Moving to California: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to California, you’re not alone. The Golden State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about California, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to California to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in California
Like any big move, relocating to California comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Golden State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in CA
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Pleasant weather
- ✓Abundant recreational options
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Fresh and healthy foods
Cons of living in CA
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Heavy tax burdens
- ✖Natural disasters
- ✖Terrible traffic
- ✖Strange laws
Things to do in California
Whether you’re moving to California work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, California has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in California
- Yosemite National Park
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Disneyland Park
- Big Sur Coastline
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Death Valley National Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Lake Tahoe
- Santa Catalina Island
- Redwood National and State Parks
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
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
Fun facts about California
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about California, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The first motion picture theater was opened in Los Angeles on April 02, 1902.
- During the late 1960s, the first workable internet prototype through the U.S. Department of Defense came into realization at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where ARPANET played a role in delivering communication between computers. Since then, technology continues to grow.
- The world’s oldest male bodybuilder Jim Arrington is from Venice, California. He was born in 1932 and has been bodybuilding for the past 70 years.
- The jeans originated from Southern Europe and landed first in the United States through San Francisco, California.
- Gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill by James W. Marshall.
- Almost 5 million tourists were visiting California every year by the late 1990s and the travel and tourism industry generated approximately $75 billion annually. California is the number one travel destination in the U.S.
- California is also the birthplace of semiconductors and the Internet, which brought the digital revolution in the world.
- Pauline Potter from Sacramento, California is the world’s heaviest woman alive. She weighed 643 lbs at the time of setting this world record.
- California has the largest economy of any US state.
California population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to California, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Golden State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in California, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Population | 39,029,342 |
| Female | 50.1% |
| Male | 49.9% |
| College graduation rate | 36.19% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 59-41 |
| Crime index | 28.43 |
California weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether California is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if California aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 22″ |
| Annual snow | 7″ |
Income and cost of living in California
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in California.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in California and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($504 billion)
- Professional and business services ($397.3 billion)
- Manufacturing ($320.7 billion)
- Information ($287.8 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($218.3 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($158.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($155.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($153.4 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($130 billion)
- Construction ($111.3 billion)
| Metric | California |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 |
| Cost of living index* | 134 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 13.3% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in California
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what California has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools 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
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to California
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Golden State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to CA
- Arkansas to CA
- Arizona to CA
- Colorado to CA
- Connecticut to CA
- Delaware to CA
- Florida to CA
- Georgia to CA
- Iowa to CA
- Idaho to CA
- Illinois to CA
- Indiana to CA
- Kansas to CA
- Kentucky to CA
- Louisiana to CA
- Massachusetts to CA
- Maryland to CA
- Maine to CA
- Michigan to CA
- Minnesota to CA
- Missouri to CA
- Mississippi to CA
- Montana to CA
- North Carolina to CA
- North Dakota to CA
- Nebraska to CA
- New Hampshire to CA
- New Jersey to CA
- New Mexico to CA
- Nevada to CA
- New York to CA
- Ohio to CA
- Oklahoma to CA
- Oregon to CA
- Pennsylvania to CA
- Rhode Island to CA
- South Carolina to CA
- South Dakota to CA
- Tennessee to CA
- Texas to CA
- Utah to CA
- Virginia to CA
- Vermont to CA
- Washington to CA
- Wisconsin to CA
- West Virginia to CA
- Wyoming to CA
Cost of moving to California
Before you take the leap to California, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to California
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to California.
California car insurance requirements
California drivers license requirements
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