Moving from California to New York City, NY: Movers and Cost

Sergio Ocampo

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The average cost to move from California to New York City, NY ranges from $1,788 to $8,381. 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.

Moving out of state can feel overwhelming. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for your move to New York City, NY. 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 City, NY to California guide.

• How much will your move cost?: 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 City, NY movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from California to New York City, NY.
• Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
• California to New York City, NY car shippers: 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 City, NY?

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

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,897 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 City, NY will depend on:

• Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
• Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
• Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

Who Are The Best California to New York City, NY 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	Price
Safeway Moving Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines 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 City, NY?

To ship furniture from California to New York City with a mover will cost between $1,399 to $5,898. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from New York City to NY will range from $4,174 to $8,381, and a large move from California to New York City will cost from $7,854 to $12,986.

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

Moving pods from California to New York City will cost you $1,498 to $3,734 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,655 to $5,556. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,666 to $7,585.

How much is a moving truck from California to New York City, NY?

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 $1,651 to $3,203. A larger move will cost $1,788 to $3,813, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to New York City costs from $2,261 to $4,682.

How to ship a car from California to New York City, NY?

To ship your car on this route, find a reliable California to New York City car shipping company. Compare quotes and services, and prepare your car for shipping by cleaning it and removing personal items. Stay in communication with the car shipping company and inspect your car upon delivery.

Is moving from California to New York City, NY a good idea?

Cost of Living: California vs New York City, NY

• Rent is about 124% more expensive in New York City than in California.
• Home prices are about 1.6% lower in New York City than in California.
• The average income is about 8.5% lower in New York City than in California.
• New York City has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 93.1%.
• Income taxes are 18.05% lower in New York City than in California.

How is life different in New York City from California?

• The population of New York City is approximately 78% lower than the population of California.
• In the last presidential election, New York City voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
• The average high in the summertime in New York City is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
• During the coldest part of the year, New York City reaches the temperature of 26ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
• You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in New York City vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
• In New York City, it snows about 25 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
• New York City has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 25.8 vs 25.7.

Considerations for moving to New York City, NY

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 887°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F..
• 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?

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

Comparing the pros of California vs. New York City, NY:

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 City side-by-side.

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New York City, NY:

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

Need a local New York City mover?

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

What to do in New York City?

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

Museums in New York City

• The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Met Cloisters
• New York Public Library
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Ellis Island
• American Museum of Natural History
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Ellis Island Immigration Museum
• The Morgan Library & Museum
• Tenement Museum
• New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

Parks in New York City

• Central Park
• The High Line
• Bryant Park
• Washington Square Park
• Hudson River Park
• Union Square
• World Trade Center's Liberty Park
• Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial
• Fort Tryon Park
• Riverside Park
• Battery Park
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
• The High Line Park
• Inwood Hill Park
• Carl Schurz Park

Sports Teams in New York City

• Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
• Long Island Nets (NBA G League)
• New York City FC (MLS)
• New York Giants (NFL)
• New York Islanders (NHL)
• New York Jets (NFL)
• New York Knicks (NBA)
• New York Liberty (WNBA)
• New York Mets (MLB)
• New York Rangers (NHL)
• New York Red Bulls (MLS)
• New York Yankees (MLB)

Universities in New York City

• New York University
• Nyack College
• Pace University
• Rockefeller University
• Wagner College
• Hunter College
• Baruch College
• Brooklyn College
• City College of New York
• College of Staten Island

Where to move to in New York City, NY?

Now that you've decided to make the move to "The Big Apple," these are the best neighborhoods in New York City to move to.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Astoria, Queens
• Lower East Side, Manhattan
• Murray Hill, Manhattan
• Upper East Side, Manhattan
• Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Battery Park City, Manhattan
• Forest Hills, Queens
• Great Kills, Staten Island
• Park Slope, Brooklyn
• Riverdale, Bronx

Related articles to your move

Movers and cost

• Los Angeles to New York City
• Chicago to New York City
• Houston to New York City
• Phoenix to New York City
• Philadelphia to New York City
• San Antonio to New York City
• San Diego to New York City
• Dallas to New York City
• San Jose to New York City
• Austin to New York City

Learn more about New York City, NY

• What Is The Cost To Move In New York City?
• What Is The Cost To Move To New York?
• Best Moving Companies in New York