Movers

California to Ohio Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 2,441 mile interstate move from California to Ohio? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Ohio across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Avocado Toast vs Buckeye Candy), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Avocado Toast and Tri-tip BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Buckeye Candy & Cincinnati Chili
  • Ohio housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in California
  • Rent in Ohio is 46.90% more affordable than in California
  • Moving from California to Ohio will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended California to Ohio movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

California to Ohio Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Ohio

ConsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • High living costs
  • Heavy traffic
  • Wildfire risks
  • Higher taxes
  • Earthquake risks
ProsOhio iconOhio
  • Lower housing prices
  • Less congestion
  • More stable weather
  • Lower taxes
  • No earthquakes

Ohio iconOhio
  • Few water bodies
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Cold winters
  • Fewer tech jobs
  • Quieter nightlife
California iconCalifornia
  • Beaches
  • Diverse culture
  • Mild winters
  • Tech opportunities
  • Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from California to Ohio

  • Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower housing prices
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Ohio with less congestion
  • Swap the wildfire risks of California for more stable weather in Ohio
  • Get ready for lower taxes in Ohio

Cons of moving from California to Ohio

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beaches in California to live with few water bodies in Ohio
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to cold winters in Ohio
  • Swap tech opportunities for fewer tech jobs

California vs. Ohio: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
Most iconic local food itemAvocado ToastBuckeye Candy
Most popular meat dishTri-tip BBQCincinnati Chili
Most popular street food itemFish TacosPolish Boy
Most popular vegan foodSmoothie BowlsVegan Pierogi
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
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 Ohio, you will be trading the iconic Avocado Toast of California for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Ohio. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip BBQ and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Ohio residents know they have tasty Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Smoothie Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pierogi of Ohio. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like The Cheesecake Factory, In-N-Out Burger, and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in Ohio, don't wait too long before making your way to Ohio's acclaimed eateries like Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Slyman's, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Ohio

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
Typical Architecture StyleModern, SpanishColonial, Ranch
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 livingFamily-friendly, Spacious yards
  • The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Ohio.
  • Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and outdoor living, Ohio real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly and spacious yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Ohio is less walkable than California.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Ohio is less bike-friendly than California.
  • Ohio has less of an urban feel than California.
  • Ohio housing costs are 72% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $223,135 compared to California’s $783,666.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Ohio have increased by 49% compared to a 42% increase in California.
  • Rent in Ohio is 46.90% more affordable than in California.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Ohio

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
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, wildfiresTornadoes, severe storms
Air QualityVaries, areas with poorGenerally moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/55Β°F85Β°F/64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F/45Β°F36Β°F/22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)22"39"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0" (in most areas)28"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Ohio. Ohio gets 37% fewer sunshine days than California.
  • Ohio 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 tornadoes and severe storms in Ohio.
  • The average summer high temperature in Ohio is the same as in California.
  • The average winter lows in Ohio are 23 degrees colder than they are in California.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Ohio. Ohio receives 17 more inches of rain compared to California.

Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Ohio

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
Avg. Household Income$91,551$65,720
Cost of Living Index136.492.85
State Income Tax13.3%4.8%
Avg. Property Tax0.76%1.51%
Avg. Sales Tax8.82%7.23%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Entertainment, AgricultureManufacturing, Finance, Education
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessSignificantLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Ohio tend to earn about 28% less than in California
  • The COLI in Ohio is 32% lower than what you are used to living in California
  • The state income tax in OH is 4.8% compared to 13.3% in CA
  • The affluence in Ohio is moderate compared to high in California
  • The poverty level is moderate in Ohio compared to moderate in California
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in California and low in Ohio

Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Ohio

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsProgressive policies in urban areasMix of conservative and liberal policies depending on the area
ReligionMulticultural and diverse religious practicesChristian majority with diverse religious practices in urban areas
  • California tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • Ohio, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Ohio's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with diverse religious practices in urban areas
  • California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as multicultural and diverse

Education Guide When Moving from California to Ohio

ComparisonCaliforniaOhio
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)UCLA
UC Berkeley
Stanford University
Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
Miami University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPoint Vicente Elementary (Rancho Palos Verdes)
Mill Valley (Mill Valley)
Granville Elementary (Granville)
Ottawa Hills (Ottawa Hills)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJoaquin Miller Middle (San Jose)
William Hopkins Jr. High (Fremont)
Bexley Middle (Bexley)
Top 3 High SchoolsHenry M. Gunn High (Palo Alto)
Monta Vista High (Cupertino)
Ottawa Hills High (Ottawa Hills)
Walnut Hills High (Cincinnati)
Top 3 private high schoolsHarvard-Westlake (Studio City)Hawken School (Gates Mills)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Nueva School (Hillsborough)
The Webb Schools (Claremont)
Laurel School (Shaker Heights)
Western Reserve Academy (Hudson)
Top 3 School DistrictsSan Marino Unified
Palo Alto Unified
Ottawa Hills Local Schools
Indian Hill Exempted Village School District

How Much Do California to Ohio Movers Cost?

Moving 2,441 miles from California to Ohio 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 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,586300 ft3$8.62
1 Bedroom$3,857450 ft3$8.57
2 Bedrooms$6,391750 ft3$8.52
3 Bedrooms$9,3181100 ft3$8.47
4 Bedrooms$13,4741600 ft3$8.42
5+ Bedrooms$15,0681800 ft3$8.37

Top California to Ohio Movers

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

TOP PICK
Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC featured image

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Best moving company overall for California to Ohio

9.81/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details