, and more), here’s a quick overview of how moving costs might compare for these different options:

  • Local DIY move: $175–$475
  • Local hybrid move: $350+
  • Local full-service move: $700+
  • Long-distance DIY move: $1,000–$5,000+
  • Long-distance hybrid move: $1,300+
  • Long-distance full-service move: $2,000+

San Diego Moving Cost by Move Size

a moving truck being packed with furniture and boxes

Your costs will, of course, depend on the size of your own move. In most cases, final price is determined by the total volume of your belongings. But if you’re like me, trying to guess that number before you’ve packed a single box feels like some kind of high-pressure carnival game. The easier way to know how expensive your move will cost is to go by how many rooms you have.

 

“Most people in San Diego use a 20-foot truck to move their stuff. Naturally, people with less furniture might get away with something smaller…[while] those with very large homes might want to go for a large truck (18–24 feet long).”

 

Below, you’ll find cost estimates for different move sizes (including both loading and unloading) in San Diego:

Size Movers Needed Number of Hours Square Feet Avg. Move Cost*
Studio/Small Apt 2 4 Up to 800 $632
2–3 Bedroom Apt 2 5 800–1,200 $787
2–3 Bedroom House 3 7 1,000–1,500 $1,370
4+ Bedroom House 4 7 1,500–2,000 $1,960
*Labor only for a short-distance local San Diego move. This doesn’t include truck rental costs.

Of course, you’ll want to account for any additional factors, like whether your building has a lot of stairs (movers often charge for extra stairs) or if you have fragile or extra-heavy items (not a fridge, more like a hot tub).

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to hire additional moving helpers. While it might feel like you’re paying more, if you’re hiring moving labor by the hour, you could wind up shaving a ton of time off the move — which will save you way more money in the long run.


San Diego Movers FAQ

view of the san diego skyline

Now that we’ve covered the big-picture details, let’s take up some of the finer points. Here are some of the most popular questions about moving in San Diego.

How much do movers in San Diego cost?

In San Diego, an average move costs about $429*

That is the average cost of two movers working approximately three hours in San Diego. (See more averages in the chart above, or get a custom quote directly from HireAHelper.)

*Median cost of labor-only moves purchased within San Diego on HireAHelper.com in 2023

How long does moving take in San Diego?

Most moves in San Diego take three hours per job.

Factors include the size of the home you’re moving, if you’re having movers help with both loading and unloading, and the distance you’re traveling in between. Traffic and time of day also matter — a friend of mine once paid an extra $300 for her move simply because the truck got stuck in rush hour on the highway! Yikes!

See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.

How many movers do I need for my move in San Diego?

With two movers, you can complete most moves in San Diego in a reasonable time. Adding at least one more mover might expedite the process, which is recommended for larger homes.

Keep in mind moving companies have a minimum number of movers you’re required to hire per job, and that number is typically two. 

What size truck do I need when moving in San Diego?

Most people in San Diego use a 20-foot truck to move their stuff.

Naturally, people with less furniture might get away with something smaller — and, likewise, those with very large homes might want to go for a large truck (18–24 feet long). But for most people, a 20-foot truck should be just right.

When is the best time to move to San Diego?

The day of the week and time of year you choose to move can significantly impact your overall moving costs. Here are the best times to move for budget-conscious planners:

  • Expect to save in February: One reliable truth no matter where you’re moving in the U.S. is that it’s going to be more affordable during the winter — and the same is true in southern California. The most wallet-friendly month to move in San Diego is February.
  • Try to move on Mondays: Another helpful insight is the fact that weekdays, and especially Mondays, are prime moving days, as they’re less busy. Avoid rush-hour windows, like early morning and later in the afternoon, and instead aim to start your move at about 11 a.m.

It’s tough to know exactly how much any move will cost (financially, emotionally, or otherwise) at the start of your planning process. But by breaking down the essential choices about your move and using the data above, you can set realistic expectations and set the stage for a successful moving day.

The Cities with the Most AAPI Diversity in the US (Besides NYC and San Francisco)

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My partner is Chinese-American, so ideally he and I would like to put down roots in a city with a not insignificant Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population. (This rules out cities that might have made my list back when it was just me, my white self, and I.)

