$1,457 Movers From California to Maryland

The cost to move from California to Maryland averages from $1,955 to $9,282 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

Moving from California to Maryland resources

Moving 2,779 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best California to Maryland movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Maryland is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Maryland.

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 4.5 / 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 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% 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 move from California to Maryland?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,457 - $6,338 $1,587 - $3,873 $1,842 - $3,293
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,486 - $9,282 $2,815 - $6,123 $1,955 - $4,251
4+ bedrooms $8,268 - $14,952 $4,163 - $8,682 $2,325 - $5,319
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,779 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.

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Maryland 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.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Maryland will cost between $1,457 to $6,338. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to MD will range from $4,486 to $9,282, and a large move from California to Maryland will cost from $8,268 to $14,952.

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

Moving containers from California to Maryland will cost you $1,587 to $3,873 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,815 to $6,123. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,163 to $8,682. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

How much is a moving truck from California to Maryland?

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 $1,842 to $3,293. A larger move will cost $1,955 to $4,251, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Maryland costs from $2,325 to $5,319.

Is moving from California to Maryland a good idea?

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

Cost of Living: California vs Maryland

California Maryland
Average rent cost $1,586 $1,415
Average home cost $746,055 $402,625
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $98,461
Cost of Living Index 100 100
Unemployment rate 4.8% 0.7%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 6.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.75%
  • Rent is about 11% less expensive in Maryland than in California.
  • Home prices are about 46.0% lower in Maryland than in California.
  • The average income is about 7.1% higher in Maryland than in California.
  • Cost of living is about the same in Maryland and California.
  • Maryland has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 85.4%.
  • Sales taxes are 30.88% lower in Maryland than in California.
  • Income taxes are 56.77% lower in Maryland than in California.

How is life different in Maryland from California?

Maryland California
Population 6,164,660 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic 66-32 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 87ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 25ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 44" 22"
Annual Snow 19" 7"
Crime Index 19.82 27.88
  • The population of Maryland is approximately 84% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Maryland voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Maryland is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Maryland reaches the temperature of 25ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Maryland vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Maryland, it snows about 19 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Maryland has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 19.82.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Maryland:

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

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Maryland
Ample economic opportunity Delicious food
Pleasant weather Ample economic opportunity
Abundant recreational options Diverse outdoor activities
High quality of life Beautiful coastline
Fresh and healthy foods Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Maryland:

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

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Maryland
High cost of living High cost of living
Heavy tax burdens Bad traffic
Natural disasters High crime
Terrible traffic High homelessness
Strange laws Peculiar alcohol laws

Considerations for moving to Maryland

  • Weather: Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Maryland 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 Maryland. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • 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
Maison Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780
(800) 832-5950
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
8362 Galena Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95828
(916) 596-9374

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 Maryland

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

  • 1: Baltimore Inner Harbor
  • 2: Deep Creek Lake Area
  • 3: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
  • 4: Ocean City Boardwalk
  • 5: Six Flags America
  • 6: Assateague State Park
  • 7: Brookside Gardens
  • 8: Fort McHenry National Monument
  • 9: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
  • 10: Strathmore Music Center
  • 11: National Aquarium
  • 12: The Walters Art Museum
  • 13: Antietam National Battlefield
  • 14: Swallow Falls State Park
  • 15: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
  • 16: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • 17: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
  • 18: American Visionary Art Museum
  • 19: Port Discovery Children's Museum
  • 20: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

FAQs about moving from California to Maryland

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

The cheapest way to move from California to Maryland 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 Maryland?

The main reasons people are moving from California to Maryland are the amazing upsides of living in Maryland such as delicious food and ample economic opportunity.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Maryland