($1,359) Moving From California to Maryland
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Maryland ranges from $1,699 to $7,672 and takes seven-twenty-one 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 Maryland separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Maryland to California guide.
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The best California to Maryland movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Maryland 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 Maryland:
- 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 Maryland?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Maryland for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,359 - $5,288 | $1,338 - $3,438 | $1,477 - $3,071 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,055 - $7,672 | $2,596 - $5,215 | $1,699 - $3,374 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,703 - $12,131 | $3,274 - $6,903 | $2,043 - $4,488 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,779 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 MD
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Maryland 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 Maryland?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Maryland will cost between $1,359 and $5,288. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to MD will range from $4,055 to $7,672, and a large move from California to Maryland will cost from $7,703 to $12,131.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Maryland?
Moving containers from California to Maryland will cost you $1,338 to $3,438 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,596 to $5,215. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,274 to $6,903. 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 Maryland?
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
$1,477 to $3,071.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,699 to $3,374,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Maryland costs from
$2,043 to $4,488.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Maryland a good idea?
If you’re moving to Maryland from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Maryland
| California | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,598 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $418,438 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $98,461 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.0% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 14% less expensive in Maryland than in California.
- Home prices are about 46% lower in Maryland than in California.
- The average income is about 7% higher in Maryland than in California.
- Cost of living is 25% lower in Maryland than in California.
- Maryland has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 44%.
- Sales taxes are 31% lower in Maryland than in California.
- Income taxes are 57% lower in Maryland than in California.
How does life in Maryland differ from California?
| Maryland | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,180,253 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 63-34.4 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 25ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 19" | 7" |
| Crime index | 20.34 | 28.43 |
- The population of Maryland is approximately 84% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Maryland voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Maryland is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Maryland reaches the temperature of 25ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Maryland versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Maryland, it snows about nineteen inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Maryland has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 20.34.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Maryland
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Maryland side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Maryland |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Delicious food |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | Diverse outdoor activities |
| High quality of life | Beautiful coastline |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Rich history |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Maryland
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 Maryland.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Maryland |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High cost of living |
| Heavy tax burdens | Bad traffic |
| Natural disasters | High crime |
| Terrible traffic | High homelessness |
| Strange laws | Peculiar alcohol laws |
What to know before your move to Maryland
- Weather: Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Maryland 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 Maryland. 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. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore 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 Maryland
While you’re in Maryland, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Baltimore Inner Harbor
- 2: Deep Creek Lake Area
- 3: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 4: Ocean City Boardwalk
- 5: Six Flags America
- 6: Assateague State Park
- 7: Brookside Gardens
- 8: Fort McHenry National Monument
- 9: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
- 10: Strathmore Music Center
- 11: National Aquarium
- 12: The Walters Art Museum
- 13: Antietam National Battlefield
- 14: Swallow Falls State Park
- 15: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
- 16: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
- 17: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- 18: American Visionary Art Museum
- 19: Port Discovery Children's Museum
- 20: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Maryland?
The cheapest way to move from California to Maryland 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 Maryland?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Maryland are the amazing upsides of living in Maryland such as delicious food and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Maryland?
It is generally cheaper to live in Maryland than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Maryland, with average rent about 14% less and home prices 45.7% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Maryland, 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 Maryland?
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 Maryland you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Accokeek will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
