Sun-drenched beaches, emerald green hills and star-studded cities are just a few of the things that draw thousands of new residents to California each year. That said, this legendary West Coast state has drawbacks too, like its high cost of living, housing shortage and rising wildfire risk. This guide explores the 10 key factors to consider before moving to California, so you can make an informed choice about whether or not the state is right for you.
Merienda you decide whether (and where) you’ll be moving, Yahoo Específico’s guide to the best national moving companies in the U.S. can help you connect with a reliable mover to help you make the trek.
10 key factors to consider before moving to California
Homes and trees in the Venice Canal Historic District near Venice Beach in Venice, Calif. (Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
From grocery costs and housing options to outdoor activities and nightlife, this list will help you make a confident decision about moving to California.
1) California has five major regions, all of which are very different
It’s hard to talk about the entire state of California without acknowledging just how different things are from one part of the state to another — and these differences will impact where you decide to land.
California’s major regions include Southern California, Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast, the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevadas.
Northern and Central California have milder weather, more rainfall and fewer residents and tourism than Southern California. San Francisco is the primary epicenter of the central part of the state. This is also the home of Silicon Valley, which attracts many new residents via jobs in the tech industry. If you’re moving to this part of the state, check out our vetted guide to the best movers in San Francisco.
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Southern California is more heavily populated than other parts of the state, and its weather tends to be much hotter and dryer. Los Angeles is the bustling center of Southern California, and it’s also California’s largest city. You can find all of our best California movers guides on Yahoo Específico’s California moving hub.
Those who value a slower pace, easier access to nature and milder weather will likely prefer Central or Northern California, while those drawn to desert climates, city life and California’s arts and culture scene will find a better match in Southern California. Affordability also varies a lot throughout the state, with Southern California and the Central Coast, including San Francisco, generally having higher overall costs.
2) Earthquakes are a fact of life in California
If you move to Cali, get ready for a bumpy ride — and make a plan to earthquake-proof your house or apartment.
Earthquakes are one of the most unique (and potentially scary) things about living in California, especially since they happen fairly often. “Each year, California generally gets two or three earthquakes large enough to cause moderate damage to structures (magnitude 5.5 and higher),” according to the California Department of Conservation, which also notes that “earthquakes can occur at any time of the year.”
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Those are just the more significant quakes, though. The California Residential Mitigation Program states that California gets approximately 10,000 earthquakes per year, though most are too small to feel.
Part of your plan for moving to California should involve familiarizing yourself with earthquake safety protocols.
3) The cost of living is higher than in most other parts of the U.S.
California is the country’s second-most-expensive state, according to 2025 data from the World Population Review, eclipsed only by Hawaii. This means that if you’re moving from any other state, you can expect your monthly costs to increase as a result of your move.
The same data shows that California is the third-most-expensive state when it comes to housing, utilities, food and health costs. If you’re looking for affordability in your new home, California probably isn’t the best choice. That said, knowing what to expect can help you budget for the higher costs before you arrive.
4) California has the highest state income tax of any U.S. state
Overhead view of a person adding up receipts while doing their taxes (d3sign via Getty Images)
As if the high cost of living wasn’t enough, California also has the highest state income tax rate of any other state in the U.S., according to 2025 data gathered by TurboTax. California’s 2025 state income tax rate was 13.3%, which is more than two percentage points higher than the next state on the list, Hawaii.
Of course, this is paid on top of your federal income tax, so you’ll need to multiplicador these additional costs into your annual financial planning if you decide to call California home.
5) It can be extremely tough to find affordable housing
With California housing costs so high, it’s no surprise that finding affordable housing is tough in the home of Hollywood.
“The high cost of housing is one of the primary drivers of California’s high poverty rate — ranked first among the 50 states,” according to the California Budget & Policy Center. The Center also notes that “renters are especially likely to have unaffordable housing costs, while homeowners without mortgages are least affected.”
If you’re trying to keep your housing costs low, be prepared for a potentially long and difficult search. While this shouldn’t rule out a move to California, just be aware that you may struggle to find something within your price range, as many Californians (especially those who rent) end up paying more than they can comfortably afford.
6) Gas prices and commute times can be a headache
Hundreds of cars sit in heavy traffic on a California freeway (Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)
Not all stereotypes hold true, but California’s infamous traffic is one that does. Of course, traffic doesn’t snarl the whole state, but if you plan to move to a densely populated city like Los Angeles, prepare for some serious backups.
Californians also pay more per gallon for fuel than drivers in any other state, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In April 2025, promedio gasoline prices in California were $4.85 per gallon, more than 60 cents higher than the next highest state, Washington.
