Best Moving Companies in Los Angeles (2023)

By Sean Donnelly

Jul 14, 2023
Apartment living room with stacked moving boxes.

Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Scheduling a move, especially one in a large urban setting, involves many logistical and planning hurdles. Hiring the best moving company for the job can eliminate some of the hassle involved in the process. To simplify your Los Angeles move, our team evaluated the best moving companies available for relocations to, from, and within the city.

7 Best Movers in Los Angeles

Our top picks offer full-service local, interstate, and long-distance moving assistance within the Los Angeles area. 

 


 

Star Rating BBB Rating Link
International Van Lines International Van Lines
B VISIT SITE
American Van Lines American Van Lines
A VISIT SITE
IMRG Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
B VISIT SITE
Safeway Safeway Moving Inc.
A+ VISIT SITE
Moving APT Moving APT
B VISIT SITE
JK Moving JK Moving Services
A+ VISIT SITE
Allied Allied Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
North American North American Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
United Van Lines United Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
Mayflower Mayflower Moving
A+ VISIT SITE
International Van Lines
Logo International Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
American Van Lines
Logo American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A
VISIT SITE
IMRG
Logo Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Safeway
Logo Safeway Moving Inc.
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Moving APT
Logo Moving APT
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
JK Moving
Logo JK Moving Services
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Allied
Logo Allied Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
North American
Logo North American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
United Van Lines
Logo United Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Mayflower
Logo Mayflower Moving
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE

 


 

Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) has provided domestic moving services since 2004. It operates as a broker and carrier and provides relocation services to all 50 states, including California. IVL provides both residential and commercial moving assistance.

Benefits and Drawbacks

This mover’s breadth of service earns it our vote as the best full-service mover.

Benefits:

Provides quick quotes
Offers comprehensive basic and add-on moving services
➕ Has a location in Valencia, California, that directly services the Los Angeles area

Drawbacks:

➖ Has poor communication after booking, per customer reviews
Brokers out many of its moves

Cost

IVL was prompt when we requested a quote. Customer service representatives got back to us and rendered a quick estimate for a move between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Moving Services

International Van Lines provides a comprehensive range of services, including the add-ons listed below. IVL provides 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves. Its location near L.A. provides the following services:

Read more: International Van Lines Review

 


 

Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines

American Van Lines is a moving carrier that offers flat-rate pricing and experienced moving crews. Its workers average ten years of experience on the job. We consider it a top option for antique and valuable item protection.

Benefits and Drawbacks

We like this carrier for its experienced moving crews and flat-rate pricing.

Benefits:

➕ Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves
➕ Features moving crews that average a decade of experience
➕ Operates exclusively as a carrier

Drawbacks:

➖ Offers long-distance service only within Los Angeles
➖ Requires deposits up to 50%

Cost

American Van Lines provides frequent shuttle service between major cities. This means that expedited service can be provided for any move you conduct along frequently traveled intercity routes. In light of this, we requested a quote for a 200-mile move for a two-bedroom home and received the price below.

Moving Services

American Van Lines’ services are limited to long-distance and interstate moving in the Los Angeles area. Its movers can provide qualified service for basic furniture care, as well as antique protection. This mover offers the following services:

Read more: American Van Lines Review

 


 

Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a moving broker that partners with providers in all 50 states. Its speedy quote process makes it a great option for last-minute moves. Whether you’re looking for a container mover or a long-distance full-service provider, IMRG can find a moving solution to suit your needs.

Benefits and Drawbacks

We were impressed with this broker’s quote process and its ability to service last-minute moves.

Benefits:

➕ Has moving partners in all 50 states
➕ Provides quick quote processes
➕ Offers last-minute moving services

Drawbacks:

➖ Brokers out all of its moves
➖ Has varied service quality across its service area

Cost

IMRG offers a speedy quote process for all moving clients. You simply fill out a quote form on its website or call its listed phone number to contact an agent. The lower end of the cost figure included below is for a move with few to no add-on requirements, while the high-end cost reflects a two-bedroom move with full-service packing included.

Moving Services

IMRG partners with container providers and full-service movers to help with various services on moving day, including the following:

Read more: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review

 


 

Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT

Moving APT has provided quality moving assistance since its founding in 1999. It has since expanded to cover all 50 states via a network of more than 2,500 individual carriers. Its partner network includes locally owned providers and nationally recognized long-distance movers.

Benefits and Drawbacks

We researched this nationwide moving broker’s quote process and customer reviews to highlight a few prominent features.

Benefits:

➕ Has partners in all 50 states
➕ Provides fast quotes
➕ Offers detailed moving guides and resources online

Drawbacks:

➖ Has varied customer reviews and service quality, depending on the region
➖ Brokers out all of its moves

Cost

Moving APT offers price-matching capabilities, but this could vary based on the locale in which you book. Local tariffs and move billing regulations could inhibit price-matching guarantees. However, we were able to request a quote for a move between L.A. and San Diego. The high-end range included below reflects potential add-ons that inflate pricing.

Moving Services

Moving APT’s partners can provide any level of service, including the following:

Read more: Moving APT Review

 


 

Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.

Safeway Moving Inc. is a moving broker currently based in Fort Lauderdale. From this home base, it offers long-distance service as a broker and carrier to all 50 states. If you live in Los Angeles, you can only book a long-distance move with one of Safeway’s partners. We appreciate its pledges of transparency and accountability.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Thanks to its required insurance policies for all partner companies, this long-distance broker can service clients in strict homeowner associations (HOA) and condo owner associations (COA).

