($1,542) Movers From Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY

What to know before moving from Los Angeles to New York City

Moving from Los Angeles to New York City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New York City is generally more expensive than Los Angeles, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New York City are 47% higher than in Los Angeles, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in New York City.
  Home prices in New York City are 68.2% lower than in Los Angeles.
• Income in New York City is 4.1% higher than in Los Angeles, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in New York City, since the cost of living for a single person in New York City is 44.9% higher than in Los Angeles. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 63.7% higher than in Los Angeles.
• The unemployment rate in New York City is 5.66% higher than in Los Angeles.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the city’s sales taxes in New York City are 15.79% lower than in Los Angeles.
• One perk of moving to New York City is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.05% lower than in Los Angeles.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,347.02 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How life is different in Los Angeles vs. New York City

• The population of New York City is about 116% greater than Los Angeles, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New York City offers better access to buses and trains than Los Angeles, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 8 in Los Angeles. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New York City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Los Angeles. New York City is considered more walkable than Los Angeles, with a score of 88 out of 100 versus 69 out of 100 in Los Angeles. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New York City is considered more bike-friendly than Los Angeles in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, while Los Angeles is rated as 59 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in New York City as Los Angeles. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• New York City is generally as safe as Los Angeles, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• You can breathe easy knowing that New York City has better air quality than in Los Angeles. New York City has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Los Angeles. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Los Angeles vs. New York City move

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New York City. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in New York City

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Big Apple", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in New York City.

Helpful moving resources