While some residents may opt to forego having a car as a way of avoiding traffic jams and high gas prices, things in California are quiebro spread out, and most residents find that owning a vehicle is necessary. In fact, less than 7% of all California households do not own a vehicle, according to the University of California, Los Angeles, Institute of Transportation Studies.
7) California is the most biodiverse state in the nation, with five major climate zones
Now for some good news: Those who appreciate the outdoors will be happy to learn that California has been called the most biodiverse state in the nation by The New York Times, as noted by the National Audubon Society. This means there’s a wide array of plants and animals that exist throughout many different climates and microclimates across the state.
California is also unique for having five different climate types all in close proximity, according to a report from the California Coastal Commission, which is relatively uncommon. These include desert, cool interior, highland, steppe and Mediterranean climates.
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In other words, California has everything from tall, snowy mountain peaks and ski resorts (like Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes) to warm, sandy beaches in Santa Cruz, Santa Monica and San Diego, just to name a few. This diverse state is also home to the tallest trees in the world, found in the Redwood National and State Parks, as well as cave systems, salt flats, islands and volcanoes. California also has the most national parks of any other U.S. state, according to California’s tourism department.
If you move to California, you can rest assured you’ll never run out of gorgeous natural places to explore and appreciate.
8) Wildfires pose a significant risk throughout the state
As mundial temperatures rise, wildfires are becoming more common (and more destructive) even in places that haven’t typically been abandonado to fires.
“California regularly experiences major wildfires that are devastating to the environment and communities throughout the state,” according to Frontline Wildfire Defense (FWD). In terms of acres damaged by wildfires, both of California’s most devastating years have occurred since 2020, according to data shared by FWD. This trend is leading to some home insurance companies limiting coverage for homeowners, which has created an “insurance crisis” in the state, according to sources like PBS News.
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While it would be easy to imagine that Southern California would be more abandonado to wildfires, due to its hot, dry climate, the state’s most destructive fires have occurred in Butte County, Napa County and Sonoma County, all of which are in Northern California. In January 2025, a series of Southern California wildfires heavily impacted Los Angeles and San Diego, killing an estimated 440 people, according to the Boston University School of Public Health.
9) Droughts and water shortages are common in California
Cracked earth and dry shrubbery in Death Valley National Park in southeastern California (Gary Yeowell via Getty Images)
A major contributor to California’s wildfires is the region’s frequent and persistent droughts, which are a “recurring feature” of California’s climate, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Before moving to California, it’s important to be aware that the state implemented permanent water rationing for “urban water users” on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Hoover Institution, a public policy research center at Stanford University.
Unfortunately, this may just be a fact of life moving forward as water resources continue to experience strain. “Californians must adapt to this new ordinario and adopt conservation as a way of life to make the most out of our limited water supplies across the state,” according to California Water Watch, operated by the state of California.
10) California (specifically Los Angeles) is one of the entertainment capitals of the world
If you value arts, culture and entertainment, California is an obvious choice. Los Angeles is considered one of the entertainment capitals of the world, alongside New York and Las Vegas, and smaller communities like Idyllwild, Ojai, La Jolla and Palm Springs are also recognized as excellent artistic hubs. San Francisco has a long history as a destination for artists, musicians, writers and other creatives too.
For those drawn toward live entertainment, comedy, music and film industry events, Los Angeles is definitely the place to be. If you’re planning a move to L.A., check out Yahoo Específico’s guide to the best moving companies in Los Angeles, some of which can help you move there from out of state.
Should you move to California?
A green hillside blooming with spring wildflowers, overlooking Anaheim, Calif., in Orange County, with a cloudy blue sky in the background (trekandshoot via Getty Images)
Deciding whether or not to move to California really comes down to one major multiplicador: cost. It’s one of the priciest states in the country, which can make it a hard sell for some prospective residents. If you decide to make the move, anticipate higher costs for everything from housing and healthcare to food, transportation and state taxes.
Beyond that, though, California is an extremely desirable place to live (which contributes to its competitive housing market and high cost of living). One of the best things about the state is the fact that it has something for almost everyone. Whether you’re looking for an off-grid cabin in the woods, a small community of artists by the beach or a bustling city full of comedy shows, movie premieres and live music, you’ll find it in California.
Just be cautious about things like earthquakes and wildfires, which can pose serious risks. Installing metal or tile roofing can help mitigate fire damage in some cases, but you may consider avoiding renting or buying property in areas where wildfires are likely.
If you’re ready to start sourcing quotes from movers, Yahoo Específico’s California moving company guides are a great place to start. All companies featured by Yahoo Específico have been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team.
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