Moving to California: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to California, you’re not alone. The Golden State attracts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about California, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to California to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in California
Moving to California has its perks, but it also comes with a few challenges you’ll want to keep in mind.
Check out some of the main upsides and downsides of living in the Golden State so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Pros of living in California
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Pleasant weather
- ✓Abundant recreational options
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Fresh and healthy foods
Cons of living in California
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Heavy tax burdens
- ✖Natural disasters
- ✖Terrible traffic
- ✖Strange laws
Things to do in California
Whether you’re moving to California for work, family, or simply a fresh start, there’s so much to explore once you arrive. From vibrant attractions to hidden gems, California offers something for everyone, making it easy to find your next adventure.
If you’re planning a family adventure or going out solo and hoping to make new friends, these spots have you covered. With such a wide variety, you’re bound to find a place that fits your vibe and instantly feels welcoming.
Popular Attractions in California
- Yosemite National Park
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Disneyland Park
- Big Sur Coastline
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Death Valley National Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Lake Tahoe
- Santa Catalina Island
- Redwood National and State Parks
Museums in California
- The Getty Center
- USS Midway Museum
- Hess Persson Estates
- California State Railroad Museum
- The Getty Villa
- Griffith Observatory
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
- Norton Simon Museum
- Mission San Luis Rey
- Tallac Historic Site
Parks in California
- La Jolla Cove
- Heisler Park
- Sonoma Plaza
- Mount Rubidoux Park
- Redwood Regional Park
- MacKerricher State Park
- Tilden Regional Park
- Dinosaur Caves Park
- Greystone Mansion and Park
- Rancho San Antonio County Park
Fun facts about California
Every state has its own unique vibe shaped by its history, culture, and people. Getting to know local traditions and quirks is the best way to truly experience life in a new place.
Discovering these fun facts about California highlights what sets the state apart—and might even inspire you to move there.
- The first motion picture theater was opened in Los Angeles on April 02, 1902.
- During the late 1960s, the first workable internet prototype through the U.S. Department of Defense came into realization at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where ARPANET played a role in delivering communication between computers. Since then, technology continues to grow.
- The world’s oldest male bodybuilder Jim Arrington is from Venice, California. He was born in 1932 and has been bodybuilding for the past 70 years.
- The jeans originated from Southern Europe and landed first in the United States through San Francisco, California.
- Gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill by James W. Marshall.
- Almost 5 million tourists were visiting California every year by the late 1990s and the travel and tourism industry generated approximately $75 billion annually. California is the number one travel destination in the U.S.
- California is also the birthplace of semiconductors and the Internet, which brought the digital revolution in the world.
- Pauline Potter from Sacramento, California is the world’s heaviest woman alive. She weighed 643 lbs at the time of setting this world record.
- California has the largest economy of any US state.
California population and demographics
Thinking about moving to California? Here’s what life in the Golden State really feels like—beyond just the numbers.
Opting for a more populous state means you’ll have more job opportunities, vibrant nightlife, and top-notch infrastructure. On the flip side, settling in a less crowded state offers quieter living and the chance to become part of a tight-knit community.
Looking at average education levels can help you gauge local job prospects and see how easy it is to access schools or colleges in the area. At the same time, understanding a state’s political climate gives you insight into the values and priorities most important to its residents.
Getting to know the people, lifestyle, and values in California is a great way to figure out if it’s a place where you’ll feel right at home.
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Population | 39,029,342 |
| Female | 50.1% |
| Male | 49.9% |
| College graduation rate | 36.19% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 59-41 |
| Crime index | 28.43 |
California weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether California is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
For example, summer highs can affect everything from your energy bills to how much time you’ll want to spend away from the AC, while winter lows help you prepare for what kind of wardrobe (and heating system) you’ll need. Annual snowfall can mean anything from occasional flurries to full-on storms that impact travel and daily routines.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if California aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 22″ |
| Annual snow | 7″ |
Income and cost of living in California
Checking out key industries, typical salaries, home prices, and overall living expenses helps you gauge how affordable and practical life can be in California.
Understanding which industries power the local economy can give you valuable insight into job prospects and market stability in your field. And when it comes to deciding whether to rent or buy, housing costs will probably be one of the biggest factors shaping your move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is really worth compared to the national average. If the index is lower, you can expect to spend less on essentials like groceries, transportation, and housing.
These figures aren’t just statistics—they’re useful tools to help you weigh your current lifestyle against what California has to offer, so you can make your move with confidence and clarity.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($504 billion)
- Professional and business services ($397.3 billion)
- Manufacturing ($320.7 billion)
- Information ($287.8 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($218.3 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($158.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($155.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($153.4 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($130 billion)
- Construction ($111.3 billion)
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 |
| Cost of living index* | 134 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 13.3% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in California
If great schools and universities matter to you, checking out a state’s education scene can tell you a lot about its job market and community atmosphere.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school, have kids close to graduating, or just want to be in a place with top-notch educational options, California should be high on your list.
Here are some of the top schools in California:
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
- University of California, San Diego
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine
- California Institute of Technology
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of California, Riverside
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of California, San Francisco
- San Diego State University
- California State University, Northridge
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to California
We combed through 2,756 moving companies nationwide—including 336 right here in California—and got insights straight from movers and people just like you to uncover the top picks in the industry.
Getting ready to move to the Golden State? Check out the top moving companies that will get your stuff to your new place safely, no matter where you’re starting from.
- Alabama to CA
- Arkansas to CA
- Arizona to CA
- Colorado to CA
- Connecticut to CA
- Delaware to CA
- Florida to CA
- Georgia to CA
- Iowa to CA
- Idaho to CA
- Illinois to CA
- Indiana to CA
- Kansas to CA
- Kentucky to CA
- Louisiana to CA
- Massachusetts to CA
- Maryland to CA
- Maine to CA
- Michigan to CA
- Minnesota to CA
- Missouri to CA
- Mississippi to CA
- Montana to CA
- North Carolina to CA
- North Dakota to CA
- Nebraska to CA
- New Hampshire to CA
- New Jersey to CA
- New Mexico to CA
- Nevada to CA
- New York to CA
- Ohio to CA
- Oklahoma to CA
- Oregon to CA
- Pennsylvania to CA
- Rhode Island to CA
- South Carolina to CA
- South Dakota to CA
- Tennessee to CA
- Texas to CA
- Utah to CA
- Virginia to CA
- Vermont to CA
- Washington to CA
- Wisconsin to CA
- West Virginia to CA
- Wyoming to CA
Cost of moving to California
Planning your move to California? Be sure to budget ahead. Professional movers typically charge about $136 per hour, though your total bill depends on how much you’re hauling and how far you’re going—long-distance moves usually come with a higher price tag than local ones.
The way you move can have a major impact on your overall costs.
Looking to save on your move? Consider one of the top moving container companies. You can pack and load your stuff on your own schedule, and the company handles all the driving for you. It’s a great way to get the best of both worlds—flexibility and savings—without going completely DIY or splurging on a pricey full-service move.
Trying to save some cash? Renting a moving truck is your most budget-friendly option. You’ll be in charge of packing, loading, driving, and unloading everything on your own.
Ready to ditch the hassle of moving by yourself? Professional interstate movers can take care of it all. Just keep in mind, this convenience typically costs more—so be sure to compare quotes and find an option that fits both your needs and your budget.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
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Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to California
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to California.
California car insurance requirements
California drivers license requirements
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