($1,198) Moving From California to Montana
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Montana ranges from $926 to $6,888 and takes three-eight 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 Montana separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Montana to California guide.
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The best California to Montana movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Montana 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 Montana:
- 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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4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722 (559) 785-0316 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
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8362 Galena Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95828 (916) 596-9374 |
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 Montana?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Montana for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,198 - $4,990 | $946 - $2,320 | $815 - $1,509 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,857 - $6,888 | $1,710 - $3,619 | $926 - $1,832 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,929 - $9,182 | $2,366 - $4,624 | $1,142 - $2,213 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,306 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 MT
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Montana 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 Montana?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Montana will cost between $1,198 and $4,990. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to MT will range from $2,857 to $6,888, and a large move from California to Montana will cost from $4,929 to $9,182.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Montana?
Moving containers from California to Montana will cost you $946 to $2,320 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,710 to $3,619. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,366 to $4,624. 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 Montana?
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
$815 to $1,509.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$926 to $1,832,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Montana costs from
$1,142 to $2,213.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Montana a good idea?
If you’re moving to Montana from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Montana
| California | Montana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,586 | $836 |
| Average home cost | $746,055 | $446,483 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $66,341 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 2.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 0.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 6.75% |
- Rent is about 47% less expensive in Montana than in California.
- Home prices are about 40% lower in Montana than in California.
- The average income is about 28% lower in Montana than in California.
- Cost of living is about the same in Montana and California.
- Montana has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 42%.
- Sales taxes are 100% lower in Montana than in California.
- Income taxes are 49% lower in Montana than in California.
How does life in Montana differ from California?
| Montana | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,122,867 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 57-41 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 12ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 15" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 49" | 7" |
| Crime index | 26.29 | 27.88 |
- The population of Montana is approximately 97% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Montana voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Montana is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Montana reaches the temperature of 12ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about fifteen inches of annual rainfall in Montana versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Montana, it snows about forty-nine inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Montana has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 26.29.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Montana
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Montana side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Montana |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Unmatched natural beauty |
| Pleasant weather | Bountiful outdoor opportunities |
| Abundant recreational options | Ample economic opportunity |
| High quality of life | Delicious unique cuisine |
| Fresh and healthy foods | No traffic |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Montana
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 Montana.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Montana |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Dangerous wildlife |
| Heavy tax burdens | Remote lifestyle |
| Natural disasters | Touristy |
| Terrible traffic | Lacking in urban amenities |
| Strange laws | Challenging weather |
What to know before your move to Montana
- Weather: Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
- 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 Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Montana moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Montana 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 Montana. 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. Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Montana
While you’re in Montana, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Lewis & Clark Trail
- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
- Museum of the Rockies
- Lake McDonald
- Montana Historical Society Museum
- Montana State Capitol
- The C.M. Russell Museum Complex
- Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
- The World Museum of Mining
- Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- The Moss Mansion
- Big Sky Resort
- ZooMontana
- Conrad Mansion Museum
- Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum
- Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
- Ringing Rocks
- American Computer & Robotics Museum
- Whitefish Mountain Resort
- Big Hole National Battlefield
- Western Heritage Centre
- Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Montana?
The cheapest way to move from California to Montana 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 Montana?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Montana are the amazing upsides of living in Montana such as unmatched natural beauty and bountiful outdoor opportunities.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Montana?
It is generally cheaper to live in Montana than in California. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in Montana, with average rent about 47% less and home prices 40.2% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Montana, most notably income taxes, which are more than 40% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Montana?
You should make approximately $30,978 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $703 per month for an individual and $1,592 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Montana you live For example, larger cities like Belgrade and Billings will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
