Moving From California to Washington (Movers From $1,336)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Washington ranges from $759 to $7,213 and takes 2-7 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Washington to California guide.
The best California to Washington movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Washington is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Washington.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
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 move from California to Washington?
The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from California to Washington for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,336 - $5,370 | $950 - $2,289 | $739 - $1,442 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,900 - $7,213 | $1,687 - $3,350 | $759 - $1,714 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,654 - $8,740 | $2,342 - $4,266 | $951 - $1,943 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 954 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.
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Washington 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.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Washington?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Washington will cost between $1,336 to $5,370. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to WA will range from $2,900 to $7,213, and a large move from California to Washington will cost from $4,654 to $8,740.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Washington?
Moving containers from California to Washington will cost you $950 to $2,289 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,687 to $3,350. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,342 to $4,266. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Washington?
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 $739 to $1,442. A larger move will cost $759 to $1,714, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Washington costs from $951 to $1,943.
Is moving from California to Washington a good idea?
If you’re moving to Washington from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of Living: California vs Washington
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,586 | $1,258 |
| Average home cost | $746,055 | $582,732 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $73,775 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.5% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 9.23% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 21% less expensive in Washington than in California.
- Home prices are about 21.9% lower in Washington than in California.
- The average income is about 19.7% lower in Washington than in California.
- Cost of living is about the same in Washington and California.
- Washington has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 6.3%.
- Sales taxes are 6.34% higher in Washington than in California.
- Income taxes are 100.00% lower in Washington than in California.
How is life different in Washington from California?
| Washington | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,738,692 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 58-39 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer High | 79ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter Low | 29ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual Rain | 38" | 22" |
| Annual Snow | 18" | 7" |
| Crime Index | 30.22 | 27.88 |
- The population of Washington is approximately 80% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Washington voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Washington is 79ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Washington reaches the temperature of 29ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Washington vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Washington, it snows about 18 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Washington has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 30.22 vs 27.88.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Washington:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Washington side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Beautiful landscapes |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | High quality of life |
| High quality of life | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Delicious seafood |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Washington:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Washington.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Constant rain |
| Heavy tax burdens | Bad traffic |
| Natural disasters | High cost of living |
| Terrible traffic | High crime rate |
| Strange laws | Natural disasters |
Considerations for moving to Washington
- Weather: Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
- 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Washington 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 Washington. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780 (800) 832-5950 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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2905 Unicorn Rd, Bakersfield, CA, 93308 (661) 335-6191 |
| Auburn Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
|
8845 Washington Blvd #160, Roseville, CA, 95678 (916) 251-4848 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Things to do in Washington
While you’re in Washington, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Space Needle and Seattle Center
- Pike Place Market
- The Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Lake Chelan
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Leavenworth
- Museum of Glass
- Washington State Capitol Building
- Bellingham
- Puget Sound
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Spokane Riverfront Park
- Deception Pass State Park
- Washington State Ferries
- Port Angeles
FAQs about moving from California to Washington
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Washington?
The cheapest way to move from California to Washington is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Washington?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Washington are the amazing upsides of living in Washington such as beautiful landscapes and ample economic opportunity.
