($1,134) Moving From California to Idaho
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Idaho ranges from $680 to $5,890 and takes two-seven 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 Idaho separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Idaho to California guide.
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The best California to Idaho movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Idaho 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 Idaho:
- 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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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| 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 Idaho?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Idaho for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,134 - $4,276 | $801 - $1,909 | $611 - $1,179 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,470 - $5,890 | $1,424 - $2,736 | $680 - $1,388 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,004 - $8,066 | $1,821 - $3,548 | $861 - $1,619 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 909 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 ID
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Idaho 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 Idaho?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Idaho will cost between $1,134 and $4,276. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to ID will range from $2,470 to $5,890, and a large move from California to Idaho will cost from $4,004 to $8,066.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Idaho?
Moving containers from California to Idaho will cost you $801 to $1,909 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,424 to $2,736. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,821 to $3,548. 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 Idaho?
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
$611 to $1,179.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$680 to $1,388,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Idaho costs from
$861 to $1,619.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Idaho a good idea?
If you’re moving to Idaho from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Idaho
| California | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,061 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $451,520 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $70,214 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 106 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.03% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.8% |
- Rent is about 43% less expensive in Idaho than in California.
- Home prices are about 41% lower in Idaho than in California.
- The average income is about 24% lower in Idaho than in California.
- Cost of living is 21% lower in Idaho than in California.
- Idaho has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 31%.
- Sales taxes are 31% lower in Idaho than in California.
- Income taxes are 56% lower in Idaho than in California.
How does life in Idaho differ from California?
| Idaho | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,964,726 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 70-30 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 85ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 18" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 47" | 7" |
| Crime index | 11.68 | 28.43 |
- The population of Idaho is approximately 95% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Idaho voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Idaho is 85ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Idaho reaches the temperature of 17ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about eighteen inches of annual rainfall in Idaho versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Idaho, it snows about forty-seven inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Idaho has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 11.68.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Idaho
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Idaho side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Idaho |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Low cost of living |
| Abundant recreational options | High quality of life |
| High quality of life | Beautiful landscapes |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Idaho
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 Idaho.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Idaho |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Low diversity |
| Heavy tax burdens | Harsh winters |
| Natural disasters | Political dominance |
| Terrible traffic | Isolation |
| Strange laws | Competitive housing |
What to know before your move to Idaho
- Weather: The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
- 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: In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department. In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Idaho moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Idaho 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 Idaho. 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 cost-free Released Value Protection for minimal coverage, provided by movers at no extra charge. With liability capped at 60 cents per pound per article, consider alternative coverage options from your selected moving company or explore third-party insurance for full value protection.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Idaho
While you’re in Idaho, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
- 2: Sun Valley
- 3: Shoshone Falls
- 4: Yellowstone National Park
- 5: Snake River Adventures
- 6: Coeur d'Alene
- 7: Idaho Falls
- 8: Bruneau Dunes State Park
- 9: Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
- 10: Museum of Idaho
- 11: Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- 12: Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site
- 13: Lava Hot Springs
- 14: Silverwood Theme Park
- 15: Boise River Greenbelt
- 16: Idaho Botanical Garden
- 17: City of Rocks National Reserve
- 18: Yellowstone Bear World
- 19: Zoo Boise
- 20: Idaho Potato Museum & Potato Station Café
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Idaho?
The cheapest way to move from California to Idaho 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 Idaho?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Idaho are the amazing upsides of living in Idaho such as ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Idaho?
It is generally cheaper to live in Idaho than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Idaho, with average rent about 43% less and home prices 41.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Idaho, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Idaho?
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 Idaho you live For example, larger cities like Ammon and Blackfoot will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
