($1,312) Moving From California to Virginia
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Virginia ranges from $1,586 to $7,593 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 Virginia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Virginia to California guide.
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The best California to Virginia movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Virginia 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 Virginia:
- 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 Virginia?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Virginia for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,312 - $5,476 | $1,372 - $3,383 | $1,522 - $2,920 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,768 - $7,593 | $2,388 - $4,728 | $1,586 - $3,510 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,370 - $11,639 | $3,126 - $7,115 | $1,904 - $4,307 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,647 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 VA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Virginia 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 Virginia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Virginia will cost between $1,312 and $5,476. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to VA will range from $3,768 to $7,593, and a large move from California to Virginia will cost from $7,370 to $11,639.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Virginia?
Moving containers from California to Virginia will cost you $1,372 to $3,383 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,388 to $4,728. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,126 to $7,115. 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 Virginia?
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
$1,522 to $2,920.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,586 to $3,510,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Virginia costs from
$1,904 to $4,307.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Virginia a good idea?
If you’re moving to Virginia from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Virginia
| California | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,440 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $392,682 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $87,249 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 0 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 5.73% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 22% less expensive in Virginia than in California.
- Home prices are about 49% lower in Virginia than in California.
- The average income is about 5% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Cost of living is 100% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 46%.
- Sales taxes are 34% lower in Virginia than in California.
- Income taxes are 57% lower in Virginia than in California.
How does life in Virginia differ from California?
| Virginia | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,715,698 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 52-48 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 25ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 14" | 7" |
| Crime index | 19.3 | 28.43 |
- The population of Virginia is approximately 78% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Virginia, it snows about fourteen inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Virginia has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 19.3.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Virginia
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Virginia side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Virginia |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Strong economy |
| Pleasant weather | Beautiful scenery |
| Abundant recreational options | Abundance of outdoor activities |
| High quality of life | Enjoyable four season weather |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Strong military presence |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Virginia
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 Virginia.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Virginia |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High cost of living |
| Heavy tax burdens | Unpredictable weather |
| Natural disasters | Bad traffic congestion |
| Terrible traffic | Lack of public transportation |
| Strange laws | Air noise pollution |
What to know before your move to Virginia
- Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
- 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 addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Virginia 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Virginia
While you’re in Virginia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Virginia Beach
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Busch Gardens
- The Natural Bridge
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
- Richmond Canal Walk
- Luray Caverns
- Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Historic Jamestowne
- Maymont Park
- Nauticus
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Military Aviation Museum
- Virginia State Capitol
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Virginia?
The cheapest way to move from California to Virginia 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 Virginia?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as strong economy and beautiful scenery.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Virginia?
It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Virginia, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 49.1% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Virginia, 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia you live For example, larger cities like Alexandria and Annandale will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
