Georgia to California Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

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
- Humid climate
- Limited tech opportunities
- Fewer iconic beaches
- Lower diversity in dining
- Less cultural vibrancy
- Mild, sunny weather
- Silicon Valley tech hub
- Stunning coastal beaches
- Culinary diversity
- Vibrant arts scene
- High living expenses
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Urban crowding
- Higher food costs
- Less neighborhood unity
- 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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Peach Cobbler | Sourdough Bread |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Tri-tip Steak |
Most popular street food item | Pimento Cheese Sandwich | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Avocado Toast |
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 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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Spanish, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Porches | Energy 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 Georgiaβs $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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Variable | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 85/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 52/34 | 68/48 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50.7 | 22.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2.2 | Varies 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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,837 | $91,551 |
Cost of Living Index | 93.35 | 136.4 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 13.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.76% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.15% | 8.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Film | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican, recently more competitive | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative & liberal depending on area | Generally liberal, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Pluralistic, 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
Comparison | Georgia | California |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Brandon 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 Schools | Davidson 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 Schools | Northview 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 schools | The 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 schools | Atlanta 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 Districts | Forsyth County Schools; Gwinnett County Public Schools; Cobb County School District | Palo 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,598 | 300 ft3 | $8.66 |
1 Bedroom | $3,874 | 450 ft3 | $8.61 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,419 | 750 ft3 | $8.56 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,360 | 1100 ft3 | $8.51 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,534 | 1600 ft3 | $8.46 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,136 | 1800 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.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for Georgia to California
Atlanta to California
- Atlanta to Anaheim
- Atlanta to Bakersfield
- Atlanta to Chula Vista
- Atlanta to Corona
- Atlanta to Elk Grove
- Atlanta to Escondido
- Atlanta to Fontana
- Atlanta to Fremont
- Atlanta to Fresno
- Atlanta to Garden Grove
- Atlanta to Glendale
- Atlanta to Hayward
- Atlanta to Huntington Beach
- Atlanta to Irvine
- Atlanta to Lancaster
- Atlanta to Long Beach
- Atlanta to Los Angeles
- Atlanta to Modesto
- Atlanta to Moreno Valley
- Atlanta to Oakland
- Atlanta to Oceanside
- Atlanta to Ontario
- Atlanta to Oxnard
- Atlanta to Palmdale
- Atlanta to Pomona
- Atlanta to Rancho Cucamonga
- Atlanta to Riverside
- Atlanta to Sacramento
- Atlanta to Salinas
- Atlanta to San Bernardino
- Atlanta to San Diego
- Atlanta to San Francisco
- Atlanta to San Jose
- Atlanta to Santa Ana
- Atlanta to Santa Clarita
- Atlanta to Santa Rosa
- Atlanta to Stockton
- Atlanta to Sunnyvale
Augusta to California
- Augusta to Anaheim
- Augusta to Bakersfield
- Augusta to Chula Vista
- Augusta to Fresno
- Augusta to Irvine
- Augusta to Long Beach
- Augusta to Los Angeles
- Augusta to Oakland
- Augusta to Riverside
- Augusta to Sacramento
- Augusta to San Diego
- Augusta to San Francisco
- Augusta to San Jose
- Augusta to Santa Ana
- Augusta to Stockton
Columbus to California
- Columbus to Anaheim
- Columbus to Bakersfield
- Columbus to Chula Vista
- Columbus to Fresno
- Columbus to Irvine
- Columbus to Long Beach
- Columbus to Los Angeles
- Columbus to Oakland
- Columbus to Riverside
- Columbus to Sacramento
- Columbus to San Diego
- Columbus to San Francisco
- Columbus to San Jose
- Columbus to Santa Ana
- Columbus to Stockton