($1,464+) Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to NYC ranges from $1,309 to $11,663, with an average cost of $4,400. Moves can be as low as $1,464 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,776 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Moving options from Los Angeles to NYC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,309 - $11,663 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,400, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 54% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,776 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,776-mile route from Los Angeles to NYC, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,309 - $5,829, container $2,026 - $3,753, rental truck $1,526 - $3,078, freight trailer $1,788 - $3,177.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,789 - $8,319, container $2,502 - $5,330, rental truck $1,736 - $3,629, freight trailer $2,042 - $3,972.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,648 - $11,663, container $3,348 - $7,200, rental truck $2,026 - $4,542, freight trailer $2,734 - $5,418.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
For the 2,776-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, full-service movers cost between $1,309 and $11,663. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $498 - $3,320 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,309 - $5,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,789 - $8,319
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,648 - $11,663
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Los Angeles to NYC.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In New York City, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $830 - $8,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $332 - $1,992/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $498 - $3,984 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,660 - $4,980 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,150 - $16,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,243 - $2,362 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,660 - $4,150 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,328 - $5,810 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $498 - $2,490 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $1,079 - $3,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $498 - $24,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $498 - $5,810+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to NYC?
All three below meet the standards set by the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most New York movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Los Angeles, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, cost between $2,026 and $7,200. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Los Angeles runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,026 - $3,753
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,502 - $5,330
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,348 - $7,200
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Los Angeles, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,162, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $125 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $249 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Los Angeles, CA, and NYC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to New York move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $2,026. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,502 - $5,330.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to NYC?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Los Angeles to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Renting a moving truck for the 2,776-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York, costs between $1,526 and $4,542, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,466 - $1,676
- Daily insurance: $50/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $33
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles to NYC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,526 - $3,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,736 - $3,629
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,026 - $4,542
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,526 - $4,542 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Los Angeles to NYC. Fuel ($1,466 - $1,676), lodging at around $249/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,466 - $1,676 for the 2,776-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,162.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,776-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $249 per night, adding $498 - $747 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $83 and $498.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to NYC?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Los Angeles, CA to NYC
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, to NYC, New York. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,494 and $3,972.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,788 - $3,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,042 - $3,972
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,734 - $5,418
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Los Angeles, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,162.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $125 - $249 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to NYC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs NYC
Good news for your budget: NYC isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Los Angeles. Cost of living index runs 172 there against 162 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 69/100 and 46.19/100 here versus 88/100 and 49.17/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New York City, NY to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to New York in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 2,776-mile route.
Our take
The 2,776-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to NYC, costs between $1,309 and $11,663 with full-service movers, $2,026 - $7,200 with a moving container, and $1,526 - $4,542 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,789 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to NYC tend to point to ample economic opportunity and diverse cuisine, though overcrowded and pollution come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include IBM and PepsiCo.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to NYC, NY
Is NYC a safe place to live?
NYC has a safety index of 49.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.83, compared to 46.19 and 53.81 in Los Angeles. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is NYC?
NYC has a walkability score of 88 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in NYC?
For families, Battery Park City, Manhattan, Forest Hills, Queens, and Great Kills, Staten Island are worth a look in NYC. If you're moving solo or without kids, Astoria, Queens, Lower East Side, Manhattan, and Murray Hill, Manhattan tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New York?
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.
What do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in NYC run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.