($1,309) Moving from Indianapolis to San Diego

Quick answer: A move from Indianapolis to San Diego costs $1,364 to $7,662 and takes six-seventeen 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 2,046-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Indianapolis 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 San Diego to Indianapolis guide.

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The best Indianapolis to San Diego moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Indianapolis to San Diego 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 Indianapolis to San Diego.

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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 Indianapolis to San Diego?

Indianapolis movers charge $75 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 $1,309 - $4,671 $1,209 - $2,875 $1,176 - $2,430
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,397 - $7,662 $2,067 - $4,475 $1,364 - $2,782
4+ bedrooms $6,618 - $10,487 $2,891 - $5,980 $1,573 - $3,239
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,046 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 Indianapolis to San Diego

The cost of Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis to San Diego can be as low as $1,309 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,434.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Indianapolis, 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 $1,176 to $3,171. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Indianapolis to San Diego?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Indianapolis to San Diego will cost between $1,309 to $4,671. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,397 to $7,662, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Indianapolis to San Diego will cost from $6,618 to $10,487.

How much are moving container companies from Indianapolis to San Diego?

Moving containers from Indianapolis to San Diego will cost you $1,209 to $2,875 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,067 to $4,475. A larger home will cost $2,891 to $5,980.

How much is a moving truck from Indianapolis to San Diego?

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 $1,176 to $2,430. A larger move will cost $1,364 to $2,782, and a four-bedroom move from Indianapolis to San Diego costs from $1,573 to $3,239. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Indianapolis to San Diego

Cost of living: Indianapolis vs San Diego

Indianapolis San Diego
Average rent cost $1,295 $2,895
Average home value $217,513 $961,892
Average income (per capita) $54,321 $71,251
Cost of Living (single person) $892 $3,451
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,139 $7,610
Unemployment rate 5.6% 6.6%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.75%
State Income Tax 3.15% 13.3%
  • Rent prices in San Diego are 124% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • Home prices in San Diego are 342.2% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • Income in San Diego is 31.2% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 286.9% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 142.4% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • The unemployment rate in San Diego is 17.86% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • Sales taxes in San Diego are 10.71% higher than in Indianapolis.
  • State income taxes in San Diego are 322.22% higher than in Indianapolis.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $11,606.50 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.

How is life different in Indianapolis compared to San Diego?

San Diego Indianapolis
Population 1,386,932 887,642
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 53 31
Bike friendliness score 43 43
Crime Index 23.28 59.06
Safety Index 59.1 40.94
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • San Diego's population is about 56% greater than Indianapolis.
  • San Diego's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Indianapolis's higher score of 5.
  • San Diego is more walkable than Indianapolis with a score of 53 out of 100 vs Indianapolis's 31 out of 100.
  • San Diego and Indianapolis are similarily bike-friendly.
  • San Diego's crime rate is lower than Indianapolis with a score of 23.28 compared to Indianapolis's 59.06. This means that San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 23.28% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Indianapolis neighborhoods are safer than 59.06%.
  • San Diego is considered to be safer than Indianapolis with a safety index of 59.1 vs Indianapolis's 40.94.
  • Air quality in San Diego is moderate, and in Indianapolis it's good.

Considerations for moving to San Diego

  • Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
  • 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: California 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 San Diego. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Indianapolis movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
All My Sons Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
2817 E 55th Pl Suite 103, Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 820-2093
Busy Bee Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
6148 South Belmont Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46217
(317) 695-9927

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

Where to live in San Diego

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Gaslamp Quarter
  • Hillcrest
  • North Park
  • Ocean Beach
  • Pacific Beach

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Carmel Valley
  • Del Mar Heights
  • Loma Portal
  • Rancho Bernardo
  • Rancho Penasquitos

What to do in San Diego

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

  • San Diego Zoo
  • The Botanical Building and the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden (Balboa Park)
  • SeaWorld San Diego
  • USS Midway Museum
  • Gaslamp Quarter
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
  • La Jolla Cove and Seal Rock
  • Legoland
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
  • Coronado Island
  • North Park
  • Hang-gliding and Paragliding Tours
  • Seaport Village
  • Belmont Park
  • Pacific Beach
  • Liberty Public Market
  • Cabrillo National Monument
  • Mexican Food
  • Mission San Diego de Alcala
  • Museum of US (Balboa Park)
  • UCSD Stuart Art Collection
  • San Diego Central Library
  • Torrey Pines State Reserve
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • Grant Hill Park

Get your sports on!

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

  • San Diego Padres (MLB)
  • San Diego Gulls (AHL)
  • San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to San Diego?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to San Diego?

Because most people are moving from Indianapolis to San Diego 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 Indianapolis to San Diego take?

The 2,046-mile move from Indianapolis, IN, to San Diego, CA, takes six-seventeen days. Some Indianapolis movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in San Diego.

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