($1,242) Movers From Irvine to San Francisco

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: May 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 421 miles from Irvine to San Francisco, California, ranges from $458 to $6,059. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best California movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Francisco to Irvine guide.

Our track record

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

Founded in 2015
3,500+ moving companies analyzed
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Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
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The best Irvine to San Francisco moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. Irvine to San Francisco moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

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(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

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(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

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(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

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

read our full review

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(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(866) 825-0554

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

read our full review

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(866) 825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

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(866) 935-3437

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

read our full review

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(866) 935-3437

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

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(844) 950-2963

Best local Irvine-to-San Francisco movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Irvine movers and the best San Francisco movers.

Best California Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Meathead Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591

Customer Praise

Efficient service (41%)
Professional and polite staff (37%)
Good communication (36%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (18%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
Unexpected charges (10%)

Review Analysis

Best California Movers has received a lot of feedback from 185 customers, with about 89% reporting positive experiences. Customers praised the company for its efficient service, friendly and professional staff, and careful handling of belongings. Many noted the transparency in pricing, making it a reliable choice compared to other moving companies. On the downside, some consumers expressed dissatisfaction due to occasional damage to items and delays during the moving process. A few customers felt there were unexpected charges that complicated their experience, which could be improved. Overall, many recommend this company for its strong service and value, while also advising future clients to clarify all costs upfront.

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Company Info

State license #: T0192283

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

DOT #: 3489907

Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Meathead Movers

2430 South Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (24%)
Professional and polite staff (21%)
Careful handling (19%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
Unexpected charges (16%)

Review Analysis

Meathead Movers has 563 online customer reviews, with 78% of them being positive. Customers praise the company for its efficient service, friendly staff, and careful handling of belongings. Many reviewers noted that the movers were punctual and hardworking, often exceeding expectations. However, some feedback highlighted issues with damage to items, delays, and unexpected charges, which left a few customers feeling dissatisfied with their experience.

Get a Quote (949) 485-7883

Company Info

State license #: 189849

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 921143

Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc

Meathead Movers, a reputable moving company serving Santa Ana, CA, has been a trusted local residential mover since 1998. Renowned for their exceptional customer service, they boast an average Yelp rating of 4.1 from 378 reviews and a Google rating of 4.3 from 150 reviews, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services without requiring a deposit. Meathead Movers’ commitment to quality and reliability sets them apart in the local moving industry.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Storage
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Terry Moving and Storage Inc.

25958 Commercentre Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Customer Praise

Efficient service (29%)
Professional and polite staff (27%)
Careful handling (24%)

Customer Complaints

Unexpected charges (18%)
Damage to items (16%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)

Review Analysis

Terry Moving and Storage has 403 customer reviews, with 83% being positive. Customers praised the company for their efficient service, professional and polite staff, and careful handling of belongings. Many noted that the moving crews were friendly and worked quickly. On the downside, some customers reported issues with unexpected charges, damage to items, and delays in delivery. Despite these concerns, the majority of feedback highlights Terry Moving as a reliable choice compared to other moving companies.

Get a Quote (949) 587-9490

Company Info

State license #: 189603

Years in Business: 28

DOT #: 649215

Alternate Names: Terry Moving and Storage Inc, Richards Moving Company, Orange County Storage Movers

Terry Moving and Storage Inc., located in Lake Forest, CA, has been a trusted name in local residential moving services since 1997. With outstanding consumer reviews—235 on Yelp with an average rating of 4.7 and 141 on Google My Business with an average rating of 4.9, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau—they’re a standout choice among local movers. Unlike many competitors, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of fragile items, as well as piano and pool table moving. No deposit is required and they accept credit cards, simplifying the moving process for their clients.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Pool Tables
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by credit card

How we chose the best moving companies in California

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top 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 much does it cost to move from Irvine to San Francisco?

