($1,382) Moving from San Francisco to Richmond

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Richmond costs $1,838 to $8,195 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 2,878-mile move yourself.

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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 Richmond to San Francisco guide.

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The best San Francisco to Richmond moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Richmond 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 Richmond.

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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 Richmond?

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 $1,382 - $6,243 $1,554 - $3,506 $1,582 - $3,039
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,250 - $8,195 $2,729 - $5,216 $1,838 - $3,768
4+ bedrooms $7,679 - $13,221 $3,587 - $7,646 $2,190 - $4,766
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,878 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 Richmond

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 Richmond can be as low as $1,382 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,500.
  • 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 $1,582 to $4,136. 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 Richmond?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Richmond will cost between $1,382 to $6,243. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,250 to $8,195, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Richmond will cost from $7,679 to $13,221.

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

Moving containers from San Francisco to Richmond will cost you $1,554 to $3,506 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,729 to $5,216. A larger home will cost $3,587 to $7,646.

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

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 $1,582 to $3,039. A larger move will cost $1,838 to $3,768, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Richmond costs from $2,190 to $4,766. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Richmond

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Richmond

San Francisco Richmond
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,495
Average home value $1,234,246 $330,061
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $54,795
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $2,317
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $5,119
Unemployment rate 5.4% 7.1%
Sales Tax 8.63% 6.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Richmond are 54% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Richmond are 73.3% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Richmond is 56.6% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Richmond is 39.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Richmond is 43.1% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Richmond is 31.48% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Richmond are 30.48% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Richmond are 56.77% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,810.16 in Richmond 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 Richmond?

Richmond San Francisco
Population 226,610 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 10
Walkability score 51 99
Bike friendliness score 51 99
Crime Index 33.99 54.33
Safety Index 52.08 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Richmond's population is about 72% less than San Francisco.
  • Richmond's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Richmond is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 51 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Richmond is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 51 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Richmond's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 33.99 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Richmond neighborhoods are safer than 33.99% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Richmond is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 52.08 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Richmond is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Richmond

  • Weather: Richmond has a humid subtropical climate, with very hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. Precipitation is rather uniformly distributed throughout the year. Dry periods lasting several weeks sometimes occur, especially in autumn, when long periods of pleasant, mild weather are most common.
  • 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Virginia 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 Richmond. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • 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
4.86 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
(415) 544-7000

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 Richmond

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Capital of the South", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Richmond.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Monroe Ward
  • The Fan District
  • The Museum District
  • Woodland Heights

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Bellevue
  • Byrd Park
  • Museum District
  • Three Chopt
  • Westover Hills

What to do in Richmond

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

  • Canal Walk
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Maymont
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
  • Virginia State Capitol
  • Monument Avenue
  • Hollywood Cemetery
  • Science Museum of Virginia
  • Richmond National Battlefield Park
  • The White House and Museum of the Confederacy

Get your sports on!

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

  • Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
  • Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A East)

FAQ

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

The best time to move from San Francisco to Richmond 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 Richmond?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Richmond 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 Richmond take?

The 2,878-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Richmond, VA, 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 Richmond.

Helpful moving resources