How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in California?
Quick answer: All across California, you can find several trusted moving companies ready to help. On average, movers charge about $117 per hour in California, but the total cost really depends on your move. Most people spend anywhere from $435 to $4,025, depending on how big their home is and how far they’re going.
Are you ready to move?
After years of helping people move, we’ve learned that every move has its own story. That’s why we are here to help you find the mover that fits your move.
Need more help? Build your move plan.
Average Movers Costs by Type
Local
Interstate
Container
Rental Truck
How Much Does a Local Moving Company Cost in
California?
In California, rates for local movers (moves inside the same area) depend mostly on how big your place is and how far the move goes.
Moves under ~ 50 miles are often billed by the hour. The cost depends on truck size, crew size, and how much stuff you have.
When you move across California (in-state but long distance), many companies treat it like an interstate move, using your items' weight and volume as the basis, rather than hourly rates. Some movers call any move over ~100 miles "long distance," while others use ~400 miles as the cutoff.
Here’s a sample of what you might pay today in California:
Home Size
Estimated total cost
Hourly rate
Number of movers
Hours
Studio / small apartment
$438
$165
2 movers
3 hrs
1 bedroom
$608
$165
2 movers
4 hrs
2 bedroom
$983
$232
3 movers
5 hrs
3 bedroom
$2,276
$330
4 movers
8 hrs
4 bedroom
$2,610
$330
4 movers
9 hrs
5+ bedroom
$4,020
$462
5 movers
10 hrs
These numbers are rough; your actual moving quote will depend on distance, labor, and services you add (packing, special items, etc.).
Mayzlin Relocation LLC
Industry-leading trained packing team
Advanced shipment tracking
Personalized moving plans
Get Free Estimates
Allied Van Lines
Licensed and insured movers
Residential and commercial moving
Competitive full-service pricing
Get Free Estimates
Colonial Van Lines
Long-distance experts
Trained professional crews
Full-service moving
Get Free Estimates
How Much Does an Interstate Moving Company Cost in
California?
When you plan an out-of-state move from California, the pricing works a bit differently. It’s not based on hourly rates like short local moves. Instead, costs depend on how much your belongings weigh and how far they need to go.
Interstate moves also include more variables, like travel time, fuel prices, insurance, and even the season you move in, all of which can change the total price.
Below are estimated price ranges for popular routes from California.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of California
Route
Average Total Cost
$2,310 – $5,290
$3,772 – $6,560
$3,820 – $7,240
$3,610 – $6,900
$3,855 – $6,385
$3,928 – $6,290
$3,904 – $6,500
$4,090 – $7,080
$3,000 – $5,790
$3,580 – $6,308
Now that you have an idea of what your move from California should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best moving companies in California.
United Van Lines
Full-value damage protection
Virtual walkthrough quotes
International over 150+ countries
Get Free Estimates
Safeway Moving Inc
Professionalism
Responsive support team
Convenient rental locations
Get Free Estimates
How Much Do Moving Containers Cost in California?
The price to move with moving containers (like PODS) can vary a lot. It depends on how big the container is and how far it needs to go.
For example, a local move in California using an 8-foot container might cost between $155 and $406, while a 16-foot container could run from $310 to $812.
If you move 100-250 miles, container costs usually range between $238 and $2,068. For cross-country container moves, expect prices in the range $2,015 to $7,395.
We recommend the following moving container companies because they are available in many places and offer multiple container sizes (8, 12, 16 feet). But your move is unique, so get moving container quotes from multiple companies to compare.
Want flexibility for your move? Here are the best moving container services in California.
PODS Moving and Storage
Convenient container-based moving
Secure weather-resistant storage
Reliable door-to-door delivery
Get Free Estimates
Zippy Shell
Century-long trusted mover
Full packing & storage
Long and international moves
Get Free Estimates
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck in
California?
Renting a moving truck in California can be one of the cheaper DIY options, but you’ll be doing most of the work yourself (driving, packing, loading, unloading).
For local moves, expect truck rental prices from $53 to $130 per day (plus mileage).
For long-distance rentals, prices tend to cost between $350 and $5,690 depending on how far you go and the truck size.
If you rent a truck from a big company, you’ll probably spend less, but you’ll have to do all the work yourself unless someone helps you out.
Here are a few picks for moving truck rentals in California you can check out.
Budget Truck Rental
Wide range of truck sizes
Real-time online reservation system
Flexible one-way return options
Get Free Estimates
Penske Truck Rental
Unlimited free miles on one-way rentals
24/7 roadside assistance
Over 2,500 convenient locations
Get Free Estimates
Local
Interstate
Container
Rental Truck
How Much Does a Local Moving Company Cost in California?
In California, rates for local movers (moves inside the same area) depend mostly on how big your place is and how far the move goes.
Moves under ~ 50 miles are often billed by the hour. The cost depends on truck size, crew size, and how much stuff you have.
When you move across California (in-state but long distance), many companies treat it like an interstate move, using your items' weight and volume as the basis, rather than hourly rates. Some movers call any move over ~100 miles "long distance," while others use ~400 miles as the cutoff.
Here’s a sample of what you might pay today in California:
| Home Size | Estimated total cost | Hourly rate | Number of movers | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / small apartment | $438 | $165 | 2 movers | 3 hrs |
| 1 bedroom | $608 | $165 | 2 movers | 4 hrs |
| 2 bedroom | $983 | $232 | 3 movers | 5 hrs |
| 3 bedroom | $2,276 | $330 | 4 movers | 8 hrs |
| 4 bedroom | $2,610 | $330 | 4 movers | 9 hrs |
| 5+ bedroom | $4,020 | $462 | 5 movers | 10 hrs |
These numbers are rough; your actual moving quote will depend on distance, labor, and services you add (packing, special items, etc.).