In the past, we’ve lived—both separately and together—in diverse places like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Rockville, Maryland, and Portland, Oregon. Yet ultimately, we want to live in a city that currently has an Asian population significantly higher than the national average, which hovers right around 7%, according to Pew Research Center

The reasoning of course is for both comfort and safety reasons. But while we want a piece of that suburban pie, we’d also like to give ourselves a liiiittle bit of distance from big city life. (Ideally, we’d live just far away enough that we can watch House Hunters without stewing in shame over the amount we pay to live on the square footage of a postage stamp.)

But what is anyone’s option for a more suburban and affordable lifestyle within a city or town that isn’t exclusively white? I’m so very glad you asked, since we’re sharing all the research we did for ourselves.

Our search for an Asian community as an interracial couple

Really quickly before I dive in, I want to note a couple things.

First of all, I’ll be citing two statistics for each location: the “Asian alone” population percentage from the United States Census Bureau, which includes solely those responders who are “reporting only one race”. For living purposes, I’m also citing the median gross rent for 2015-2019, a representation of what a middle-of-the-bell-curve citizen pays every month in rent and utilities. (Basically, this is an all-inclusive housing cost, which for your reference is $1,664 in West Hollywood—a number that’s lower than our outright rent… so I guess take these with a grain of salt?)

 

“…we want to live in a city that currently has an Asian population significantly higher than the national average, which hovers right around 7%, according to Pew Research Center.”

 

I point out that first statistic to underline that these aren’t necessarily the most diverse cities overall, as we’re seeking solely the percentage of Asian populations for our particular situation.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Median Gross Rent: $1,745

A big part of my brain doesn’t think I’m allowed to live in a place like Hawaii, because it feels like a reward I haven’t earned. But if I can get past the mental block of whether or not I deserve to live and work on a tropical island, it actually seems like a great setup. In a reversal from every other city on this list, Caucasians are in the minority in Honolulu—people of solely Asian descent represent 42.9% of the population, as compared to 17.9% white people. And that doesn’t even include native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders (9.6%), or those who represent multiple races (22.8%), which boosts the numbers even higher.

Seattle, Washington

Median Gross Rent: $1,614

Across the pond and nestled snuggly into my beloved Pacific Northwest, we have chilly little Seattle, one of the few cities on this list that my partner and I have visited together. We stayed in a pretty industrial area during our visit, which neither of us was super keen on, but I’m still thinking about our day trip out to Bainbridge Island. I’m betting there’s a neighborhood that would check all our boxes.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to argue with the gorgeous views, fresh seafood, and younger-skewing demographics—plus it hits our checkboxes with an Asian-American population of 15.4%.

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Portland, Oregon

portland

Median Gross Rent: $1,248

Sooner or later, they all come crawling back. (At least, according to my social media-stalking of my former high school classmates.) I’ve so far resisted making the full move back to my hometown, but it always shimmers on the horizon. And now that I’m back on the same coast, it feels like just a matter of time. This is especially due to the fact that while Portland has a genuinely terrible record in terms of a lot of diversity, it does host a not-too-shabby Asian population at 8.2%, so it’s worth considering for us. Rents seem great at the moment, but once we’re looking to buy property, we’d probably steer clear of the Portland housing market for a few years, because it is going absolutely bananas right now.

San Diego, California

san diego

Median Gross Rent: $1,695

There are quite a few cities in California that match our requirements, but since I didn’t want to pull more than one option from any given state, the best choice is definitely San Diego. My partner and I visited earlier this year, and all I kept saying was, “Los Angeles wishes!” Same gorgeous weather as LA, same basic lifestyle vibe, similar diversity (with 16.9% Asian population), but cheaper, less sprawling, and way more laid back. (Sorry, LA, but you are a bit of a try-hard in the coolness department.) 

Chicago, Illinois

chicago

Median Gross Rent: $823

Continuing our jaunt eastward, we have to leapfrog a few particularly homogenous states before landing in the lovely little enclave that is Chicago. This is another city that I visited and just had an absolute blast in, although I’ll note that it was in summer, and I’m told that to really get a feel for it, I need to try my hand at Chicago in the winter. But I adored the energy. I found the public transportation system super intuitive, and I simply love to see a median gross rent in the triple-digits.

And while the Asian population currently registers at 6.6%, the midwest is currently home to the fastest-growing Asian American communities, so I’m betting that number will rise. Plus, my partner and I both do long-form improv (humiliating), so Chicago would be an excellent place to keep our comedic skills sharp.

