Moving to Idaho from California | Complete Idaho Moving Guide

There are plenty of Californians thinking of moving to Idaho from California. This is because there are multiple benefits of living there. While California(the golden state) is a fantastic state in and of itself, Idaho(the gem state) is second to none regarding its benefits.

Idaho has fantastic scenic beauty. Boise is the capital city of Idaho. The tiny city of Boise is located in the Rocky Mountains foothills. The natural locations there are breathtakingly beautiful. Not to mention, the cost of living is much more affordable compared to California. It’s also a nice break from the Californian weather and crowd. The city life of Idaho is awesome.

Talking about education, Idaho has the best facilities. The best thing is, you will never notice the difference in terms of educational institutes or job opportunities because Idaho boasts fantastic universities and a booming economy! Many universities offer direct enrollment program. That’s a great opportunity for the students.

If you are thinking of making the move, you will need to consider many things. We will take you through why you should make the move and things you should know before moving. Additionally, we will also highlight some potential cons of moving to Idaho from California. We will talk about long-distance movers and your potential moving costs! Buckle up, this is going to be a fun move!

How Much Will It Cost Me To Move To Idaho From California?

The average cost of moving to Idaho from California can be anywhere between $2500 to $5500. However, a long-distance move cost depends on various factors like estimate distance, move size, additional services, etc. Therefore, this is just a cost estimate. The other factors are:

Weight And Mileage

Your final cost will depend on many factors. The first thing you should know is that most long-distance movers have fixed rates depending on mileage and the cubic weight of the furniture.

Usually, they charge a fixed rate per 100 miles. Since this rate can vary between movers, the specific company you choose will alter your cost. Hence, estimate distance to get an accurate moving cost. The size of your apartment is also a major factor in cost determination. Moving from a two-bedroom apartment will always be more expensive than moving from a one-bedroom one.

Choosing The City To Live

The cities you are moving between will change your costs. For example, moving to Nampa from San Francisco will cost different than moving to Idaho Falls from San Francisco. Not to mention, the amount of furniture you move will drive your prices up or down. However, Idaho has many major cities where you will find a lower cost of living.

Additional Services

Since moving companies have different rates with regard to their services as well, the number of services you choose will drive your prices up. Hence, if you require multiple services, your move will be expensive. If you require one or two, your move will be more affordable. There are things to consider when it comes to the services themselves. A complete packing service will be more expensive than a partial packing one.

Time And Season

Are you thinking of moving to Idaho from California during the summer? Chances are, that will drive your costs up. Summer is the most popular season for moving, hence it makes companies drive their prices up.

Additionally, the route you choose will also alter prices. Please remember to also tip your movers! It’s customary to tip them about 15%.

Can You Recommend Some Affordable Movers?

We know that affordability is a major concern for anyone who is moving. As a result, we thought you would find it helpful if we compiled a list of moving companies at an affordable cost. Please note that this is not a complete list by any means.

There are, of course, multiple other factors to consider than just affordability. However, everyone needs to start research somewhere. We thought the following list would be a good stepping stone for you so that you can carry on your own research after reading through this list. Please make sure to do more reading afterward to find the mover best suited for your specific needs!

Taking the opposite path? With our Moving from Idaho to California guide, we’ve got you covered.

Why Move To Idaho From California?

Cost Of Living

Idaho has some of the most affordable real estate and rent prices. In the western part of the country, it has the cheapest living costs among all the 11 states. Research shows that Idaho has a 5% lower living cost compared to most parts of the USA. This is a phenomenal consideration that California is one of the most expensive states to live in. Renting, buying, and even day-to-day expenses like utility bills are much cheaper in Idaho. The difference in the living costs between the two states is below:

Taxes

Income taxes in Idaho are lower than the national average. The income tax rate is just 2.6%, compared to the national average of 4.4%. However, Idaho does have a sales tax of 6%, which is higher than the national average of 5.4%. Property taxes in Idaho are also higher than the national average, with homeowners paying an average of 1.17% of their home’s value in property taxes each year.

Education And Job Opportunities

Idaho has a college graduation rate of a whopping 85%. This leads to the conclusion that most individuals who finish high school in Idaho also go on to finish college! This is a fantastic statistic because this means there are plenty of amazing colleges and universities in the state. Some famous universities are Boise state university, Idaho state university, College of Idaho, etc.

Sports And Outdoor Activities

Idaho has vast opportunities for sports and outdoor activities. It has many national parks where you can spend your free time. There is also an opportunity to enjoy mountain biking. The national parks are a source of natural beauty. Idaho residents often go to the national parks to enjoy the time in the afternoon. Consider Visiting these places when moving from California to Idaho.

lifestyle

The cost of living in California is high, and many people are looking for ways to reduce their expenses. One way to do this is to move to Idaho, where the cost of living is much lower. Idaho offers a great quality of life, with plenty of outdoor activities and a low crime rate. Families will love the affordable housing and the many schools that are ranked among the best in the country. If you’re looking for a great place to live, Idaho is a great option. Here is a comparison between Idaho and California.

How Do I Prepare For My Move?

Budgeting

The first step is to do plenty of research. Depending on your requirements, there are different Idaho cities to move to. Are you looking to live there? Maybe you are looking to retire or raise a family. Maybe you want to start college there. You should look into the factors that are relevant to your requirements.

For instance, if you are looking to go to Idaho for college, you should look into the specific colleges in Idaho that offer the subject you are looking to major in. Additionally, you should also look at the job opportunities available. Depending on where you move to Idaho, you will have an edge depending on what your specialty is. Idaho in general, has a competitive economy and a booming job market, as we had discussed previously.

