California has lost more residents to other states than it has gained for several years running, and Los Angeles County accounts for a large share of those departures. Whether it's cost of living, remote work or family, a move out of state is a bigger undertaking than a local move — here's how to plan it.
Popular destinations from LA
| Destination | 1-bedroom | 2–3 bedrooms | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | $2,000–$2,800 | $2,900–$4,300 | 1–2 days |
| Phoenix, AZ | $2,200–$3,000 | $3,100–$4,600 | 1–2 days |
| Reno, NV | $2,700–$3,600 | $3,700–$5,500 | 1–2 days |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $3,000–$4,000 | $4,100–$6,000 | 2–3 days |
| Denver, CO | $3,200–$4,400 | $4,500–$6,600 | 2–3 days |
| Austin, TX | $3,600–$4,800 | $5,100–$7,200 | 3–4 days |
| Dallas, TX | $3,700–$4,900 | $5,200–$7,300 | 3–4 days |
| Seattle, WA | $3,900–$5,200 | $5,300–$7,800 | 2–4 days |
| Chicago, IL | $4,200–$5,600 | $5,700–$8,400 | 4–6 days |
| New York, NY | $4,800–$6,500 | $6,600–$9,800 | 5–8 days |
Nevada, Texas, Washington and Tennessee have no state tax on wages, which is a big part of their pull; Arizona, Utah and Colorado have flat income taxes well below California's top rates. See all routes from Los Angeles for more destinations.
Moving out of LA? One flat, binding price by home size, on a dedicated truck with one crew — confirmed after a free video survey.
Your moving options
Full-service mover — packing (optional), loading, the drive and unloading by one company. With Best Movers LA, one crew and one dedicated truck handle the whole move for a binding flat price, so your belongings are never transferred to another carrier or consolidated with other shipments.
Portable container — the company drops a container, you pack and load it, they transport it. Cheaper in cash, but you do the heavy work, and in many LA neighborhoods a container on the street needs a permit.
Rental truck — the lowest cash price and the most labor: add fuel, lodging and days of driving a loaded truck.
Hybrid — hire local movers to load in LA, drive the rental truck yourself, and hire movers to unload at the destination. Best Movers LA offers hourly labor-only loading help for the LA end.
What to do before leaving California
Plan for a part-year resident California tax return (FTB Form 540NR) for the year you leave, and keep a paper trail of your move date. Change your address with USPS and separately with the FTB and IRS. Register your car and get a driver license in the new state within its deadline (often 30–60 days), update your voter registration, and cancel California-specific accounts such as LADWP or SoCalGas the day after you move out.
Getting the best long-distance price
Book 4–6 weeks out for most dates, more for June through August. Get at least three written quotes based on the same inventory — a video survey gives the most accurate number. Ask each company whether the price is binding, whether the truck is dedicated or consolidated, and whether the delivery is a date or a window. Declutter before the survey, not after: the smaller the inventory, the smaller the price tier.
Out-of-state moving checklist
6 weeks out
- Book the mover and verify them federally: USDOT number active at fmcsa.dot.gov, carrier not broker, binding written estimate after a video survey. Interstate is where moving fraud lives — vet harder than for a local move.
- Declutter aggressively: interstate prices follow how much you ship; shipping particle-board furniture 1,500 miles rarely beats replacing it.
- Landlords/escrow: give notice per lease; schedule the move-out inspection.
3–4 weeks out
- Health insurance: CA plans (including Covered California) don't travel. Line up the new state's plan — employer, marketplace (moving is a qualifying event), or COBRA bridge — so coverage starts day one.
- Prescriptions: transfer to a national chain with locations at destination; refill everything before departure.
- Records: medical, dental, vet, school transcripts — request copies now, not from 1,500 miles away.
- USPS forwarding (usps.com) effective on your move date; update banks, employer, IRS/FTB address separately.
1–2 weeks out
- Utilities: stop LADWP/SoCalGas/internet day after the move; start destination utilities day before arrival.
- Car shipping or road-trip plan — get car-shipping quotes about 2 weeks ahead, or plan the drive and overnight stops.
- Document your departure date: lease end, utility stops, one-way tickets. If FTB ever questions residency, contemporaneous records win.
First month in the new state
- Driver license — most states want it within 30–90 days of residency.
- Vehicle registration — often 30 days; inspection may come first (Texas, others).
- Voter registration — register new, which also helps document the move.
- Notify FTB of your new address and calendar a reminder for the part-year return at tax time.
- CA DMV: file a Notice of Transfer/Release of Liability if you sold a car, and surrender plates only if the new state requires it.
The tax point people miss
California residency ends when you both leave and establish domicile elsewhere — license, registration, voting, a real home. Until then, FTB can treat you as a resident. Keep the paper trail of your transition month; if you retain CA income (rental, business, RSUs vesting), talk to a tax professional about sourcing rules. This article is general information, not tax advice.
Related questions
What do I need to do administratively before leaving California?
Close or transfer utilities, file a change of address, and be clear about your residency date for state tax purposes — California is attentive to part-year residency and the date you establish domicile elsewhere matters. If your income is substantial or your situation complex, a conversation with a tax professional before you go is cheaper than one after.
How far ahead should I book an interstate move out of LA?
Four to six weeks for most destinations, more for a summer date. Interstate moves need a written binding quote, a load date and a delivery window agreed in advance, and the good carriers fill their summer calendars early.
Should I ship my car or drive it?
Drive it if the route is under about a day and you want the car on arrival; ship it if you are flying, if it is a second vehicle, or if the distance turns the trip into several days of hotels and fuel. Compare the shipping quote against fuel, lodging and the time — for anything past the Rockies, shipping frequently wins.
What is the biggest mistake people make leaving California?
Moving everything. Interstate prices follow how much you ship, so every box has a real cost attached, and furniture that suits an LA apartment often does not suit the house at the other end. Deciding what really travels is the single largest lever on the price.
Do I owe California taxes after I leave?
For the year you leave, you'll likely file a part-year resident return (FTB Form 540NR). California taxes income earned while resident; establishing clear domicile in the new state (license, registration, voting, housing) matters if you have CA-source income afterward. Complex situations deserve a tax professional.
How long do I have to register my car in a new state?
Commonly 30–60 days after establishing residency (Texas gives 30 days), and some states expect it sooner. Check the destination DMV the week you arrive — late registration fines are an avoidable welcome gift.
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