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Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to GA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Georgia will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from CA to GA
If you’re moving to Georgia from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Georgia
| California | Georgia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,221 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $326,617 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $71,355 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.32% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.49% |
- Rent is about 34% less expensive in Georgia than in California.
- Home prices are about 58% lower in Georgia than in California.
- The average income is about 22% lower in Georgia than in California.
- Cost of living is 32% lower in Georgia than in California.
- Georgia has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 33%.
- Sales taxes are 16% lower in Georgia than in California.
- Income taxes are 59% lower in Georgia than in California.
How life is different in Georgia vs. California
| Georgia | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,029,227 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 51-49 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 90ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 33ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 50" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 1" | 7" |
| Crime index | 20.58 | 28.43 |
- The population of Georgia is approximately 72% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Georgia voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Georgia is 90ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Georgia reaches the temperature of 33ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Georgia versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Georgia, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- Georgia has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 20.58 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Georgia
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Georgia compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Georgia |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Beautiful landscapes |
| Abundant recreational options | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| High quality of life | Pleasant weather |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Home of Atlanta |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Georgia
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Georgia.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Georgia |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Hot humid summers |
| Heavy tax burdens | Pollen |
| Natural disasters | Insects |
| Terrible traffic | High crime rate |
| Strange laws | Poor healthcare |
Other things to consider for your California to Georgia move
- Weather: Georgia experiences hot and humid summers and mild winters. Although tornados and hurricanes are not infrequent, they're rarely very severe. Icy roads after snowfalls in the winter could affect your move.
- 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: Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Georgia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Georgia 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Georgia. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opt for Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness, offered by movers at no extra charge. However, it provides minimal coverage, with the mover's responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, explore other options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Georgia
While you’re in Georgia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Georgia Aquarium
- Forsyth Park
- National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
- Stone Mountain Park
- Jekyll Island
- Okefenokee Swamp
- Sea Island Golf Course
- Chattahoochee Oconee National Forests
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Callaway Gardens
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
- Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
- Cumberland Island National Seashore
- Savannah Historic District
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- World of Coca-Cola
- The Fox Theatre
- Tallulah Gorge State Park
- Providence Canyon State Park
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Rock City Gardens
- David J. Sencer CDC Museum
- Georgia Guidestones
- Tybee Island Light Station and Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Georgia?
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from California to Georgia?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Georgia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Georgia?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Georgia are the amazing upsides of living in Georgia such as ample economic opportunity and beautiful landscapes.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Georgia?
It is generally cheaper to live in Georgia than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Georgia, with average rent about 34% less and home prices 57.6% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Georgia, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Georgia?
You should make approximately $58,325 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Georgia. The cost of living in Georgia is approximately $2,588 per month for an individual and $5,828 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Georgia you live For example, larger cities like Atlanta and Columbus will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