You should also budget very well. Look into real estate prices if you are looking to buy a home. Idaho’s real estate and housing costs are far more affordable than California’s. The median home price in Idaho is much more affordable.

Renting is also much cheaper in Idaho compared to California. You should look into how much you will be spending on rent and other things like your utility bills. Contact the federal housing finance agency if you need financial support. You should go apartment hunting months in advance before even moving because you don’t want to move without having a specific place to stay.

There are other costs, such as public transportation costs, if you don’t have a vehicle. Public transportation in Idaho is cheaper than in California, so that’s always a plus side. Look into additional costs such as groceries, etc.

Insurance

There are three main insurance sections you should research before moving to Idaho from California. Firstly, if you are looking to buy a house, you should have home insurance. Although getting home insurance isn’t mandatory in a lot of places, you could be obligated to get insurance if you are paying through a lending company. Many companies oblige their clients to get insurance to make sure that they won’t default on their mortgages.

The second kind of insurance you must get is health insurance. Getting health insurance in the country has been made very easy because you can simply access a website, create an account and select “Idaho” as your state. Then you will be able to access your health insurance options. You should look into how much health insurance in Idaho will cost you.

If you own a private vehicle, you should also make sure you get car insurance. This is of utmost importance, to ensure you don’t have to pay exorbitant amounts of money in cases of accidental damage, etc.

DMV

You will need to inform the California DMV of your change of address within 30 days of your move, and you must let the Idaho DMV know of the same. You need to register your vehicle and get your Idaho driver’s license. Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to take a vision and a road test, although this isn’t compulsory for everyone. Additionally, you will need to pay a fee to get your license.

Don’t forget to change your home address when you move! It will take some time to update your mail forwarding address, but it’s best to change it as soon as possible when moving.

What Are The Cons Of Moving To Idaho?

There is research that shows that Idaho is generally good for raising families or for couples. However, according to statistics, it’s not a very suitable place to live for singles. That shouldn’t deter you from moving from California because there are, of course, plenty of single people in Idaho, but there is a negative statistic attached to it!

If you are used to the warm Californian summer, the move to Idaho may be jarring. While Idaho also has very hot summers, its winters are extremely cold. This shift may be incredibly uncomfortable for individuals who are used to the same kind of weather or don’t like extremely cold winters. Once you move, you should get used to Idaho’s varied climate.

Idaho is covered with many different kinds of vegetation. While this makes for fantastic sightseeing or outdoor sports. Additionally, this vegetation also means that moving to cities and towns within the state can be difficult. Coming to the airport, the capital of Idaho, Boise is the only city that has an international airport. That can be inconvenient if you are a frequent flier who needs to move out of the country often.

Hiring Long-Distance Movers When Moving To Idaho From California

Moving takes a long time to plan. Not to mention, relocating between states is very stressful. As a result of this, you should hire long-distance movers when moving to Idaho from California. Professional movers can make your move stress-free by offering a plethora of services.

Packing Services

The most commonly used service is packing services. There are two kinds of them. You can avail of a full-packing service. If you avail of this, the long-distance movers are going to inspect all of your furniture. Then, they will pack your belongings with their specialized packing equipment. Different furniture requires different materials to ensure their safety.

Partial packing services are used by consumers who know how to pack some of their furniture but need help with others. If you think you can pack most of your furniture on your own, you can go for this service! The outcome will still be the same. The movers will inspect your furniture and wrap them with utmost care.

Move Heavy Appliances

When moving, you may need to move your heavy appliances as well. If you don’t know how to move your washing machine or dishwasher, etc, don’t worry. Long-distance movers can help you uninstall and move your heavy appliances.

Moving One Piece Of Furniture

There are other services for individuals who own novelty pieces of furniture. If you have an expensive piece of art or a pool table, for instance, you may want to move them separately. As a result of this, long-distance movers offer you the chance to move a single piece of furniture.

Truck Rental And Storage Rent

When moving to Idaho from California, you may also need vehicular help. Maybe you don’t have space for storage, or your vehicle can’t contain all your furniture. Long-distance movers can provide you with storage units and rental services.

How Do I Get In Touch With Long-Distance Movers?

The best way to get in touch with long-distance movers is by directly calling them. When you are researching professional movers, you should ask your friends and family. Particularly look for people who have made the move to Idaho from California. If you know any of your future neighbors you can ask them about it too.

All the information regarding long-distance movers will be available on their websites as well. Most reputed movers have their rates, services, contact numbers, and ratings on display on their websites. Hence, you can directly call them up using the number they have listed.

Additionally, there is the option of contacting them through email or 24/7 live customer service chat. There are some movers who have that option available. You can also look at online reviews! Of course, these may not always be 100% honest, but they are a good place to start if you are confused.

Once you have called your moving company up for moving to Idaho from California, you should make sure that they have friendly customer service. This is one of the most important things to look out for. If you have any doubts with regards to this when you are talking to a company, you should look for a company that has amicable customer service.

Conclusion

Moving to Idaho from California is a tall order and can be incredibly stressful. However, if you do plenty of research beforehand and have a reliable moving company that you can count on, it doesn’t have to be either of those things. You must make sure that you have done plenty of research before you even start the moving process. Additionally, you should budget properly as well.

In Buzzmoving, you will find reliable and expert movers. They will carry your stuff safely to your new home in Idaho. Get a free quote today.

FAQ’s

Q: Is it worth it to move to Idaho from California?

A: Yes! Moving from California to Idaho is the right choice. Idaho has a lower living cost than other states.

Q: What is the best place to live in Idaho for the weather?

A: The best place to live in Idaho for the weather is Boise. Boise has an average high temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.