Moving From California to Georgia: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

Oh, California. Tons of bums, property prices through the roof, and the only place in the US where $25 an hour doesn’t even come close to a “living wage”. You won’t be missed.

Tons of people are making their great escape from the Golden State - but where to, next? If you’re looking east and seeking someplace a little more affordable, a little more friendly, and a little less crazy, the California to Georgia pipeline is the perfect fit.

If you’re ready to pack your bags (and you’ve prepared your wallet accordingly), you can use iMoving to shop, compare prices, and book your cross-country movers from the comfort of your web browser. But if you’re still on the fence, read on to explore the ins and outs of your California to Georgia relocation…

Let’s get the important question out of the way first: Moving from California to Georgia will cost you from $2,500 to $6,000 - although we’ve seen the occasional outlier that falls outside that window.

When you’re moving long distance, your long distance mover will tally up your price based on how much stuff you have to haul, and how many miles you have to cover.

While you can’t do much about the distance between California to Georgia, you can downsize your belongings to save big on your quote. Just remember that a smaller move isn’t necessarily faster…

Long distance moving takes between 2 and 21 days, but since you’re looking at the California to Georgia route, you’re looking at about 8 days minimum.

Thanks to federal regulations, whoever’s driving the big rig is only able to clock 400 miles of highway driving per day. Even if you’re moving from Needles to Mt. Zion, that’s still 1,912 miles.

Most people assume that a smaller load will get transported quicker. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Moving companies don’t want to send half-empty trailers all over the place, so they’ll combine several moves in the same truck. This means better space efficiency, but more delays for pickups and deliveries along the way.

Long distance moving ain’t cheap - especially with California pricing thrown in to the mix. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest expenses that come with your quote:

1. Distance

Along with the physical size of your move, the distance is probably the biggest deciding factor behind what you pay on moving day. More miles means more dollars, and since California and Georgia are pretty far apart, brace yourself accordingly.

2. Weight/Volume

Long distance movers calculate your price based on distance and the dimensions of all your stuff. Some companies will assign a cubic foot value to your belongings, while others will assign a weight in pounds.

We’ve seen some companies claim they actually weigh their trucks before and after loading, but that’s just a marketing gimmick. Sell off your unwanted items to save big.

3. Packing

Packing is a pain, and we’re saying this as industry insiders. If you want to DIY your packing, you’ll have to deal with purchasing boxes, tape, and padding.

On the other hand, you can pay your moving company to handle the packing for an additional fee. It may be pricey (a couple hundred to a thousand bucks or so), but can you put a price on your stress?

4. Storage

It’s easy to overestimate how much room you’ll have at your new place, or how fast you can unload a truck full of furniture.

In either case, storage can provide you with a bit of flexibility and square footage, and some California to Georgia moving companies may offer 30 days free!

5. Specialty Items

Pianos, pool tables, artwork and antiques. These all require extra TLC, and your movers will charge extra for the extra attention. Once you see all the custom crating and packaging, you’ll realize that you made a smart investment.

6. Access Fees

Does your building have long hallways, elevators, or multiple flights of stairs? These are all obstacles for your moving team to deal with, so they’ll typically add on an additional fee for all of these hurdles.

Make sure you touch base with the city about whether you’ll need to use a moving shuttle (a smaller truck) to get your stuff to the big trailer.

7. Insurance

You’ll be happy to know that there’s a federally-mandated minimum coverage for items lost, damaged, or destroyed in transit. You’ll be unhappy to find out it’s only good for $0.60 per pound.

That means your 4-pound MacBook is only good for $2.40 if it gets busted. Full-value insurance is expensive, but it’s another wise investment.

8. Gratuity

In the moving industry, tips and gratuity are accepted and expected. Unless your California to Georgia mover explicitly declines tips, set aside some cash (about 15% to 20% of the total price of your move) to be divvied up between your whole moving team. Don’t forget the driver!

There’s tons of reasons to leave California, but why move to Georgia? Here are a few reasons you may want to head down South:

• Cheaper: Yeah, this is pretty much the number one reason to move out of California. Georgia is way cheaper than whatever you’re used to paying in LA, SF, or anywhere else in the Golden State.

• Friendly locals: Southern hospitality isn’t a myth. It’s alive and well in Georgia. Californians (especially you Angelinos) are used to people being pretty rude in everyday interactions, but folks in Georgia are pleasant. Change your attitude accordingly.

• Plenty of nature: California is hard to beat when it comes to natural beauty, but Georgia has a surprising variety of nature. If you’re searching for good times in the great outdoors, Georgia has you covered. Plus, the weather’s usually mild and warm.

• Better tax situation: It’s not quite Texas or Washington, but Georgia offers a welcome break from all the taxes you’re probably used to paying. There’s no state tax on retirement income, and the income tax ranges from 1 to 5.75%.

• Economic growth: Georgia is also experiencing an economic renaissance. If you’re moving from California and looking for work, there’s opportunities in tech, aerospace, manufacturing, and even entertainment.

You’re coming from California, so pretty much every other state is going to have less to do. But don’t discount Georgia just yet. There’s a lot more to do than you’d expect, and if you’re moving from a place like Fresno or Sac, you’ll probably be downright spoiled for choice:

• Georgia Aquarium: If you’ve visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium (arguably the best on the West Coast), it’d be a shame to miss the best one on the East Side. The Georgia Aquarium has tons of cool critters, and over 11 million gallons of water.

• Rock City Gardens: We told you Georgia has some serious natural beauty. If you’re visiting Lookout Mountain, be sure to check out Rock City Gardens - there’s trails up the mountain, a great vista point, and America’s first mini-golf course, too.

• Savannah Historic District: Georgia is steeped in history, and Savannah is no exception. Take a walk through the Savannah Historic District and travel through time. Thanks to the area’s unique layout, you can easily visit parks, museums, and other points of interest. 

• Atlanta Botanical Garden: 30 acres of greenery next to Atlanta’s historic Piedmont Park. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a great place to take things slow, while also checking out an impressive collection of monumental sculptures.

• Piedmont Park: After exploring the Atlanta Botanical Garden, you can settle down for a picnic and a relaxing rest of your day at Piedmont Park. There’s a lake, spots for snacking, and plenty of breathing room if you’re tired of Californian chaos.

There’s a lot to see in Georgia, wherever you choose to set down roots. You may be spoiled from your time in California, but if you do a little scouting around, you’ll find your new favorite spot.

You’ve seen our top picks for California to Georgia moving companies, and you’ve learned a bit about what you can expect from your cross country move. Now that you’re all up to speed on Georgia living, why not see how much it’ll cost to haul your home?

iMoving is ready to help you prep and plan your relocation, starting with the best movers in the game. Tell us more about your move, and let’s get you on the way to Georgia!