The BEST Moving Companies in San Francisco, CA
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in San Francisco, CA, is Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of California to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best San Francisco-based mover: Eagle Moving & Storage, 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 San Francisco, CA
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Luigy's Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Jay's Small Moves: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (29%)
- Professional and polite staff (27%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (32%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (29%)
- Lack of communication (26%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 3670248
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name for local residential moves in and around San Bruno, CA since 2010. They stand out with a solid reputation, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp from 429 reviews, and a 4.6 average rating on Google from 129 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, customers frequently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the specialized capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. Flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no required deposit, further underscore their customer-first approach.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (41%)
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Careful handling (31%)
- Unexpected charges (24%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Lack of communication (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 0192210
Years in Business: 23
DOT #: 02740355
Luigy's Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Francisco, CA since 2001. Compared to other nearby companies, Luigy's stands out with their comprehensive service offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, as well as specialized handling for pianos, hot tubs, art, and antiques. Boasting exceptional consumer reviews with an average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.6 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Luigy's reputation for reliability and quality is well-earned. While a deposit is required, they accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- 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
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Efficient service (34%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Damage to items (15%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Gentle Giant Moving Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in South San Francisco, CA since 1981. With stellar consumer reviews reflecting an average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 5.0 on Google My Business, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out for its reliability and professionalism. Unlike many nearby movers, Gentle Giant also offers office moving services, comprehensive packing and unpacking services, and even storage options if needed. Additionally, they do not require a deposit and accept credit cards, making the moving process as seamless and convenient as possible for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- 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
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in San Francisco, 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–$1.59 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco:
- 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 San Francisco
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 San Francisco mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in San Francisco, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, California
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the San Francisco 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 San Francisco
If you’re moving within 50 miles of San Francisco, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In San Francisco, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.79 per mile to $1.59 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in San Francisco is $150 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $480 | $210 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $690 | $210 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,152 | $294 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,742 | $412 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,154 | $412 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,878 | $576 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of San Francisco
The cost to move from San Francisco 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:
- San Francisco to New York Movers: $1,698 to $8,626
- San Francisco to Illinois Movers: $1,253 to $7,047
- San Francisco to New York Movers: $1,698 to $8,626
- San Francisco to New York Movers: $1,698 to $8,626
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 San Francisco will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of San Francisco 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
Temporary San Francisco moving permits are managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA), and the application process takes some time, so plan accordingly. To submit an application for a San Francisco moving permit, the SFMTA office requires a minimum of 5 business days notice, and a number of days don’t count: your application day, the first enforcement day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all are excluded.
For more info on parking permits in San Francisco, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a San Francisco moving company?
You can save money when hiring a San Francisco 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 San Francisco movers offer storage?
Yes, many San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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.
Helpful San Francisco Resources
San Francisco Moving Services
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