Moving from California to New York: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Jan 28, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The average cost to move from California to New York ranges from $1,200 to $7,523. Moving costs will vary based on the amount of stuff being moved, the time of year, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

How Much do Movers Cost?

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Moving out of state can feel overwhelming. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for your move to New York. But just in case you’re short on time, here are a few quick resources to get immediate answers.

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

Moving Cost Calculator: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
Best California to New York movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company, you won't regret checking out our list of the top movers from California to New York.
Best Moving Container Companies: Use a trustworthy moving container company for a more budget-friendly option, and leave the driving to the professionals.
Best Car Shipping Companies: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.

Okay, let’s talk about moving costs.

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

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	$1,300 - $4,998	$1,469 - $2,401	$1,149 - $1,486
2 - 3 bedrooms	$3,460 - $7,523	$2,492 - $3,797	$1,200 - $1,733
4+ bedrooms	$6,481 - $11,220	$3,453 - $4,894	$1,501 - $2,083

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,816 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 New York 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.

Who Are The Best California to New York 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 long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

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 hire movers from California to New York?

To ship furniture from California to New York with a mover will cost between $1,300 to $4,998. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from CA to NY will range from $3,460 to $7,523, and a large move from California to New York will cost from $6,481 to $11,220.

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

Moving pods from California to New York will cost you $1,469 to $2,401 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,492 to $3,797. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,453 to $4,894.

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; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,149 to $1,486. A larger move will cost $1,200 to $1,733, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to New York costs from $1,501 to $2,083.

How to ship a car from California to New York

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car safely arrives in New York.

Here's our list of the best California to New York car shipping companies.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

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	$1,503	$1,280
Average home cost	$758,360	$381,335
Average income (per capita)	$78,672	$71,117
Cost of Living Index	151	100
Unemployment rate	5.8%	5.3%
Average Sales Tax	8.68%	8.52%
State Income Tax	13.3%	10.9%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Rent is about 15% less expensive in New York than in California.
Home prices are about 49.7% lower in New York than in California.
The average income is about 9.6% lower in New York than in California.
Cost of living is 33.8% lower in New York than in California.
New York has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 8.6%.
Sales taxes are 1.84% lower in New York than in California.
Income taxes are 18.05% lower in New York than in California.

How is life different in New York from California?

	New York	California
Population	19,835,913	39,237,836
Political leaning	Democratic 61-38	Democratic 63-34
Summer High	81ºF	87ºF
Winter Low	16ºF	59ºF
Annual Rain	44"	22"
Annual Snow	62"	7"
Crime Index	16.99	25.7

source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces

The population of New York is approximately 49% 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 44 inches of annual rainfall in New York vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
In New York, it snows about 62 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
New York has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 25.7 vs 16.99.

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 vs 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, these are the 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

Considerations for moving 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 is one of the busiest moving states in the country, and local and intrastate moving companies operating within the Empire State are regulated by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to New York. 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
Meathead Movers	Get A Quote	4.96 overall rating	3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328
NorthStar Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	19401 Business Center Dr, Northridge, CA, 91324 (800) 275-7767
Seka Moving	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	355 S Grand Ave Suite 2450, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 (323) 483-4288