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California to New Hampshire Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 3,086 mile interstate move from California to New Hampshire? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs New Hampshire across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Sushi vs Apple Cider Donuts), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Sushi and Tri-tip steak, but get your taste buds ready for Apple Cider Donuts & Pot Roast
  • New Hampshire housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in California
  • Rent in New Hampshire is 27.83% more affordable than in California
  • Moving from California to New Hampshire will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
  • Our top recommended California to New Hampshire movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

California to New Hampshire Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to New Hampshire

ConsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Risk of wildfires
  • Overcrowded cities
  • High taxes
ProsNew Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Lower fire risk
  • Quaint towns
  • No sales tax

New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • No ocean access
  • Harsh winters
  • Less cultural variety
  • Fewer job options
  • Quiet towns
California iconCalifornia
  • Beautiful coastline
  • Mild winters
  • Diverse cultural scene
  • Abundant job opportunities
  • Vibrant cities

Pros of moving from California to New Hampshire

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to New Hampshire with less congestion
  • Swap the risk of wildfires in California for a lower fire risk in New Hampshire
  • Get ready for quaint towns in New Hampshire

Cons of moving from California to New Hampshire

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful coastline in California to live with no ocean access in New Hampshire
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to the diverse cultural scene and get used to less cultural variety in New Hampshire
  • Swap abundant job opportunities for fewer job options

California vs. New Hampshire: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Most iconic local food itemSushiApple Cider Donuts
Most popular meat dishTri-tip steakPot Roast
Most popular street food itemFish TacosLobster Rolls
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastMaple Quinoa Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • The Cheeseboard
    • Nopa
    • Zuni Cafe
    • The Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery
    • Moat Mountain Smoke House
    • Polly's Pancake Parlor
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from California to New Hampshire, you will be trading the iconic Sushi of California for the equally delicious Apple Cider Donuts of New Hampshire. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip steak and sumptuous Fish Tacos, New Hampshire residents know they have tasty Pot Roast and Lobster Rolls 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 Maple Quinoa Bowl of New Hampshire. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like The Cheeseboard, Nopa, and Zuni Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in New Hampshire, don't wait too long before making your way to New Hampshire's acclaimed eateries like The Woodstock Inn Station and Brewery, Moat Mountain Smoke House, and Polly's Pancake Parlor.

When comparing lifestyles, New Hampshire shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Hampshire compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Hampshire.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and New Hampshire

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Typical Architecture StyleModern, SpanishColonial, Cottage
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOpen floor plans, outdoor spacePrivacy, scenic views
  • The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of New Hampshire.
  • Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and outdoor space, New Hampshire's real estate listings often highlight features like privacy and scenic views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Hampshire is less walkable than California.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Hampshire is less bike-friendly than California.
  • New Hampshire has less of an urban feel than California.
  • New Hampshire housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $465,926 compared to California’s $783,666.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in New Hampshire have increased by 68% compared to a 42% increase in California.
  • Rent in New Hampshire is 27.83% more affordable than in California.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and New Hampshire

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresSnowstorms, Ice
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/55Β°F80Β°F/55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F/45Β°F35Β°F/15Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2247
Annual Snowfall (Inches)760
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to New Hampshire. New Hampshire gets 30% fewer sunshine days than California.
  • New Hampshire 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 snowstorms and ice in New Hampshire.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Hampshire is 5 degrees colder than in California.
  • The average winter lows in New Hampshire are 30 degrees colder than they are in California.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Hampshire. New Hampshire receives 25 more inches of rain compared to California.

Financial & Community Snapshot: California and New Hampshire

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Avg. Household Income$91,551$89,992
Cost of Living Index136.4116.8
State Income Tax13.3%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.73%2.05%
Avg. Sales Tax7.25%0%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Entertainment, AgricultureManufacturing, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Hampshire tend to earn about 2% less than in California
  • The COLI in New Hampshire will be 14% lower than what you are used to living in California
  • Hooray, moving to NH means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in New Hampshire is moderate compared to high in California
  • The poverty level is low in New Hampshire compared to moderate in California
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in California and low in New Hampshire

Political and Religious Climate in California vs. New Hampshire

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticModerate with Libertarian lean
Local PoliticsDemocratic strongholds in urban areasLocal governance leans towards libertarian
ReligionReligiously diverseLess religiously diverse, Protestant majority
  • California tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • New Hampshire, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with a Libertarian lean
  • New Hampshire's religious environment can be described as less religiously diverse with a Protestant majority
  • California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse

Education Guide When Moving from California to New Hampshire

ComparisonCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)UCLA
UC Berkeley
Stanford
Dartmouth College
University of New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHawthorne Elementary (Beverly Hills)
Reed Elementary (Tiburon)
Amador Elementary (Pleasanton)
Little Harbour School (Portsmouth)
Bedford Village Morning School (Bedford)
Main Dunstable Elementary School (Nashua)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMiller Middle (San Jose)
Carmel Middle (Carmel)
Egan Junior High (Los Altos)
Rye Junior High (Rye)
Hollis Brookline Middle School (Hollis)
Bedford Middle School (Bedford)
Top 3 High SchoolsHenry M. Gunn High (Palo Alto)
Troy High (Fullerton)
Lowell High (San Francisco)
Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter)
Bedford High School (Bedford)
Hanover High School (Hanover)
Top 3 private high schoolsHarvard-Westlake (Studio City)
The Thacher School (Ojai)
Cate School (Carpinteria)
Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter)
St. Paul's School (Concord)
Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Buckley School (Sherman Oaks)
Head-Royce School (Oakland)
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica)
Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter)
The Derryfield School (Manchester)
Holderness School (Plymouth)
Top 3 School DistrictsPalo Alto Unified
San Marino Unified
La CaΓ±ada Unified
Bow School District (Bow)
Windham School District (Windham)
Exeter School District (Exeter)

How Much Do California to New Hampshire Movers Cost?

Moving 3,086 miles from California to New Hampshire will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,952300 ft3$9.84
1 Bedroom$4,406450 ft3$9.79
2 Bedrooms$7,305750 ft3$9.74
3 Bedrooms$10,6591100 ft3$9.69
4 Bedrooms$15,4241600 ft3$9.64
5+ Bedrooms$17,2621800 ft3$9.59

Top California to New Hampshire Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to New Hampshire movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

Best moving company overall for California to New Hampshire

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. featured image

Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details

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