Moving from Washington to California is a hassle. Yet knowing some essential things about California will indeed prove helpful in making your moving hassle-free.
The Californian lifestyle differs in many ways and has effects on the weather of the place, the cost of living, the food habits, law and order, etc.
Moving to California from Washington will require extensive planning about when and how to move and the cost incurred.
However, if you are moving to Washington state, you should be better aware of when does it start snowing in Seattle, Washington.
Why people move from Washington to California?
The most significant reason people tend to move to California is the job opportunity it provides.
California offers a range of jobs in various fields that an individual might be interested in. The existence of Hollywood is a primary reason that attracts tourism and also people to settle over.
Is moving from Washington to California better idea?
It is not a good idea though California offers many job opportunities in various fields such as Retail, Software, Healthcare, Restaurants, Entertainment, etc.
Compared to Washington, California has a higher unemployment rate with a lesser GDP.
[elementor-template id=”13242″]
1. Moving From Washington to California: Movers Cost
One of the prime aspects is the cost of moving from Washington to California.
California is one such state that costs more than it might in Washington. And those who are fed up with California’s cost of living can think about moving to Seattle, Washington, which is less expensive than California.
But your move to California can seriously affect lifestyle costs, the climate, and your food habits compared to that of Washington.
How much does it cost to move from Washington to California?
Moving from Washington to California costs about $2000 to $9500.
How expensive is moving from Washington to California?
Moving from Washington to California costs around $2000 to $9500, depending upon the mode of transport you choose, the number of goods moved, taxes, and weather conditions.
2. Cost Of Living in California Compared To Washington
Moving from Washington to California costs around $2000 to $9500. The cost of living in California is comparatively greater than what is needed to maintain a good lifestyle in Washington.
The costs involved in average daily services and basic needs, namely food, housing, transport, and healthcare, are 7% greater in California.
However, the cost in Seattle is still, on average, about 48% higher than in other cities.
However, you may miss haunted abandoned places in Washington state after moving to California.
Is it cheaper to live in Washington than California?
Yes. The lifestyle cost in Washington is nearly 7% less than in California for amenities like food, transport, housing, entertainment, and childcare.
How much do you need per month to live in (California & Washington)?
The cost needed to maintain an ideal lifestyle in California is around $3900 per month. In comparison, that of Washington is about $2100 per month.
3. Taxes California Vs Washington
The taxes in Washington, as compared with that of California, shows a significant difference which is as below,
Income tax – The state of Washington has no system to apply income tax.
On the other hand, the citizens of California have to pay a tax on their earnings. The taxes imposed on earnings are subdivided into ten grades starting from 1% to 13.3%
Sales tax – The rate in Washington is 6.5%, and that of California is 7.25%.
Property tax – The property tax in Washington and California remains the same, applied at 1%.
Why tax is less in Washington compared to California?
The accumulation is less mainly because of the population. The sources through which the accumulation of taxes takes place in Washington are sales tax and property tax, as income tax is not yet applied in Washington.
Is it taxes cheaper in California or Washington?
The tax in Washington is cheaper compared to California by 7%.
Tax comparison table (California vs Washington)
| State | Income Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax |
| Washington | None | 7.00% – 10.50% | 0.93% (average effective rate) |
| California | 1% – 13.3% | 7.25% – 10.50% | 0.73% (average effective rate) |
Ref – https://upgradedhome.com/cost-of-living-in-washington-vs-california/
4. Housing in Washington To California
Housing in California is more expensive than that in Washington. For a good and affordable lifestyle, it is advisable to move to a city where the prices are lesser than the national average.
The housing prices in Seattle are 48% higher than that of the other cities in Washington state. However, the prices in Seattle are around 30 to 40% cheaper than in California.
Why is housing so high in Washington state than California?
Due to high demand, a lower interest rate, housing laws, and increasing shortage, the cost keeps increasing. The cost this year was 24% higher compared to the previous years.
Are house prices dropping in Washington state?
No. In Washington state, the housing prices are 13% higher than the average national cost and keep increasing yearly.
5. Compare Education Washington Vs California
Washington has one of the best schools. Some examples are Interlake senior high school, Bellevue high school, Newport senior high school, and Mercer Island high school.
Among the best ones from California is the University of California, Berkeley, University of Los Angeles, Berkeley, Stanford University, and California Institute of technology.
The best schools and education are chosen over academics, student handling, community, and optimum class size.
Is Washington or California good for education?
California, as per the reports of state rankings, California holds the 15th rank, while Washington holds the rank 35th.
Which state has best schools California or Washington?
Washington. According to the state’s public school rankings, Washington holds the 31st spot with a total score of 47.56. In contrast, California has the 40th spot with a total score of 43.17.
