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Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to VA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Virginia 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 VA
If you’re moving to Virginia from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Virginia
| California | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,440 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $392,682 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $87,249 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 0 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 5.73% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 22% less expensive in Virginia than in California.
- Home prices are about 49% lower in Virginia than in California.
- The average income is about 5% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Cost of living is 100% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 46%.
- Sales taxes are 34% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Income taxes are 57% lower in Virginia than in California.
How life is different in Virginia vs. California
| Virginia | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,715,698 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 52-48 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 25ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 14" | 7" |
| Crime index | 19.3 | 28.43 |
- The population of Virginia is approximately 78% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Virginia, it snows about 14 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- Virginia has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 19.3 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Virginia
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Virginia compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Virginia |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Strong economy |
| Pleasant weather | Beautiful scenery |
| Abundant recreational options | Abundance of outdoor activities |
| High quality of life | Enjoyable four season weather |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Strong military presence |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Virginia
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 Virginia.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Virginia |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High cost of living |
| Heavy tax burdens | Unpredictable weather |
| Natural disasters | Bad traffic congestion |
| Terrible traffic | Lack of public transportation |
| Strange laws | Air noise pollution |
Other things to consider for your California to Virginia move
- Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
- 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 addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Virginia 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 Virginia. 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. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Virginia
While you’re in Virginia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Virginia Beach
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Busch Gardens
- The Natural Bridge
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
- Richmond Canal Walk
- Luray Caverns
- Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Historic Jamestowne
- Maymont Park
- Nauticus
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Military Aviation Museum
- Virginia State Capitol
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Virginia?
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 Virginia?
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 Virginia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Virginia?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as strong economy and beautiful scenery.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Virginia?
It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Virginia, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 49.1% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Virginia, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Virginia?
You should make approximately $72,647 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Virginia. The cost of living in Virginia is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $4,783 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Virginia you live For example, larger cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