Benefits:

➕ Offers flat-rate pricing
➕ Has $1,000,000 insurance policies, enabling it to move clients in all apartment complexes and communities
➕ Provides 30 days of free storage with all moves

Drawbacks:

➖ Brokers out most of its moves
➖ Requires a 40% deposit

Cost

Safeway Moving Inc. operates mainly through its network of partner companies. In Los Angeles County, you’ll be limited to such indirect service. However, if you submit a contact form online, you can get a price after submitting your move inventory.

Moving Services

Safeway provides partial packing and 30 days of free storage with any long-distance moving package. Its high-quality services include the following:

Read more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review

 


 

Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services

JK Moving Services has provided moving services as a carrier and broker since 1982. You can only hire this mover in L.A. if you’re traveling across state lines or long distances, but its workers are among the best-trained in the industry. It features AI-assisted virtual estimates and well-trained moving crews for positive moving experiences.

Benefits and Drawbacks

JK Moving’s quality as a long-distance carrier is well-respected in the industry.

Benefits:

➕ Offers GPS tracking for long-distance shipments
➕ 24/7 customer service
➕ Has financing options as low as 0%

Drawbacks:

➖ Only offers long-distance service within L.A.
➖ Features a longer quote process than competitors

Cost

JK Moving Services requires a relatively low deposit of $250 to book. When you initiate a quote with this mover, a representative will contact you to schedule a virtual estimate. Its quotes are supported by an AI-assisted mobile app to make inventory logging more accurate and efficient.

Moving Services

JK’s long-distance services include the following:

Read more: JK Moving Services Review

 


 

Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines (NAVL) has been in business since 1933. Today, it provides premium moving services to all 50 states as a carrier and broker. Its 500 locations throughout the United States, including its Glendale, California, location, offer local and long-distance assistance and premium add-on services.

Benefits and Drawbacks

We like that NAVL gives clients the flexibility to customize their pricing.

Benefits:

➕ Has not-to-exceed pricing quotes, which is in line with California state policy
➕ Features an app for digital inventory, virtual assessments, and document storage
➕ Offers move tracking through its mobile app

Drawbacks:

➖ Has varied reviews across its service area
➖ Brokers out some of its moves

Cost

NAVL gave us a ballpark quote for a two-bedroom move from Los Angeles to San Diego. The quote range reflects the differences in price between self-packing for your move and total full-service moving. Contact NAVL via the quote form on its homepage to get your fully customized quote.

Moving Services

North American Van Lines offers the following local and long-distance moving services:

Read more: North American Van Lines Review

 


 

Los Angeles Moving Companies for Local Moves

If you plan to use a locally-owned mover, we’ve listed three of the best moving companies in your area that offer a full suite of services and are highly recommended by local clients.

Trek Movers

Trek Movers is a highly regarded chain in the Los Angeles area. We noted this location has a perfect review score on Google with more than 800 reviews. Trek Movers offers local and long-distance moving services to L.A. County residents.

Good Neighbors Moving Company

Good Neighbors Moving Company has moved clients in the greater Los Angeles area since 2013. It offers white-glove services for local and long-distance residential moves and is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google with more than 400 reviews.

Happy Home Moving

Happy Home Moving has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google with more than 1,000 customer reviews. We like that it offers Los Angeles clients transparent pricing for their local and long-distance moving needs.

 


 

Moving Regulations for Los Angeles Moves

Moving within any major city requires thorough planning. The quality of your moving experience could be determined by how well you vet potential movers early in the moving process. Moving companies in California must be registered with the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). This organization maintains the safety and registration of all moving companies and mandates that “not-to-exceed” pricing be supplied for all moves. 

If you’re moving out of the state, your mover of choice must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Use your mover’s United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers to look up its registration status through this link.

If you’re planning a DIY move, purchase an oversize vehicle permit through the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. This permit costs $10 daily and can be maintained for up to three days. However, each permit you purchase is only good for a single set space.

 


 

Our Recommendation

We recommend getting quotes from at least three options on your list before you decide on a moving company. International Van Lines offers comprehensive service to the state of California and direct service to the greater L.A. area. American Van Lines provides stress-free service for antiques and long-distance moving needs. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group offers quality logistics management for complex moves. Once you have a few moving quotes, you can accurately assess your needs and make an informed decision.

 


 

Los Angeles Moving Companies FAQ

Should I rent my own moving truck for an L.A. move instead?

We recommend hiring professional movers instead of renting your own moving truck if you’re relocating within L.A. Traffic in the city makes parking and navigating a moving truck difficult for inexperienced movers.

Can I get a flat rate for a local move?

California movers must provide a “not-to-exceed” price for moves. However, this may not equate to a flat rate for local relocations. Local movers often quote an hourly rate, then give you a rough approximation of what your move will cost.

What is the cost of living in Los Angeles?

According to BestPlaces.net, the cost of living in Los Angeles is roughly 76% more than the national average. Housing costs alone are 202% above the national average. The median cost of a home is $912,500, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,870.

How much do Los Angeles movers cost per hour?

Hourly labor in Los Angeles costs between $75 and $225 for two movers for two hours, according to HireAHelper pricing figures. This is an initial two-hour rate, and hourly costs decrease after this period.

 


 

How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in Los Angeles

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.