Mayzlin Relocation LLC
Industry-leading trained packing team
Advanced shipment tracking
Personalized moving plans
Allied Van Lines
Licensed and insured movers
Residential and commercial moving
Competitive full-service pricing
Colonial Van Lines
Long-distance experts
Trained professional crews
Full-service moving
How Much Does an Interstate Moving Company Cost in California?
When you plan an out-of-state move from California, the pricing works a bit differently. It’s not based on hourly rates like short local moves. Instead, costs depend on how much your belongings weigh and how far they need to go.
Interstate moves also include more variables, like travel time, fuel prices, insurance, and even the season you move in, all of which can change the total price.
Below are estimated price ranges for popular routes from California.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of California
| Route | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| $2,310 – $5,290 | |
| $3,772 – $6,560 | |
| $3,820 – $7,240 | |
| $3,610 – $6,900 | |
| $3,855 – $6,385 | |
| $3,928 – $6,290 | |
| $3,904 – $6,500 | |
| $4,090 – $7,080 | |
| $3,000 – $5,790 | |
| $3,580 – $6,308 |
United Van Lines
Full-value damage protection
Virtual walkthrough quotes
International over 150+ countries
Safeway Moving Inc
Professionalism
Responsive support team
Convenient rental locations
How Much Do Moving Containers Cost in California?
The price to move with moving containers (like PODS) can vary a lot. It depends on how big the container is and how far it needs to go.
For example, a local move in California using an 8-foot container might cost between $155 and $406, while a 16-foot container could run from $310 to $812.
If you move 100-250 miles, container costs usually range between $238 and $2,068. For cross-country container moves, expect prices in the range $2,015 to $7,395.
We recommend the following moving container companies because they are available in many places and offer multiple container sizes (8, 12, 16 feet). But your move is unique, so get moving container quotes from multiple companies to compare.
PODS Moving and Storage
Convenient container-based moving
Secure weather-resistant storage
Reliable door-to-door delivery
Zippy Shell
Century-long trusted mover
Full packing & storage
Long and international moves
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck in California?
Renting a moving truck in California can be one of the cheaper DIY options, but you’ll be doing most of the work yourself (driving, packing, loading, unloading).
For local moves, expect truck rental prices from $53 to $130 per day (plus mileage).
For long-distance rentals, prices tend to cost between $350 and $5,690 depending on how far you go and the truck size.
If you rent a truck from a big company, you’ll probably spend less, but you’ll have to do all the work yourself unless someone helps you out.
Here are a few picks for moving truck rentals in California you can check out.
Budget Truck Rental
Wide range of truck sizes
Real-time online reservation system
Flexible one-way return options
Penske Truck Rental
Unlimited free miles on one-way rentals
24/7 roadside assistance
Over 2,500 convenient locations
Factors That Affect The Cost Of Your California Move
Every move is different, and so is the price. The cost to hire movers in California depends on what you’re moving, where you’re going, and how much help you need.
Here are a few things that can raise or lower your total:
Want to see where your move fits among moving costs by state? Try our free moving cost calculator to get a better idea of your total.
Simple Ways to Save Money on Your California Move
Here’s how to keep your California relocation cost under control without cutting corners.
- Declutter before packing: The less you move, the less you spend. Go through each room and sell, donate, or toss what you don’t really need. Fewer boxes mean smaller trucks and lower bills.
- Pack what you can yourself: Supplies are cheaper than labor. Handle the easy rooms on your own to save hours of paid time. You can even use a moving box calculator to figure out how many boxes you’ll actually need.
- Compare a few quotes: Don’t stop at the first offer. Collect at least three California moving quotes and see which mover gives real value.
- Move during the week or off-season: Prices go up when demand does. Avoid weekends and peak summer if you can; weekday or off-season moves usually bring better moving rates.
- Ask about deals or bundles: Some companies give discounts when you combine packing and unpacking or pay in cash. It never hurts to ask.
What’s the Cheapest Way to Move in California?
If saving money is your main goal, the cheapest way to move in California is to handle most of it yourself. Renting a truck or a moving container usually costs a lot less than hiring a full-service team, especially for most smaller moves.
Pack your own boxes, borrow what you can, and call in a few friends for the heavy stuff. It’s more work and time, but you’ll likely save a few hundred dollars.
If you still want a little help, hire movers just for packing and unpacking or for loading and unloading. It’s an affordable option that keeps your move easy without raising your cost to move in California too much.
How to Get the Most Accurate California Moving Quote
Getting the most accurate California moving quote comes down to how clear and detailed you are, and how well you compare your options.
Here’s how to make sure your estimate actually reflects what you’ll pay:
Frequently Asked Questions
Most movers in California charge by the hour for local jobs. For long-distance moves, prices are usually based on the total weight of your items and the miles traveled. That’s why your long-distance move cost can vary quite a bit.
Midweek is almost always cheaper. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have lower demand, which means better California moving rates and less traffic for your movers.
Many California moving companies can supply boxes, tape, and wrapping materials for a small extra fee. You can also save a bit by bringing your own supplies or reusing boxes.
Tips aren’t required, but movers definitely appreciate them. A fair range is around 10–20% of your total or about $6–$11 per mover per hour, depending on the service.
Try to book your move in California about 4–6 weeks ahead, especially if you're moving in the summer or at the end of the month. Early booking helps you get better availability and pricing.
