($1,251) Cost of Moving From Kansas to California

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Kansas to California ranges from $1,050 to $7,113 and takes four–15 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.

Professional
$1,251 – $3,274
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$1,027 – $1,774
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$924 – $1,503
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$887 – $1,685
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from California to Kansas guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best Kansas to California full-service movers

Moving from Kansas to California? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Kansas for your California relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best Kansas to California moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Kansas and drop it off at your new home in California.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best Kansas to California moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Kansas to California, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best Kansas to California labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Kansas to California:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your KS to CA movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 16 Kansas movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from Kansas to California?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Kansas to California for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,251 - $5,037 $1,027 - $2,628 $887 - $1,736
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,140 - $7,113 $1,852 - $3,725 $1,050 - $2,023
4+ bedrooms $5,533 - $9,768 $2,448 - $4,730 $1,246 - $2,602

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,538 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.

Cost to hire movers from Kansas to Californiatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Kansas to California will cost between $1,251 and $5,037. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from KS to CA will range from $3,140 to $7,113, and a large move from Kansas to California will cost from $5,533 to $9,768.

Cost of moving containers from Kansas to Californiatoggle

Moving containers from Kansas to California will cost you $1,027 to $2,628 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,852 to $3,725. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,448 to $4,730. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Kansas.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Kansas to Californiatoggle

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 $887 to $1,736. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,050 to $2,023, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Kansas to California costs from $1,246 to $2,602.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from KS to CA

There are many factors that influence Kansas moving costs. The cost to move from Kansas 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 Kansas 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.

What to know before moving from KS to CA

If you’re moving to California from Kansas, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Kansas vs. California

Kansas California
Average rent cost $986 $1,856
Average home cost $229,012 $771,057
Average income (per capita) $69,747 $91,905
Cost of Living Index 87 134
Unemployment rate 3.4% 5.4%
Average Sales Tax 8.65% 8.68%
State Income Tax 5.7% 13.3%
  • Rent is about 88% more expensive in California than in Kansas.
  • Home prices are about 237% higher in California than in Kansas.
  • The average income is about 32% higher in California than in Kansas.
  • Cost of living is 54% lower in California than in Kansas.
  • California has a higher unemployment rate than Kansas by about 59%.
  • Sales taxes are the same in California and Kansas.
  • Income taxes are 133% higher in California than in Kansas.

How life is different in California vs. Kansas

California Kansas
Population 39,029,342 2,940,546
Political leaning Democratic 59-41 Republican 57.1%-41.1
Summer high 87ºF 91ºF
Winter low 59ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 22" 33"
Annual snow 7" 15"
Crime index 28.43 24.07
  • The population of California is approximately 1,227% greater than the population of Kansas.
  • In the last presidential election, California voted Democratic and Kansas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in California is 87ºF and in Kansas, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, California reaches the temperature of 59ºF and Kansas gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 22 inches of annual rainfall in California versus 33 inches of rainfall in Kansas.
  • In California, it snows about 7 inches annually versus 15 inches of snow in Kansas.
  • California has a higher crime rate than Kansas with a crime index of 28.43 vs. 24.07.

Comparing the pros of Kansas vs. California

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in California compared to Kansas.

Pros of living in Kansas Pros of living in California
Delicious barbecue Ample economic opportunity
Low cost housing Pleasant weather
Cheap living Abundant recreational options
Four season living High quality of life
Ample economic opportunity Fresh and healthy foods

Comparing the cons of living in Kansas vs. California

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Kansas for California.

Cons of living in Kansas Cons of living in California
Extreme weather High cost of living
Dull landscape Heavy tax burdens
High taxes Natural disasters
Lack of public transportation Terrible traffic
Remote small-town lifestyle Strange laws

Other things to consider for your Kansas to California movetoggle

  • 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 Californiatoggle

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 Kansas to California?toggle

Hiring a full-service Kansas moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Kansas to California?toggle

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 Kansas to California separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Kansas to California?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Kansas to California are the amazing upsides of living in California such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or California?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Kansas than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Kansas, with average rent about 47% less and home prices 70% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Kansas, 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 California?toggle

You should make approximately $73,978 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in California. The cost of living in California is approximately $2,329 per month for an individual and $6,232 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 Los Angeles and San Diego will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources