California’s numerous job opportunities in finance, manufacturing and information technology, plus its diverse landscape and unique climate zones, attract thousands of new residents each year. More than 31,000 residents moved from New York to California in 2022 despite the West Coast state’s slightly higher cost of living, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
When planning the roughly 3,000-mile move, hiring the best interstate moving company for the job will be a top priority. We recommend starting your move to the Golden State with a quote from International Van Lines. This nationwide broker has an office in New York City that offers comprehensive long-distance moving packages with high customer ratings on Google Reviews.
We’ve done the research to help you navigate the quote process and select the best interstate provider for a full-service coast-to-coast move. All moving companies we reviewed scored highly on our proprietary rating scale based on coverage area, services offered, customer ratings and more.
How much does it cost to move from New York to California?
Actual moving costs from New York to California can vary based on several factors; however, our November 2023 survey of 900 moving clients showed that the 35 respondents who moved between 2,500 and 3,000 miles paid $13,840 on average. This cost was averaged from relocations of all sizes, from studio apartments to four-bedroom homes.
We’ve also received long-distance moving quotes from 10 top national moving companies. According to these quotes, a 2,900-mile, three-bedroom move costs an average of $11,680 with no packing services included. Full-service packing would increase the overall average cost to $13,820.
Your overall move distance and shipment weight primarily determine long-distance moving costs. Other factors, such as the season and add-on services, will also affect the cost. For cross-country and long-distance moves, you may want to add vehicle shipping services and purchase full-value contents coverage for lost or damaged items.
How do you choose the best moving company?
If you’re wondering where to start or what to ask your movers during the quote process, we’ve got you covered. The guide below provides a solid knowledge base before you hire professional movers.
Determine the services you need
When you call movers for quotes, be ready to communicate the specific services you’ll need. Add-ons to basic service (loading, transportation and unloading) can substantially increase your overall cost but make your move easier.
To determine the services you’ll need, conduct a walk-through of your home and note everything you plan to take with you and anything you want to throw out.
The following are common add-on services movers offer:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Crating for antiques, fine arts and fragile items
- Vehicle shipping
- Short- and long-term storage
- Debris or junk removal
- Packing supplies
Confirm the movers are properly licensed
All moving companies are required to maintain proper licensing to operate. Registration status is often listed on a moving company’s contracts and moving trucks. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) licenses movers operating in New York.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates movers offering interstate service. This governing body requires movers to carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to check a mover’s registration status before you book.
Consider the cost and get multiple quotes
Begin the quote-gathering process at least six weeks in advance, especially for a move of this scope. The average cost figures above are a good baseline, but your actual pricing will depend on your total shipment weight and inventory.
We recommend getting at least three in-person or video call quotes to help ensure the accuracy of any price range you’re given. Set aside at least an hour for each professional moving quote you receive.
Read customer reviews
Customer reviews are your best resource when evaluating moving companies. Read numerous reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and social media to get the most comprehensive picture of any mover you consider.
Decide whether you need additional insurance
All movers must provide a baseline level of coverage for your belongings in case of loss or damage during a move. This minimum coverage is called released-value protection, which offers 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursem*nt for affected items.
Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection, which offers $6 per pound per item in reimbursem*nt at an additional cost. Your price for this coverage is a low percentage of your shipment’s total declared dollar value. In most cases, items of extraordinary value (greater than $100 per pound) must be declared on a separate form but can still be covered.
Best moving companies to move from New York to California
Each moving company below scored well on our rigorous grading and evaluation scale. Our rating methodology for moving companies considers all aspects of the customer experience. We’ve assigned each provider a score out of 5 based on factors such as services offered, pricing practices and customer review scores.
The following are the top providers for a move from New York to California:
Rating:
4.6/5
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International Van Lines
4.6
USDOT Number : 2293832 Coverage : Excellent BBB Rating : A
Our Thoughts
International Van Lines (IVL) is a moving broker and carrier with a location in New York City that directly handles interstate relocations from this state. It offers a full suite of basic and additional services and clearly lists the estimated rates for each service online.
What we like
This mover offers nearly unmatched access to interstate and international moving services. With broker partners spread across all 50 states and 140 countries, it operates one of the largest moving networks in the U.S.
What we don’t like
Some negative reviews for IVL report increased prices after the quote phase, along with poor service by broker partners. When you book with this mover, ask which moving carrier will handle your move and do your own research about them.
Services
This broker and carrier’s service range will vary depending on the partner company you book your move with. However, IVL and its partner companies can typically provide the following:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Vehicle shipping
- Packing supplies
- Crating for antiques and fragile items
- Short- and long-term storage
- 30 days of free storage with long-distance moves
Cost
We called IVL and got a ballpark estimate for a three-bedroom, 2,900-mile move. Our move coordinator took about 20 minutes to collect basic information about our inventory and gave us a baseline rate of $12,964. Full-service packing would increase this rate to $14,600. A deposit of 20% to 25% of this amount would be due upfront.
IVL accepts credit cards, cashier’s checks, money orders, cash and business checks for payment.
