Best overall value
Local moving companies in Manchester
- Oscar's Moving Company: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Olympia Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Trend Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Ray the Mover: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 31320
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1637689
Alternate Names: Oscar's Moving Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 70719
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 70719
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 3092893
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3092893
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
Years in Business: 85
DOT #: 2724757
Alternate Names: Ray the Mover of Manchester, Inc., MII Moving and Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Key factors that impact the cost of your Manchester to Lancaster move
What to know before moving from Manchester to Lancaster
Moving from Manchester to Lancaster comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Lancaster is generally more expensive than Manchester, 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:
| Manchester | Lancaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,004 | $2,600 |
| Average home value | $410,329 | $473,053 |
| Average income (per capita) | $67,132 | $74,723 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,449 | $2,540 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,256 | $5,562 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 15.6% |
| Sales tax | 0.0% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 4.0% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Lancaster, since prices are typically 30% higher than in Manchester.
- The home prices in Lancaster are 15.3% higher than in Manchester, 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 Lancaster, where incomes are, on average, 11.3% higher than in Manchester. Major employers in Lancaster include Antelope Valley Hospital, Antelope Valley Union High School District, and Lancaster School District.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Lancaster, since the cost of living for a single person in Lancaster is 3.7% higher than in Manchester. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Lancaster, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Lancaster is 5.8% higher than in Manchester.
- The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 310.53% higher than in Manchester.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Lancaster, since its sales taxes are 10.25% higher than what you are paying in Manchester.
- State income taxes in Lancaster are 232.50% higher than in Manchester.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,111.47 in Lancaster to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Manchester.
How life is different in Manchester vs. Lancaster
| Lancaster | Manchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 173,516 | 115,644 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 0 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 29 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 40 | 42 |
| Crime Index | 45.5 | 56.09 |
| Safety Index | 54.5 | 43.91 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Lancaster is about 50% greater than Manchester, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Lancaster without a car might be more difficult than in Manchester. Lancaster has a public transportation score of 0 out of 10, whereas Manchester is ranked 3. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Lancaster neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Manchester. Based on its score of 29 out of 100, Lancaster isn't as walkable as Manchester, which has a score of 51 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- Lancaster and Manchester are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 40 and 42 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Lancaster has a lower crime rate than Manchester based on scores of 45.5 and Manchester's 56.09, 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 Lancaster than in Manchester, based on Lancaster's safety index of 54.5 versus 43.91 for Manchester. 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 Lancaster and Manchester 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 Manchester vs. Lancaster move
- Weather: If you're looking to move to Lancaster, consider doing this on the months of May, October and April. Summers are hot and nearly rainless while winter could be mildly cold.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Lancaster without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Lancaster
With your sights set on , these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Lancaster.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Lancaster
- Central Lancaster
- East Lancaster
- College Terrace
- Skytower Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Quartz Hill
- West Lancaster
- Rancho Vista
- Brentwood
- El Dorado
Things to do in Lancaster
After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Lancaster has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Lancaster is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Lancaster Museum of Art & History, Western Hotel Museum, and Boyle Heights History Studios & Tours.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Apollo Community Regional Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Lancaster?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Manchester to Lancaster. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Manchester.
When is the cheapest time to move from Manchester to Lancaster?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Manchester to Lancaster moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Manchester to Lancaster take?
Covering 2,999 miles, the move from Manchester, NH to Lancaster, CA typically takes seven to 21 days. Some Manchester movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Lancaster can help bridge the gap.
