Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Expect to pay $1,505–$8,734 for a move from Indianapolis to Irvine, with most moves taking six to 17 days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 2,072 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Irvine to Indianapolis guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best Professional Movers from Indianapolis to Irvine
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Indianapolis to go to Irvine can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
|
Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your IN to CA move
Local moving companies in Indianapolis
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Leaders Moving & Storage Co.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Busy Bee Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Wheaton Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1237577
Alternate Names: L.E.A.D.E.R.S Moving & Storage Co., Leaders Moving and Storage Company, Hilling Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 105
DOT #: 1458935
Alternate Names: Planes Companies, Planes Specialized Logistics, Planes Commercial Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 34
DOT #: 573343
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 64
DOT #: 70719
Alternate Names: Crown Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis to Irvine?
Indianapolis movers charge $75 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,520 - $5,963 | $1,499 - $3,567 | $1,405 - $2,824 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,157 - $8,734 | $2,693 - $5,281 | $1,505 - $3,496 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,641 - $13,257 | $3,585 - $6,843 | $1,920 - $3,911 |
Cost to hire movers from Indiana to California
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Indiana to California typically costs between $1,520 and $5,963. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,157 and $8,734 when moving from IN to CA. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Indiana to California, you’re looking at costs ranging from $7,641 up to $13,257.
Cost of moving containers from Indiana to California
If you're moving from Indiana to California, expect to pay between $1,499 and $3,567 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,693 up to $5,281. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,585 and $6,843. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Indiana.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Indiana to California
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,405 to $2,824. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,505 to $3,496, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Indiana to California costs around $1,920 to $3,911.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Indianapolis to Irvine move
What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Irvine
Moving from Indianapolis to Irvine comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Irvine is generally more expensive than Indianapolis, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Indianapolis | Irvine | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,399 | $4,000 |
| Average home value | $220,467 | $1,561,760 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,110 | $114,027 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,804 | $9,167 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,667 | $18,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 3.15% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Irvine, since prices are typically 186% higher than in Indianapolis.
- The home prices in Irvine are 608.4% higher than in Indianapolis, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Irvine, where incomes are, on average, 92.9% higher than in Indianapolis. Major employers in Irvine include Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Taco Bell, and Alorica.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Irvine, since the cost of living for a single person in Irvine is 226.9% higher than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Irvine, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Irvine is 170.0% higher than in Indianapolis.
- The unemployment rate in Irvine is 3.57% lower than in Indianapolis.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Irvine, since its sales taxes are 10.71% higher than what you are paying in Indianapolis.
- State income taxes in Irvine are 322.22% higher than in Indianapolis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $9,807.77 in Irvine to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.
How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Irvine
| Irvine | Indianapolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,670 | 887,642 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 43 | 31 |
| Bike friendliness score | 69 | 43 |
| Crime Index | 31.01 | 60.71 |
| Safety Index | 68.99 | 39.29 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Irvine might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 65% less than Indianapolis.
- Getting around Irvine without a car might be more difficult than in Indianapolis. Irvine has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Indianapolis is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Living in Irvine means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Irvine is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Irvine is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Irvine has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, while Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
- Irvine has a lower crime rate than Indianapolis based on scores of 31.01 and Indianapolis's 60.71, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Irvine than in Indianapolis, based on Irvine's safety index of 68.99 versus 39.29 for Indianapolis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Irvine and Indianapolis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Indianapolis vs. Irvine move
- Weather: Winters are mild, with most winters having no frost, and can be hot and dry. Late summer and autumn are warm and mostly dry, with occasional bouts of humid weather
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Irvine. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Irvine
Now that you've chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Irvine to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Westpark
- Westpark II
- Oak Creek
- Woodbridge
- University Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Westpark II
- Turtle Rock
- Woodbridge
- South Irvine
- Northwood Point
Things to do in Irvine
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Irvine is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Irvine features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Pretend City Children's Museum, Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art, and Museum of Woman.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Orange County Great Park, Adventure Playground, William R. Mason Regional Park, and Turtle Rock Community Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an UC Irvine Anteaters (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo), Adult Basketball Leagues, Adult Soccer Leagues, or Adult Softball Leagues game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to Irvine?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Indianapolis to Irvine are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Indianapolis. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to Irvine?
Because most people are moving from Indianapolis to Irvine in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Indianapolis to Irvine take?
Moving from Indianapolis, IN to Irvine, CA covers 2,072 miles and usually takes six to 17 days Need to move faster? Some Indianapolis movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Irvine.
