($1,203) Moving From California to Arizona
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Arizona ranges from $555 to $5,397 and takes one-six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Arizona separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Arizona to California guide.
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The best California to Arizona movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Arizona is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Arizona:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Arizona?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Arizona for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,203 - $3,716 | $736 - $1,785 | $514 - $1,005 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,324 - $5,397 | $1,340 - $2,731 | $555 - $1,101 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,785 - $7,733 | $1,866 - $3,552 | $736 - $1,418 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 736 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to AZ
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Arizona will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Arizona?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Arizona will cost between $1,203 and $3,716. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to AZ will range from $2,324 to $5,397, and a large move from California to Arizona will cost from $3,785 to $7,733.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Arizona?
Moving containers from California to Arizona will cost you $736 to $1,785 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,340 to $2,731. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,866 to $3,552. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Arizona?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$514 to $1,005.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$555 to $1,101,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Arizona costs from
$736 to $1,418.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Arizona a good idea?
If you’re moving to Arizona from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Arizona
| California | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,308 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $428,711 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $72,581 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 107 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 8.4% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 2.5% |
- Rent is about 30% less expensive in Arizona than in California.
- Home prices are about 44% lower in Arizona than in California.
- The average income is about 21% lower in Arizona than in California.
- Cost of living is 20% lower in Arizona than in California.
- Arizona has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 33%.
- Sales taxes are 3% lower in Arizona than in California.
- Income taxes are 81% lower in Arizona than in California.
How does life in Arizona differ from California?
| Arizona | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,431,344 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 56-44 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 99ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 34ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 12" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 6" | 7" |
| Crime index | 24.89 | 28.43 |
- The population of Arizona is approximately 81% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Arizona voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Arizona is 99ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Arizona reaches the temperature of 34ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about twelve inches of annual rainfall in Arizona versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Arizona, it snows about six inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Arizona has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 24.89.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Arizona
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Arizona side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Arizona |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Pleasant weather |
| Abundant recreational options | Abundant recreational opportunities |
| High quality of life | Cultural diversity |
| Fresh and healthy foods | No traffic |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Arizona
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Arizona.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Arizona |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Extreme weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Barren desert land |
| Natural disasters | Health hazards |
| Terrible traffic | Limited public transportation |
| Strange laws | No winter |
What to know before your move to Arizona
- Weather: Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Arizona 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Arizona. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Arizona
While you’re in Arizona, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Grand Canyon
- Sedona
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Hoover Dam
- Phoenix Zoo
- Havasu Falls
- Saguaro National Park
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
- Arizona Science Center
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- London Bridge
- Horseshoe Bend
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Heard Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Arizona?
The cheapest way to move from California to Arizona is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Arizona?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Arizona are the amazing upsides of living in Arizona such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Arizona?
It is generally cheaper to live in Arizona than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Arizona, with average rent about 30% less and home prices 44.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Arizona, most notably income taxes, which are more than 80% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arizona?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Arizona you live For example, larger cities like Anthem and Apache Junction will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
