($1,294) Moving From Iowa to California
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to California ranges from $1,189 to $7,563 and takes five-sixteen 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to California separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from California to Iowa guide.
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The best Iowa to California movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to California 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 Iowa to California:
- 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 Iowa movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
| White Glove Movers | Get A Quote |
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4600 Commercial Ave, Marion, IA, 52302 (319) 393-3000 |
Visit our Best Movers in Iowa page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to California?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to California for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,294 - $5,177 | $1,131 - $2,904 | $1,109 - $2,051 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,396 - $7,563 | $2,035 - $4,169 | $1,189 - $2,415 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,378 - $10,861 | $2,754 - $5,551 | $1,529 - $3,171 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,849 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 IA to CA
There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to California 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to California?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to California will cost between $1,294 and $5,177. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to CA will range from $3,396 to $7,563, and a large move from Iowa to California will cost from $6,378 to $10,861.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to California?
Moving containers from Iowa to California will cost you $1,131 to $2,904 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,035 to $4,169. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,754 to $5,551. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Iowa.
How much is a moving truck from Iowa to California?
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
$1,109 to $2,051.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,189 to $2,415,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to California costs from
$1,529 to $3,171.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Iowa to California a good idea?
If you’re moving to California from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Iowa vs. California
| Iowa | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $806 | $1,586 |
| Average home cost | $207,215 | $746,055 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $91,905 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.94% | 8.68% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 97% more expensive in California than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 260% higher in California than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 30% higher in California than in Iowa.
- Cost of living is 12% lower in California than in Iowa.
- California has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 50%.
- Sales taxes are 25% higher in California than in Iowa.
- Income taxes are 202% higher in California than in Iowa.
How does life in California differ from Iowa?
| California | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,029,342 | 3,200,517 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 63-34 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 59ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 22" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 7" | 30" |
| Crime index | 27.88 | 18.7 |
- The population of California is approximately 1,119% greater than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, California voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in California is 87ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, California reaches the temperature of 59ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about twenty-two inches of annual rainfall in California versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In California, it snows about seven inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
- California has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 27.88 vs 18.7.
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. California
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus California side by side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in California |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity | Pleasant weather |
| High quality of education | Abundant recreational options |
| No traffic | High quality of life |
| Beautiful outdoors | Fresh and healthy foods |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. California
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for California.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in California |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | High cost of living |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Heavy tax burdens |
| High taxes | Natural disasters |
| High emphasis on politics | Terrible traffic |
| Rustic food | Strange laws |
What to know before your move to California
- Weather: California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
- 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: California 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 California. 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 cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in California
While you’re in California, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Yosemite National Park
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Disneyland Park
- Big Sur Coastline
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Death Valley National Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Lake Tahoe
- Santa Catalina Island
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Hearst Castle
- Channel Islands National Park
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- The Hollywood Sign
- Lombard Street
- Venice Beach
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Griffith Observatory
- Santa Monica Pier
- Alcatraz Island
- Winchester Mystery House
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Solvang
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Burney Falls
- Anza Borrego Desert State Park
- Bodie State Historic Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to California?
The cheapest way to move from Iowa to California 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 Iowa to California?
The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to California are the amazing upsides of living in California such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or California?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 49% less and home prices 72% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in California?
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 California you live For example, larger cities like Adelanto and Agoura Hills will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