Austin, Texas

austin

Median Gross Rent: $1,280

I gotta be honest, I initially thought the majority of the South would probably be out, but Texas went and surprised me! I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting the state in the past, but I always toyed with the idea of moving to Austin, which I’ve been told has similar vibes to Portland. With an Asian population of 7.6%, it’s just above the national average. But the fact that there’s a significant Latinx community (33.9%) is a nice boost to our search. So Barton Springs, here we (maybe) come!

Newton, Massachusetts

newton

Median Gross Rent: $1,940

After a decade in New York City, I’m a little hesitant to settle in a nearby city like Boston. I scooted next door to Newton to check out the scene and am very happy with what I found.

Once again, it’s close enough to the city that we wouldn’t have to quit urban sprawl cold turkey, but could instead take it in manageable doses. Plus, Newton actually has a significantly larger Asian population—14.8% compared with Boston’s 9.7%—along with great public schools, a suburban feel with great parks, coffee shops, restaurants and multiple awards for being one of the nicest places to live in the United States. (One con? It also has the prices to go with all those pluses.)

Rockville, Maryland

rockville

Median Gross Rent: $1,921

Alright, if my hometown can be on this list, so can his. Not only does Rockville boast a double-digit Asian population at 21.1%, but it’s truly a suburban dream. Rockville is both close enough to DC that it’s not a total nightmare to get to, but secluded enough that I can sleep through the night without getting jolted awake by car alarms or helicopters like we do in LA. Plus, my partner still has a tightly-knit community of friends out there that would be amazing to live nearby. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA

Median Gross Rent: $1,042

Once again, Philly is just a sliver above the national average at 7.2%, but I’m leaving Philadelphia on the list because I’m intrigued, okay?

Personally, I visited the city once, back in college, and found it very approachable with locals who are very direct, which is a personality type I absolutely love. Plus, I feel like I can’t stop reading headlines about what a great place it is to live, with excellent historical and cultural institutions, and an impressive confluence of affordable housing and job growth. 

Fort Lee, New Jersey

fort lee

Median Gross Rent: $1,923

Does it feel absolutely counterintuitive for me to move all the way back to within eyeshot of New York City without actually moving into the city itself? Yes, yes it does, which is why Fort Lee is at the very end of the list. But it has an Asian population of 42.5%, which is exactly what we’re looking for!

But for me, I’ve already lived at one end of the George Washington Bridge and had about as great an experience as I’d imagine I could, living in a well-priced Manhattan studio for seven glorious years. Trying my hand at a life on the opposite side of the bridge feels like it would only invite—and suffer from—comparison. But truly, all the blessings in the world to everyone who does live there now.


Final protip

Those are the cities we have so far, but to add to the list, my partner had an excellent suggestion that you could potentially use as well: search H-Mart locations. (If a city has an H-Mart, you should consider moving there regardless, because it’s an incredible store.)

If you’re searching for “asian communities near me”, this can also tell you that the area has the population to support this kind of store, and is a great indicator for pockets of diversity that might not necessarily show up in the cold hard stats I’m relying on here.

Illustrations by Celine Lau

How Much Does It Cost To Move to California in 2021?

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California has a lot to offer its residents: beautiful people and beaches, famous attractions, and yearlong sunshine. It’s no wonder people pay a premium to live there (overall, California has the fourth-highest cost of living, behind Hawaii, Washington D.C., and New York).

But how much does moving and living in California cost? Below are moving and price of living costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates*.

California Moving Costs in 2021

Avg. Cost of a California Move (Labor-only) – $465
Avg. Cost of a California Move (Movers + Truck) – $949
Avg. Cost of a Long-Distance Move w/ CA Destination$5,600 

The average cost of a cross-country move to California is $5,600 according to Unpakt. A long-distance move to California varies wildly in cost, measured by both distance and size of move. You can expect anywhere between $2,000 from a state over, to over $10,000 to move multiple bedrooms from New York City to California. (See how much we can save you.)

Avg. Time and Distance of a California Move – 3 Hours
Avg. Distance of a California Move – 58 Miles

The average length of time of a move that features an origin, destination, or both within California is three hours, while the average distance traveled is just under 58 miles. (Most moves are local.)

