California to Georgia Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 2,466 mile interstate move from California to Georgia? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Georgia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Sourdough Bread vs Peach Cobbler), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs traditional, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sourdough Bread and Tripas Tacos, but get your taste buds ready for Peach Cobbler & Fried Chicken
- Georgia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Georgia is 33.41% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Georgia will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended California to Georgia movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
California to Georgia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Georgia
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Droughts
- Wildfires
- Earthquakes
- Lower living expenses
- Easier commutes
- Plentiful rain
- Less wildfire risk
- More stable ground
- Hot and humid summers
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer university options
- Limited coastal access
- Fewer tech jobs
- Mild climate
- Diverse culture
- Renowned universities
- Beaches
- Tech industry
Pros of moving from California to Georgia
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Georgia with easier commutes
- Swap the droughts of California for plentiful rain in Georgia
- Get ready for less wildfire risk in Georgia
Cons of moving from California to Georgia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the mild climate in California to live with hot and humid summers in Georgia
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle with the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to renowned universities and get used to fewer university options in Georgia
- Swap beaches for limited coastal access
California vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Peach Cobbler |
Most popular meat dish | Tripas Tacos | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Boiled Peanuts |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from California to Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of California for the equally delicious Peach Cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tripas Tacos and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Georgia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Boiled Peanuts of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, Nopalito, and Spago Beverly Hills. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Grey, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and The Varsity.
When comparing lifestyles, Georgia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Georgia compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Georgia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Georgia
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Traditional, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor living spaces, Sustainable features | Large yards, Historic details |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Colonial architecture typical of Georgia.
- Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor living spaces and sustainable features, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Georgia is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Georgia is less bike-friendly than California.
- Georgia has less of an urban feel than California.
- Georgia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $327,174 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Georgia is 33.41% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Georgia
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Thunderstorms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 90Β°F/70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55Β°F/45Β°F | 55Β°F/33Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-5 | 1-2 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Georgia. Georgia gets 23% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Georgia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential thunderstorms and hurricanes in Georgia.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 5 degrees warmer than in California.
- The average winter lows in Georgia are 12 degrees colder than those in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 28 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Georgia
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $72,837 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 93.35 |
State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 0.91% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Tech, Entertainment, Agriculture | Agriculture, Film, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Minor |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 20% less than in California
- The COLI in Georgia is 32% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in GA is 5.75% compared to 13.3% in CA
- The affluence in Georgia is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is moderate in Georgia compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in California and minor in Georgia
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Georgia
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic Majority | Mixed, with Conservative/Republican Leaning |
Local Politics | Local governments often lean progressive | Varies, with urban areas being more liberal and rural areas more conservative |
Religion | More religiously unaffiliated individuals | Higher percentage of residents identifying as Christian |
- California tends to lean Liberal/Democratic Majority in its political climate
- Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with Conservative/Republican Leaning
- Georgia's religious environment can be described as a higher percentage of residents identifying as Christian
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having more religiously unaffiliated individuals
Education Guide When Moving from California to Georgia
Comparison | California | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of California Stanford University California State University | University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Glenwood Elementary (San Rafael) William Faria Elementary (Cupertino) Millikin Elementary (Santa Clara) | Brandon Elementary (Atlanta) Britt David Elementary (Columbus) Garrison Mill Elementary (Marietta) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mill Valley Middle (Mill Valley) Egan Junior High (Los Altos) Redwood Middle (Saratoga) | Dodgen Middle (Marietta) Davidson Magnet School (Augusta) River Trail Middle (Johns Creek) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Henry M. Gunn High (Palo Alto) Troy High (Fullerton) Whitney High (Cerritos) | Northview High (Johns Creek) Walton High (Marietta) Columbus High (Columbus) |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) The Thacher School (Ojai) Stanford Online High School (Online/San Francisco) | Pace Academy (Atlanta) Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Lovett School (Atlanta) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Nueva School (Hillsborough) Crossroads School (Santa Monica) Head-Royce School (Oakland) | Atlanta International School (Atlanta) Savannah Country Day School (Savannah) Woodward Academy (College Park) |
Top 3 School Districts | Palo Alto Unified San Marino Unified Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union | Fulton County Schools Forsyth County Schools Decatur City Schools |
How Much Do California to Georgia Movers Cost?
Moving 2,466 miles from California to Georgia will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,601 | 300 ft3 | $8.67 |
1 Bedroom | $3,878 | 450 ft3 | $8.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,426 | 750 ft3 | $8.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,370 | 1100 ft3 | $8.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,549 | 1600 ft3 | $8.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,153 | 1800 ft3 | $8.42 |
Top California to Georgia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Georgia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Georgia