Moving From Atlanta to Los Angeles: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

There’s a ton of people trying to make it in LA. In this article, we’re going to give you a head-start. From our favorite movers to the sights and sounds of Los Angeles, the iMoving team is ready to bring you up to speed.

LA has a lot going for it, especially if you haven’t lived there long enough to get tired of the traffic, the people, and the overpriced food trucks. The weather’s great, the film industry is still kicking, and you immediately become like 30% cooler than everyone else once you move in.

Unfortunately, Los Angeles is all the way on the West Coast, and you’re stuck in Atlanta. That’s a 2,174.9-mile trip. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but the team at iMoving can help you from square one.

iMoving is the only online marketplace that lets you shop, compare prices, and book local movers from the comfort of your web browser - no house calls or phone calls required.

Plus, we let you pick and choose all the neat services you need. You get a custom ATL - LA move, delivered by verified pros and booked entirely online.

Still on the fence about moving out west? Read on to learn a little more about what you can expect from your big move.


How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers from Atlanta to Los Angeles?

Moving companies from Atlanta to Los Angeles typically cost between $2,211 – $14,020, but we’ve seen some moves that were a little cheaper or more expensive.

Long distance movers will map out your price depending on how much stuff you have to transport, and how far everything will have to travel. This means the distance and the physical dimensions of your move are the most important factors behind your price.

You can’t do much about the mileage. Atlanta and LA are about as far apart as you can get. But you can definitely downsize if you’re looking to save a few bucks. Get rid of all the stuff you don’t need or don’t want, and you won’t have to pay as much on moving day.

There’s a downside to downsizing, though. While it may be cheaper, it may take a little longer to deliver all your stuff…

Choose Item

1 Bedroom:$2,211 – $3,512

2-3 Bedroom:$3,813 – $5,814

4-5 Bedroom:$6,515 – $11,016

1 Bedroom:$2,421 – $3,822

2-3 Bedroom:$4,223 – $6,224

4-5 Bedroom:$6,817 – $11,518

1 Bedroom:$2,825 – $4,026

2-3 Bedroom:$4,927 – $6,728

4-5 Bedroom:$8,519 – $14,020


3 Best Movers from Atlanta to Los Angeles

There’s a lot of different movers out there, and we have over 1,000 verified pros in the iMoving network. To make the search a little easier for you, here’s a list of our favorite Atlanta to Los Angeles movers:

1. Affordable Moves USA

2. 404 Movers

3. Golden Trip Movers

1

Affordable Moves USA

Alternate Text
  • Secure Storage Solutions
  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Specialty Item Moving

Affordable Moves USA has been knocking out Georgia moves for the past 12 years, and as the name implies, they won’t break the bank. The company has a pretty minimal web presence, but they let their work do the talking.

With solid reviews and some hard-to-find services (like junk removal), they’ll make it easy to move from Atlanta to LA.

We’re happy to recommend Affordable Moves USA, especially for a long haul like the ATL - LA route. When you’re dealing with a coast-to-coast move, every penny counts.

Affordable Moves offers services that won’t cost an arm and a leg, and with 12 years in the industry, you know these Georgia pros will get the job done right.

Pros

  • 12 years of experience
  • Packing and wrapping available
  • Georgia specialists
  • Moving labor available
  • Junk removal available

Cons

  • No website at the moment
2

404 Movers

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  • Transparent Pricing
  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Customized Moving Plans

Every move is different. Sometimes, you’re just moving a few boxes, and other times, you’ve got high-value and hard-to-move items.

If you need specialty moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles, 404 Movers is the pick for you. They’re an Atlanta operation with a nationwide reach, and their in-house moving teams know how to handle those awkward, expensive, and antique items.

We’ve seen a lot of movers that offer specialty moving, but 404 Movers has a REALLY in-depth menu for all of those troublesome belongings.

Floor safes? No problem. Granite table tops? They’ll crate them up. Heck, they can even move restaurant equipment. If you need extra TLC, we definitely recommend 404.

Pros

  • Lots of specialty moving options
  • Atlanta pros
  • Transparent pricing
  • No long carry or stair fees
  • In-house teams

Cons

  • Cheap/fragile furniture (like IKEA stuff) may not qualify for insurance
3

Golden Trip Movers

Alternate Text
  • Experienced and Trained Staff
  • Certified Movers
  • Insurance and Protection Plans

If you really want a custom move that covers all the bases, Golden Trip Movers is your best bet for moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

They have an impressive menu of services (including junk removal), and their customers have plenty of good things to say about them. Plus, their moving teams show up on time and really know what they’re doing.

