$1,671 Movers from California to Massachusetts

The cost to move from California to Massachusetts averages from $2,077 to $10,009 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 Massachusetts. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Massachusetts to California guide.

Moving from California to Massachusetts

Moving 3,096 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The Best California to Massachusetts 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 California to Massachusetts moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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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
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
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(855) 929-4120

% of users select this mover

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

% of users select this mover

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

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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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 move from California to Massachusetts?

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

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,671 - $7,044 $1,720 - $4,294 $1,917 - $3,721
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,986 - $10,009 $3,050 - $6,393 $2,077 - $4,431
4+ bedrooms $9,380 - $15,509 $4,214 - $8,740 $2,626 - $5,441
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 3,096 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 Massachusetts will depend on:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season is in the summer, this makes prices higher.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: You may save money with a DIY move, but you also will have to do all the work.
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Get a more accurate estimate of your California to Massachusetts moving costs with our personalized calculator below. Simply enter your details and get instant pricing!

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How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Massachusetts?

To ship furniture from California to Massachusetts with a mover will cost between $1,671 to $7,044. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from CA to MA will range from $4,986 to $10,009, and a large move from California to Massachusetts will cost from $9,380 to $15,509.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Massachusetts?

Moving pods from California to Massachusetts will cost you $1,720 to $4,294 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $3,050 to $6,393. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,214 to $8,740. Learn more about PODS cost.

How much is a moving truck from California to Massachusetts?

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 $1,917 to $3,721. A larger move will cost $2,077 to $4,431, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Massachusetts costs from $2,626 to $5,441.

Is moving from California to Massachusetts a good idea?

If you’re moving to Massachusetts from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: California vs Massachusetts

California Massachusetts
Average rent cost $1,503 $1,282
Average home cost $758,360 $556,081
Average income (per capita) $78,672 $84,385
Cost of Living Index 100 100
Unemployment rate 5.8% 4.8%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 6.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 15% less expensive in Massachusetts than in California.
  • Home prices are about 26.7% lower in Massachusetts than in California.
  • The average income is about 7.3% higher in Massachusetts than in California.
  • Cost of living is about the same in Massachusetts and California.
  • Massachusetts has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 17.2%.
  • Sales taxes are 28.00% lower in Massachusetts than in California.
  • Income taxes are 62.41% lower in Massachusetts than in California.

How is life different in Massachusetts from California?

Massachusetts California
Population 6,984,723 39,237,836
Political leaning Democratic 70-32 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 82ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 16ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 49" 22"
Annual Snow 47" 7"
Crime Index 13.36 25.7
  • The population of Massachusetts is approximately 82% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Massachusetts voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Massachusetts is 82ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Massachusetts reaches the temperature of 16ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Massachusetts vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Massachusetts, it snows about 47 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Massachusetts has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 25.7 vs 13.36.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Massachusetts:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Massachusetts side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Massachusetts
Ample economic opportunity Natural beauty
Pleasant weather Excellent education system
Abundant recreational options Delicious seafood
High quality of life Bountiful recreational opportunities
Fresh and healthy foods Home to Boston

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Massachusetts:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Massachusetts.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Massachusetts
High cost of living Bad traffic
Heavy tax burdens Poor driving conditions
Natural disasters Harsh winter weather
Terrible traffic High cost of living
Strange laws Peculiar liquor laws

Considerations for moving to Massachusetts

  • Weather: Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
  • 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 Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. 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
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
(209) 551-7772
Ruff and Ready Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
42006 Remington Ave. #103, Temecula, CA, 92590
(951) 834-3539

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

Things to do in Massachusetts

While you’re in Massachusetts, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

  • 1: Freedom Trail
  • 2: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
  • 3: Norman Rockwell Museum
  • 4: Cape Cod Beaches
  • 5: Fenway Park
  • 6: Nantucket
  • 7: Tanglewood Concerts
  • 8: Plimoth Patuxet Museums
  • 9: Old Sturbridge Village
  • 10: Salem Witch Museum
  • 11: Museum of Fine Arts
  • 12: Peabody Essex Museum
  • 13: The House of the Seven Gables
  • 14: New Bedford Whaling Museum
  • 15: New England Aquarium
  • 16: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
  • 17: Massachusetts State House
  • 18: Harvard Square
  • 19: Bunker Hill Monument
  • 20: Adams National Historical Park
  • 21: Minute Man National Historical Park
  • 22: Martha’s Vineyard
  • 23: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
  • 24: Hammond Castle Museum
  • 25: Mount Greylock
  • 26: Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
  • 27: The Mapparium
  • 28: Danvers State Hospital
  • 29: Bash Bish Falls
  • 30: Singing Beach

FAQs about moving from California to Massachusetts

What is the cheapest way to move from California to Massachusetts?

The cheapest way to move from California to Massachusetts is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Massachusetts?

The main reasons people are moving from California to Massachusetts are the amazing upsides of living in Massachusetts such as natural beauty and excellent education system.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Massachusetts