($1,285) Movers From Washington DC, MD to San Francisco, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to San Francisco costs $1,789–$7,541 and takes seven to 21 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 2,808-mile move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Francisco to Washington DC guide.
The best Washington DC to San Francisco full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Washington DC to go to San Francisco can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Washington DC to San Francisco.
- 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
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to San Francisco?
The best moving containers for your Washington DC to San Francisco move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Washington DC to San Francisco. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to San Francisco?
The best moving truck rentals for your Washington DC to San Francisco move
If you want to save even more money on your Washington DC to San Francisco move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
How much is a moving truck from Washington DC to San Francisco?
The best labor-only movers for your Washington DC to San Francisco move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Washington DC to San Francisco:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC to San Francisco?
Washington DC movers charge $85 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 | $1,285 - $5,698 | $1,493 - $3,541 | $1,525 - $2,927 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,152 - $7,541 | $2,444 - $5,055 | $1,789 - $3,449 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,142 - $12,177 | $3,548 - $7,404 | $2,195 - $4,678 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to San Francisco
What to know before moving from Washington DC to San Francisco
| Washington DC | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,400 | $3,250 |
| Average home value | $594,337 | $1,241,003 |
| Average income (per capita) | $101,722 | $136,689 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,424 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,184 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 8.63% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in San Francisco are 35% higher than in Washington DC.
- Home prices in San Francisco are 108.8% higher than in Washington DC.
- Income in San Francisco is 34.4% higher than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 165.5% higher than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 68.2% higher than in Washington DC.
- The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 22.86% lower than in Washington DC.
- Sales taxes in San Francisco are 43.83% higher than in Washington DC.
- State income taxes in San Francisco are 131.30% higher than in Washington DC.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,965.59 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.
How life is different in Washington DC vs. San Francisco
| San Francisco | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 705,749 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 10 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 70 |
| Crime Index | 61.41 | 60.37 |
| Safety Index | 38.59 | 39.63 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- San Francisco's population is about 15% greater than Washington DC.
- San Francisco's public transportation has a score of 10 out of 10 versus Washington DC's higher score of 9.
- San Francisco is more walkable than Washington DC with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
- San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
- San Francisco's crime rate is higher than Washington DC with a score of 61.41 compared to Washington DC's 60.37. This means that San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37%.
- San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Washington DC with a score of 38.59 vs Washington DC's 39.63.
- Air quality in San Francisco is moderate, and in Washington DC it's good.
Other things to consider for your Washington DC vs. San Francisco move
- Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
- 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 Francisco. 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.
Where to live in San Francisco
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Golden Gate City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in San Francisco
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Washington DC to San Francisco?
The best time to move from Washington DC to San Francisco is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.
When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to San Francisco?
Because most people are moving from Washington DC to San Francisco 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 Washington DC to San Francisco take?
The 2,808-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to San Francisco, CA, takes seven to 21 days. Some Washington DC movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in San Francisco.
