($1,437) Movers From Phoenix, AZ to San Francisco, CA

What to know before moving from Phoenix to San Francisco

Moving from Phoenix to San Francisco comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Francisco is generally more expensive than Phoenix, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Francisco are 92% higher than in Phoenix, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Phoenix.
  Home prices in San Francisco are 201.8% higher than in Phoenix.
• Income in San Francisco is 111.8% higher than in Phoenix, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Francisco include Lyft, Securitize, and Wells Fargo.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Francisco, since the cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 59.6% higher than in Phoenix. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Francisco, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 66.8% higher than in Phoenix.
• The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 18.18% lower than in Phoenix.
• Sales taxes are the same in San Francisco and Phoenix.
• State income taxes in San Francisco are 432.00% higher than in Phoenix.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,788.10 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.

How life is different in Phoenix vs. San Francisco

• San Francisco might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 50% less than Phoenix.
• San Francisco offers better access to buses and trains than Phoenix, based on public transportation ratings. San Francisco has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 6 in Phoenix. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Francisco means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Phoenix. San Francisco is considered more walkable than Phoenix, with a score of 99 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Phoenix. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, San Francisco is considered more bike-friendly than Phoenix in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, while Phoenix is rated as 56 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Francisco is higher than in Phoenix, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 61.41 in San Francisco, it is 53.06 in Phoenix. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in San Francisco. With a crime index of 38.59, San Francisco ranks lower in overall safety than Phoenix, whose index is Phoenix's 46.94. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in San Francisco and Phoenix is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Phoenix vs. San Francisco move

• Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Francisco. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Francisco

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Golden Gate City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.

Helpful moving resources