Local moving companies in California
- Best California Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
- Air 1 Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Best California Movers

DOT #: 3489907
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3489907
- State license #: T0192283
Alternative Business Names
- Best California Movers & Storage
- An Moving Forward
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.

DOT #: 3670248
Years in Business: 14
274 Wattis Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name for local residential moves in and around San Bruno, CA since 2010. They stand out with a solid reputation, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp from 429 reviews, and a 4.6 average rating on Google from 129 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, customers frequently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the specialized capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. Flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no required deposit, further underscore their customer-first approach.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3670248
- State license #: 0190673
Meathead Movers

DOT #: 921143
Years in Business: 27
3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Meathead Movers has been a trusted name in local residential moving services around San Luis Obispo, CA, since 1998. The company stands out with its glowing consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.3 on Google My Business, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many other local moving companies, Meathead Movers also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, all without requiring a deposit. With their solid reputation and wide range of services, they remain a top choice for residents seeking reliable and efficient movers locally.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 921143
- State license #: 189849
Alternative Business Names
- Meathead Packers
Air 1 Moving & Storage

DOT #: 1095485
Years in Business: 22
9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311Air 1 Moving & Storage has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Chatsworth, CA, since 2004. The company stands out among nearby competitors with its extensive array of services, including packing, unpacking, and crating, along with specialized care for moving pianos, art, and antiques. With an impressive 4.4 average rating on Google and a solid A- rating from the Better Business Bureau, Air 1 Moving & Storage is well-regarded for its reliability and professional service. Customers looking for a reputable local mover will find Air 1’s no-deposit policy and acceptance of credit cards convenient and customer-friendly.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1095485
- State license #: 0189688
Alternative Business Names
- Air 1 Moving & Storage, Inc
Republic Moving & Storage

DOT #: 3369820
Years in Business: 31
8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA 92154Republic Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, since 1995. With a strong reputation bolstered by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they offer a variety of services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, and art. Their consumer reviews reflect a solid reputation, with an average rating of 3.8 on Yelp and 4.0 on Google My Business. Unlike many nearby competitors, they also provide storage solutions and full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring a smooth and secure moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3369820
- State license #: 0190491
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Lovejoy's Family Moving
- Republic Relocation Services
Local Associations
Things to know before moving from California to Phoenix, AZ
Cost of living: California vs Phoenix, AZ
California | Phoenix | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,695 |
Average home value | $771,057 | $411,139 |
Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $64,552 |
Unemployment rate | 5% | 7% |
State income tax | 13% | 3% |
Phoenix sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 9% less expensive in Phoenix than in California.
- Home prices are about 47% lower in Phoenix than in California.
- The average income is about 30% lower in Phoenix than in California.
- Phoenix has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 22%.
- Income taxes are 81% lower in Phoenix than in California.
How life is different in Phoenix from California
Phoenix | California | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,608,139 | 39,029,342 |
Political leaning | Republican 52-48 | Democratic 59-41 |
Summer high | 105ºF | 87ºF |
Winter low | 43ºF | 59ºF |
Annual rain | 9" | 22" |
Annual snow | 0" | 7" |
Crime index | 53.06 | 28.43 |
Phoenix sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Phoenix is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Phoenix voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Phoenix is 105ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Phoenix reaches the temperature of 43ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 9 inches of annual rainfall in Phoenix vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Phoenix, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Phoenix has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 53.06 vs 28.43.
Things to do in Phoenix
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Phoenix.
Museums in Phoenix
Parks in Phoenix
Sports Teams in Phoenix
Universities in Phoenix
Other considerations when moving to Phoenix, AZ
- Weather: The climate is unlikely to affect your move but summers in Phoenix are unsurprisingly very hot with daily averages over 100° F. You should take this into consideration because moving often requires spending many hours outdoors. You should also be sure that air conditioning is set up in your new home before move day, especially if you're moving in the summer.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Arizona does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Arizona. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Compare the pros and cons of California vs. Phoenix, AZ
Comparing the pros of California vs. Phoenix, AZ:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Phoenix side-by-side.
Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Phoenix, AZ |
---|---|
Ample economic opportunity | Beautiful nature |
Pleasant weather | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
Abundant recreational options | Ample economic activity |
High quality of life | Low cost of living |
Fresh and healthy foods | Delectable food |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Phoenix, AZ:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Phoenix.
Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Phoenix, AZ |
---|---|
High cost of living | Extreme weather |
Heavy tax burdens | Tourists |
Natural disasters | Limited public transportation |
Terrible traffic | Hot summers |
Strange laws | Poor education |
FAQ
How long does a move from California to Phoenix take?
The time frame for a move from California to Phoenix, AZ, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Phoenix will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Phoenix from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Phoenix?
Because of the 590-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Phoenix as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Phoenix, AZ?
With the summer highs of 105ºF and the winter lows of 43ºF, most people move to Phoenix from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Phoenix during summer or winter.