Local moving companies in California

  1. Best California Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
  2. Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
  3. Republic Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  4. Air 1 Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  5. All Star Movers & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar5 / 5

DOT #: 3489907

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591
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Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Best California Movers & Storage
  • An Moving Forward
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Meathead Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar5 / 5

DOT #: 921143

Years in Business: 27

3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Meathead 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.

Get a Quote (805) 544-6328

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Meathead Packers
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Republic Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 3369820

Years in Business: 31

8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA 92154

Republic 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.

Get a Quote (619) 639-8352

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

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Air 1 Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.9 / 5

DOT #: 1095485

Years in Business: 22

9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Air 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.

Get a Quote (866) 485-1030

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

Alternative Business Names

  • Air 1 Moving & Storage, Inc
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All Star Movers & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.9 / 5

DOT #: 2971368

Years in Business: 10

101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA 94568

All Star Movers & Storage, serving Dublin, CA and surrounding areas since 2016, is a reputable choice for local residential moves. Praised for their exceptional service with an average Yelp rating of 4.8 from 152 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they stand out among local competitors. They offer a comprehensive array of services including packing, unpacking, crating, and can even handle delicate items such as pianos and art. Unlike many movers, All Star Movers & Storage accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, making the process easier for their clients.

Get a Quote (925) 905-9889

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage

Additional Information

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Things to know before moving from California to Ann Arbor, MI

Cost of living: California vs Ann Arbor, MI

California Ann Arbor
Average rent cost $1,856 $2,260
Average home value $771,057 $474,909
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $66,964
Unemployment rate 5% 4%
State income tax 13% 4%
  • Rent is about 22% more expensive in Ann Arbor than in California.
  • Home prices are about 38% lower in Ann Arbor than in California.
  • The average income is about 27% lower in Ann Arbor than in California.
  • Ann Arbor has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 35%.
  • Income taxes are 68% lower in Ann Arbor than in California.

How life is different in Ann Arbor from California

Ann Arbor California
Population 123,851 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic72-26 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 83ºF 87ºF
Winter low 17ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 36" 22"
Annual snow 43" 7"
Crime index 31.0 28.43
  • The population of Ann Arbor is approximately 100% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Ann Arbor voted Democratic72-26 and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ann Arbor is 83ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ann Arbor reaches the temperature of 17ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Ann Arbor vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Ann Arbor, it snows about 43 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Ann Arbor has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 31.0 vs 28.43.

Things to do in Ann Arbor

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Ann Arbor.

Museums in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
  • University of Michigan Museum of Art
  • University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
  • Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
  • Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry

Parks in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Gallup Park
  • Hudson Mills Metropark
  • County Farm Park
  • Buhr Park
  • Lillie Park
  • Mary Beth Doyle Park
  • Bandemer Park

Sports Teams in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)

Universities in Ann Arbortoggle

  • University of Michigan
  • Cleary University
  • Concordia University Ann Arbor
  • Washtenaw Community College

Other considerations when moving to Ann Arbor, MI

  • Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Ann Arbor for moving.
  • 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Michigan 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 Michigan. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives 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.

FAQ

How long does a move from California to Ann Arbor take?

The time frame for a move from California to Ann Arbor, MI, 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor?

Because of the 2364-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, MI?

With the summer highs of 83ºF and the winter lows of 17ºF, most people move to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources