Movers

New Hampshire to California Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 3,087 mile interstate move from New Hampshire to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Hampshire vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold, harsh winters vs mild, sunny weather), food & health (like Apple Cider Doughnuts vs Avocado Toast), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs spanish, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Apple Cider Doughnuts and Maple Glazed Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Avocado Toast & Fish Tacos
  • California housing costs are 68% more expensive than in New Hampshire
  • Rent in California is 38.55% more expensive than in New Hampshire
  • Moving from New Hampshire to California will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
  • Our top recommended New Hampshire to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

New Hampshire to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Hampshire to California

ConsNew Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Cold, harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Expensive heating costs
  • Lack of cultural diversity
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Mild, sunny weather
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Lower heating costs
  • Rich cultural experiences

California iconCalifornia
  • High housing prices
  • Dense urban areas
  • Traffic congestion
  • Seasonal monotony
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Lower cost of living
  • Close-knit communities
  • Natural landscapes
  • Four distinct seasons

Pros of moving from New Hampshire to California

  • Say goodbye to cold, harsh winters and hello to mild, sunny weather
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to California with diverse job opportunities
  • Swap the expensive heating costs of New Hampshire for lower heating costs in California
  • Get ready for rich cultural experiences in California

Cons of moving from New Hampshire to California

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in New Hampshire to live with high housing prices in California
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of dense urban areas
  • Time to bid farewell to natural landscapes and get used to traffic congestion in California
  • Swap four distinct seasons for seasonal monotony

New Hampshire vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemApple Cider DoughnutsAvocado Toast
Most popular meat dishMaple Glazed HamFish Tacos
Most popular street food itemLobster RollsTacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan Maple CookiesPlant-based Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Common Man
  • Moxy
  • Republic Cafe
  • Chez Panisse
  • Pink's Hot Dogs
  • Gjelina
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 New Hampshire to California, you will be trading the iconic Apple Cider Doughnuts of New Hampshire for the equally delicious Avocado Toast of California. And while the locals in New Hampshire rave about their flavorful Maple Glazed Ham and sumptuous Lobster Rolls, California residents know they have tasty Fish Tacos and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Maple Cookies they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Plant-based Burgers of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Hampshire eateries like The Common Man, Moxy, and Republic Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, Pink's Hot Dogs, and Gjelina.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Hampshire and California

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodSpanish, 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 listingSpacious yards, scenic viewsEco-friendly features, outdoor living spaces
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Hampshire is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Modern architecture typical of California.
  • Compared to New Hampshire's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and scenic views, California real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly features and outdoor living spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; California is more walkable than New Hampshire.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; California is more bike-friendly than New Hampshire.
  • California has more of an urban feel than New Hampshire.
  • California housing costs are 68% more expensive than in New Hampshire, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to New Hampshire’s $465,926.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased 42% compared to a 68% increase in New Hampshire.
  • Rent in California is 38.55% more expensive than in New Hampshire.

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

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
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 DisastersSnowstorms, FloodsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F / 17Β°F68Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47"22"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60"Variable
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Hampshire to California. California gets 40% more sunshine days than New Hampshire.
  • California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Hampshire.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in New Hampshire, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 5 degrees warmer than in New Hampshire.
  • The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer than they are in New Hampshire.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to New Hampshire.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Hampshire and California

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$89,992$91,551
Cost of Living Index116.8136.4
State Income Tax5%13.3%
Avg. Property Tax2.05%0.76%
Avg. Sales Tax0%7.25%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, RetailTechnology, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 2% more than in New Hampshire
  • The COLI in California will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in New Hampshire
  • The state income tax in CA is 13.3% compared to 5% in NH
  • The affluence in California is high compared to moderate in New Hampshire
  • The poverty level is moderate in California compared to low in New Hampshire
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in New Hampshire and high in California

Political and Religious Climate in New Hampshire vs. California

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
Political Make-upModerately conservative, swing stateLargely liberal, Democratic stronghold
Local PoliticsLocal politics vary, with a mix of Republican and Democratic strongholdsLocal politics lean heavily Democratic, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity dominates, but less religious overall compared to the national averageDiverse religious landscape, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and non-religious groups
  • New Hampshire tends to lean moderately conservative and is a swing state in its political climate
  • California, on the other hand, is often described as a largely liberal Democratic stronghold
  • California's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and non-religious groups
  • New Hampshire's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity but less religious overall compared to the national average

Education Guide When Moving from New Hampshire to California

ComparisonNew HampshireCalifornia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Southern New Hampshire University
University of California
Stanford University
California State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLittle Harbour School (Portsmouth)
Maude H. Trefethen School (New Castle)
Matthew Thornton Elementary (Londonderry)
Point Vicente Elementary School (Rancho Palos Verdes)
Mill Valley Middle School (Mill Valley)
Hawthorne Elementary (Beverly Hills)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsOyster River Middle School (Durham)
Hampton Academy (Hampton)
Cooperative Middle School (Stratham)
Henry E. Huntington Middle School (San Marino)
Alice Fong Yu Alternative School (San Francisco)
The Nueva School (Hillsborough)
Top 3 High School SchoolsAcademy for Science and Design (Nashua)
Hanover High School (Hanover)
Bedford High School (Bedford)
Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto)
California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson)
Troy High School (Fullerton)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Exeter Academy (Exeter)
St. Paul's School (Concord)
The Derryfield School (Manchester)
Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles)
The Harker School (San Jose)
Polytechnic School (Pasadena)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Derryfield School (Manchester)
Nashua Christian Academy (Nashua)
Mount Zion Christian Schools (Manchester)
The Nueva School (Hillsborough)
The Webb Schools (Claremont)
Chadwick School (Palos Verdes Peninsula)
Top 3 School DistrictsHanover School District
Bedford School District
Londonderry School District
San Marino Unified School District
Palo Alto Unified School District
Arcadia Unified School District

How Much Do New Hampshire to California Movers Cost?

Moving 3,087 miles from New Hampshire to California 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$2,953300 ft3$9.84
1 Bedroom$4,406450 ft3$9.79
2 Bedrooms$7,306750 ft3$9.74
3 Bedrooms$10,6611100 ft3$9.69
4 Bedrooms$15,4271600 ft3$9.64
5+ Bedrooms$17,2661800 ft3$9.59

Top New Hampshire to California Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire to California

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

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Fit 2 Move featured image

Fit 2 Move

9.28/10
ExceptionalView details