Local moving companies in California

  1. Best California Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
  2. Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
  3. Republic Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  4. All Star Movers & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  5. Air 1 Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar5 / 5

DOT #: 3489907

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591
Get a Quote

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Best California Movers & Storage
  • An Moving Forward
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Meathead Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar5 / 5

DOT #: 921143

Years in Business: 27

3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Meathead Movers has been a trusted name in local residential moving services around San Luis Obispo, CA, since 1998. The company stands out with its glowing consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.3 on Google My Business, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many other local moving companies, Meathead Movers also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, all without requiring a deposit. With their solid reputation and wide range of services, they remain a top choice for residents seeking reliable and efficient movers locally.

Get a Quote (805) 544-6328

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Meathead Packers
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Republic Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.96 / 5

DOT #: 3369820

Years in Business: 31

8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA 92154

Republic Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, since 1995. With a strong reputation bolstered by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they offer a variety of services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, and art. Their consumer reviews reflect a solid reputation, with an average rating of 3.8 on Yelp and 4.0 on Google My Business. Unlike many nearby competitors, they also provide storage solutions and full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring a smooth and secure moving experience.

Get a Quote (619) 639-8352

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 3369820
  • State license #: 0190491
  • DOD certified

Alternative Business Names

  • Lovejoy's Family Moving
  • Republic Relocation Services

Local Associations

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All Star Movers & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.9 / 5

DOT #: 2971368

Years in Business: 10

101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA 94568

All Star Movers & Storage, serving Dublin, CA and surrounding areas since 2016, is a reputable choice for local residential moves. Praised for their exceptional service with an average Yelp rating of 4.8 from 152 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they stand out among local competitors. They offer a comprehensive array of services including packing, unpacking, crating, and can even handle delicate items such as pianos and art. Unlike many movers, All Star Movers & Storage accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, making the process easier for their clients.

Get a Quote (925) 905-9889

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage

Additional Information

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Air 1 Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.9 / 5

DOT #: 1095485

Years in Business: 22

9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Air 1 Moving & Storage has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Chatsworth, CA, since 2004. The company stands out among nearby competitors with its extensive array of services, including packing, unpacking, and crating, along with specialized care for moving pianos, art, and antiques. With an impressive 4.4 average rating on Google and a solid A- rating from the Better Business Bureau, Air 1 Moving & Storage is well-regarded for its reliability and professional service. Customers looking for a reputable local mover will find Air 1’s no-deposit policy and acceptance of credit cards convenient and customer-friendly.

Get a Quote (866) 485-1030

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Air 1 Moving & Storage, Inc
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Things to know before moving from California to Houston, TX

Cost of living: California vs Houston, TX

California Houston
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,549
Average home value $771,057 $263,945
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $69,833
Unemployment rate 5% 4%
State income tax 13% 0%
  • Rent is about 17% less expensive in Houston than in California.
  • Home prices are about 66% lower in Houston than in California.
  • The average income is about 24% lower in Houston than in California.
  • Houston has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 24%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Houston than in California.

How life is different in Houston from California

Houston California
Population 2,301,572 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 56-42 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 94ºF 87ºF
Winter low 43ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 53" 22"
Annual snow 0" 7"
Crime index 63.5 28.43
  • The population of Houston is approximately 94% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Houston voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Houston is 94ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Houston reaches the temperature of 43ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Houston vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Houston, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Houston has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 63.5 vs 28.43.

Things to do in Houston

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

Museums in Houstontoggle

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  • Children’s Museum of Houston
  • The Menil Collection
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Holocaust Museum Houston
  • Houston Museum of African American Culture
  • The Health Museum
  • Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
  • Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
  • Czech Center Museum Houston

Parks in Houstontoggle

  • Hermann Park
  • Terry Hershey Park
  • Lake Houston Park
  • Memorial Park
  • Tranquility Park
  • Sesquicentennial Park
  • Discovery Green
  • Buffalo Bayou Park
  • Sam Houston Park

Sports Teams in Houstontoggle

  • Houston Texans (NFL)
  • Houston Astros (MLB
  • Houston Dash (NWSL)
  • Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
  • Houston Rockets (NBA)
  • Houston SaberCats (MLR)

Universities in Houstontoggle

  • Houston Community College
  • San Jacinto College
  • University of Houston
  • University of Houston - Downtown
  • Texas Southern University
  • University of Houston - Clear Lake Public
  • Rice University
  • The University of Texas
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Houston Baptist University
  • Remington College - North Houston Campus
  • Remington College
  • College of Biblical Studies

Other considerations when moving to Houston, TX

  • Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late summer months may affect your move.
  • 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: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Texas 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 forwarded to Texas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of California vs. Houston, TX

Comparing the pros of California vs. Houston, TX:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Houston side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Houston, TX
Ample economic opportunity Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Pleasant weather Ample economic opportunity
Abundant recreational options Delicious seafood
High quality of life Diversity
Fresh and healthy foods Affordable housing

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Houston, TX:

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

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Houston, TX
High cost of living Tropical storms
Heavy tax burdens Heat and humidity
Natural disasters Terrible traffic
Terrible traffic Limited public transportation
Strange laws High crime rate

FAQ

How long does a move from California to Houston take?

The time frame for a move from California to Houston, TX, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Houston will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Houston from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Houston?

Because of the 1765-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Houston as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Houston, TX?

With the summer highs of 94ºF and the winter lows of 43ºF, most people move to Houston from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Houston during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources