Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 14 2025
Moving to Arizona from California
Moving from Arizona to California is a big step—but one many people are making. With its coastline views, job opportunities, and iconic cities, California remains one of the most popular destinations for people leaving Arizona. Whether you’re relocating for work, school, family, or a lifestyle change, it’s important to prepare well for this interstate move.
At Three Movers, we help individuals and families make this transition smooth and stress-free. Our job is to simplify your long-distance move by handling the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what comes next. But before you start packing, here’s everything you should know about moving from Arizona to California.
Why People Are Moving from AZ to Cali
Although Arizona has its perks—affordable housing, wide open spaces, and dry weather—many residents are drawn to California for different reasons. Some of the most common ones include:
- Job Opportunities: California is home to major industries like tech, entertainment, healthcare, and finance. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are filled with job openings in high-growth fields.
- Education: California is home to some of the country’s top universities, such as UCLA, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, making it an attractive place for students.
- Climate and Scenery: While Arizona is known for its dry desert, California offers mountains, beaches, forests, and cooler coastal weather—perfect for outdoor lovers.
- Cultural Diversity: California is one of the most diverse states in the U.S., with a mix of cultures, languages, and food that appeals to people from all backgrounds.
For local moves within California, you can expect to pay an average of $40 to $125 per hour for a team of two movers, with a minimum of two to three hours.
On average, a long-distance move from California to Arizona state can range from $4,304 to $14,555.
At Three Movers, our local & long-distance California to Arizona movers has been helping our clients relocate their household items quickly and efficiently for over 20 years. We are a professional shifters company that has a network of highly trained cheap movers who can assist you and handle all of your relocation needs.
As one of the top-rated California movers, we pride ourselves on providing a stress-free shifting experience for our customers. Our corporate relocation manager will work with you to ensure that your move is as smooth as possible, and our customer service representatives are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. We also offer storage association services, so you can rest assured that your belongings will be safe and secure during your upcoming move.
Key Differences Between The Two States
Before you move, it’s helpful to understand how the two states differ in important areas like cost of living, transportation, and lifestyle.
1. Cost of Living
California is significantly more expensive than Arizona. According to recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the cost of living index in California is about 40% higher than the national average, while Arizona is closer to the average.
- Housing: Expect higher rent or home prices in most California cities. The median home price in Arizona is around $430,000, while in California it's closer to $750,000.
- Taxes: California has a state income tax that goes up to 13.3% for high earners, compared to Arizona’s maximum of 4.5%.
- Utilities: While Arizona’s cooling costs are high due to summer heat, California has higher energy prices overall.
2. Traffic and Transportation
Traffic in California can be intense, especially in places like Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Public transit is available in bigger cities but often less convenient than driving. Plan for more time on the road and consider vehicle registration costs and toll roads.
3. Weather
If you’re used to the dry Arizona climate, you might need to adjust to California’s variety:
- Southern California: Mild, coastal weather
- Northern California: Cooler with seasonal rain
- Inland areas: Hot summers and mild winters
You’ll likely enjoy a more temperate climate, especially if moving from Phoenix or Tucson.
How to Prepare for the Move
A successful move starts with careful planning. Here are a few important steps to take when moving from Arizona to California:
1. Create a Moving Checklist
Write down everything you need to do before, during, and after the move—like changing your address, setting up utilities, and gathering important documents.
2. Sort and Downsize
Since long-distance moving costs are based on weight and volume, it’s a good idea to declutter before you pack. Donate, sell, or toss items you no longer use.
3. Compare Moving Companies
Choose a moving company that specializes in cross-state or long-distance moves. Make sure they are licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and offer insurance options.
We Can Help You Move
A lot of things go into planning an interstate move and packing your belongings is just a small part of the process. You also need to figure out the cheapest way to move from California to Arizona, how you will transport your household items, how you will ship your vehicles, and whether you need to store your belongings for a certain amount of time while Relocating from California.
At Three Movers, our interstate California movers can help you with all the aspects of your move from California to Arizona. Our comprehensive list of services includes:
- Full-service packing
- Packing supplies
- Storage solutions
- Auto Transport
- Packing and crating
- Protection against damage for all the items our professional movers handle
- Furniture assembly/disassembly
- Special items are shipping, such as pianos or antiques.
- Office moving
- Residential Moving
At Three Movers, we’ve helped thousands of families and individuals relocate from Arizona to California. Our moving services are designed to be flexible, affordable, and efficient.
We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation quotes
✅ Licensed and insured long-distance movers
✅ Full-service packing and unpacking
✅ Furniture disassembly and reassembly
✅ Vehicle transport (cars, motorcycles, etc.)
✅ Short-term and long-term storage options
✅ Clear communication and tracking
Whether you’re moving from Phoenix to San Diego or Tucson to San Francisco, we take the stress out of your move with trusted service from start to finish
Our Movers Show Utmost Professionalism
A lot of moving companies out there do not offer a contract for their services. But, at Three Movers, we believe that whether they are local or long-distance moving companies, they should be held accountable for the commitment that they are making. That's why we as one of the best companies offer written quotes and signed contracts to our customers and always honor our end of the deal.
We also greatly emphasize customer satisfaction and work hard to ensure that our cheapest way to move from California to Arizona services meets your requirements. We understand that each move comes with its unique challenges as kids of the same age differ in character and won't offer you any one-size-fits-all solutions in our own businesses. Instead, we will take our time and work with you to create a moving plan that fits your needs.