Even though you're staying inside of California, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,242 - $3,777	$731 - $1,808	$457 - $775
2 - 3 bedrooms	$2,256 - $6,059	$1,338 - $2,590	$458 - $947
4+ bedrooms	$3,641 - $8,576	$1,921 - $3,581	$610 - $1,193

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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 421 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Considerations when moving from Irvine to San Francisco

Cost of living: Irvine vs. San Francisco

	Irvine	San Francisco
Average rent cost	$4,000	$3,250
Average home value	$1,561,760	$1,241,003
Average income (per capita)	$114,027	$136,689
Cost of living (single person)	$9,167	$3,781
Cost of living (family of 4)	$18,000	$8,717
Unemployment rate	5.4%	5.4%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in San Francisco are 19% lower than in Irvine.
Home prices in San Francisco are 20.5% lower than in Irvine.
Income in San Francisco is 19.9% higher than in Irvine.
The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 58.8% lower than in Irvine.
The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 51.6% lower than in Irvine.
The unemployment rate in San Francisco and Irvine.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,237.37 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Irvine.

How life is different in Irvine vs. San Francisco

	San Francisco	Irvine
Population	808,988	307,670
Political leaning	Democratic 85-13	Democratic 49.8-48.3
Summer high	67ºF	82ºF
Winter low	46ºF	46ºF
Annual rain	25"	13"
Annual snow	0"	0"
Crime index	61.41	31.01

Irvine sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, BestPlaces
San Francisco sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

The population of San Francisco is approximately 163% greater than the population of Irvine.
In the last presidential election, San Francisco voted Democratic and Irvine voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in San Francisco is 67ºF and in Irvine, it’s 82ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, San Francisco reaches the temperature of 46ºF and Irvine gets down to 46ºF.
You can expect about 25 inches of annual rainfall in San Francisco vs 13 inches of rainfall in Irvine.
In San Francisco, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in Irvine.
San Francisco has a higher crime rate than Irvine with a crime index of 61.41 vs 31.01.

Things to do in San Francisco

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Francisco has plenty to offer:

Museums in San Francisco

Exploratorium
California Academy of Sciences
Walt Disney Family Museum
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Legion of Honor
Cable Car Museum
de Young Museum
Musee Mecanique
Asian Art Museum
USS Pampanito
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
The Gregangelo Museum
Wells Fargo Museum
Madame Tussauds

Parks in San Francisco

Golden Gate Park
Presidio of San Francisco
Mission Dolores Park
Crissy Field
Yerba Buena Gardens
Aquatic Park
Children's Creativity Museum
Washington Square
Lafayette Park
Marina Green
Grand View Park
Levi's Plaza Park
Buena Vista Park
Corona Heights
Fort Mason, the Great Meadow

Sports Teams in San Francisco

San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
San Francisco Giants (MLB)
Golden State Warriors (NBA)

Universities in San Francisco

City College of San Francisco
San Francisco State University
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
University of California, San Francisco
Academy of Art University
Alliant International University, formerly California School of Professional Psychology
Art Institute of California - San Francisco
Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
California College of the Arts
California Institute of Integral Studies
The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Golden Gate University
Heald College
Hult International Business School
Minerva Schools at KGI
Presidio Graduate School
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco Law School
San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking
Saybrook University
University of San Francisco, Jesuit-run

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Irvine to San Francisco?

To ship furniture from Irvine to San Francisco with a mover will cost between $1,242 and $3,777. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,256–$6,059, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Irvine to San Francisco will cost from $3,641–$8,576.

How much are moving container companies from Irvine to San Francisco?

Moving containers from Irvine to San Francisco will cost you $731 to $1,808 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,338 to $2,590. A larger home will cost $1,921 to $3,581.

How much is a moving truck from Irvine to San Francisco?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $457 to $775. A larger move will cost $458 to $947, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Irvine to San Francisco costs from $610 to $1,193.

How far in advance should I book Irvine-to-San Francisco movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Irvine to San Francisco at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Irvine-to-San Francisco movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Francisco?

The cheapest time of year to move to San Francisco is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.