($1,679+) Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to NYC ranges from $1,343 to $12,219, with an average cost of $4,950. Moves can be as low as $1,679 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,776 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Moving options from Los Angeles to NYC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,343 - $12,219 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,776 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,776-mile route from Los Angeles to NYC, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,343 - $6,233 | $2,001 - $3,893 | $1,615 - $3,068 | $1,801 - $3,538 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,341 - $8,383 | $2,726 - $5,693 | $1,731 - $3,764 | $2,055 - $4,424 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,467 - $12,219 | $3,688 - $7,841 | $2,100 - $4,712 | $2,836 - $5,676 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Hiring full-service movers from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, costs between $1,343 and $12,219. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,776-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $498 - $3,320, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Los Angeles and NYC. For a rough baseline, movers based in Los Angeles tend to start around $200 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,343 - $6,233
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,341 - $8,383
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,467 - $12,219
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Los Angeles to NYC.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New York. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New York City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $830 - $8,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $332 - $1,992/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $498 - $3,984 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,660 - $4,980 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,150 - $16,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,243 - $2,362 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,660 - $4,150 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,328 - $5,810 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $498 - $2,490 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,079 - $3,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $498 - $24,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $498 - $5,810+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to NYC?
New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New York, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Los Angeles, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, cost between $2,001 and $7,841. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Los Angeles runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,001 - $3,893
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,726 - $5,693
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,688 - $7,841
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Los Angeles, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,162, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $125 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $249 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Los Angeles, CA, and NYC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to New York move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $2,001. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,726 - $5,693, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to NYC?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Los Angeles to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Los Angeles:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
A rental truck for this 2,776-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, costs between $1,615 and $4,712. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,466 - $1,676
- Daily insurance: $50/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $33
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles to NYC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,615 - $3,068
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,731 - $3,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,100 - $4,712
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,615 - $4,712 does not include fuel ($1,466 - $1,676) , lodging ($249/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Los Angeles to NYC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $249 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Los Angeles, California, usually costs about $1,162 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,776-mile drive falls between $1,466 and $1,676, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $83 and $498 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to NYC?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to NYC, New York.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,055 and $4,424.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,801 - $3,538
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,055 - $4,424
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,836 - $5,676
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $125 - $249 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Los Angeles, California, typically costs $1,162.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to NYC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Los Angeles to NYC, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs NYC
Day-to-day costs in NYC are close to what you're used to in Los Angeles: cost of living index of 172 versus 162, with average rent of $4,340/mo compared to $2,960/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 69/100 and 46.19/100 in Los Angeles versus 88/100 and 49.17/100 in NYC.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New York City, NY to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to New York, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,776-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Los Angeles, CA, to NYC, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,343 - $12,219 on the 2,776-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,001 - $7,841 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,615 - $4,712 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,341 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to NYC tend to point to ample economic opportunity and diverse cuisine, though overcrowded and pollution come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include IBM and PepsiCo.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to NYC, NY
Is NYC a safe place to live?
NYC has a safety index of 49.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.83, compared to 46.19 and 53.81 in Los Angeles. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Los Angeles, CA to NYC?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. New York also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New York?
New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,466 - $1,676), daily insurance ($50/day), and equipment rentals ($12 - $33) on top. Overnight stops can add another $249/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