Cost Examples For Moving
The table below shows some examples of affordable costs examples when moving from different cities in California to different cities in Northern Arizona:
| To / From | Distance | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Phoenix, AZ | 753 | $1355.4 – $1731.9 | $1957.8 – $2409.6 | $2560.2 – $3012 |
| Stevenson Ranch, CA to Tolleson, AZ | 367 miles | $2,5452 – $3,082 | $3,644 – $4,743 | $4,743 – $8,926 |
| Fresno, CA to San Tan Valley, AZ | 526 Miles | $946 – $1209 | $1367 – $1683 | $1788 – $2104 |
| Fresno, CA to Queen Creek, AZ | 523 Miles | $941 – $1202 | $1359 – $1673 | $1778 – $2092 |
| Salinas, CA to Scottsdale, AZ | 593 miles | $2,737 – $3,353 | $3,991 – $5,350 | $5,350 – $7,831 |
| La Puente, CA to Peoria, AZ | 327 miles | $2,178 – $2,785 | $3,328 – $4,485 | $4,485 – $6,290 |
| San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ | 360 Miles | $648 – $828 | $936 – $1152 | $1224 – $1440 |
| Grover Beach, CA to Payson, AZ | 533 miles | $2,397 – $3,071 | $3,572 – $4,954 | $4,954 – $7,088 |
| Stanton, CA to Goodyear, AZ | 323 miles | $2,178 – $2,785 | $3,328 – $4,485 | $4,485 – $6,290 |
| San Leandro, CA to Tucson, AZ | 844 Miles | $1519.2 – $1856.8 | $2025.6 – $2278.8 | $2700.8 – $3122.8 |
| Walnut, CA to Avondale, AZ | 320 miles | $2,178 – $2,785 | $3,328 – $4,385 | $4,385 – $6,290 |
| Fillmore, CA to Queen Creek, AZ | 422 miles | $2,328 – $2,881 | $3,564 – $4,806 | $4,806 – $6,770 |
| Calexico, CA to Gilbert, AZ | 221 miles | $2,104 – $2,558 | $3,152 – $4,108 | $4,108 – $6,022 |
| Gilroy, CA to Chandler, AZ | 606 miles | $2,623 – $3,365 | $4,027 – $5,436 | $5,436 – $8,010 |
| Eureka, CA to Goodyear, AZ | 1709 miles | $4,304 – $5,396 | $6,458 – $8,608 | $8,608 – $14,555 |
Our Top Routes
Here are some of the popular cities that we operate from in California. And, these are some of the common cities in Arizona where moving companies help people move.
| Los Angeles | Anaheim | Fresno | Stockton | Irvine |
| Bakersfield | Fremont | Oakland | Richmond | Sunnyvale |
| Modesto | Sacramento | Santa Clara | Huntington Beach | Santa Ana |
| San Francisco | San Jose | San Diego | Thousand Oaks | Chula Vista |
| San Carlos | Santa Clarita | Long Beach | Santa Barbara | San Bernardino |
Ready to Make the Move?
Moving from Arizona to California can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. Let Three Movers handle the logistics while you focus on starting fresh in the Golden State.
Reach out today at (888) 202-0036 for a free quote or to speak with one of our moving experts. We’ll help you build a moving plan that fits your timeline, your budget, and your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three Movers coordinates California to Arizona relocations through licensed, insured carriers authorized for interstate transport. Reliability comes from FMCSA compliance, verified operating authority, and experience managing desert routes and cross-border logistics. Each move is planned around home size (studio–5BR), crew count, packing scope, stairs or elevators, and long-carry distances. Building access rules in California and delivery constraints in Arizona are reviewed in advance to limit delays common on state-to-state moves. These shipments follow federal standards for an interstate moving service.
Most California to Arizona moves range from $1,200–$3,500 for a 1–3 bedroom household, with larger homes costing more. Pricing is based on shipment weight or volume, distance, number of movers, packing labor, and special items like pianos or safes. Stairs, long carries, traffic timing, and summer heat can increase labor time. Because this is not an hourly local move, pricing follows interstate cost models outlined for the average cost of moving interstate.
Transit time for a California to Arizona move is typically 1–3 days. Southern California to Phoenix is often faster than Northern California to Southern Arizona. Loading usually takes half to a full day, while delivery is scheduled within a confirmed window. Traffic on I-10 and I-40, weather conditions, and building restrictions can affect timing. Interstate delivery expectations align with standard timelines for moving across state lines.
California to Arizona moves are classified as interstate moves because they cross state lines. Interstate moves are federally regulated and require written estimates, shipment inventories, valuation coverage options, and FMCSA-authorized carriers. Unlike local moves, rates are not hourly and delivery is scheduled within agreed windows. These protections help ensure accountability and shipment tracking throughout the move.
Yes. Packing support is available for California to Arizona moves, including fragile-only packing or full-home packing. Crews use reinforced cartons and protective materials designed for long-distance transport and high-temperature conditions. Items such as electronics, glass, artwork, and antiques are inventoried and padded before loading. Packing timelines depend on home size, item density, and disassembly needs, and are completed before the truck departs.
Arrange parking permits if required, reserve freight elevators, and confirm building move-in windows on both ends. Clearly label boxes, separate essentials, and document high-value items. Expect longer loading times for large homes or restricted-access buildings. Arizona deliveries are often scheduled early during hot months. Following a detailed moving checklist helps avoid delays and ensures all interstate paperwork is completed before departure.