Customer thoughts
This carrier and broker’s New York branch has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Communication and professionalism were among the main points of praise we saw in this provider’s reviews, including Brandon’s, which cited a move that was “easy and stress free.” Negative reviews mention price increases on moving day, but these do not mention whether inventory was added after the initial quote.
Mayflower
4.5
USDOT Number : 125563 BBB Rating : A+
Our Thoughts
Mayflower is a nationwide moving company that services long-distance relocations as a carrier and broker. It provides dedicated office and home theater breakdown and installation services, ideal for customers with more complex moving needs.
What we like
This provider’s quotes initially include valuation coverage for your belongings. It also offers a dedicated solution for small moves called Snapmoves. This service plan offers expedited moving services for two-bedroom homes and smaller residences, including all add-ons at a bottom-line price.
What we don’t like
Mayflower sometimes operates as a broker, which leads to varied service quality in different locations. When you call Mayflower for a quote, we recommend asking your move coordinator if a broker partner will handle your move.
Services
Mayflower offers a full range of local and long-distance moves, with commercial and residential packages available. Services may include the following:
- Packing and unpacking
- Assembly and disassembly
- Short- and long-term storage
- Home theater and office moving
- Piano moving
- Snapmoves service plans
Cost
We contacted Mayflower for a quote for a three-bedroom, 2,900-mile relocation. Our move coordinator spent about five minutes on the phone with us and yielded a ballpark estimate. This $11,600–$12,900 range accounted for the potential addition of packing and other add-ons, but our representative mentioned that we should book an in-home consultation for an accurate rate.
Customer thoughts
Read reviews for this mover’s local affiliates in your area to get an accurate picture of its quality. New York City’s local Mayflower agent is Freedom Moving & Storage, which has 5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Jhoanna’s review mentions excellent experiences with the booking staff and moving crew assigned for interstate service.
Allied Van Lines
4.6
USDOT Number : 76235 Coverage : 50 states BBB Rating : A+
Our Thoughts
Allied Van Lines is a nationwide carrier with more than 300 locations spread throughout the United States. It offers comprehensive service for both residential and commercial long-distance clients.
What we like
This mover’s breadth of locations enables it to offer moving packages to customers in all 50 states. This includes Allied Express packages, which provide moving assistance for small moves at all-inclusive rates. If you have a two-bedroom or smaller home and need interstate service, we recommend asking your move coordinator about this service.
What we don’t like
Allied has poor BBB reviews, many of which cite inflated costs after quote day. To mitigate this risk, we recommend scheduling a thorough in-home survey of your belongings and getting a written copy of your estimate and moving contract. Keep these on hand through the end of your move.
Services
This carrier offers a comprehensive range of basic and add-on services, which can include the following:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Junk removal
- Crating for antiques
- Piano moving
- Short- and long-term storage
Cost
We called Allied for a ballpark quote for a three-bedroom, 2,900-mile relocation. A company representative spent 20 minutes on the phone with us and took down our full inventory. They gave us a quote of $12,175 for this move, with full-service packing for a home of this size costing $2,500 more.
Customer thoughts
Allied operates several locations throughout Northern New Jersey and Long Island that service interstate relocation needs for customers in New York state. This includes a Bound Brook, New Jersey, branch with 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Rayna mentioned timely service and care during her move — as did many other customers.
Why should you move from New York to California?
People are moving to California again — its population grew by 67,000 residents in 2023 after three years of decline. While several regions within the Golden State see their fair share of snow and wintery conditions, those who make the move from New York often seek the sunny weather offered by cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego.
California boasts many job opportunities in the finance and transportation sectors. But it might be best known as a hotspot for innovators in the tech industry, with Silicon Valley hosting companies such as Google, Apple and Meta.
Despite a higher overall cost of living, California offers plenty of pros. It’s the third-largest state in the U.S., spanning almost 800 miles from top to bottom, which means it has varied landscapes and climates. Outdoor enthusiasts can find activities such as surfing, skiing and hiking at almost any time of year throughout the state.
If you’re looking for a drastic change in climate, a job in the tech industry or the type of fresh start that comes with moving from one coast to another, you should move from New York to California.
Final take: Get quotes from IVL and Mayflower for your New York to California move
Begin your moving process from New York to California with quotes from International Van Lines and Mayflower. Both movers offer excellent care for residential and commercial customers with plenty of add-on options, such as full-service packing, vehicle shipping and long-term storage.
IVL offers 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves, which can help reduce the cost of any long-distance move. It also posts estimated cost ranges for add-on services such as crating, piano moving and local moving labor. This can make budgeting for a lengthy move easier.
Mayflower’s Snapmoves packages are an easy solution for smaller moves, as they provide an all-inclusive moving container option for two-bedroom and smaller homes. This provider also offers home theater and home office breakdown and installation services, which can be useful for customers who work remotely or have more fragile or valuable tech items to move.
Get quotes from at least three professional movers to ensure your quoted rates are reasonable for your needed service package. Whether you’re moving from NYC to Los Angeles, the Adirondacks to Silicon Valley, or anywhere in between, the moving companies we’ve recommended can assist any New Yorker moving to the West Coast.
Our rating methodology for moving companies
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews scores are accurate as of June 2024.
