Moving from Washington to California
Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Washington to California move.
Quick Comparison
Leaving Washington
Moving to California
Why Are People Moving from Washington to California?
The migration corridor between Washington and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.
Tax Savings: Washington has no state income tax, compared to 1%-13.3% in California. This tax difference is one of the primary financial motivations for this move.
Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Washington, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $225,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.
Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 38°F in Washington.
Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Washington's Technology and Aerospace sectors.
Popular City-to-City Routes
Cities in Washington
Other Major Cities
Cities in California
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Jose
San Francisco
Fresno
Sacramento
Bakersfield
Anaheim
Santa Ana
Long Beach
Estimated Moving Cost
Based on the average distance of 1109 miles between Washington and California:
Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.
Washington → California Transition Checklist
Driver's License
You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.
Vehicle Registration
Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.
Voter Registration
Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.
Vehicle Inspection
California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.
Things to Know About California
- • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
- • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
- • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal
What's Different: Washington vs California
Taxes
Weather
Cost of Living
Ready to make the move to California?
Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Washington and California.