($1,215) Moving From California to West Virginia
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to West Virginia ranges from $1,471 to $7,451 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 West Virginia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from West Virginia to California guide.
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The best California to West Virginia movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to West 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 West 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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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 West Virginia?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to West Virginia for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,215 - $5,141 | $1,300 - $3,202 | $1,401 - $2,712 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,695 - $7,451 | $2,379 - $4,657 | $1,471 - $3,357 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,807 - $11,416 | $3,211 - $6,333 | $1,993 - $4,159 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,544 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 WV
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to West 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 West Virginia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to West Virginia will cost between $1,215 and $5,141. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to WV will range from $3,695 to $7,451, and a large move from California to West Virginia will cost from $6,807 to $11,416.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to West Virginia?
Moving containers from California to West Virginia will cost you $1,300 to $3,202 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,379 to $4,657. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,211 to $6,333. 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 West 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
$1,401 to $2,712.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,471 to $3,357,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to West Virginia costs from
$1,993 to $4,159.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to West Virginia a good idea?
If you’re moving to West Virginia from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. West Virginia
| California | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $899 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $168,172 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $55,217 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 6.5% |
- Rent is about 52% less expensive in West Virginia than in California.
- Home prices are about 78% lower in West Virginia than in California.
- The average income is about 40% lower in West Virginia than in California.
- Cost of living is 33% lower in West Virginia than in California.
- West Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 22%.
- Sales taxes are 31% lower in West Virginia than in California.
- Income taxes are 51% lower in West Virginia than in California.
How does life in West Virginia differ from California?
| West Virginia | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,782,959 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 69-30 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 83ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 21ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 45" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 33" | 7" |
| Crime index | 17.47 | 28.43 |
- The population of West Virginia is approximately 95% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, West Virginia voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in West Virginia is 83ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, West Virginia reaches the temperature of 21ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about forty-five inches of annual rainfall in West Virginia versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In West Virginia, it snows about thirty-three inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- West Virginia has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 17.47.
Comparing the pros of California vs. West 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 West Virginia side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Low cost of living |
| Pleasant weather | Abundant outdoor activities |
| Abundant recreational options | 4 distinct seasons of weather |
| High quality of life | Immense natural beauty |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Relaxed small cities and towns |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. West 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 West Virginia.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in West Virginia |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Dismal economy |
| Heavy tax burdens | High rates of crime |
| Natural disasters | High rates of drug abuse |
| Terrible traffic | Shrinking population |
| Strange laws | Lack of diversity |
What to know before your move to West Virginia
- Weather: West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.
- 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 the Mountaineer State, the state’s Public Service Commission oversees local and intrastate movers. The commission strives to support and promote the interests of both businesses and consumers, and those interested in hiring an in-state mover can browse the Commission’s Regulated Motor Carrier Database to verify that they’re reputable businesses in good standing. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a West Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: West 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 West 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. When relocating in West Virginia, prioritize movers' insurance for comprehensive coverage. Many movers provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection by exploring Full Value Protection options with the moving company or considering tailored plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your West Virginia state moving insurance, ensuring a secure and stress-free relocation experience.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in West Virginia
While you’re in West Virginia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Snowshoe Mountain
- West Virginia State Penitentiary
- Seneca Caverns
- New River Gorge Bridge
- West Virginia State Capitol
- Summersville Lake
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- Stonewall Jackson Lake Resort
- Blackwater Falls State Park
- Seneca Rocks State Park
- The Greenbrier
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
- Monongahela National Forest
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Hawks Nest State Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Green Bank Observatory
- Mothman Museum
- Charleston Capitol Market
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to West Virginia?
The cheapest way to move from California to West 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 West Virginia?
The main reasons people are moving from California to West Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in West Virginia such as low cost of living and abundant outdoor activities.
Is it cheaper to live in California or West Virginia?
It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in California. Housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 52% less and home prices 78.2% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in West 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 West Virginia?
You should make approximately $29,126 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $933 per month for an individual and $2,135 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in West Virginia you live For example, larger cities like Beckley and Charleston will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