Out of all the Atlanta to Los Angeles moving companies we’ve seen, Golden Trip Movers has one of the most impressive menus of add-ons and extra services.

They can pack and wrap pianos, appliances, and more - and all those positive reviews do the talking for them.

Pros

  • Great range of services
  • Solid ratings and reviews
  • Great customer service
  • Punctual and professional
  • Junk removal and demolition

Cons

  • No website at the moment

How Long Does Moving Take?

Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles is going to take you anywhere from 7 to 21 days. Long-distance movers can’t log more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day, so the 2,174.9 miles between ATL and LA are already going to set you back a week.

Aside from rules and regulations, there’s another reason your move may take more time. Smaller moves don’t fill up trucks, and empty (or partially empty) trucks are bad for business.

To keep things efficient, movers will bundle several smaller moves on the same truck or trailer. This means less wasted space, but more time waiting for pickups and dropoffs along the way.

If you’re only moving studio apartment, you won’t pay as much - but you may wait a lot longer. On the other hand, if you manage to fill an entire truck with just your stuff, it’ll be sent directly to your new place.


What Factors Affect the Cost of a Atlanta to Los Angeles Move?

Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles will cost anywhere from $2,211 – $14,020. It’s a pretty big spread, but it has to be: Every move is different, and every move may rack up a different set of fees and add-ons. Here are some of the most common factors behind the price:

1. Distance

When it comes to cross country moving, the distance you’re traveling is probably the biggest factor behind your price. More miles mean more money, and since Atlanta and LA are pretty far apart, you’ll want to prepare your wallet accordingly.

2. Volume

Right up there with the distance of your move, the volume of your move is another major deciding factor. The physical size of your move makes a big difference.

Your movers will check out all your stuff and assign either a weight (in pounds) or a volume (in cubic feet), and adjust your price accordingly.

3. Access Fees

Long hallways, extra flights of stairs, elevators, gates - these are all challenges that your movers will have to deal with. Unfortunately, these are also going to rack up some extra fees on your end.

Map out the path you take from your front door to your street, and communicate the details to your movers ahead of time. It’ll still cost you money, but at least they’ll come prepared.

4. Shuttle Fees

Big cities (like Atlanta and Los Angeles) don’t always let movers park big moving trucks on their crowded city streets. Instead, your movers will have to park the main truck on the edge of town and use a smaller truck to shuttle your stuff back and forth between the staging area and your place.

5. Packing Supplies

Boxes, tape, and bubble wrap aren’t free. If you’re planning on DIYing your packing, you’ll have to buy this stuff somewhere or order it from your moving company.

PRO TIP: Some offices, bookstores, and even liquor stores may have free boxes they’re willing to part with.

6. Packing Services

Of course, if you really don’t like the idea of packing up all your stuff yourself, you can always pay the pros to handle it for you. It may cost you a couple hundred bucks, but the convenience more than makes up for the added expense. Plus, it may be required if you want full-value insurance.

7. Insurance

Under federal law, moving companies are required to offer a bare minimum level of insurance coverage. Unfortunately, this is only good for $0.60 per pound of items lost, damaged, or destroyed.

This means you’re gonna get $2.40 for a broken computer monitor. If you want full-value coverage, you’ll have to pay extra - and you may have to pay for packing, too.

8. Scheduling

If you need to book a last-minute move, or you need to move during pretty much any time the kids are out of school, you’re going to be paying a premium. If you want to save money, try to schedule your move far in advance, and try to avoid major holidays.

9. Gratuity

This one isn’t included in your quote, but tipping is a big deal in the moving industry. Unless your movers explicitly turn it down, you should prepare a gratuity to be split up between your whole moving team. 15% - 20% of your total cost is a good number.


Why Do People Move from Atlanta to Los Angeles?