How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?

$67 higher, on avg.

The average cost of Californian moving labor services is higher by $67.17, compared to the U.S. as a whole.

Across all move types and services, it costs $397.83 to move locally anywhere within the country, on average.

The national average timeframe for moving is also three hours, and items are transported an average of 36 miles. What service you order for your move makes a difference, though.

The Current State of Moving to California in 2021

moving to california

The previous year (2020) was a big one for moving, thanks in large part to COVID-19. Last year, a quarter of Americans who moved did so because of the pandemic.

With massive business shutdowns, millions of Americans found themselves out of work. In California alone, 2.7 million jobs were wiped out between March and April of 2020. That meant people downsized their living situations to account for decreased income and to absorb new pandemic-era expenses. According to one HireAHelper poll, about 35% of people in the U.S. who moved due to the pandemic cited financial hardship as their main reason for moving.

Millions of people also shifted to remote work—many of whom also had to juggle childcare and remote learning on top of their jobs. While this came with new financial challenges, it also presented the newfound flexibility to move away from major cities where physical offices were located to lower cost-of-living towns, which negatively impacted California’s typical business appeal.

Not too surprisingly, California lost more residents than it gained last year. That’s likely due to its higher tax burden and cost of living in general. Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose were the cities that lost the most residents in California. This is not a coincidence; they’re also among the cities with the highest costs of living—not just in California, but the whole country.

In San Francisco, for instance, median home prices are above $1.4 million. A family of four would need $111,136 in household income just to get by.

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HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.

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More 2021 California Moving Stats

Avg. Cost of a Local California Move, by Moving Service

Given multiple moving options available to you, there are many pros and cons to each, including the price. The average California moving service costs in 2021 were as follows:

Transportation Type Avg. Labor Cost Avg. Transportation Cost Total Cost
Container $461 $2,762 $3,223
Truck $478 $345 $823
Freight Trailer $574 $1,500* $2,074**
**Expressed as a national average, as state-specific data is not available.

Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in California by Job Type

Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which end of the move you hire for statistically makes a difference. The average cost of moving services by job type versus the U.S. average is as follows:

U.S. Average CA Average
Moving on-site only $309 $328
Moves with only unloading help $343 $451
Moves with only loading help $396 $461
Full move w/ both loading and unloading booked together $573 $727

Least Expensive Long-Distance Move (50+ Miles) in California by Origin/Destination* City (Avg.) 

City Average Move Cost
Chula Vista, CA $516
Burbank, CA $531
Panorama City, CA $637
Santa Ana, CA $648
Vista, CA $672

Most Expensive Long-Distance Move (50+ Miles) in California by Origin/Destination* City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost
San Jose, CA $1,288
Sacramento, CA $1,252
Fremont, CA $1,129
Hayward, CA $1,109
Long Beach, CA $1,056
*California moves in the above graphs are calculated using booked moves where the origin city, destination city, or both reside within California and are at least 50 miles apart.

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Which Cities in California Are Growing and Shrinking?

Most popular Californian city by population net-gain ratio – El Dorado Hills, CA

This is a rural town just over 20 miles east of the state’s capital, Sacramento, CA.

Least popular Californian city by population net-loss ratio – San Jose, CA

As a major tech hub, it makes sense that workers in the Bay Area, who now have the ability to work from home, might be migrating to states and cities with a cheaper cost of living.

Most Affordable Calfornia Cities (by Median Home Value and Household Income)

Here’s a closer look at how seven of the most affordable cities’ income and housing numbers compare to the state average, according to various sources, including Cost of Living Index and U.S. Census data available as of 2021*.

Median Home Value Median Household Income
Bakersfield $214,600 $63,139
Chico $286,700 $45,337
Clovis $284,200 $68,682
Eureka $249,300 $39,720
Oxnard $390,000 $64,837
Redlands $350,900 $68,956
Temecula $394,600 $87,115
Vacaville $354,600 $77,807
California Avg. $578,267 $80,440
*Based on 2020 Census data expressed in 2019 dollars (2020-21 Census data releases in September 2021)

Cost of Moving WITHIN California (NorCal Versus SoCal)

moving to californiaContrary to popular belief, not everything’s more expensive in SoCal versus NorCal. When comparing the cost of moving in Northern California versus Southern California, there’s virtually no statistical difference. Moving labor costs are roughly $443 in both regions, on average.

