Movers

Wyoming to California Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,191 mile interstate move from Wyoming to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wyoming vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Bison Steak vs Sourdough Bread), real estate & housing (ranch vs spanish colonial/mid-century modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison Steak and Beef Jerky, but get your taste buds ready for Sourdough Bread & Fish Tacos
  • California housing costs are 130% more expensive than they are in Wyoming
  • Rent in California is 148.04% more expensive than in Wyoming
  • Moving from Wyoming to California will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Wyoming to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

Wyoming to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Wyoming to California

ConsWyoming iconWyoming
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited entertainment
  • Rural isolation
  • Sparse shopping
  • Job market growth
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Mild winters
  • Vibrant culture
  • Metropolitan life
  • Retail variety
  • Thriving industries

California iconCalifornia
  • Higher expenses
  • Busy lifestyle
  • Urban congestion
  • Less intimate communities
  • Heavy traffic
Wyoming iconWyoming
  • Low cost of living
  • Peaceful surroundings
  • Open landscapes
  • Cherished small towns
  • Minimal traffic

Pros of moving from Wyoming to California

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited entertainment and moving to California with vibrant culture
  • Swap the rural isolation of Wyoming for metropolitan life in California
  • Get ready for retail variety in California

Cons of moving from Wyoming to California

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Wyoming to live with higher expenses in California
  • You'll lose out on the pro of peaceful surroundings and have to settle for the con of a busy lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to open landscapes and get used to urban congestion in California
  • Swap cherished small towns for less intimate communities

Wyoming vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemBison SteakSourdough Bread
Most popular meat dishBeef JerkyFish Tacos
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosStreet Tacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • King’s Saddlery
  • Pitchfork Fondue Western Cookout
  • The Busy Bee Cafe
  • Chez Panisse
  • The French Laundry
  • 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 Wyoming to California, you will be trading the iconic Bison Steak of Wyoming for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of California. And while the locals in Wyoming rave about their flavorful Beef Jerky and sumptuous Indian Tacos, California residents know they have tasty Fish Tacos and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Wyoming eateries like King’s Saddlery, Pitchfork Fondue Western Cookout, and The Busy Bee 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, The French Laundry, and Gjelina.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wyoming and California

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleRanchSpanish Colonial/Mid-Century 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 Land, Natural BeautyProximity to the Ocean, Tech Innovation Hubs
  • The Ranch architecture that Wyoming is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Mid-Century Modern architecture typical of California.
  • Compared to Wyoming's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious land and natural beauty, California real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the ocean and tech innovation hubs.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. California is more walkable than Wyoming.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. California is more bike-friendly than Wyoming.
  • California has more of an urban feel than Wyoming.
  • California housing costs are 130% more expensive than they are in Wyoming, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Wyoming’s $340,933.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42% compared to a 40% increase in Wyoming.
  • Rent in California is 148.04% more expensive than in Wyoming.

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

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
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, WildfiresWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVaries widely
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 40Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)32Β°F / 15Β°F60Β°F / 45Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)12.5"22"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60"Varies
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wyoming to California. California gets 35% more sunshine days than Wyoming.
  • California has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wyoming.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and wildfires in Wyoming, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in California.
  • The average summer high temperature in California is the same as Wyoming.
  • The average winter lows are 30 degrees warmer than they are in Wyoming.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in California. California receives 9.5 more inches of rain compared to Wyoming.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Wyoming and California

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$70,042$91,551
Cost of Living Index98.75136.4
State Income Tax0.01.0-13.3
Avg. Property Tax0.610.76
Avg. Sales Tax5.348.68
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, TourismTechnology, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 31% more than in Wyoming
  • The COLI in California is 38% higher than what you are used to living in Wyoming
  • Bummer... By moving from WY to CA, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.0-13.3
  • The affluence in California is high compared to moderate affluence in Wyoming
  • The poverty level is moderate in California compared to low poverty in Wyoming
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wyoming and high in California

Political and Religious Climate in Wyoming vs. California

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
Political Make-upConservative, with strong Republican leaningsLiberal, predominantly Democratic
Local PoliticsLess urban, with politics focused on rural and local business interestsHighly urban, with an emphasis on technology, environmental issues, and social diversity
ReligionMore uniformly Christian, with a high rate of church attendanceDiverse, with higher rates of unaffiliated individuals and a wide variety of religions practiced
  • Wyoming tends to lean conservative with strong Republican leanings in its political climate
  • California, on the other hand, is often described as liberal and predominantly Democratic
  • California's religious environment can be described as diverse with higher rates of unaffiliated individuals and a wide variety of religions practiced
  • Wyoming's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more uniformly Christian with a high rate of church attendance

Education Guide When Moving from Wyoming to California

ComparisonWyomingCalifornia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Wyoming
Laramie; Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne; Casper College
Casper
University of California
Los Angeles; University of Southern California
Los Angeles; California State University
Northridge
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCloud Peak Elementary School
Sheridan; Meadowlark Elementary School
Gillette; Sagewood Elementary School
Casper
Amelia Earhart Elementary School
Alameda; Mill Valley Middle School
Mill Valley; Hawthorne Elementary School
Beverly Hills
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCody Middle School
Cody; Laramie Junior High School
Laramie; Jackson Hole Middle School
Jackson
Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto; California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Carson; The Nueva School
Hillsborough
Top 3 High School SchoolsLaramie High School
Laramie; Cheyenne East High School
Cheyenne; Jackson Hole High School
Jackson
Whitney High School
Cerritos; Oxford Academy
Cypress; University High School
Irvine
Top 3 private high schoolsJackson Hole Community School
Jackson; Wyoming Catholic College
Lander; Sender School
Sheridan
Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles; The Harker School
San Jose; Phillips Academy
Andover
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSnake River Montessori School
Ammon; Casper Classical Academy
Casper; St. Mary's Catholic School
Cheyenne
The Athenian School
Danville; Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Santa Monica; The Thacher School
Ojai
Top 3 School DistrictsSheridan County School District #2
Sheridan; Teton County School District #1
Jackson; Albany County School District #1
Laramie
Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
Los Gatos; Palo Alto Unified School District
Palo Alto; San Marino Unified School District
San Marino

How Much Do Wyoming to California Movers Cost?

Moving 1,191 miles from Wyoming to California will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,878300 ft3$6.26
1 Bedroom$2,794450 ft3$6.21
2 Bedrooms$4,619750 ft3$6.16
3 Bedrooms$6,7201100 ft3$6.11
4 Bedrooms$9,6941600 ft3$6.06
5+ Bedrooms$10,8161800 ft3$6.01

Top Wyoming to California Movers

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

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

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Teton Movers LLC

Teton Movers LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details