Moving from Fort Worth, TX to California: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Fort Worth, TX to California averages from $1,035 to $6,877 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from California to Fort Worth, TX guide.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to California. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 1,532 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Fort Worth, TX to California?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,258 - $4,966 $1,043 - $2,566 $957 - $1,835
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,035 - $6,877 $1,862 - $3,783 $1,035 - $2,184
4+ bedrooms $5,402 - $9,727 $2,536 - $5,054 $1,304 - $2,668

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,532 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Fort Worth, TX to California will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

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Pick from the Best Fort Worth to California Movers

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company Quote Rating Price
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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American Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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International Van Lines
Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Fort Worth, TX to California?

To ship furniture from Fort Worth to California with a mover will cost between $1,258 to $4,966. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from Cowtown to CA will range from $3,035 to $6,877, and a large move from Fort Worth to California will cost from $5,402 to $9,727.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Fort Worth, TX to California?

Moving pods from Fort Worth to California will cost you $1,043 to $2,566 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,862 to $3,783. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,536 to $5,054.

How much is a moving truck from Fort Worth, TX to California?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $957 to $1,835. A larger move will cost $1,035 to $2,184, and a 4+ bedroom move from Fort Worth to California costs from $1,304 to $2,668.

How to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to California?

If you're planning a move from Fort Worth to California and need to ship your car, it's important to find a reputable car shipping company. Look for top-rated companies that specialize in Fort Worth to California car shipping and compare quotes and services to find the right option for you.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company Quote Rating Price
starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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Ship a Car Direct
starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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Easy Auto Ship Logo
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from Fort Worth, TX to California a good idea?

If you’re moving to California from Fort Worth, TX, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs California

Fort Worth, TX California
Average rent cost $1,220 $1,503
Average home cost $286,673 $758,360
Average income (per capita) $58,947 $78,672
Unemployment rate 3.6% 5.8%
State Income Tax 0.0% 13.3%
  • Rent is about 27% more expensive in California than in Fort Worth.
  • Home prices are about 170.9% higher in California than in Fort Worth.
  • The average income is about 31.9% higher in California than in Fort Worth.
  • California has a higher unemployment rate than Fort Worth by about 44.0%.
  • Income taxes are 13.30% higher in California than in Fort Worth.

How is life different in Fort Worth, TX from California?

Fort Worth, TX California
Population 918,915 39,237,836
Political leaning Democrat 49-49 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 96ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 35ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 37" 22"
Annual Snow 1" 7"
Crime Index 33.16 25.7
  • The population of California is approximately 4,170% greater than the population of Fort Worth.
  • In the last presidential election, California voted Democratic and Fort Worth voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in California is 87ºF and in Fort Worth, it’s 96ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, California reaches the temperature of 59ºF and Fort Worth gets down to 35ºF.
  • You can expect about 22 inches of annual rainfall in California vs 37 inches of rainfall in Fort Worth.
  • In California, it snows about 7 inches annually vs 1 inches of snow in Fort Worth.
  • California has a lower crime rate than Fort Worth with a crime index of 33.16 vs 25.7.

Comparing the pros of Fort Worth, TX vs. California:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Fort Worth vs California side-by-side.

Pros of living in Fort Worth, TX Pros of living in California
Quality education Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Pleasant weather
Bountiful recreational activities Abundant recreational options
Amazing festivals High quality of life
Friendly people Fresh and healthy foods

Comparing the cons of living in Fort Worth, TX vs. California:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Fort Worth for California.

Cons of living in Fort Worth, TX Cons of living in California
Tornadoes High cost of living
Allergy-inducing pollen Heavy tax burdens
Brutal heat Natural disasters
High cost of living Terrible traffic
Terrible traffic Strange laws

Considerations for moving to California

  • 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: 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 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to . Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local Fort Worth movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Evolution Moving Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
3320 Dooling St, Fort Worth, TX, 76111
(682) 651-5505
Luke's Moving Services Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
746 W Hurst Blvd, Hurst, TX, 76053
(817) 545-3844
Einstein Moving Company Get A Quote
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
13213 Senlac Dr,, Farmers Branch, TX, 75234
(214) 771-9713

Visit our Best Movers in Fort Worth page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in California?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in California.

Museums in California

  • The Getty Center
  • USS Midway Museum
  • Hess Persson Estates
  • California State Railroad Museum
  • The Getty Villa
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
  • Norton Simon Museum
  • Mission San Luis Rey
  • Tallac Historic Site
  • Petersen Automotive Museum
  • Original McDonald's Site and Museum
  • Oakland Museum of California
  • March Field Air Museum
  • Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum

Parks in California

  • La Jolla Cove
  • Heisler Park
  • Sonoma Plaza
  • Mount Rubidoux Park
  • Redwood Regional Park
  • MacKerricher State Park
  • Tilden Regional Park
  • Dinosaur Caves Park
  • Greystone Mansion and Park
  • Rancho San Antonio County Park
  • Serra Cross Park
  • Coyote Hills Regional Park
  • Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
  • Palisades Park
  • Irvine Regional Park

Sports Teams in California

  • Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
  • Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
  • San Jose Sharks (NHL)
  • Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
  • Oakland Athletics (MLB)
  • San Diego Padres (MLB)
  • San Francisco Giants (MLB)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)
  • Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
  • San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
  • Golden State Warriors (NBA)
  • Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
  • Sacramento Kings (NBA)
  • LA Galaxy (MLS)
  • Los Angeles FC (MLS)
  • San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Universities in California

  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Southern California
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Irvine
  • California Institute of Technology
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • University of California, Riverside
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of California, San Francisco
  • San Diego State University
  • California State University, Northridge

Where to move in California

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Golden State," these are the best cities in California to move to.

Most popular cities to move to in California:

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