Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NH
There are many factors that influence
California moving costs.
The cost to move from California to New Hampshire 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.
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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 NH
If you’re moving to New Hampshire from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. New Hampshire
|
California |
New Hampshire |
| Average rent cost |
$1,856 |
$1,336 |
| Average home cost |
$771,057 |
$478,955 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$91,905 |
$90,845 |
| Cost of Living Index |
134 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.4% |
2.1% |
| Average Sales Tax |
8.68% |
0.0% |
| State Income Tax |
13.3% |
4.0% |
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Rent is about 28% less expensive in New Hampshire than in California.
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Home prices are about 38% lower in New Hampshire than in California.
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The average income is about 1% lower in New Hampshire than in California.
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Cost of living is 25% lower in New Hampshire than in California.
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New Hampshire has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 61%.
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Sales taxes are 100% lower in New Hampshire than in California.
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Income taxes are 70% lower in New Hampshire than in California.
How life is different in New Hampshire vs. California
|
New Hampshire |
California |
| Population |
1,402,054 |
39,029,342 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 50.8-48.1 |
Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high |
80ºF |
87ºF |
| Winter low |
9ºF |
59ºF |
| Annual rain |
46" |
22" |
| Annual snow |
68" |
7" |
| Crime index |
11.37 |
28.43 |
-
The population of New Hampshire is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
-
In the last presidential election, New Hampshire voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in New Hampshire is 80ºF
and in California, it’s 87ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, New Hampshire reaches the temperature of 9ºF
and California gets down to 59ºF.
-
You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in New Hampshire versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
-
In New Hampshire, it snows about 68 inches annually
versus 7 inches of snow in California.
-
New Hampshire has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index
of 11.37 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. New Hampshire
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New Hampshire compared to California.
| Pros of living in California |
Pros of living in New Hampshire |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Natural beauty |
| Pleasant weather |
Tranquil |
| Abundant recreational options |
Ample economic opportunity |
| High quality of life |
No sales tax |
| Fresh and healthy foods |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire.
| Cons of living in California |
Cons of living in New Hampshire |
| High cost of living |
Long harsh winters |
| Heavy tax burdens |
Limited diversity |
| Natural disasters |
Heavy traffic |
| Terrible traffic |
Few urban amenities |
| Strange laws |
High cost of living |
Other things to consider for your California to New Hampshire move
- Weather: New Hampshire has warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and especially severe in the northern and mountainous areas. Average annual snowfall ranges from 60 inches to over 100 inches across the state.
-
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.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
-
State licensing:
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state.
If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a New Hampshire moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
New Hampshire does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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 New Hampshire.
Get started here.
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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.
Choose Released Value Protection for a cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in New Hampshire
While you’re in New Hampshire, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Mount Washington Auto Road
- Conway Scenic Railroad
- Castle in the Clouds
- Hampton Beach
- Lakes Region
- Mount Monadnock
- Polar Caves Park
- Kancamagus Highway
- Franconia Notch State Park
- Winnipesaukee
- Strawbery Banke Museum
- Story Land
- Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
- Clark’s Bears
- Isles of Shoals
- Prescott Park
- Currier Museum of Art
- Santa’s Village
- Attitash Mountain Resort
- Bretton Woods Mountain Resort
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to New Hampshire?
Do movers transport your car from California to New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to New Hampshire?
The main reasons people are moving from California to New Hampshire are the amazing upsides of living in New Hampshire such as
natural beauty and tranquil.
Is it cheaper to live in California or New Hampshire?
It is generally cheaper to live in New Hampshire than in California.
Housing
is much more affordable in New Hampshire,
with average rent about 28% less and home prices 37.9% lower than in California.
Taxes are also lower in New Hampshire, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 60% less than those paid by
California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Hampshire?
You should make approximately $79,795 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New Hampshire.
The cost of living in New Hampshire is approximately $2,853 per month for an individual and $7,000 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Hampshire you live
For example, larger cities like Manchester and Nashua will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
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