[elementor-template id=”13252″]
6. Compare Climate & Weather
Before relocating, most people consider climate and weather conditions, so California and Washington are no exception for it.
| Parameters | Seattle | California |
| Climatic conditions | Remains around 220 days under grey clouds | Remains around 300 days under sunlight |
| Summer | Attains around 75.8 F during the month of July | Attains around 83.6 F during the month of July |
| Winter | During the month of January the temperature drops around 37 F | During the month of January the temperature drops around 45.9 F |
| Rainfall | Experiences about 38.1 inches of rain per year | Experiences about 15.5 inches of rain per year |
| Snowfall | Around 5 inches per year of snowfall | Around 0 inches per year of snowfall |
Ref – https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/?c1=55363000&c2=50644000
The residents of both places find a remarkable change in the climate. Therefore, Washingtonians prefer moving to California, and Californians prefer Washington. But Californians should know the best time of year to visit Washington, DC.
Is Washington colder than California?
Yes. Washington is colder than California, with cloudier weather and the occurrence of rains as well as snowfall.
Is Washington or California state warm year round?
The state of California remains warm year-round, experiencing around 300 days of sunlight.
7. Washington To California Shipping & Transport
Moving to California from Washington is about 4500 km (2800 miles approx.). Reaching this distance through a drive lasts about 15 to 16 hours.
An average flight takes around 4 hours to cover 2302 miles from California to Washington.
How much does it cost to transport a car from California to Washington?
The transport can cost around $600 to $1500 moving from California to Washington, depending upon the mode of transport chosen, the pickup and drop cities, and favorable weather conditions.
How long does it take to ship a car from Washington to California?
It usually will incur around 3 to 7 days to ship a car from Washington to California, depending upon the mode of transport chosen, the varying distance from the exact places where the goods must be shipped, and the weather.
8. Jobs, Employment in Washington & California
Seattle is a Well employed area with tech companies like Zillow, Microsoft, and Amazon. It is surrounded by the sea as well.
This presence of companies creates an opportunity in the Maritime (connected to sea) industry, with health care and biotech industries for citizens of Seattle.
Is California has better jobs than Washington?
Yes. California offers opportunities in various fields of work. Still, despite having better jobs than Washington, California has a higher unemployment rate of 9.3%, whereas it is only 6.0% in Washington.
9. Populations By Rank & Size
With a population of 39 million, California ranks 1 in terms of population by rank. However, with a population of 0.79 million, Washington ranks 13 in population by rank.
| Parameters | California | Washington |
| Population | 39,368,078 | 7,692,612 |
| Surface area | 423 967 sq. km | 184,661 sq. km |
(reference https://countryeconomy.com/countries/usa-states/compare/washington/california?sc=XE23)
What is the population of California and Washington?
The population of Washington as of 2022 is 7,901,429, and that of California is 39,995,077.
Is Washington highly Populated than California?
No, California is more populated and about 2.3 times bigger than Washington.
[elementor-template id=”13247″]
10. Health insurance Plans And Health Care Programs
After moving from Washington to California, the sudden change in the climatic condition may adversely affect one’s body.
The citizens of such places get habitual eventually to the place’s climate. Still, the ones dropped newly into the conditions may find it challenging to cope with, even when the intensity is not as greater as what it is going to seem.
As a result, medical facilities become essential if the conditions get out of hand.
Does Washington or California state have good healthcare?
The state of California ranks 5th, while Washington ranks 8th in health care. But overall, the conditions and medical facilities provided by Washington and California are of a good level.
Is California State Health Care the same as Washington?
Yes, Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost healthcare to those who meet its eligibility criteria. Also provides free healthcare to low-income and illegal immigrants living in the state.
11. Pros & Cons Moving To Washington To California
Pros
Job opportunities are more – California offers opportunities in the sectors such as Software, Healthcare, Operations, Home decor, Analysts, Restaurants, Tech, Entertainment, etc.
Whole different weather – Unlike Washington, California remains sunny for an extensive period of a year.
Cons
Cost of living is high – The cost of living in California is even higher than what is required to live in Washington. On average, California is 7% higher than Washington.
Higher housing charges – Due to the jurisdictions imposed on the housing schemes, the cost of housing in California is greater than in Washington.
Different lifestyles – Compared to Washington, the Californian lifestyle differs greatly in terms of climatic conditions, way of living, food habits, etc.
Moving From Washington To California FAQ’s
How to choose a moving company for Washington to California?
A good company while moving from Washington to California is hired based on the following factors,
- A suitable cost of moving
- A company that has moving and parking permits
- A company with T Number. Companies with T Numbers qualify for financial, safety dependability, and insurance.
Are there any times of the year when I should avoid moving From Washington to California?
Yes, moving becomes hectic and stressful if unfavorable conditions occur.
For example, moving becomes comfortable during a year when the weather conditions are clear and sunny. But moving should be avoided on a very hot summer day or during heavy rainfall.
As a result, such a time of the year during a very high rate of heat or heavy rainfall is the time you should avoid.
Does all of Washington state see heavy rainfall?
No. The amount of rainfall varies in different parts of Washington.
Conclusion
Depending upon the analysis, the differences occurring in both locations result in consumption for some particular period for an individual to get habitual to the varied conditions of California.
As a result, individuals can consider moving to California if they are prepared to adjust to the changing climate, high cost of living, different food habits, and changing lifestyles.
Overall, it’s up to you whether you want to relocate or not. In our experience, both cities have their pros and cons. So decide by considering all the points.
[elementor-template id=”13257″]