California has a population of approximately 40 million people. Even though the population has declined by about 1% over the last year, the state is still home to nearly one in every eight Americans. In addition, California is split 50/50 between men and women, with about 75% of the population over 18.¹ The state also has a sizable Hispanic/Latino population, and around one-fourth of residents were born in another country.²

California is home to nearly 1 million businesses and 16 million workers. Men make up roughly half of all employers, while minorities and women make up the majority of remaining business owners.¹ California’s income inequality index is higher than the national average, with women making approximately $15,000 less per year than their male counterparts.²

Managers, nurses, bookkeepers, truck drivers, and business operations specialists make up the state’s five most popular jobs, while the highest-paying industries include tech, broadcasting, software publishing, and financial investments. The average one-way California commute is approximately 30 minutes per day.³

California is home to four of the nation’s 10 cities with the highest cost of living (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland-Berkeley, and San Diego). It’s also one of the more expensive states for utility costs, with Californians paying a monthly average total of just under $400.

However, the state also has higher wages to go alongside a higher cost of living. The median California employee makes approximately $80,000 annually—up about 0.5% from the previous year.¹ The pay scale ranges substantially,² and the state is home to its fair share of wealthy families.³

For example, Californians earn about $15,000 more than the country’s median annual income of $65,000.³ Nearly 15% of the population lives in poverty, and approximately 10% of those under 65 don’t have health insurance.¹ California also has more chronically homeless residents than any other state.³

California leans heavily Democratic. Nearly two-thirds of the eligible population voted for Joe Biden in the last presidential election, while approximately one-third voted for Donald Trump. San Francisco has the highest percentage of Democratic voters (85%), and the state generally becomes less Republican the farther west you travel.

The best California moving company is International Van Lines. It has a vast network, transparent pricing, and steep moving discounts.

The best time to schedule a move in California is during the middle of the week. The price is lower on Tuesday through Thursday than on weekends, and you can also usually find cheaper moving rates.

The Bureau of Household Goods and Services regulates moves within California, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration governs interstate movers. An easy way to avoid moving scams is to ensure your moving company is licensed with the government.

PODS containers are allowed in California. However, you need access to a driveway or parking spot for the moving service to safely unload one of its moving containers. In some cases, you may also need to secure a moving permit.

HireAHelper provides hourly moving labor services in 100 California cities, including San Diego, San Jose, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, and Redwood City. It can also connect you with professional movers with moving trucks.

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor:

• Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.

• Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.

• Mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.

• Site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.

• Regular review. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

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• What are the Best Storage Companies?
• What Is the Cheapest Moving Service for Car Shipping?
• What Do I Do on Moving Day?
• Is Allied Van Lines a Legit Company?
• How Do I Make Packing Easier?

1. United States Census Bureau. “QuickFacts: California.” Accessed October 4, 2022.
2. Deloitte. “Data USA: California.” Accessed October 4, 2022.
3. Employment Development Department, State of California. “Top 20 Occupations by Total Job Openings in California (2018–2028).” Accessed October 4, 2022.