Kentucky to California Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 2,310 mile interstate move from Kentucky to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited cultural diversity vs vibrant cultural scene), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Sourdough Bread), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs modern, spanish), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Sourdough Bread & Tri-tip
- California housing costs are 289% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in California is 108.25% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to California will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
Kentucky to California Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to California
- Limited cultural diversity
- Harsh winters
- Few tech job opportunities
- Limited entertainment options
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Mild year-round climate
- Tech industry hub
- Abundant entertainment venues
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Distanced social atmosphere
- Overcrowded tourist sites
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet neighborhoods
- Strong local community
- Beautiful nature spots
Pros of moving from Kentucky to California
- Say goodbye to limited cultural diversity and hello to a vibrant cultural scene
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to California with a mild year-round climate
- Swap the few tech job opportunities of Kentucky for a tech industry hub in California
- Get ready for abundant entertainment venues in California
Cons of moving from Kentucky to California
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with a high cost of living in California
- You'll lose out on the pro of quiet neighborhoods and have to settle with the con of traffic congestion
- Time to bid farewell to a strong local community and get used to a distanced social atmosphere in California
- Swap beautiful nature spots for overcrowded tourist sites
Kentucky vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | California |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Sourdough Bread |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Tri-tip |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | 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 Kentucky to California, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of California. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Seviche, and Jack Fry's. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, In-N-Out Burger, and Nopalito.
When comparing lifestyles, California shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in California compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in California.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and California
Comparison | Kentucky | California |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Modern, Spanish |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, privacy | Eco-friendly features, ocean views |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Spanish architecture typical of California.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and privacy, California real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly elements and ocean views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. California is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. California is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- California has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- California housing costs are 289% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in California is 108.25% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and California
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 65Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 23Β°F | 60Β°F / 45Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48.9" | 22" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | Variable |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to California. California gets 46% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
- The average summer high temperature in California is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 22 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 26.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and California
Comparison | Kentucky | California |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $91,551 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 136.4 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 13.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 0.74% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Noticeable | Mixed |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 54% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in California is 55% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in CA is 13.3% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in California is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is mixed in California compared to noticeable poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and high in California
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. California
Comparison | Kentucky | California |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Strong Democratic lean |
Local Politics | Local governance can vary, with a mix of Democratic and Republican strongholds | Diversity in local politics, with a prevalence of Democratic leadership, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominantly, with a significant portion of the population identifying as Evangelical Protestant | Religious diversity, with a high number of people identifying with no religion, followed by Christianity |
- Kentucky tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- California, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- California's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse, with a high number of people identifying with no religion followed by Christianity
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant portion of the population identifying as Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to California
Comparison | Kentucky | California |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of California (various campuses) California State University (various campuses) Stanford University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lowe Elementary (Louisville) Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) Mann Elementary (Fort Mitchell) | Point Vicente Elementary (Rancho Palos Verdes) Hawthorne Elementary (Beverly Hills) Lincoln Elementary (Burlingame) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle (Louisville) Beaumont Middle (Lexington) North Oldham Middle (Goshen) | Henry E. Huntington Middle (San Marino) Rancho San Joaquin Middle (Irvine) Carmel Valley Middle (San Diego) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell) | California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Oxford Academy (Cypress) Whitney High (Cerritos) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High (Louisville) The Lexington School (Lexington) | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) Phillips Academy (Andover) The Bishop's School (La Jolla) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Harker School (San Jose) Crossroads School (Santa Monica) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools | Palo Alto Unified School District Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District San Marino Unified School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to California Movers Cost?
Moving 2,310 miles from Kentucky to California will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- 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 | $2,512 | 300 ft3 | $8.37 |
1 Bedroom | $3,746 | 450 ft3 | $8.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,205 | 750 ft3 | $8.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,046 | 1100 ft3 | $8.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,078 | 1600 ft3 | $8.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,623 | 1800 ft3 | $8.12 |
Top Kentucky to California Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to California movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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

Pure Moving

From Here to There
Louisville to California
- Louisville to Anaheim
- Louisville to Bakersfield
- Louisville to Chula Vista
- Louisville to Corona
- Louisville to Elk Grove
- Louisville to Escondido
- Louisville to Fontana
- Louisville to Fremont
- Louisville to Fresno
- Louisville to Garden Grove
- Louisville to Glendale
- Louisville to Hayward
- Louisville to Huntington Beach
- Louisville to Irvine
- Louisville to Lancaster
- Louisville to Long Beach
- Louisville to Los Angeles
- Louisville to Modesto
- Louisville to Moreno Valley
- Louisville to Oakland
- Louisville to Oceanside
- Louisville to Ontario
- Louisville to Oxnard
- Louisville to Palmdale
- Louisville to Pomona
- Louisville to Rancho Cucamonga
- Louisville to Riverside
- Louisville to Sacramento
- Louisville to Salinas
- Louisville to San Bernardino
- Louisville to San Diego
- Louisville to San Francisco
- Louisville to San Jose
- Louisville to Santa Ana
- Louisville to Santa Clarita
- Louisville to Santa Rosa
- Louisville to Stockton
- Louisville to Sunnyvale
Lexington to California
- Lexington to Anaheim
- Lexington to Bakersfield
- Lexington to Chula Vista
- Lexington to Corona
- Lexington to Elk Grove
- Lexington to Escondido
- Lexington to Fontana
- Lexington to Fremont
- Lexington to Fresno
- Lexington to Garden Grove
- Lexington to Glendale
- Lexington to Hayward
- Lexington to Huntington Beach
- Lexington to Irvine
- Lexington to Lancaster
- Lexington to Long Beach
- Lexington to Los Angeles
- Lexington to Modesto
- Lexington to Moreno Valley
- Lexington to Oakland
- Lexington to Oceanside
- Lexington to Ontario
- Lexington to Oxnard
- Lexington to Palmdale
- Lexington to Pomona
- Lexington to Rancho Cucamonga
- Lexington to Riverside
- Lexington to Sacramento
- Lexington to Salinas
- Lexington to San Bernardino
- Lexington to San Diego
- Lexington to San Francisco
- Lexington to San Jose
- Lexington to Santa Ana
- Lexington to Santa Clarita
- Lexington to Santa Rosa
- Lexington to Stockton
- Lexington to Sunnyvale