That said, Southern California is home to the most expensive city for moving in the entire country: Riverside. On average, state moves originating in Riverside totaled $538, more than anywhere else.

Least Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Oceanside, CA $383 SoCal
Long Beach, CA $395 SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA $402 SoCal
Roseville, CA $414 NorCal
San Diego, CA $415 SoCal
Sacramento, CA $423 NorCal
San Francisco, CA $432 NorCal

Most Expensive Moves in California by Origin City (Avg.)

City Average Move Cost Region
Riverside, CA $538 SoCal
Oakland, CA $487 NorCal
Santa Monica, CA $487 SoCal
Carlsbad, CA $477 SoCal
San Jose, CA $457 NorCal
Los Angeles, CA $454 SoCal
Irvine, CA $437 SoCal

What Are California’s 2021 Tax Rates?

The costs of moving to and within California aren’t just about hiring movers, buying packing supplies, or renting self storage. Your purchases are also subject to income tax, which average particularly high in California, as compared to other states. (And if you’re coming from another state, there could be higher long-term costs of living by moving to California in the form of income taxes.)

Below is a breakdown of California tax rates.

Sales taxes in California include:

  • California sales tax rate: 7.25% (highest in the U.S.)
  • Average local sales tax rate: 1.43%
  • California gasoline tax rate: 60.6¢
  • California cigarette tax rate: $2.87 (per 20-pack)

California income tax rates are as follows:

$1,000,000+$1,000,000+13.30%

Taxable Income
Single  Married Filing Jointly Married Filing Sep. Head of Household Tax Rate
$0 – $8,809 $0 – $17,618 $0 – $8,809 $0 – $17,629 1.00%
$8,809 – $20,883 $17,618 – $41,766 $8,809 – $20,883 $17,629 – $41,768 2.00%
$20,883 – $32,960 $41,766 – $65,920 $20,883 – $32,960 $41,768 – $53,843 4.00%
$32,960 – $45,753 $65,920 – $91,506 $32,960 – $45,753 $53,843 – $66,636 6.00%
$45,753 – $57,824 $91,506 – $115,648 $45,753 – $57,824 $66,636 – $78,710 8.00%
$57,824 – $295,373 $115,648 – $590,746 $57,824 – $295,373 $78,710 – $401,705 9.30%
$295,373 – $354,445 $590,746 – $708,890 $295,373 – $354,445 $401,705 – $482,047 10.30%
$354,445 – $590,742 $708,890 – $1,181,484 $354,445 – $590,742 $482,047 – $803,410 11.30%
$590,742 – $999,999 $1,181,484 – $1,999,999 $590,742 – $999,999 $803,410 – $999,999 12.30%
$1,000,000+ $2,000,000+ $1,000,000+ 13.30%

If you’re considering moving to California, carefully consider the city’s cost of living compared to your salary. Even if you’re moving for a job, it may not be necessary to relocate to one of the big, expensive cities listed above. There are plenty of smaller, more affordable California cities—which aren’t necessarily in the middle of nowhere—including Eureka, Oxnard, Redlands, and Temecula.

And, when you’re ready to book movers in California, use our moving calculator to understand what your own unique moving costs might be.


*Unless otherwise indicated, the previous statistics are based on thousands of moves carried out by the halfway point of 2021. These data points are calculations of average and median costs of “labor-only” and/or “Mover + Truck” moving services booked through HireAHelper.com, as well as “Long Distance Move” moving services from MovingPlace.com, and may also include additional related moving data from industry partners and affiliates collected between 2020 and 2021.
Illustrations by Naomi Ann Clarke

5 Things to Ask Before You Move Into a City Apartment

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So you’re all set to move into your new downtown apartment! Congratulations! You’ve got your life loaded up and your old life is in the rear view mirror of a U-Haul. Nothing to do now but set up the new pad and get your new life in the city rolling!

Wait!

There’s more to moving into a new apartment building than just picking up your key and having your buddy hold the elevator. City buildings likely come with a whole list of rules and regulations for moving in, so whether you are moving by yourself or hiring movers to do it for you, it’s wise to contact your building manager ahead of time for the complete run-down. With that in mind, here’s a list of five questions that should top your moving day FAQ.

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