($1,251+) Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,201 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,142 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,069 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,598, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,142 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,728 - $6,034, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,201 - $3,449.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,477 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Milwaukee to Long Beach: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,477 - $7,922. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,069 miles, expect 6 to 17 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,069-mile route from Milwaukee to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,598 - $5,916 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,728 - $3,219), rental truck ($1,201 - $2,509), or freight trailer ($1,510 - $2,869). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,477 - $7,922 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,142.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, costs between $2,598 and $12,142. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,069-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $353 - $2,352, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Milwaukee and Long Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Milwaukee tend to start around $349 plus $105/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,598 - $5,916
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,477 - $7,922
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,518 - $12,142
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Milwaukee to Long Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Milwaukee movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Long Beach, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $588 - $5,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $235 - $1,411/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $353 - $2,822 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,176 - $3,528 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,940 - $11,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $881 - $1,673 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $1,176 - $2,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage Co | $941 - $4,116 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $353 - $1,764 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $764 - $2,352 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $353 - $17,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $353 - $4,116+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Long Beach?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Milwaukee, WI. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,728 and $6,034. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Milwaukee typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,728 - $3,219
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,235 - $4,288
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,883 - $6,034
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $88 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $176 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $823 in Milwaukee, WI, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Long Beach, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,728. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,235 - $4,288, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Milwaukee to Long Beach?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Milwaukee to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Milwaukee:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- Eagle Moving & Storage Co (4.1/5), 96 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 33 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Plan on $1,201 - $3,449 for a rental moving truck on the 2,069-mile route from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $774 - $885
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,201 - $2,509
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,702
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,760 - $3,449
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Milwaukee to Long Beach starts at $1,201 - $3,449, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($774 - $885) , overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $176 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $76 and $382 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $774 - $885 in fuel for the 2,069-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $823 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee to Long Beach?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,058 and $3,431.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,510 - $2,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,841 - $3,431
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,282 - $5,022
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $823.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $88 - $176 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Star Line Trucking Or Star Line (4.46/5 stars): Star Line Trucking Or Star Line is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Milwaukee to Long Beach, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Milwaukee, WI | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $171,025 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $51,888/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 33.24/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Long Beach, CA to Milwaukee, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Wisconsin alone has 40 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,069-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,598 - $12,142 on the 2,069-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,728 - $6,034, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,201 - $3,449. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,477 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 62 and 58 in Milwaukee. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Long Beach a safe place to live?
Long Beach has a safety index of 41.42 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.58, compared to 33.24 and 66.76 in Milwaukee. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Milwaukee movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
