($1,302) Moving From California to New York

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to New York ranges from $1,750 to $8,380 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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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.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 York separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best California to New York movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to New York 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 New York:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
(209) 551-7772
Grizzly Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121
(844) 474-9959

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

How much does it cost to move from California to New York?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,302 - $5,724 $1,433 - $3,647 $1,537 - $3,135
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,092 - $8,380 $2,414 - $5,481 $1,750 - $3,769
4+ bedrooms $7,854 - $12,221 $3,616 - $7,121 $2,278 - $4,448

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,914 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NY

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to New York 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 New York?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to New York will cost between $1,302 and $5,724. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NY will range from $4,092 to $8,380, and a large move from California to New York will cost from $7,854 to $12,221.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to New York?

Moving containers from California to New York will cost you $1,433 to $3,647 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,414 to $5,481. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,616 to $7,121. 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 New York?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,537 to $3,135. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,750 to $3,769, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to New York costs from $2,278 to $4,448.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from California to New York a good idea?

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

Cost of living: California vs. New York

California New York
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,507
Average home cost $771,057 $482,742
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $81,386
Cost of Living Index 134 100
Unemployment rate 5.4% 4.4%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 8.52%
State Income Tax 13.3% 10.9%
  • Rent is about 19% less expensive in New York than in California.
  • Home prices are about 37% lower in New York than in California.
  • The average income is about 11% lower in New York than in California.
  • Cost of living is 25% lower in New York than in California.
  • New York has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 19%.
  • Sales taxes are 2% lower in New York than in California.
  • Income taxes are 18% lower in New York than in California.

How does life in New York differ from California?

New York California
Population 19,571,216 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic 60-40 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 81ºF 87ºF
Winter low 16ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 44" 22"
Annual snow 62" 7"
Crime index 21.51 28.43
  • The population of New York is approximately 50% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, New York voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New York is 81ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New York reaches the temperature of 16ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in New York versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
  • In New York, it snows about sixty-two inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
  • New York has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 21.51.

Comparing the pros of California vs. New York

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus New York side by side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in New York
Ample economic opportunity Natural beauty
Pleasant weather Arts
Abundant recreational options Ample economic opportunity
High quality of life Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities
Fresh and healthy foods Distinct seasons

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New York

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for New York.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in New York
High cost of living High tax burden
Heavy tax burdens Rough winter weather
Natural disasters High cost of living
Terrible traffic Poor quality healthcare
Strange laws Populous

What to know before your move to New York

  • Weather: The climate of New York state is generally has warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the farther southeastern portion of the state (New York City and Long Island area) hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of New York state, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
  • 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: New York 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 New York. 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. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage 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.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in New York

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

  • Times Square
  • Statue of Liberty
  • Niagara Falls
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Central Park
  • Hudson Valley
  • Letchworth State Park
  • Adirondack Mountains
  • Thousand Islands
  • Finger Lakes
  • Watkins Glen State Park
  • Lake Placid
  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Coney Island
  • The Bronx Zoo
  • Ausable Chasm
  • Corning Museum of Glass
  • Lake George
  • Darwin D. Martin House Complex
  • Cooperstown

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to New York?

The cheapest way to move from California to New York 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 New York?

The main reasons people are moving from California to New York are the amazing upsides of living in New York such as natural beauty and arts.

Is it cheaper to live in California or New York?

It is generally cheaper to live in New York than in California. Housing is much more affordable in New York, with average rent about 19% less and home prices 37.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in New York, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New York?

You should make approximately $33,273 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $901 per month for an individual and $2,103 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New York you live For example, larger cities like Albany and Amherst will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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