($1,352) Moving from San Francisco to Portland

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Portland costs $1,804 to $8,526 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 3,198-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

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The best San Francisco to Portland moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Portland is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Portland.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Portland?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,352 - $6,000 $1,407 - $3,731 $1,601 - $3,138
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,331 - $8,526 $2,572 - $5,391 $1,804 - $3,887
4+ bedrooms $7,830 - $13,740 $3,482 - $7,668 $2,192 - $4,542
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 3,198 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Portland

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Portland can be as low as $1,352 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,852.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,601 to $3,976. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Portland?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Portland will cost between $1,352 to $6,000. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,331 to $8,526, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Portland will cost from $7,830 to $13,740.

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

Moving containers from San Francisco to Portland will cost you $1,407 to $3,731 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,572 to $5,391. A larger home will cost $3,482 to $7,668.

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

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,601 to $3,138. A larger move will cost $1,804 to $3,887, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Portland costs from $2,192 to $4,542. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Portland

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Portland

San Francisco Portland
Average rent cost $3,220 $2,190
Average home value $1,234,246 $522,252
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $62,646
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $2,430
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $6,125
Unemployment rate 5.4% 5.2%
Sales Tax 8.63% 5.5%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.8%
  • Rent prices in Portland are 32% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Portland are 57.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Portland is 50.4% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 36.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Portland is 31.9% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Portland is 3.70% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Portland are 36.27% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Portland are 56.39% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,898.44 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Portland?

Portland San Francisco
Population 68,408 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 10
Walkability score 62 99
Bike friendliness score 68 99
Crime Index 19.79 54.33
Safety Index 67.22 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Portland's population is about 92% less than San Francisco.
  • Portland's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Portland is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 62 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Portland is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 68 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Portland's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 19.79 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 19.79% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Portland is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 67.22 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Portland is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Portland

  • Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Maine 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 Portland. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Luigy's Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
NorthStar Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
One Bush Plaza Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA, 94104
(415) 635-3844

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • East End
  • West End
  • West Bayside
  • Parkside
  • Downtown
  • Oakdale
  • Back Cove
  • Valley Street

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Deering Center
  • East End
  • Rosemont
  • West End
  • Valley Street
  • North Deering
  • Back Cove
  • East Deering
  • Oakdale

What to do in Portland

These are some of the best things to do in your new Maine home.

  • Portland's Old Port District & Commercial Street
  • Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands
  • Victoria Mansion
  • Eastern Promenade
  • Portland Museum of Art
  • Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
  • Crescent Beach
  • Portland Observatory
  • Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co and Museum
  • Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park
  • Wadsworth Longfellow House

Get your sports on!

Portland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Maine Celtics (G League)
  • Maine Mariners (ECHL)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Portland?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Portland is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Portland?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Portland in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from San Francisco to Portland take?

The 3,198-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Portland, ME, takes seven-twenty-one days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Portland.

Helpful moving resources