You’ve heard all the sad stories about people hopping on a Greyhound to LA, dreaming of becoming big stars - and you swore that wasn’t gonna be you. Here are some other excuses you can use when you’re trying to explain your move to Los Angeles:

  • It’s LA. “But Atlanta is becoming cool, I swear!” Yeah, sure, but it’s not Los Angeles. While all your friends are coping with how they’re finally getting some attention, you’ll be living in a place that’s been famous forever.
  • It’s less humid. I swear if I hear one more person talking about the weather and going all “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity heh heh heh” YES I KNOW WE ALL KNOW WE GET IT OKAY JUST COME TO LA IT’s A DESERT HERE
  • You want something more diverse. Atlanta is diverse, sure, but it’s not LA DIVERSE. Depending on the highway you take and the corner of town you find yourself in, you’ll probably be hearing Tagalog, Spanish, Vietnamese, Armenian… the list goes on.
  • You’re suddenly too rich for Atlanta. Congratulations. You won the lottery (or just scored that dream job that you can do from your laptop) and now you’re ready to get away from the plebians. Los Angeles is waiting.
  • You want a good paycheck. LA’s got a ton of jobs and lots of industries that will pay you far higher than the minimum wage in Atlanta. You don’t have to tell your friends that most of your paycheck is going to your rent.

Things to Do in Los Angeles

  • All that touristy crap. Just get this stuff over with so you can say you’ve done it at least once. You really shouldn’t be spending more time in Hollywood than is absolutely necessary, anyway.
  • Museums galore. You’ve probably heard of the Getty and the Broad before, but there’s also the Natural History Museum, the Autry Museum of the American West, and much much more. Oh, and LACMA. God forbid you forget to take a pic of the lamps.
  • SPORTS. LA saw how other cities were doing sports, and they were like “Nahh, we want twice as much.” Los Angeles has the Lakers AND the Clippers. They have the Chargers AND the Rams. They have the LA Galaxy AND LAFC. Why? Because LA.
  • Concerts and live entertainment. There are so many venues for live shows, that you’re probably going to end up double-booked on multiple occasions. Just keep in mind, that most crowds in LA are atrocious.
  • Food (ugh). How many times a day do you really need to eat? Is this cake really worth a 2-hour wait? Why is this food truck so expensive if they don’t even have a place to sit? Nobody in LA has ever asked these questions before.
  • B-b-b-but what about DISNEYLAND??? Yeah, sorry nerd, that’s in Orange County. Take the 101 south to the 5 and get out of here.

Atlanta to Los Angeles FAQ

According to Zillow, the median home price in Los Angeles is about $975,000. On the other hand, the median home price in Atlanta is just shy of $400,000.

This is one of those situations where if you have to ask, it’s probably too much - especially if you actually want to live someplace decent.

Los Angeles is a lot bigger than Atlanta, so it’s not a completely fair comparison. We’ll say this, though: LA has UCLA, USC, Art Center College of Design, Occidental, etc. etc. etc.

As for K-12, there’s a huge variety of public and private schools, with varying degrees of quality depending on your neighborhood.

Are you rich? Choose one of the rich neighborhoods. Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, pretty much anything on the upper north side of the whole city is going to be right up your alley.

Forget about Beverly Hills - if you’re wealthy and famous enough to move there, you’re probably having a personal assistant read through this article anyway. If you’re looking for something more affordable, try gentrifying a diverse neighborhood instead.

The cheapest way to move long distance is to DIY it - although after you pay for your truck rental, your gas, your food, and your lodging, those savings may not be what you expected (especially if you had to take time off from work to pack and haul everything). It’s worth the extra money to hire pros.

Besides, if you’re worried about saving money and you’re thinking of moving to LA… well, maybe Iowa is more your speed.

We recommend booking your Atlanta to LA movers 2 to 3 months in advance. That’s MONTHS, not WEEKS. This will give you plenty of time to tell all your friends and family where they can find you (assuming you actually want them to know), and plenty of time to pack, plan, and prepare. Plus, you can score some sweet discounts on flexible moving dates and early bookings.


Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles? Tell us more and let’s get packing!

Well, you made it to the end. After all the horror stories and scary stuff you’ve heard about living (and affording to live) in Los Angeles, you may be a little put off of the whole idea.

But don’t worry, it’s better to know about the difficult stuff before you actually head out there. And if you still haven’t curbed your enthusiasm, iMoving can help you get there in one piece.

iMoving has a marketplace of over 1000 vetted and verified movers, and we’re standing by to make your move easier than ever. Tell us more about your plans, and let’s get you on the road!


Harrison Gough

Harrison has been writing for real estate and moving companies for the past three years, but his knowledge isn't just from behind a desk. Having moved over a dozen times himself, sometimes with professional help and sometimes on his own, he's learned firsthand what makes moving smooth and what makes it stressful. When he's not writing, he's looking into ways to make his next move simpler.

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