($323) Movers From Santa Ana to Los Angeles

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 34 miles from Santa Ana to Los Angeles, California, ranges from $47 to $2,521. 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 Los Angeles to Santa Ana guide.

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The best Santa Ana to Los Angeles moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. Santa Ana to Los Angeles 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

Get A Quote

(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

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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 Santa Ana-to-Los Angeles movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Santa Ana movers and the best Los Angeles movers.

Meathead Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
Maison Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
NorthStar Moving Company : 4.66 out of 5 stars

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

Maison Moving

1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA 92780

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (32%)
Efficient service (30%)
Careful handling (28%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (36%)
Unexpected charges (28%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)

Review Analysis

Maison Moving has 285 online customer reviews, with 70% of them being positive. Many customers praised the efficiency and professionalism of the moving crew, highlighting their careful handling of items and excellent communication. However, several reviews pointed out issues with damage to belongings and unexpected charges, which left some customers feeling dissatisfied. While most feedback was favorable, the negative experiences regarding broken items and high costs should be taken into account when considering this company for your next move.

Get a Quote (800) 832-5950

Company Info

State license #: 0190726

Years in Business: 17

DOT #: 76628

Alternate Names: Orange County Movers Inc, College Boys Moving and Storage of Orange County, Affordable Moving and Storage of Orange County

Maison Moving, a trusted local residential moving company based in Tustin, CA, has been serving the community since 2008. Known for its reliability and professionalism, Maison Moving stands out among nearby competitors with an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google and 4.4 on Yelp, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company not only offers local moving services but also specializes in office moves, packing and unpacking services, and can handle delicate items like pianos, art, and antiques. Clients appreciate that no deposit is required, and they accept credit cards, making the moving process as convenient as possible.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

NorthStar Moving Company

300 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 400, Irvine, CA 92618

Customer Praise

Efficient service (36%)
Professional and polite staff (33%)
Careful handling (30%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)

Review Analysis

NorthStar Moving Company has 61 customer feedback entries, with 84% being positive. Many customers praised the efficient service and professional staff, highlighting their ability to handle moves smoothly and carefully. Positive comments frequently noted quick response times and transparent pricing. On the downside, some feedback pointed out issues like damage to items and unexpected charges, which detracted from an otherwise strong reputation. Despite a few negative experiences, NorthStar consistently received commendations for their dedication and care, making them a reliable choice for moving needs.

Get a Quote (800) 275-7767

Company Info

State license #: 0182466

Years in Business: 30

DOT #: 1836576

Alternate Names: NorthStar Moving Corporation

NorthStar Moving Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services around Irvine, CA, since 1996. This well-established company stands out with its exceptional consumer reviews, boasting an impressive 4.8-star rating on Yelp and 4.7-star rating on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby movers, NorthStar also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the capability to handle delicate items like pianos, art, and antiques. With flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no deposit required, NorthStar makes moving stress-free and reliable for its clients.

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

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 Santa Ana to Los Angeles?

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	$323 - $1,131	$114 - $781	$36 - $95
2 - 3 bedrooms	$785 - $2,521	$365 - $1,065	$47 - $119
4+ bedrooms	$1,300 - $3,610	$783 - $1,531	$63 - $136

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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 34 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 Santa Ana to Los Angeles

Cost of living: Santa Ana vs. Los Angeles

	Santa Ana	Los Angeles
Average rent cost	$2,650	$2,960
Average home value	$843,858	$2,368,088
Average income (per capita)	$77,283	$74,993
Cost of living (single person)	$6,333	$1,311
Cost of living (family of 4)	$11,160	$4,745
Unemployment rate	7.0%	10.6%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in Los Angeles are 12% higher than in Santa Ana.
Home prices in Los Angeles are 180.6% higher than in Santa Ana.
Income in Los Angeles is 3.0% lower than in Santa Ana.
The cost of living for a single person in Los Angeles is 79.3% lower than in Santa Ana.
The cost of living for a family in Los Angeles is 57.5% lower than in Santa Ana.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 51.43% higher than in Santa Ana.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $621.03 in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.

How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Los Angeles

	Los Angeles	Santa Ana
Population	3,820,914	310,227
Political leaning	Democratic 64-31	Democratic 49.8-48.3
Summer high	84ºF	82ºF
Winter low	46ºF	47ºF
Annual rain	16"	13"
Annual snow	0"	0"
Crime index	53.81	54.17

Santa Ana sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, BestPlaces
Los Angeles sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

The population of Los Angeles is approximately 1,132% greater than the population of Santa Ana.
In the last presidential election, Los Angeles voted Democratic and Santa Ana voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in Los Angeles is 84ºF and in Santa Ana, it’s 82ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, Los Angeles reaches the temperature of 46ºF and Santa Ana gets down to 47ºF.
You can expect about 16 inches of annual rainfall in Los Angeles vs 13 inches of rainfall in Santa Ana.
In Los Angeles, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in Santa Ana.
Los Angeles has a lower crime rate than Santa Ana with a crime index of 54.17 vs 53.81.

Things to do in Los Angeles

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

Museums in Los Angeles

The Getty Center
Griffith Observatory
Petersen Automotive Museum
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
The Broad
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Nethercutt Collection
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
The Hollywood Museum
Skirball Cultural Center
Hollywood Bowl Museum
Autry Museum of the American West
Diorama-museum of Bhagavad-gita

Parks in Los Angeles

Griffith Park
Runyon Canyon Park
Lake Hollywood Park
Echo Park
Venice Skatepark
Exposition Park
Lake Balboa Park
Grand Park
Point Fermin Park
Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat
Mildred Mathias Botanical Gardens
Barnsdall Art Park
MacArthur Park
Elysian Park
Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden

Sports Teams in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)

Universities in Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Northridge
University of California, Los Angeles
American Film Institute Conservatory
Alliant International University
American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Los Angeles Campus)
American Jewish University
Abraham Lincoln University
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (Los Angeles Campus)
Antioch University's Los Angeles Campus
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Colburn School
Columbia College Hollywood
Emerson College (Los Angeles Campus)
Emperor's College
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's (Los Angeles campus)
Los Angeles Film School
Loyola Marymount University
Marymount College
Mount St. Mary's College
National University of California
Occidental College
Otis College of Art and Design
Southern California Institute of Architecture
Southwestern Law School
University of Southern California
Woodbury University

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Santa Ana to Los Angeles?

To ship furniture from Santa Ana to Los Angeles with a mover will cost between $323 and $1,131. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $785–$2,521, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Santa Ana to Los Angeles will cost from $1,300–$3,610.

How much are moving container companies from Santa Ana to Los Angeles?

Moving containers from Santa Ana to Los Angeles will cost you $114 to $781 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $365 to $1,065. A larger home will cost $783 to $1,531.

How much is a moving truck from Santa Ana to Los Angeles?

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 $36 to $95. A larger move will cost $47 to $119, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Santa Ana to Los Angeles costs from $63 to $136.

How far in advance should I book Santa Ana-to-Los Angeles movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Santa Ana to Los Angeles 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 Santa Ana-to-Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

The cheapest time of year to move to Los Angeles 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.