($1,860) Cost of Moving From North Dakota to California

Quick answer: The average cost to move from North Dakota to California ranges from $1,273 to $10,389 and takes four–15 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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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from California to North Dakota guide.

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The best North Dakota to California full-service movers

Moving from North Dakota to California? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving North Dakota for your California relocation:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
866-835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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866-835-2392
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
866-825-0554
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
866-825-0554
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best local moving companies in North Dakota

  1. Midwest Moving Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  2. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. Quality Pack and Load, LLC: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  4. The Apartment Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
  5. All About Moving, Inc.: 4.38 out of 5 stars

Midwest Moving Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.8 / 5

DOT #: 3263587

Years in Business: 6

430 28th Ct NW, Unit A, West Fargo, ND 58078

Midwest Moving Company has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around West Fargo, ND since 2019. With numerous satisfied customers, they boast a 4.8 average rating from 310 Google reviews and hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Known for their comprehensive offerings, they provide packing, unpacking, and crating services, as well as specialize in moving delicate items like pianos, antiques, and art. While other nearby movers might not offer such extensive services, Midwest Moving Company stands out for its reliability and customer satisfaction.

Get a Quote (800) 851-8235

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

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

Additional Information

  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 3263587
  • State license #: 148
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.62 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 24

3222 4th Ave S, #1, Fargo, ND 58103

Two Men and a Truck is a well-established moving company offering local residential moving services in and around Fargo, ND, since 2000. Known for their expertise and reliability, they stand out among competitors by also offering packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, with no deposit required. With an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a strong 4.8 average rating from over 200 Google reviews, they are recognized for their customer satisfaction, despite mixed feedback on Yelp. For those looking to move locally with a trusted and versatile team, Two Men and a Truck is a solid choice.

Get a Quote (701) 297-2264

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Quality Pack and Load, LLC

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.58 / 5

DOT #: 3092102

Years in Business: 14

1400 Burlington Dr #2D, Bismarck, ND 58504

Quality Pack and Load, LLC has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Bismarck, ND since 2010. Compared to other nearby moving companies, Quality Pack and Load stands out with exceptional consumer feedback, boasting an average rating of 5.0 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, paired with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They excel in offering comprehensive moving solutions, including packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of fragile items, pianos, and antiques. Additionally, they ease the payment process by accepting credit cards and requiring no deposit, making them a reliable and customer-friendly choice for your next local move.

Get a Quote (701) 527-8033

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

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The Apartment Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.38 / 5

DOT #: 513176

Years in Business: 35

16th Street Northeast, 541, West Fargo, ND 58078

The Apartment Movers, established in 1990, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around West Fargo, ND. They boast a solid reputation with a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ and commendable reviews on Google, averaging a 4.6 rating. While their Yelp presence shows mixed feedback, their longevity and positive general sentiment make them a trustworthy choice compared to other nearby movers. The company stands out for its ability to move pianos, accept multiple payment methods, and require no deposit, offering added convenience and peace of mind with full valuation insurance coverage.

Get a Quote (701) 365-8600

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves

Available services

  • Pianos
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

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All About Moving, Inc.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.38 / 5

DOT #: 1255395

Years in Business: 20

2402 N 69th St, Grand Forks, ND 58203

All About Moving, Inc. has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Grand Forks, ND since 2005. Compared to other nearby movers, All About Moving stands out with its comprehensive offerings, including packing and unpacking services, crating, and the ability to move delicate items such as pianos and art. The company has earned a solid reputation, boasting a 4.0 average rating on Yelp and a 4.2 on Google, with an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike some competitors, they also accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a reliable and convenient choice for local moves.

Get a Quote (701) 772-4100

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

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The best North Dakota to California moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in North Dakota and drop it off at your new home in California.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best North Dakota to California moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from North Dakota to California, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best North Dakota to California labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from North Dakota to California:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

How we chose the best moving companies for your ND to CA movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 9 North Dakota movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from North Dakota to California?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from North Dakota to California for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,860 - $6,709 $1,276 - $3,116 $1,250 - $2,308
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,660 - $10,389 $2,368 - $4,883 $1,273 - $2,942
4+ bedrooms $7,898 - $14,573 $3,107 - $5,983 $1,604 - $3,427

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,717 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Cost to hire movers from North Dakota to Californiatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from North Dakota to California will cost between $1,860 and $6,709. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from ND to CA will range from $4,660 to $10,389, and a large move from North Dakota to California will cost from $7,898 to $14,573.

