Cost to Move From Washington to California
If you’re planning a move from Washington to California, expect to spend anywhere from $700 to $6,700.
How much you have to fork over on your move to the Golden State will vary depending on several factors, including how much stuff you have and when you plan to move. The way you decide to move from Washington — whether full-service, DIY, or somewhere in between — also affects pricing.
In this guide, I break down the key factors that impact the cost of an Washington to California move so you can budget realistically. I also share tips to keep your costs low and help you avoid surprise fees if you hire California movers.
Going the other way? Check out our moving from California to Washington guide.
Cost to Move From Washington to California
It’s time to haul your furniture, photos, and memories 959 miles from Washington to a new home in California.
Hiring movers to handle the heavy lifting from California to Washington ranges from $700 to $6,700.
Washington movers charge $182 per hour on average to pack, securely load, and safely haul your belongings to your new home.
The chart below will give you an estimate for your move to the Golden State.
| Move size | Moving company | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,324 – $5,214 | $630 – $1,194 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,760 – $6,667 | $681 – $1,419 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,566 – $8,844 | $854 – $1,725 |
Cost Factors When Moving From Washington to California
The main things that affect your costs for moving from Washington to California are:
- Move size: Have a fully-furnished four-bedroom house in Washington with a garage chock full of items like lawn mowers and tools? It’ll cost double the amount it would to move a sparsely-furnished studio apartment in California.
- Time of year: As with most things, demand has a huge impact on costs. When it comes to moving, the summer season brings glorious weather — and higher prices, since most people want to move when the kids are out of school or when you’re already on vacation. Expect a move from Washington to California during the peak summer months to cost 10%–15% more than off-peak moves in the spring or fall due to higher demand.
- Distance: The further you move, the more you should expect to pay. Moving 1,100 miles from Seattle WA, to Los Angeles, CA, could be around 25% more expensive than a shorter 250-mile move within California based on mileage rates.
- DIY vs. pro mover: Handling the move yourself with a rental truck from Washington may save 20%–30% over hiring a full-service California mover. But what you save in money, you’ll pay for with your time and effort. With a DIY move, you’ll have to pack, load, and unload everything — yup, even that monster refrigerator and your king size bed.
- Extra services: Need help wrapping a marble table? Have a hot tub you want to bring along? Specialty services like packing or assembly/disassembly by Washington movers can add hundreds or even thousands to your California move cost.
Best Washington to California Moving Companies
Making an interstate move from Washington to California can be stressful, to say the least.
Hiring a reliable, affordable moving company you can trust makes all the difference in having as headache-free an experience as possible.
After extensive research, I found these top-rated movers to be the very best for relocating from Washington to California based on reputation, customer reviews, and service quality.
- Safeway Moving: Best Overall Value
- International Van Lines: Best Customer Service
- American Van Lines: Best Industry Reputation
- Air Van northAmerican Van Lines: Best for Complex Moves
- JK Moving Services: Best for High-End Moves
Get Accurate Estimates for Your Move From Washington to California
Getting accurate estimates from moving companies is crucial to budgeting and planning your interstate move from Washington to California. A quick read-through of moving company reviews will show you how often inaccurate estimations of move size and pricing quotes can lead to dissatisfaction and surprise costs. Avoid vague ballpark estimates that could end up costing you more than expected.
To get a realistic quote for your Washington to California move:
- Request an in-home estimate. Estimates over the phone or online are convenient, but they’re less accurate for a move from Washington. After all, it’s hard to tell just how much stuff you have, how much it weighs, or how much room it’ll take up in a container. Ask for an in-home or video estimate. Reputable movers will assess your Washington belongings in person or virtually for free.
- Ask for a binding/guaranteed estimate. Even if you love surprises, you won’t like the shock of your estimate doubling on moving day. Non-binding estimates can increase after weighing the items at your place in your Washington items. A binding estimate locks in the price for your Washington to California move so it won’t change at the last minute unless you add more items on moving day. That way you know exactly how much you’ll pay and won’t be blindsided or feel scammed.
- Get quotes from at least three moving companies. If you want to find the best deal for your Washington to California move, you need to have something to compare it to. Get several estimates (at least three!) and compare the quoted prices to see who offers the best deal. Beware of very lowball estimates. They may sound great, but there’s probably a reason they’re so much cheaper than competitors — and it’s likely not a good one.
- Read the fine print. Understand what is and isn’t included for your Washington to California move to avoid excess fees and surprise charges. Watch for hidden fees like charges for moving belongings up or down stairs or long carry distances (beware if you have a long driveway or tricky access in a city). Ask questions and be sure you know ahead of time whether you need to secure parking permits, elevator access, or handle other logistics to avoid fees.
- Confirm pickup/drop-off dates and locations for your move from Washington to California. Ensure they work with your schedule and interstate move.
Living in Washington vs. California
Cost of living
| Washington | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,258 | $1,586 |
| Average home cost | $582,732 | $746,055 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,775 | $91,905 |
| Cost of living index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.8% |
| Average sales tax | 9.23% | 8.68% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
Weather
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer high | 87ºF | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 59ºF | 29ºF |
| Annual rain | 22″ | 38″ |
| Annual snow | 7″ | 18″ |
Demographics
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,029,342 | 7,738,692 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 63-34 | Democrat 58-39 |
| Crime index | 27.88 | 30.22 |
FAQs About Moving From Washington to California
What are the benefits of moving from Washington to California?
Some of the benefits of moving from Washington to California
include .
Who regulates interstate moves out of Washington?
For interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency that oversees all safety regulations for moving companies that handle moves out of Washington.
The FMCSA also makes sure all moving companies are registered through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and maintain a USDOT number.
When is the worst time to move to California?
The worst time to move to California is during the summer months, when the weather is at its hottest and moving costs are at their highest due to the peak season.
How far in advance should I book movers from Washington to California?
You should book your move from Washington to California as far in advance as possible, but the rule of thumb is between three and six months ahead of moving day.
This will help ensure you get the moving date you want, and some companies may even offer an early-bird discount for booking early.
Should I get in-home estimates for a move from Washington to California?
It’s a lot easier to get an online estimate for your move from Washington to California, but this could cost you in the long run.
Taking a little extra time for an in-home or virtual walkthrough of your home will help ensure your mover accurately quotes you a price based on the amount of items you have and the size and layout of your home.
What’s the cheapest way to move from Washington to California?
The cheapest way to move from Washington to California is likely to rent a moving truck and handle the move yourself.
While this can save you some money, keep in mind that a DIY move means you’ll be doing the heavy lifting and driving on your own.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving, a full-service company, while more expensive, might be the better option.
What should you do when you arrive in California?
Moving is more than just getting your stuff from Washington to California. You also need to handle logistics to settle into your new home.
Here’s what to add to your to-do list for a seamless move:
- Forward your mail and change your address for things like banks, credit cards, tax agencies, and insurance companies
- Contact local utility companies in California to get your internet, cable, electricity, water, and gas set up
- Plan for a safe transition by installing a security system, testing smoke detectors, and changing the locks on your new home
- Register your car and visit the California DMV for a new driver’s license
- Plan a housewarming party and start exploring your new neighborhood in California!