New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from New Orleans to Riverside typically costs $3,700–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,840 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from New Orleans to Riverside

Moving from New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA typically costs $3,700–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,840-mile move from New Orleans to Riverside, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,500 - $6,100
  • Moving Container $1,700 - $3,300
  • Rental Truck $1,200 - $2,300
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $3,700 - $7,900
  • Moving Container $2,200 - $4,600
  • Rental Truck $1,300 - $2,900
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $6,500 - $11,600
  • Moving Container $3,200 - $6,200
  • Rental Truck $1,700 - $3,400

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • American Van Lines recently quoted $3,406 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
  • AB Moving recently quoted $5,259 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
  • 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,833 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
American Van Lines
Covington, LA Riverside, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Feb 02, 2026
AB Moving
Madisonville, LA Whitewater, CA
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 26, 2026
1-800-Pack-Rat
Chalmette, LA Hesperia, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 25, 2026
PODS
Pleasure Bend, LA Valinda, CA
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 17, 2026
Safeway Moving
Raceland, LA South Monrovia Island, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 14, 2026
Mayzlin Relocation
Pearl River, LA Lakeland Village, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 13, 2026
Roadway Moving
Lockport, LA Covina, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Dec 24, 2025
Mayflower Transit
Kenner, LA South El Monte, CA
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 14, 2025
Allied Van Lines
Westwego, LA Glendora, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 06, 2025
North American Van Lines
Timberlane, LA March ARB, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Dec 05, 2025

Key factors that influence moving costs from New Orleans to Riverside

Your total cost will depend on:

  • The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,500, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $11,600.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in New Orleans, which means higher prices.
  • The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,200–$3,400) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA guide.

Best New Orleans to Riverside movers by type

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Professional
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Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from New Orleans to Riverside

If you want to simplify your interstate move from New Orleans to Riverside, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best LA→CA movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 32 Louisiana moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
  • Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
  • Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
  • Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from New Orleans to Riverside

Many movers find Riverside easier on the wallet than New Orleans - roughly 18% less for singles and 29% less for families.

Monthly basics average $2,573 for one person in Riverside versus $3,134 in New Orleans. For a family of four, it's $5,604 compared with $7,905.

See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:

New Orleans Riverside
Average 1 BR rent $1,813 $2,163
Average 3 BR rent $3,150 $3,270
Average home value $231,649 $642,297
Average income (per capita) $51,116 $76,755
Cost of living (single) $3,134 $2,573
Cost of living (family of four) $7,905 $5,604
Unemployment rate 11.0% 7.1%
Sales tax 10.0% 8.75%
State income tax 4.25% 13.3%
  • Rent is estimated to be 31% higher in Riverside compared to New Orleans; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
  • Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 177% greater in Riverside than in New Orleans.
  • Here's some promising news: the average income is around 50% higher in Riverside than in New Orleans, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
  • Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Riverside. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 18% lower than in New Orleans.
  • Choosing to move to Riverside can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 29% less than in New Orleans.
  • Riverside enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 35% lower compared to New Orleans, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
  • Sales taxes drop 13% in Riverside compared to New Orleans, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
  • Income taxes are 213% higher in California than in Louisiana, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between New Orleans and Riverside:

Living Expense New Orleans Riverside
Basic utilities $244.46 $226.85
Cell phone plan $58.50 $46.50
Dozen eggs $4.35 $5.45
Loaf of bread $4.03 $4.02
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $25.50 $19.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $124.00 $85.00
Gym membership $61.75 $35.00
  • Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • Eggs are less expensive in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • Bread is more expensive in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • A quick meal tends to cost more in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in New Orleans than in Riverside.
  • Gym memberships cost more in New Orleans than in Riverside.

How life is different in New Orleans vs. Riverside

New Orleans Riverside
Population 383,997 317,261
Transportation score 7 5
Walkability score 58 43
Bike friendliness score 66 49
Crime index 67.31 40.24
Safety index 32.69 59.76
Air quality Good Moderate
  • Riverside's population is about 17% less than New Orleans.
  • Riverside's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than New Orleans's score of 7.
  • Riverside is less walkable than New Orleans with a score of 43 out of 100 vs New Orleans's 58 out of 100.
  • Riverside has a bike-friendliness score of 49 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as New Orleans, which has a score of 66.
  • Riverside's crime rate is lower than New Orleans with a score of 40.24 compared to New Orleans's 67.31. This means that Riverside neighborhoods are safer than 40.24% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and New Orleans neighborhoods are safer than 67.31%.
  • Riverside is considered to be safer than New Orleans with a safety index of 59.76 vs New Orleans's 32.69.
  • Air quality in Riverside is Moderate, and in New Orleans it's Good.

Other things to consider for your New Orleans to Riverside move

  • HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Riverside. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

Where to live in Riverside

Now that you've decided to make the move to City of Arts and Innovation, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Riverside.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Canyon Crest
  • Victoria
  • Downtown
  • Magnolia Center
  • La Sierra South

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Orangecrest
  • Mission Grove
  • Canyon Crest
  • Alessandro Heights
  • Victoria

Things to do in Riverside

Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what Riverside has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Riverside, such as the March Field Air Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Art Museum, and Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Mount Rubidoux Park, Fairmount Park, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, and Ryan Bonaminio Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
  • Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an California Baptist Lancers (College sports)UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports)Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Riverside?

The best time to move from New Orleans to Riverside is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in New Orleans.

When is the cheapest time to move from New Orleans to Riverside?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from New Orleans to Riverside, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.

How long does a move from New Orleans to Riverside take?

Moving from New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA covers 1,840 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some New Orleans movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Riverside.

Which movers in New Orleans give price breaks?

Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers here honor AAA discounts.

Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.

Who can move pianos or antiques in New Orleans?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 7 movers in New Orleans advertise piano moving expertise. 3 movers in New Orleans provide antique moving services. State totals show 18 piano movers and 11 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.