($1,345) Movers From San Diego to San Francisco

Quick answer: The average cost to move 501 miles from San Diego to San Francisco, California, ranges from $542 to $6,669. 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 San Diego guide.

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

  • Founded in 2015
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best San Diego to San Francisco moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. San Diego 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:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(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
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(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
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(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
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(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
(844) 950-2963

Best local San Diego-to-San Francisco movers

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

https://www.facebook.com/weliketomoveitsd, https://x.com/san_movers
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (34%)
  • Friendly and approachable staff (28%)
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (18%)
  • Unexpected charges (15%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
Review Analysis
We Like To Move It Moving has 368 customer reviews, with 87% of them being positive. Customers praised the company for their efficient service, friendly staff, and careful handling of belongings. Many noted the excellent communication and timely arrivals. However, some feedback highlighted issues with damage to items and unexpected charges. Overall, this company stands out in the moving industry for its professionalism and customer satisfaction, despite a few negative experiences.
Get a Quote (619) 483-1505

Company Info

State license #: 0191446

Years in Business: 9

DOT #: 2843171


We Like To Move It Moving is a trusted local moving company serving San Diego, CA, and nearby areas since 2017. Specializing in local residential moves, they provide comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and moving specialty items such as pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. With an impressive track record of 175 Yelp reviews averaging 4.8 stars and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out among other local movers for its reliability and customer satisfaction. For convenience, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, making them an excellent choice for stress-free moving.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/stellamovinganddelivery/, https://twitter.com/StellaMoving
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
  • Good communication (20%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (35%)
  • Unexpected charges (30%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Review Analysis
Stella Moving & Delivery has 330 online customer reviews, 85% of which are positive. Customers frequently praised the team's efficiency, professionalism, and care for belongings during the moving process. Many appreciated the clear communication and affordable rates. However, some customers reported issues with damages to items, unexpected charges, and delays in service. Overall, the positive feedback highlights Stella as a reliable choice for moving needs, especially compared to other companies.
Get a Quote (619) 393-6426

Company Info

State license #: 0191958

Years in Business: 6

DOT #: 3299407

Alternate Names: Stella Moving & Delivery, The Remarkable Movers


Stella Moving & Delivery offers exceptional local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, establishing itself as a reliable choice since 2020. With glowing reviews, an average of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, Stella Moving boasts a reputation for high customer satisfaction, further reinforced by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby movers, they provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services, fragile-only packing, and specialized moving services for items like pianos and antiques. They accept both cash and credit cards, though a deposit is required, and they offer full valuation insurance coverage and shipment tracking for added peace of mind.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOD certified
https://www.facebook.com/TwoMenAndATruckSanDiego, https://twitter.com/tmtsandiego
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (20%)
  • Efficient service (18%)
  • Good communication (16%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (25%)
  • Higher-than-expected costs (22%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
Two Men and a Truck has 593 online customer reviews, 58% of which are positive. Many customers praised the company for its friendly and efficient movers who handled their belongings with care. However, numerous complaints surfaced about hidden fees and poor customer service. Some customers reported significant damage to their items during the move and lack of follow-up from management regarding claims. Overall, while some customers had great experiences, many others faced issues that made them wary of using the service again.
Get a Quote (858) 935-8392

Company Info

State license #: 0190947

Years in Business: 12

DOT #: 2527384

Alternate Names: TMT SoCal Inc


Two Men and a Truck has been providing reliable local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA since 2013. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an average Yelp rating of 3.6 from 346 reviews, they have a solid reputation for customer satisfaction. Unlike some nearby moving companies, Two Men and a Truck offers a broad range of services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, and they can handle specialty items like pianos and safes. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, making the moving process straightforward and hassle-free.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card

How we chose the best moving companies in Californiatoggle

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 San Diego 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 $1,345 - $3,949 $800 - $1,966 $518 - $943
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,387 - $6,669 $1,418 - $2,964 $542 - $1,041
4+ bedrooms $4,612 - $9,193 $2,022 - $3,484 $689 - $1,333

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 501 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 San Diego to San Francisco

Cost of living: San Diego vs. San Francisco

San Diego San Francisco
Average rent cost $2,881 $3,250
Average home value $1,003,444 $1,241,003
Average income (per capita) $72,963 $136,689
Cost of living (single person) $3,346 $3,781
Cost of living (family of 4) $7,719 $8,717
Unemployment rate 6.6% 5.4%
  • Rent prices in San Francisco are 13% higher than in San Diego.
  • Home prices in San Francisco are 23.7% higher than in San Diego.
  • Income in San Francisco is 87.3% higher than in San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 13.0% higher than in San Diego.
  • The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 12.9% higher than in San Diego.
  • The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 18.18% lower than in San Diego.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,390.02 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How life is different in San Diego vs. San Francisco

San Francisco San Diego
Population 808,988 1,386,932
Political leaning Democratic 85-13 Democratic 60-37
Summer high 67ºF 79ºF
Winter low 46ºF 46ºF
Annual rain 25" 12"
Annual snow 0" 0"
Crime index 61.41 39.83
  • The population of San Francisco is approximately 42% lower than the population of San Diego.
  • In the last presidential election, San Francisco voted Democratic and San Diego voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in San Francisco is 67ºF and in San Diego, it’s 79ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, San Francisco reaches the temperature of 46ºF and San Diego gets down to 46ºF.
  • You can expect about 25 inches of annual rainfall in San Francisco vs 12 inches of rainfall in San Diego.
  • In San Francisco, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in San Diego.
  • San Francisco has a higher crime rate than San Diego with a crime index of 61.41 vs 39.83.

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 Franciscotoggle

  • 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 Franciscotoggle

  • 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 Franciscotoggle

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

Universities in San Franciscotoggle

  • 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 San Diego to San Francisco?toggle

To ship furniture from San Diego to San Francisco with a mover will cost between $1,345 and $3,949. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,387–$6,669, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to San Francisco will cost from $4,612–$9,193.

How much are moving container companies from San Diego to San Francisco?toggle

Moving containers from San Diego to San Francisco will cost you $800 to $1,966 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,418 to $2,964. A larger home will cost $2,022 to $3,484.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego to San Francisco?toggle

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 $518 to $943. A larger move will cost $542 to $1,041, and a four-bedroom or larger move from San Diego to San Francisco costs from $689 to $1,333.

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

Ideally, you should book your move from San Diego 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 San Diego-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?toggle

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.

Learn more about your move to San Francisco

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