Quick answer: A move from Portland to Los Angeles costs $844–$8,594 and takes two to seven days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 963-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Los Angeles to Portland guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Portland to Los Angeles
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Portland to Los Angeles can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your OR to CA move
Local moving companies servicing Portland to Los Angeles moves
When planning a move from Portland to Los Angeles, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Portland who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Portland to Los Angeles.
- You Move Me: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- PDX Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- All Service Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 14401
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2518689
Alternate Names: 0955821 BC Ltd.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2353055
Pricing: $255/hr
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2353055
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 1863079
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1863079
Alternate Names: ASM LLC, All Service Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 217157
Pricing: $216/hr
Years in Business: 16
Alternate Names: 2Brothers Services Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
Company Info
State license #: 253620
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: AMS Moving & Storage of Portland, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Portland to Los Angeles?
Portland movers charge $130 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 | $1,639 - $6,854 | $1,014 - $2,392 | $829 - $1,433 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,593 - $8,594 | $1,910 - $3,464 | $844 - $1,740 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,539 - $11,066 | $2,351 - $4,741 | $1,079 - $2,159 |
Cost to hire movers from Oregon to California
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Oregon to California typically costs between $1,639 and $6,854. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $3,593 and $8,594 when moving from OR to CA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Oregon to California, you're looking at costs ranging from $5,539 up to $11,066.
Cost of moving containers from Oregon to California
If you're moving from Oregon to California, expect to pay between $1,014 and $2,392 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,910 up to $3,464. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,351 and $4,741. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Oregon.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Oregon to California
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $829 and $1,433. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $844 and $1,740. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $1,079 up to $2,159 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Portland to Los Angeles
What to know before moving from Portland to Los Angeles
Moving from Portland to Los Angeles comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Los Angeles is generally more expensive than Portland, 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:
Portland | Los Angeles | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,530 | $2,960 |
Average home value | $522,596 | $2,368,088 |
Average income (per capita) | $85,876 | $74,993 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,572 | $3,922 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,077 | $9,213 |
Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 10.6% |
Sales tax | 0.0% | 9.5% |
State income tax | 9.9% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Los Angeles, since prices are typically 94% higher than in Portland.
- The home prices in Los Angeles are 353.1% higher than in Portland, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income in Los Angeles is 12.7% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Los Angeles — including County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, and City of Los Angeles (including DWP) — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Los Angeles, since the cost of living for a single person in Los Angeles is 52.5% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Los Angeles, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Los Angeles is 51.6% higher than in Portland.
- The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 53.62% higher than in Portland.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Los Angeles, since its sales taxes are 9.50% higher than what you are paying in Portland.
- State income taxes in Los Angeles are 34.34% higher than in Portland.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,574.65 in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.
How life is different in Portland vs. Los Angeles
Los Angeles | Portland | |
---|---|---|
Population | 3,820,914 | 652,503 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 8 |
Walkability score | 69 | 81 |
Bike friendliness score | 59 | 92 |
Crime Index | 53.81 | 57.37 |
Safety Index | 46.19 | 42.63 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of Los Angeles is about 486% greater than Portland, 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.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Los Angeles will be about the same as it currently is in Portland. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Los Angeles neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Portland. Based on its score of 69 out of 100, Los Angeles isn't as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 81 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.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Los Angeles, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 out of 100, Los Angeles earned a 59. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in Los Angeles as Portland. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
- Los Angeles is generally as safe as Portland, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Los Angeles isn't as good as it is in Portland, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Los Angeles has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Portland is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Portland vs. Los Angeles move
- Weather: The temperature in Los Angeles is known to be very comfortable. Los Angeles is subject to a phenomenon typical of a microclimate, causing variations in temperature. So be sure to check your weather report before your move.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in California, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Los Angeles Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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
Now that you've decided to make the move to City of Angels, these are the best neighborhoods to move to 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
Now that you've made the move to California it's the perfect time to explore Los Angeles From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Los Angeles features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Petersen Automotive Museum, Battleship USS Iowa Museum, and The Broad.
- 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: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Los Angeles FC (MLS), or Los Angeles Kings (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Los Angeles?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Portland to Los Angeles. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Los Angeles?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Portland to Los Angeles 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 Portland to Los Angeles take?
Covering 963 miles, the move from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA typically takes two to seven days. Some Portland movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Los Angeles can help bridge the gap.