Is Car Insurance Cheaper in Georgia or California?

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By Ross Martin

Updated January 16, 2025

Edited By Kristine Lee

Comparing auto insurance in Georgia and California

If you are relocating from Georgia to California, chances are you're considering the big-picture concerns and major expenses: contracting a reliable long-haul moving company, getting somewhere to live in your new city, and physically moving across state lines.

Amidst the stress of a big move, it's easy to overlook some details. Car insurance is just a detail, but it's a big one. To find a good deal and stay street legal, you should plan to update your policy — or purchase a new policy — when you move.

Consult our guide to auto insurance in Georgia versus California and make your move painless. We'll cover the following:

Insurance cost comparison
Rates by coverage level
Cheap companies by state
Rates in major cities
Additional resources

Georgia vs. California auto insurance — average prices

Expect to pay more for auto insurance in California than you did in Georgia. The average annual auto insurance rate in California is $251 more costly than the average expense in Georgia. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of insurance company.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN GEORGIA AND CALIFORNIA

State	Average Annual Rate
Georgia	$1,455
California	$1,707

Car insurance costs by coverage tier

How much you spend on car insurance depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and how much protection you want from your insurer.

If you select state minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you'll get bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, plus uninsured and underinsured driver coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in some states.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS — MINIMUM LIABILITY COVERAGE IN GEORGIA vs. CALIFORNIA

State	Duration	Premium
Georgia	Annual	$548
California	Annual	$573
Georgia	6-Month	$274
California	6-Month	$286
Georgia	Monthly	$46
California	Monthly	$48

Electing full-coverage car insurance will certainly cost more, but you'll receive comprehensive and collision coverages, along with extras like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance protection. The chief pro of full coverage is that it insures you and your vehicle more completely than does basic coverage. If you want to do everything possible to protect your vehicle, consider full coverage.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN GEORGIA vs. CALIFORNIA

Location	Time Period	Rate
Georgia	Annual	$1,321
California	Annual	$1,626
Georgia	6-Month	$661
California	6-Month	$813
Georgia	Monthly	$110
California	Monthly	$135

Cheap car insurance companies in Georgia and California

A major determinant of your auto insurance costs is your choice of car insurance company. Companies set premiums in a number of ways, resulting in major price variations. Location also matters: some regional companies sell policies only in certain places, while major insurance companies shift rates by state.

When moving, you should try to locate the best cheap car insurance company in your new location. Get started below by viewing the five cheapest auto insurance companies in Georgia and California.

AFFORDABLE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN GEORGIA

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Auto-Owners	$847
The Hartford	$904
USAA	$988
Central Mutual	$1,181
MetLife	$1,251

See other cheap auto insurance companies in Georgia.

CHEAP AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
USAA	$1,132
Wawanesa	$1,169
Century National	$1,202
CSAA	$1,210
Nationwide	$1,238

View other cheap auto insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates by city in Georgia and California

Though car insurance is legislated at the state level, underwriters price rates by ZIP code to account for unique factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The location to which you relocate plays a big part in deciding your premiums.

The below tables show auto insurance rates in major cities in California and Georgia.

CAR INSURANCE COSTS BY CITY IN GEORGIA

City	Average Annual Rate
Atlanta	$1,391
Columbus	$1,231
Savannah	$1,215
Sandy Springs	$1,255
Macon	$1,266

View a more comprehensive list of Georgia cities.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA

City	Average Annual Premium
Los Angeles	$2,125
San Diego	$1,354
San Jose	$1,409
San Francisco	$1,728
Fresno	$1,487

Seeking data on another city? View more insurance rates for California cities.

More information on moving from Georgia to California

When you move from Georgia to California, you will encounter new rules of the road, potentially different SR-22 rules, and more. Ensure your move is as easy as possible with our data on your new home:

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.

Car Insurance Comparison: Georgia vs. California

Ross Martin

Kristine Lee