Moving out of California is a bigger job than packing a truck. You are changing your tax residency, your driver license, your car registration and your voter record, and you are probably moving a whole household hundreds or thousands of miles. Most of it is simple once you know the order to do it in.
This guide covers where Californians actually move, a week-by-week checklist, what the state’s tax agency says about leaving, and how to plan the move itself. South Bay Moving Systems has moved Central Coast and Central Valley families since 1991, and our long-distance movers handle moves from California to every state in the lower 48.
Where people go when they leave California
About 661,000 people moved from California to another state in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau state-to-state migration flows. Texas, Nevada and Arizona took the most, followed by Washington, Florida and Oregon. Here are the top 10 destinations, with links to our route page and guide for each one.
| Destination state | Movers from California (2024) | SouthBay route page |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 77,161 | CA to Texas movers · Texas guide |
| Nevada | 53,289 | CA to Nevada movers · Nevada guide |
| Arizona | 52,383 | CA to Arizona movers · Arizona guide |
| Washington | 43,938 | CA to Washington movers |
| Florida | 36,194 | CA to Florida movers · Florida guide |
| Oregon | 31,500 | CA to Oregon movers |
| New York | 31,367 | CA to New York movers |
| Virginia | 20,180 | CA to Virginia movers |
| Colorado | 19,717 | CA to Colorado movers |
| Tennessee | 19,670 | CA to Tennessee movers |
Why those states keep coming up
- Lower housing costs. Home prices in most of these markets sit well below the Bay Area, Monterey Peninsula and coastal Southern California.
- State income tax. Texas, Nevada, Washington, Florida and Tennessee have no broad state income tax on wages. Arizona has a flat rate. California’s top rate is the highest in the country.
- Short drives. Nevada, Arizona and Oregon border California, so many moves stay within a day or two of driving and family stays close.
- Jobs. Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Seattle and Reno have pulled in tech, manufacturing and logistics employers from California.
The best state to move to from California depends on what you are moving for. Retirees often weigh taxes and healthcare. Families tend to look at schools and space. Remote workers chase lower costs and still want an airport nearby. Read the state guides above before you decide, because the trade-offs (summer heat in Phoenix, home insurance in Florida, winters in Reno) are real.
Moving out of California checklist
8 to 12 weeks before the move
- Get two or three written estimates from interstate movers. Read our guide to long-distance moving costs so you know what drives the price.
- Check each mover’s USDOT number on the FMCSA Protect Your Move site. Interstate movers must be registered with the federal government.
- Pick your move window. Summer is the busiest season for long-distance moves, so book early if you need June through August.
- Start decluttering. Long-distance moves are priced largely by weight, so every box you don’t ship saves money.
- Ask your employer about relocation benefits and keep every moving receipt.
4 to 6 weeks before
- Decide whether you want professional packing or will pack yourself.
- Arrange storage if your new home won’t be ready when you leave.
- Request school and medical records, and refill prescriptions.
- Plan how pets will travel. Our moving with pets guide covers the basics.
- Give notice to your landlord, or line up your home sale closing date.
2 weeks before
- File your change of address with the USPS.
- Schedule utility shutoffs in California and start-ups at the new address.
- Update your address with banks, your employer, insurance and subscriptions.
- Confirm the pickup date, the delivery window and the inventory process with your mover in writing.
Moving week
- Pack a first-night box with documents, chargers, medications, bedding and basic tools.
- Keep valuables, passports, titles and tax records with you, not on the truck.
- Walk the house with the crew lead and check the inventory list before you sign.
After you arrive
- Get your new state driver license and register your car (see the next section for deadlines).
- Register to vote in your new state.
- Set up a new doctor, dentist and vet.
- Save your proof of move date. You may need it for your California tax return.
California taxes when you move out
This section is general information from the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), not tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about your own situation, especially if you own California property or have stock compensation.
- The year you move, you are a part-year resident. The FTB says part-year residents are taxed on all income received while a California resident, and only on California-source income after they leave. Part-year residents file Form 540NR. See the FTB’s part-year resident and nonresident page.
- Some income stays California income after you leave. The FTB lists work performed in California, rent from California property, the sale of California real estate and income from a California business. A gain on California real estate is taxable by California even if you sell after you move. Deferred pay and equity compensation can also stay California-source.
- Residency is decided by the facts. The FTB’s Publication 1031 explains how it weighs where your home, family, work, driver license, car registration, voter registration and bank accounts are. A temporary absence doesn’t end California residency.
- Cut the ties cleanly. People who keep a California home, license, registration and voting record after moving make their residency harder to prove. Update them promptly and keep records of the move date.
Driver license, car registration and other paperwork
Every state sets its own deadline for new residents. Texas, for example, gives new residents 30 days to register a vehicle and 90 days to get a Texas driver license, according to the Texas DMV. Nevada, Arizona and other states have their own rules and fees, so check your new state’s DMV website the week you arrive. Keep your California registration and insurance active until the car is registered in the new state.
How long does a long-distance move from California take?
Two different clocks matter here. The drive itself is the shorter one. From the Salinas area, the drive is roughly a day to Reno or Las Vegas, about two days to Phoenix, Portland or Seattle, and three to four days to Dallas for a moving truck that follows hours-of-service rules. Cross-country routes to Florida or the East Coast take longer.
The second clock is your delivery date. Long-distance trucks often carry more than one household, and they run on route schedules. Your actual delivery date depends on that schedule and is confirmed in writing when you book. Be wary of any mover that promises a delivery day before it has seen your inventory and your dates.
How to choose a mover for an out-of-state move
- Confirm the company is a registered interstate carrier, not just a broker that sells your job to someone else.
- Get an in-home or video survey. Phone quotes without seeing your stuff are guesses.
- Ask whether the estimate is binding or non-binding, and what can change the price.
- Ask how your belongings are protected and what valuation coverage costs.
- Read reviews and compare at least three companies. Our guide to picking a long-distance mover has a full checklist.
If you’re also comparing timing, packing and budget, our long-distance move prep guide walks through it step by step.
Moving out of California: FAQ
What is the most popular state to move to from California?
Texas. Census Bureau estimates show about 77,000 people moved from California to Texas in 2024, more than any other state. Nevada and Arizona were close behind with about 53,000 and 52,000.
Do I still pay California taxes after I move out?
For the part of the year you lived in California, yes. After you become a nonresident, California taxes only California-source income, such as rent from California property or a gain on selling California real estate. You file Form 540NR for the year you move. Ask a tax professional about your details.
How far ahead should I book an out-of-state move?
Six to eight weeks is a good target, and more for summer moves. That gives you time to compare written estimates and lock in a pickup date.
Can SouthBay move me from California to another state?
Yes. We move households from the Central Coast, Central Valley and Bay Area to all of the lower 48 states. Start with our long-distance moving services or request a quote below.
Get a quote for your move out of California
South Bay Moving Systems has been moving California families since 1991. Tell us where you’re headed and when, and we’ll give you a written estimate with no surprises. Request your free move estimate or explore our long-distance moving services.
