Highly rated local moving companies for New York City to Los Angeles moves
Organizing a move from New York City to Los Angeles can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 165 local movers in New York City known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from New York City to Los Angeles.
- NYC Great Movers: 4.64 out of 5 stars
- Imperial Moving and Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Roadway Moving : 4.64 out of 5 stars
- Alpha Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- White Glove Moving & Storage: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 39493
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2180117
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 32647
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1422485
Alternate Names: Lion’s Den Enterprises Inc. , Imperial Self Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 38589
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1854436
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2047066
Years in Business: 29
DOT #: 2047066
Alternate Names: Alpha Movers , Alpha Relocation Services , Alpha Transportation, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 648262
Years in Business: 29
DOT #: 648262
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
How much does it cost to move from New York City to Los Angeles?
On average, moving companies in New York charge about per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,107 – $4,909 | $1,380 – $3,299 | $1,508 – $2,835 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,475 – $6,562 | $2,497 – $5,267 | $1,699 – $3,480 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,603 – $10,811 | $3,376 – $6,903 | $1,981 – $4,229 |
Cost to hire movers from New York City to Los Angeles
When planning a move to Los Angeles from New York City, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,107 and $4,909. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $3,475 and $6,562 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $6,603 to $10,811.
Cost of moving containers from New York City to Los Angeles
When you’re heading from New York City to Los Angeles, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,380 and $3,299. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,497 and $5,267. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $3,376 to $6,903. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from New York easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from New York City to Los Angeles
A moving rental truck from New York City to Los Angeles 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 $1,508 to $2,835. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,699 to $3,480, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from New York City to Los Angeles costs around $1,981 to $4,229.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from New York City to Los Angeles
The cost of New York City movers will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from New York City to Los Angeles may only cost $2,495, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $10,195.
- The season you’re moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in New York City.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($1,508–$4,053), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
What to know before moving from New York City to Los Angeles
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Los Angeles runs about 3% higher for singles and -16% higher for families than New York City.
Singles spend around $5,833 in New York City versus $5,683 in New York City; families pay $12,720 compared with $15,081.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| New York City | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,992 | $2,603 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $8,817 | $4,443 |
| Average home value | $752,778 | $2,368,088 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,058 | $74,993 |
| Cost of living (single) | $5,683 | $5,833 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $15,081 | $12,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 11.2% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 9.5% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 32% less expensive in Los Angeles than in New York City, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 215% steeper in Los Angeles compared to New York City.
- There’s good news: the average income differences between Los Angeles and New York City are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- As the cost of living for a single person differs by around 5% between Los Angeles and New York City, you likely won’t feel a significant change.
- A move to Los Angeles can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 16% lower compared to New York City.
- Los Angeles and New York City have roughly the same unemployment rate (within about 5%), so you likely won’t see a major shift in job availability or competition from what you’re used to.
- Sales taxes in Los Angeles surpass those in New York City by 19%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 22% more in California than in New York. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in New York City versus Los Angeles:
| Living Expense | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $186.67 | $192.54 |
| Cell phone plan | $57.90 | $62.50 |
| Dozen eggs | $6.33 | $7.02 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.04 | $4.58 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $28.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $135.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $159.00 | $47.76 |
- Basic utilities cost less in New York City than in Los Angeles, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in New York City than in Los Angeles.
- Eggs are less expensive in New York City than in Los Angeles.
- Bread is more expensive in New York City than in Los Angeles.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in New York City than in Los Angeles.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in New York City than in Los Angeles.
- Gym memberships cost more in New York City than in Los Angeles.
How life is different in New York City vs. Los Angeles
| New York City | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,258,035 | 3,820,914 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 88 | 69 |
| Bike friendliness score | 69 | 59 |
| Crime index | 50.83 | 53.81 |
| Safety index | 49.17 | 46.19 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Los Angeles’s population is about 54% less than New York City.
- Los Angeles’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is lower than New York City’s score of 10.
- Los Angeles is less walkable than New York City with a score of 69 out of 100 vs New York City’s 88 out of 100.
- Los Angeles has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as New York City, which has a score of 69.
- Los Angeles’s crime rate is higher than New York City with a score of 53.81 compared to New York City’s 50.83. This means that Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 53.81% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and New York City neighborhoods are safer than 50.83%.
- Los Angeles is considered to be less safe than New York City with a score of 46.19 vs New York City’s 49.17.
- Air quality in Los Angeles is Moderate, and in New York City it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your New York City to Los Angeles move
- HOA rules: Costs across New York City and Los Angeles are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is 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: Moving permits aren’t typically required in California, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- 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 Los Angeles. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Los Angeles
With your sights set on City of Angels, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Los Angeles.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Echo Park
- Los Feliz
- Playa Del Rey
- Silver Lake
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Brentwood
- Eagle Rock
- Mar Vista
- Playa Vista
- Studio City
Things to do in Los Angeles
With your move to California complete, you can dive right into experiencing Los Angeles. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Los Angeles is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Petersen Automotive Museum, and Battleship USS Iowa Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and Echo Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)Los Angeles FC (MLS)Los Angeles Kings (NHL)Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)Los Angeles Rams (NFL)Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from New York City to Los Angeles?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from New York City to Los Angeles. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in New York City.
When is the cheapest time to move from New York City to Los Angeles?
Want to save on your move from New York City to Los Angeles? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from New York City to Los Angeles take?
The 2,789-mile move from New York City, NY, to Los Angeles, , takes seven to 21 days. Some New York City movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Los Angeles.
What kinds of discounts do New York City movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. In New York City, 3 movers provide AAA member discounts. 8 movers offer special pricing for military members. 9 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in New York City?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 146 movers in New York City provide piano moving services. 117 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 115 piano movers and 82 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,303 and 1,466.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
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