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Georgia to California Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 2,461 mile interstate move from Georgia to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Georgia vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid climate vs mild, sunny weather), food & health (like Peach Cobbler vs Sourdough Bread), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs spanish, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Peach Cobbler and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Sourdough Bread & Tri-tip Steak
  • California housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Georgia
  • Rent in California is 50.16% more expensive than rent in Georgia
  • Moving from Georgia to California will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Georgia to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

Georgia to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Georgia to California

ConsGeorgia iconGeorgia
  • Humid climate
  • Limited tech opportunities
  • Fewer iconic beaches
  • Lower diversity in dining
  • Less cultural vibrancy
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Mild, sunny weather
  • Silicon Valley tech hub
  • Stunning coastal beaches
  • Culinary diversity
  • Vibrant arts scene

California iconCalifornia
  • High living expenses
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Urban crowding
  • Higher food costs
  • Less neighborhood unity
Georgia iconGeorgia
  • Lower living costs
  • Relaxed pace of life
  • Green space abundance
  • Southern cuisine
  • Community feel

Pros of moving from Georgia to California

  • Say goodbye to humid climate and hello to mild sunny weather
  • Look forward to moving away from limited tech opportunities and moving to California with Silicon Valley tech hub
  • Swap the fewer iconic beaches of Georgia for stunning coastal beaches in California
  • Get ready for culinary diversity in California

Cons of moving from Georgia to California

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower living costs in Georgia to live with high living expenses in California
  • You'll lose out on the pro of relaxed pace of life and have to settle with the con of fast-paced lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to green space abundance and get used to urban crowding in California
  • Swap southern cuisine for higher food costs

Georgia vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemPeach CobblerSourdough Bread
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenTri-tip Steak
Most popular street food itemPimento Cheese SandwichFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Varsity
  • Mary Mac's Tea Room
  • The Fox Theatre
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 Georgia to California, you will be trading the iconic Peach Cobbler of Georgia for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of California. And while the locals in Georgia rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Pimento Cheese Sandwich, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip Steak and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Georgia eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and The Fox Theatre. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like The Cheeseboard, Zuni CafΓ©, and Musso & Frank Grill.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Georgia and California

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanSpanish, Modern
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 listingLarge yards, PorchesEnergy efficiency, Outdoor living spaces
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Georgia is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Modern architecture typical of California.
  • Compared to Georgia's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, California real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and outdoor living spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; California is more walkable than Georgia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; California is more bike-friendly than Georgia.
  • California has more of an urban feel than Georgia.
  • California housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Georgia, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Georgia’s $327,174.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42% compared to a 64% increase in Georgia.
  • Rent in California is 50.16% more expensive than rent in Georgia.

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

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityVariableGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6885/60
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)52/3468/48
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50.722.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2.2Varies widely
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Georgia to California. California gets 31% more sunshine days than Georgia.
  • California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Georgia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 4 degrees cooler than in Georgia.
  • The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Georgia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 28.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Georgia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Georgia and California

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$72,837$91,551
Cost of Living Index93.35136.4
State Income Tax5.75%13.3%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.76%
Avg. Sales Tax7.15%8.25%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, FilmTechnology, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 26% more than those in Georgia
  • The COLI in California will be 46% higher than what you are used to living in Georgia
  • The state income tax in CA is 13.3% compared to 5.75% in GA
  • The affluence in California is high compared to moderate affluence in Georgia
  • The poverty level is high in California compared to moderate poverty in Georgia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Georgia and high in California

Political and Religious Climate in Georgia vs. California

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
Political Make-upTraditionally Republican, recently more competitiveStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of conservative & liberal depending on areaGenerally liberal, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areasPluralistic, with a notable number of non-religious individuals
  • Georgia tends to lean traditionally Republican and is recently more competitive in its political climate
  • California, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • California's religious environment can be described as pluralistic with a notable number of non-religious individuals
  • Georgia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Georgia to California

ComparisonGeorgiaCalifornia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Georgia
Georgia State University
Georgia Tech
University of California
Los Angeles
University of Southern California
Stanford University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBrandon Elementary School
Atlanta; Britt David Magnet Academy
Columbus; Kittredge Magnet School
Atlanta
Point Vicente Elementary School
Rancho Palos Verdes; Mill Valley Middle School
Mill Valley; Hawthorne Elementary
Beverly Hills
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDavidson Magnet School
Augusta; River Trail Middle School
Johns Creek; South Forsyth Middle School
Cumming
Henry E. Huntington Middle School
San Marino; Rancho San Joaquin Middle School
Irvine; Miller Creek Middle School
San Rafael
Top 3 High SchoolsNorthview High School
Johns Creek; Walton High School
Marietta; Columbus High School
Columbus
Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto; Torrey Pines High School
San Diego; Monta Vista High School
Cupertino
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Westminster Schools
Atlanta; Pace Academy
Atlanta; Lovett School
Atlanta
Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles; Phillips Academy
Andover; The Harker School
San Jose
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAtlanta International School
Atlanta; Woodward Academy
College Park; Pace Academy
Atlanta
The Harker School
San Jose; Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles; The Webb Schools
Claremont
Top 3 School DistrictsForsyth County Schools; Gwinnett County Public Schools; Cobb County School DistrictPalo Alto Unified School District; San Marino Unified School District; La CaΓ±ada Unified School District

How Much Do Georgia to California Movers Cost?

Moving 2,461 miles from Georgia to California 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$2,598300 ft3$8.66
1 Bedroom$3,874450 ft3$8.61
2 Bedrooms$6,419750 ft3$8.56
3 Bedrooms$9,3601100 ft3$8.51
4 Bedrooms$13,5341600 ft3$8.46
5+ Bedrooms$15,1361800 ft3$8.41

Top Georgia to California Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Georgia to California 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 Georgia to California

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

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Moving Etc

Moving Etc

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details