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Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to OH
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Ohio 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.
What to know before moving from CA to OH
If you’re moving to Ohio from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Ohio
| California | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $945 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $230,798 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $66,990 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.23% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 3.5% |
- Rent is about 49% less expensive in Ohio than in California.
- Home prices are about 70% lower in Ohio than in California.
- The average income is about 27% lower in Ohio than in California.
- Cost of living is 30% lower in Ohio than in California.
- Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 33%.
- Sales taxes are 17% lower in Ohio than in California.
- Income taxes are 74% lower in Ohio than in California.
How life is different in Ohio vs. California
| Ohio | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,785,935 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 55-45 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 20ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 40" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 28" | 7" |
| Crime index | 20.76 | 28.43 |
- The population of Ohio is approximately 70% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Ohio voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Ohio is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Ohio reaches the temperature of 20ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Ohio versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Ohio, it snows about 28 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- Ohio has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 20.76 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Ohio
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Ohio compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Ohio |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Low cost of living |
| Abundant recreational options | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| High quality of life | Famously delicious beer |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Amazing food |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Ohio
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 Ohio.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Ohio |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Low happiness |
| Heavy tax burdens | Limited diversity |
| Natural disasters | Political division |
| Terrible traffic | Harsh weather |
| Strange laws | Weird laws |
Other things to consider for your California to Ohio move
- Weather: Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Ohio 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 Ohio. 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. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen 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 Ohio
While you’re in Ohio, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
- Hocking Hills State Park
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
- Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
- Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
- Toledo Museum of Art
- Fountain Square
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Wright Memorial – Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Ohio State Reformatory
- West Side Market
- American Sign Museum
- A Christmas Story House
- German Village
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Ohio?
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from California to Ohio?
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 Ohio separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Ohio?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Ohio are the amazing upsides of living in Ohio such as ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Ohio?
It is generally cheaper to live in Ohio than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Ohio, with average rent about 49% less and home prices 70.1% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Ohio, most notably income taxes, which are more than 70% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Ohio?
You should make approximately $65,020 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is approximately $2,637 per month for an individual and $6,989 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Ohio you live For example, larger cities like Columbus and Cleveland will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