Cost of moving containers from North Dakota to Californiatoggle

Moving containers from North Dakota to California will cost you $1,276 to $3,116 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,368 to $4,883. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,107 to $5,983. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of North Dakota.

Cost of moving truck rentals from North Dakota to Californiatoggle

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 $1,250 to $2,308. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,273 to $2,942, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from North Dakota to California costs from $1,604 to $3,427.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from ND to CAtoggle

There are many factors that influence North Dakota moving costs. The cost to move from North Dakota to California 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 North Dakota 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 ND to CA

If you’re moving to California from North Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: North Dakota vs. California

North Dakota California
Average rent cost $912 $1,856
Average home cost $263,410 $771,057
Average income (per capita) $73,959 $91,905
Cost of Living Index 96 134
Unemployment rate 2.4% 5.4%
Average Sales Tax 6.96% 8.68%
State Income Tax 2.9% 13.3%
  • Rent is about 104% more expensive in California than in North Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 193% higher in California than in North Dakota.
  • The average income is about 24% higher in California than in North Dakota.
  • Cost of living is 40% lower in California than in North Dakota.
  • California has a higher unemployment rate than North Dakota by about 125%.
  • Sales taxes are 25% higher in California than in North Dakota.
  • Income taxes are 359% higher in California than in North Dakota.

How life is different in California vs. North Dakota

California North Dakota
Population 39,029,342 783,926
Political leaning Democratic 59-41 Republican 68-32
Summer high 87ºF 82ºF
Winter low 59ºF 0ºF
Annual rain 22" 19"
Annual snow 7" 39"
Crime index 28.43 22.74
  • The population of California is approximately 4,879% greater than the population of North Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, California voted Democratic and North Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in California is 87ºF and in North Dakota, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, California reaches the temperature of 59ºF and North Dakota gets down to 0ºF.
  • You can expect about 22 inches of annual rainfall in California versus 19 inches of rainfall in North Dakota.
  • In California, it snows about 7 inches annually versus 39 inches of snow in North Dakota.
  • California has a higher crime rate than North Dakota with a crime index of 28.43 vs. 22.74.

Comparing the pros of North Dakota vs. California

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in California compared to North Dakota.

Pros of living in North Dakota Pros of living in California
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
Peaceful rural life Pleasant weather
Affordable living costs Abundant recreational options
High-quality education opportunities High quality of life
Open rural spaces Fresh and healthy foods

Comparing the cons of living in North Dakota vs. California

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 North Dakota for California.

Cons of living in North Dakota Cons of living in California
Long and cold winters High cost of living
Lack of diversity Heavy tax burdens
Housing shortages Natural disasters
Small populations Terrible traffic
Relaxed lifestyle Strange laws

Other things to consider for your North Dakota to California movetoggle

  • Weather: California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
  • 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: 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: California 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 California. 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 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Californiatoggle

While you’re in California, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Yosemite National Park
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Disneyland Park
  • Big Sur Coastline
  • Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Death Valley National Park
  • San Diego Zoo
  • Lake Tahoe
  • Santa Catalina Island
  • Redwood National and State Parks
  • Joshua Tree National Park
  • Hearst Castle
  • Channel Islands National Park
  • Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
  • The Hollywood Sign
  • Lombard Street
  • Venice Beach
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Santa Monica Pier
  • Alcatraz Island
  • Winchester Mystery House
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • Solvang
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Burney Falls
  • Anza Borrego Desert State Park
  • Bodie State Historic Park

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from North Dakota to California?toggle

Hiring a full-service North Dakota 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 North Dakota to California?toggle

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 North Dakota to California separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from North Dakota to California?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from North Dakota to California are the amazing upsides of living in California such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.

Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota or California?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in North Dakota than in California. Housing is much more affordable in North Dakota, with average rent about 51% less and home prices 66% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in North Dakota, 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 California?toggle

You should make approximately $74,410 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in California. The cost of living in California is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $8,077 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in California you live For example, larger cities like Los Angeles and Bakersfield will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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