($1,161) Moving From California to Washington
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Washington ranges from $715 to $6,026 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 Washington separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Washington to California guide.
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The best California to Washington movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Washington 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 Washington:
- 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 Washington?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Washington for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,161 - $4,713 | $793 - $1,930 | $636 - $1,252 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,519 - $6,026 | $1,481 - $2,969 | $715 - $1,361 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,207 - $7,680 | $1,898 - $3,786 | $853 - $1,672 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 954 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 WA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Washington 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 Washington?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Washington will cost between $1,161 and $4,713. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to WA will range from $2,519 to $6,026, and a large move from California to Washington will cost from $4,207 to $7,680.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Washington?
Moving containers from California to Washington will cost you $793 to $1,930 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,481 to $2,969. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,898 to $3,786. 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 Washington?
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
$636 to $1,252.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$715 to $1,361,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Washington costs from
$853 to $1,672.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Washington a good idea?
If you’re moving to Washington from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Washington
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,900 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $588,856 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $90,325 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 115 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.5% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 2% more expensive in Washington than in California.
- Home prices are about 24% lower in Washington than in California.
- The average income is about 2% lower in Washington than in California.
- Cost of living is 14% lower in Washington than in California.
- Washington has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 11%.
- Sales taxes are 25% lower in Washington than in California.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Washington than in California.
How does life in Washington differ from California?
| Washington | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,812,880 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 31ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 18" | 7" |
| Crime index | 37.32 | 28.43 |
- The population of Washington is approximately 80% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Washington voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Washington is 79ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Washington reaches the temperature of 31ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-eight inches of annual rainfall in Washington versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Washington, it snows about eighteen inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Washington has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 37.32 vs 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Washington
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Washington side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Beautiful landscapes |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | High quality of life |
| High quality of life | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Delicious seafood |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Washington
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 Washington.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Washington |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Constant rain |
| Heavy tax burdens | Bad traffic |
| Natural disasters | High cost of living |
| Terrible traffic | High crime rate |
| Strange laws | Natural disasters |
What to know before your move to Washington
- Weather: Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
- 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Washington 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 Washington. 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. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Washington
While you’re in Washington, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Space Needle and Seattle Center
- Pike Place Market
- The Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Lake Chelan
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Leavenworth
- Museum of Glass
- Washington State Capitol Building
- Bellingham
- Puget Sound
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Spokane Riverfront Park
- Deception Pass State Park
- Washington State Ferries
- Port Angeles
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Washington?
The cheapest way to move from California to Washington 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 Washington?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Washington are the amazing upsides of living in Washington such as beautiful landscapes and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Washington?
It is generally cheaper to live in Washington than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Washington, with average rent about 2% less and home prices 23.6% lower than in California. Washington has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Washington?
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 Washington you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Airway Heights will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
