$1,444 Movers from California to Phoenix, AZ

Quick Answer: The cost to move from California to Phoenix, AZ averages from $606 to $6,723 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Phoenix, AZ.
But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Movers Cost: Phoenix, AZ to California guide.

  • Best California to Phoenix, AZ movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from California to Phoenix, AZ.
  • How much will your move cost?: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
  • Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
  • California to Phoenix, AZ car shippers: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.

Moving 590 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from California to Phoenix, AZ?

The table below lays out average cost ranges for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,444 - $4,248 $868 - $2,093 $562 - $1,048
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,639 - $6,723 $1,566 - $3,042 $606 - $1,243
4+ bedrooms $4,714 - $9,827 $2,089 - $3,927 $757 - $1,501
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 590 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to Phoenix, AZ will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

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Who Are The Best California to Phoenix, AZ Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
Get A Quote
(855) 929-4120

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Phoenix, AZ?

To ship furniture from California to Phoenix with a mover will cost between $1,444 to $4,248. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from Phoenix to AZ will range from $2,639 to $6,723, and a large move from California to Phoenix will cost from $4,714 to $9,827.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Phoenix, AZ?

Moving pods from California to Phoenix will cost you $868 to $2,093 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,566 to $3,042. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,089 to $3,927.

How much is a moving truck from California to Phoenix, AZ?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $562 to $1,048. A larger move will cost $606 to $1,243, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Phoenix costs from $757 to $1,501.

Is moving from California to Phoenix, AZ a good idea?

Cost of Living: California vs Phoenix, AZ

California Phoenix
Average rent cost $1,503 $1,300
Average home value $758,360 $396,063
Average income (per capita) $78,672 $59,455
Unemployment rate 5.8% 6.6%
State Income Tax 13.3% 4.5%
  • Rent is about 14% less expensive in Phoenix than in California.
  • Home prices are about 47.8% lower in Phoenix than in California.
  • The average income is about 24.4% lower in Phoenix than in California.
  • Phoenix has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 13.8%.
  • Income taxes are 66.17% lower in Phoenix than in California.

How is life different in Phoenix from California?

Phoenix California
Population 1,608,139 39,237,836
Political leaning Democrat 50-48 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 105ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 43ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 9" 22"
Annual Snow 0" 7"
Crime Index 40.25 25.7
  • The population of Phoenix is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Phoenix voted Democrat 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 40.25 vs 25.7.

Considerations for 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 forward to Arizona. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Courtesy Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
3515 North Sabre Drive, Fresno, CA, 93727
(559) 402-3800
All Star Movers & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA, 94568
(925) 905-9889

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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

Need a local Phoenix mover?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Dose Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
2550 E Mohawk Ln Suite 190, Phoenix, AZ, 85050
(480) 492-9272
Camelback Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
2330 North 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85009
(602) 564-6683

Visit our Best Movers in Phoenix page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What 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

  • Musical Instrument Museum
  • Heard Museum
  • Phoenix Art Museum
  • Children’s Museum of Phoenix
  • Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
  • Pueblo Grande Museum
  • Wells Fargo Museum
  • Arizona Science Center
  • Arizona Capitol Museum
  • Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum

Parks in Phoenix

  • Encanto Park
  • Freestone Park
  • Tempe Beach Park
  • Desert Breeze Park
  • McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Chaparral Park
  • Sahuaro Ranch Park
  • Margaret T. Hance Park
  • Moon Valley Park
  • Steele Indian School Park

Sports Teams in Phoenix

  • Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
  • Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
  • Phoenix Suns(NBA)
  • Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
  • Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)
  • Arizona Rattlers (IFL)
  • Phoenix Rising FC (USLC)

Universities in Phoenix

  • Arizona State University
  • University of Arizona College of Medicine
  • Phoenix College
  • Phoenix Seminary
  • Barrow Neurological Institute
  • Grand Canyon University
  • University of Phoenix
  • Arizona Summit Law School,

Where to move to in Phoenix, AZ?

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Arizona's Urban Heart," these are the best neighborhoods in Phoenix to move to.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Camelback East
  • Encanto
  • Estrella Village
  • North Gateway
  • South Mountain

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Arcadia/Biltmore
  • Ahwatukee
  • Coronado
  • Gilbert
  • Paradise Valley
  • Scottsdale

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Phoenix, AZ