Moving from New York to Los Angeles is a significant life change, covering nearly 2,800 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast. Los Angeles offers a vibrant entertainment industry, a warm climate, and a laid-back lifestyle, while New York is known for its fast-paced energy and bustling urban landscape. Whether you’re moving for career opportunities, lifestyle changes, or personal reasons, planning your relocation carefully will help ensure a smooth transition.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from moving costs to the best strategies for choosing a reliable moving company, so you can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.
Cost of Moving from New York to Los Angeles
The expenses associated with moving from New York to Los Angeles depend on belongings, distance, and other selected moving services. Moving expenses generally start from $1,800, and there can be extra expenses, such as packing, storage, and insurance.
Average Moving Costs
Full-Service Moves
Starting at $1,800
Truck Rental
Starting at $800
Moving Container
Starting at $1,500
Best Moving Options for Moving to Los Angeles
1. Full-Service Movers
Choosing Full Service Moving means that a professional moving company will take care of all the work related to your move from New York to Los Angeles, right from packing and loading, to transportation and offloading. This is the most optimal option, especially for those busy individuals.
- Many verified movers offer competitive pricing if you list your move through a transparent marketplace like USMPO’s List Your Move tool.
- The cost includes labor, fuel, and transportation but can be influenced by the total weight of your items.
- Some full-service movers offer insurance and tracking for added security.
2. Truck Rental
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly move and don’t mind handling the labor yourself, renting a moving truck can be an economical choice.
- Truck rentals typically include mileage, basic insurance, and loading accessories.
- You will be responsible for driving the truck cross-country, which requires additional expenses for fuel, lodging, and meals.
- Be prepared for physical labor, as you’ll need to load and unload everything yourself.
Note: Additional expenses associated with lodging, meals, tolls, and fuel may pose a risk for someone who is tight on budget.
3. Moving Containers
Moving containers offer a flexible and cost-effective option for moving from New York to Los Angeles. You pack the container at your own pace, and the company transports it to your new home.
- Ideal for those who need short-term or long-term storage along the way.
- More affordable than a full-service move but offers more convenience than a truck rental.
- Limited availability in some areas, so book in advance to secure your container.
Directory of Verified Movers in New York
USMPO provides a directory of verified movers in New York that have been audited for safe and reliable service. All listed movers have been vetted for dependability and service level performance. By clicking on the moving carrier’s name, you can view company profiles and background information. With just a click, you can get multiple quotes from different moving companies.
What is a USMPO Verified Carrier?
- Verified Carriers are held accountable to their service and accuracy of their estimates. It isn’t just about meeting basic licensing requirements—it’s about demonstrating a sustained commitment to creating a safer moving industry. To earn verification, movers must:
- Hold a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) license.
- Maintain a minimum B rating or higher with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Have an active operating authority for at least two years
- Operate legitimate, independent moving operations with owned trucks and trained staff.
- Adhere to the USMPO Code of Ethics, which ensures accountability, transparency, and consumer protection.
Why choose a Verified Carrier?
- Fair Pricing: Carriers are held accountable to their estimates. No hidden fees, no bait & switch pricing, no surprises on move day—just honest quotes and fair pricing adjustments if needed.
- Quality Assurance: Verified movers are thoroughly vetted to ensure their operations meet industry-leading standards for service and professionalism.
- Consumer Protection: USMPO advocates for customers, holding movers accountable for any discrepancies and ensuring a smooth, transparent experience.
- Fraud Prevention: With USMPO, you can avoid the risk of falling victim to rogue movers or brokers who exploit unsuspecting customers.
Our Methodology to Verify Movers
- Pricing Accuracy
- Responsiveness & Customer Service
- Reliability & Delivery Time
- Integrity, Ethics & Professionalism
- Problem Resolution
| Company Profile | DOT # | Entity Type | FMCSA Registration | BBB Rating | Request Rates & Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIFESTYLE MOVING & STORAGE | 3652616 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | |
| VELOCITY MOVING AND STORAGE | 1778330 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | |
| E SQUARE MOVING & STORAGE | 3840456 | Carrier | View Registration | A | |
| J MEDLEY MOVING HELPERS LLC | 3550999 | Carrier | View Registration | F | Buyer Beware |
| 1/2 PRICE MOVERS | 1381128 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
| ACTIVE MOVING, INC. | 1278479 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
| AIR SEA LAND SHIPPING & MOVING INC | 1701382 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
| ALL CITY VAN LINES INC | 1551808 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
| ALL EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INC | 2553195 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
| ALL THE RIGHT MOVES, LTD. | 1158267 | Carrier | View Registration | A+ | Unavailable |
List Your Move for Competitive Bids
The List Your Move tool on USMPO allows you to receive bids from multiple moving companies to secure the best rates. This eliminates hidden fees and helps you connect with movers already heading toward Los Angeles.
Verify the Moving Company’s Credentials
Check if the mover is registered with the U.S. Moving Protection Organization (USMPO) for interstate moves. Review their history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure they have a good reputation.
Understand the Difference Between Brokers and Carriers
Brokers connect you with moving companies but don’t handle the move themselves. Carriers are the companies that directly transport your belongings. Always confirm who will be responsible for your move before signing any contract
Need help? Connect with a moving coordinator for assistance
Best Moving Companies in New York
We conducted extensive analysis to determine the best moving companies in New York for long-distance as well as local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor.
Protecting Your Move from Fraud
Fraudulent movers and hidden fees are common in long-distance moves, but there are steps you can take to avoid scams:
Secure Payments Through Escrow Accounts
Professionally verified movers securely accept payments via escrow accounts. Thus, the clients directly pay movers, but the clients have control over the distribution of funds.
Consumer-Approved Payment Release
Carriers are only paid after the client confirms that the service agreement has been adhered to perfectly.
Fraud Prevention & Accountability
The system in place guarantees that moving companies get the payments only after they fulfill their commitments thereby ensuring that fraudulent movers who do not complete the job get blocked from receiving payments.
List Your Move to Get Bids From Multiple Moving Companies
Interstate moves are usually done on large trailers. If you’re not moving enough stuff to fill up the trailer, chances are your shipment is consolidated with multiple moves headed in that same direction. The trick is finding the truck that’s headed in that same direction, around your moving dates. Otherwise, movers will agree to pick it up and keep it in their warehouse until they have enough shipments to justify the profitability of the route. Depending on the size of the company or the popularity of your route, this could take weeks or months.
1. List Your Move
List your move details to our job board and connect to carriers with available space headed in your direction.
2. Recieve & Compare Bids
Receive bids from verified carriers competing for your business and compare multiple pricing options.
3. Reserve Risk Free
Book with added protection & secure payments. We hold movers accountable to their estimates.
Moving from New York to Los Angeles with USMPO is cheaper, but how?
Simply put, the moving industry is rife with undersold prices, hidden fees, surprise additional charges, and sticker pricing. The sole aim of USMPO is to do away with deceptive moving practices and safeguard customers relocating household items across state borders.No. With USMPO, your payments will always be reasonable. Because USMPO moves items across state lines, we hold carriers to the estimates they give us, avoiding aggressive sticker pricing. The hundreds of carriers eager for your business are already booked on rigs driving in your direction, meaning that the service will provide the lowest prices without sacrificing quality.
Cost of Living in Los Angeles
Moving from New York to Los Angeles brings major lifestyle changes. Here’s what to expect:
Median Home Price
$1,224,405
Median Rent
$2,761/m
Energy Bill
$236.37/m
Phone Bill
$194.11/m
Gas
$4.51/g