The BEST Moving Companies in Oakland, CA
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Oakland, CA, is West Coast Moving Systems, Inc, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service.. If you’re moving out of California to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Oakland-based mover: West Coast Moving Systems, Inc
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Oakland, CA
- West Coast Moving Systems, Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Got2Move Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Jay's Small Moves: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Big Family Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Efficient service (38%)
- Careful handling (35%)
- Damage to items (15%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (10%)
- Lack of communication (9%)
Company Info
State license #: 0192456
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3071646
Alternate Names: West Coast Movers, West Coast Moving Systems
West Coast Moving Systems, Inc, a reputable local moving company serving Oakland, CA, has been easing moves since 2007. Unlike many competitors, they offer an extensive range of services, including office moving, packing, unpacking, and specialized care for fragile items and art. Their strong consumer feedback, with 476 Yelp reviews averaging 4.8 stars and 51 Google reviews at 4.7 stars, highlights their commitment to quality service. Additionally, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau underscores their reliability and customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Excellent Service
- Professional Staff
- Reasonable Prices
- No Major Issues Reported
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
NorthStar Moving Company, established in 1996, offers premier local residential moving services throughout San Francisco, CA, and its surrounding areas. With an impressive track record, they boast 931 Yelp reviews averaging 4.6 stars and 701 Google My Business reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, NorthStar stands out among local competitors. They also provide comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring a seamless moving experience. Notably, NorthStar accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, offering convenience and peace of mind for customers.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Good communication (29%)
- Damage to items (24%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (17%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191707
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3070307
Alternate Names: Got2Move
Got2Move Moving and Storage, based in San Leandro, CA, has been a trusted local residential moving service since 2007. With an impressive consumer review profile boasting a 4.6 average rating on Yelp and a 4.7 average on Google, the company stands out for its customer satisfaction, reinforced by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Offering a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialty item moves such as pianos and antiques, Got2Move outshines many nearby competitors. Additionally, they provide full valuation insurance coverage and accept credit cards, although a deposit is required.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Efficient service (22%)
- Careful handling (20%)
- Damage to items (15%)
- Unexpected charges (10%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (8%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190688
Pricing: $140/hr
Years in Business: 17
Alternate Names: Jays Small Moves
Jay's Small Moves has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Oakland, CA, since 2008. With stellar consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, coupled with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out among nearby movers. In addition to residential moves, they offer specialized services like office moving, packing, unpacking, and handling fragile items such as art and antiques. At $140 per hour for a local move with no deposit required, Jay's Small Moves provides reliable and cost-effective solutions tailored to meet clients' needs.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Fragile-only packing
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (29%)
- Careful handling (27%)
- Damage to items (21%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 0189403
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 2916075
Big Family Movers offers dependable local residential moving services in Oakland, CA, and has been a trusted name in the community since 2024. With impressive consumer reviews, boasting an average Yelp rating of 4.7 from 163 reviewers and a 4.9 average on Google My Business from 27 reviews, the company stands out as a reliable choice among nearby moving companies. Their A- rating from the Better Business Bureau further underscores their reputation for excellent service. In addition to standard moving services, Big Family Movers excels in packing, unpacking, and safely transporting delicate items like pianos and antiques. For those seeking a reputable company for a local move, Big Family Movers offers quality and peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Best movers for those moving out of California
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving California for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Oakland, CA
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Oakland vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Oakland, CA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Oakland, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in California costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.79–$1.39 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Oakland, CA
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Oakland:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Oakland
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 280 California movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Oakland mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Oakland, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Oakland or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over California, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Oakland has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Oakland may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Oakland movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Oakland movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in California.
Average cost of movers in Oakland, California
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Oakland area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in California for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Oakland
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Oakland, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Oakland, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.79 per mile to $1.39 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Oakland is $147 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $473 | $206 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $679 | $206 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,131 | $288 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,685 | $403 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,088 | $403 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,787 | $565 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Oakland
The cost to move from Oakland to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from California. Here are a few examples:
- Oakland to New York Movers: $1,787 to $7,732
- Oakland to Illinois Movers: $1,302 to $7,035
- Oakland to New York Movers: $1,787 to $7,732
- Oakland to New York Movers: $1,787 to $7,732
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Oakland will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Oakland will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across California state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Oakland, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Oakland?
Visitor Permits (1-day and 2-week temporary permits for visitors) Residents may purchase temporary permits for visitors. Visitor permits are hanging permits valid for one day or two weeks. A resident may purchase up to five of both on any calendar day.
For more info on parking permits in Oakland, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Oakland moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Oakland mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Oakland movers offer storage?
Yes, many Oakland movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Oakland mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in California?
You can see all moving companies in California by taking a look at our full list of California movers.
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