How Much Do California Movers Cost?
The average cost of hiring movers in California is 122 per hour, with an average total move cost between $444 and $4,035. The exact amount you’ll pay for your move depends on factors like home size, distance, the moving company you choose, and whether you opt for add-on services like packing.
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$616 - $2,289
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$993 - $2,625
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$501-$3,018
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$20-$99/day
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$60-$79/hour
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Average cost to hire a local moving company in CA
The cost to hire a local California moving company for an in-state relocation depends primarily on home size and distance.
For moves of 50 miles or less in California, local movers will charge you an hourly rate determined by the truck and moving crew sizes needed.
In-state long-distance moves in California are priced like interstate moves — according to the total volume and weight of belongings, rather than by the hour. Like interstate moves, in-state — or intrastate — moves from one city to another are considered long-distance if they are more than 400 miles (although some movers set the minimum at over 100 miles).
Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional mover in California.
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $444 | $171 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $616 | $171 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedrooms | $993 | $240 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,289 | $336 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,625 | $336 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,035 | $470 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
More details on the cost of professional movers in CA
Moving costs by city in California
Check out our picks for the best California movers to compare cost and services:
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Average cost to hire an interstate mover in California
The cost of an interstate — also known as out-of-state move — from California is naturally more complex. Because of the added logistics, interstate relocations are calculated differently than a simpler move within the same city or from one California town to another.
Interstate moving costs are based on the total volume and weight of your belongings, instead of hourly rates with local moves. Moving out-of-state typically means longer drive times than in-state relocations, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices.
Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and fluctuations in seasonal demand can all drive up your overall interstate moving expenses.
Below are sample price ranges for some popular moving routes.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of California
- California to New York: $5,229–$8,766
- California to Illinois: $4,054–$7,436
- California to Texas: $3,386–$6,877
- California to Arizona: $2,857–$5,700
- California to Pennsylvania: $4,816–$7,988
Now that you have an idea of what your move from California should cost, it's time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in California.
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4.75 / 5
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Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your California move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Average cost of moving containers in CA
The average cost of moving containers like PODS is anywhere from $208–$7,492, depending on the container size and move distance. For example, a local move in California using an eight-foot PODS container runs from $208 to $428, while the same move with a 16-foot container would be approximately $324–$825.
In general, you can expect to pay $208–$822 with PODS for a local move. Long-distance moves, which require longer transport times and mileage, are naturally pricier. Renting a PODS container for a long-distance move of 100–250 miles will typically cost between $252 and $2,121, and cross-country moves start at around $2,078 and can be as much as $7,492.
We like PODS for its widespread availability, multiple container sizes (eight, 12, and 16 feet), and ongoing discounts, but we know that everyone’s move is unique. While PODS is our overall pick, we always recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to get a clear comparison of pricing and services.
Here are our recommendations for top moving container companies in California.
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in CA
The average cost to rent a moving truck ranges from $57–$136 for a local move and $355–$5,700+ for long-distance moves.
Renting a truck from companies like U-Haul is your most affordable option — but it will also require you to do the most work. You’ll have to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place yourself or with the help of friends and family or third-party labor.
Check out our top picks for moving truck rentals in California:
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Average cost of California hourly-movers
The average cost of hiring an hourly mover in California is $61 per hour for each moving crew member. Since even smaller moves like studio apartments typically require a minimum crew size of two people, you can expect to pay an hourly rate of approximately $122 for moving labor.
Take a look at these top-rated labor-only movers in California:
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Factors that affect the cost of your California move
The following common factors will affect the cost of your California move:
- The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor mean you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in California.
- The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long-distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from California to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
- Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
- Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your California move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
- The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of California between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.
Consider car shipping costs for long-distance CA moves
Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move.
Here are the top car shippers in California:
| Company | Our take | Rating | Price |
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| Sherpa Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| AmeriFreight Car Transport |
4.3 / 5
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| Montway Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| SGT Auto Transport |
4.9 / 5
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| Easy Auto Ship |
4.9 / 5
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Tips to save money on your California move
Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your California move:
- Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
- Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
- Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
- Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
- Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your California move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.
What is the cheapest way to move in California?
The cheapest way to move within California is by using a DIY option. For some people in California, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.
While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of California, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can certainly save you money on shorter-distance moves, but out-of-state relocations often come with hidden or unexpected expenses — things like gas, mileage, toll charges, food, and accommodations. Those costs can add up quickly and may even drive your DIY move above what it would cost to hire a full-service mover.
To help you decide, use our free moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.
Helpful California resources
California Moving services
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