Compare Cost of Palo Alto, CA Movers ($121/hour)
Quick answer: In Palo Alto, California, local movers usually charge between $613 and $6,177, or around $121 per hour. If you're heading out of California, the cost of long-distance movers in Palo Alto depends on the move size, mileage, and any extra services you request.

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$873 - $3,543
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$1,519 - $3,992
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$507 - $2,984
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$20 - $100/day
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$60 - $80/hour
Our track record
Average cost of local Palo Alto, CA movers
Hiring a moving company in Palo Alto is definitely the most convenient way to move, but that convenience comes at a higher cost than a DIY approach. You'll need to decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you or if you'd rather save money by doing at least some of the work yourself.
Here's how much movers cost in Palo Alto:
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
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Studio | $613 | $277 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $873 | $269 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $1,519 | $376 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $3,543 | $522 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $3,992 | $533 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $6,177 | $753 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in Palo Alto, CA
For moves that keep you in or around Palo Alto, these trusted local movers are our top picks to get the job done right:
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Best California Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- All Reasons Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Upline Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Lunardi Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Overly complex pricing
- Misleading marketing
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Unfriendly or rude staff
Company Info
State license #: 0189789
Years in Business: 33
DOT #: 70719
Alternate Names: All Reasons Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Misplaced or lost items
Company Info
State license #: 0191033
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1881933
Alternate Names: JM Moving Systems, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
Company Info
State license #: 0190625
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2762936
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to move out of state with Palo Alto movers
The cost of moving out of California mostly depends on where you're headed, so we’ve listed some sample prices below. For more precise costs, explore your moving route to California or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Palo Alto
Several factors influence the price of a one-bedroom move from Palo Alto — mainly how far you’re going, how much you're bringing, and how you plan to get it there.
Below are some common price ranges to help estimate the cost of long-distance moves from California:
- California to New York City: $3,503 - $7,535
- California to Chicago: $3,021 - $6,491
- California to Houston: $3,051 - $6,122
- California to Phoenix: $2,147 - $4,223
- California to Philadelphia: $3,647 - $7,391
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from Palo Alto
Out-of-state moving costs from Palo Alto for two- or three-bedroom homes depend on the total volume and weight of everything you’re bringing. For instance, the cost to move a three-bedroom home that’s lightly furnished and compact might be lower than that of a large, fully furnished two-bedroom space.
That said, here’s a general look at the price ranges you can expect for two- to three-bedroom moves of similar distance from Palo Alto:
- California to New York City: $5,333 - $9,207
- California to Chicago: $4,292 - $7,420
- California to Houston: $4,096 - $7,375
- California to Phoenix: $2,597 - $5,338
- California to Philadelphia: $4,883 - $8,771
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Palo Alto
Relocating a four-bedroom or larger home from Palo Alto involves a number of variables. The costs can vary significantly depending on distance, volume, and seasonality.
Here’s a general idea of what long-distance moves from Palo Alto with four or more bedrooms might cost:
- California to New York City: $9,551 - $14,310
- California to Chicago: $8,051 - $13,707
- California to Houston: $7,051 - $12,380
- California to Phoenix: $4,499 - $8,024
- California to Philadelphia: $8,906 - $14,479
Best interstate moving companies in Palo Alto
Now that you’ve got a clearer idea of what your move from California might cost, it’s a good time to start comparing the best long-distance moving companies in Palo Alto.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Average cost of moving containers in Palo Alto, CA
In Palo Alto, using moving containers typically starts at around $480 for a local move. For longer in-state or regional relocations, that number can rise to about $2,980. If you're planning a coast-to-coast move, expect rates in excess of $6,930. Your final price will largely depend on how far you're moving and your container size.
We recommend PODS in Palo Alto as a strong option. PODS offers three container sizes (eight, 12, and 16 feet), allowing you some flexibility in picking the one that best fits your needs. Their rates are competitive, and customers overwhelmingly give them high marks for their service. To make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck, though, get quotes from PODS and at least two other companies before locking in a decision.
For more trusted providers, browse this list of top moving container companies.
Best moving container companies in Palo Alto
A moving container company is a good fit if you don’t mind doing some heavy lifting. You’ll have to pack up everything and load it up yourself but you’ll get the benefit of a professional driver to safely transport your belongings to your new home. There are several solid choices in Palo Alto — these are some of our favorites:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in Palo Alto, CA
The average cost to rent a moving truck in Palo Alto is $60 per day, but prices can be anywhere from $19–$38.355555555556 daily, with an additional per-mile fee of $1.698–$1.2122222222222, depending on how far you're moving and the truck size you need. A moving truck rental is definitely going to be your cheapest option for relocating. Just keep in mind that you will not only be responsible for all the packing and loading, you'll also need to drive the truck to your new home.
Best moving truck rentals in Palo Alto
The cheapest way to move is to just pack and drive it yourself with a moving truck. There’s no shortage of options for moving truck rental companies in Palo Alto. If you are ready to put the work in, here are some of the top moving truck rental companies:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Palo Alto, CA
Expect to pay between $30 and $40 an hour for each labor-only mover in Palo Alto. Depending on how many crew members you need, the total hourly rate can range from $60 to $80.
Most studios and one-bedrooms require just two movers. Larger homes — two or three bedrooms — generally need three or four movers, and anything beyond that will require a team of four to five movers.
Best labor-only moving companies in Palo Alto
Not all labor-only moving services in Palo Alto are created equal. The best ones combine fair pricing with dependable service. Some even go the extra mile by helping with packing or providing supplies.
Here’s a look at our favorite labor-only moving companies.
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Factors that affect the cost of your Palo Alto move
Since every move is a little different, your total cost will depend on your individual needs. Still, here are some of the key factors that commonly affect Palo Alto moving costs:
- Distance: Long-distance moves tend to cost more due to added mileage, fuel charges, and labor hours. Staying within the same city or region is typically more affordable.
- Move size: More items = more money. Larger households usually need extra hands and a bigger truck, both of which increase the price.
- Moving method: Full-service movers offer convenience, but they charge for it. If you go with a moving container company, you can cut costs by handling the packing and lifting yourself.
- Add-on services: Want help packing or extra coverage for your stuff? These kinds of add-ons cost more — and even DIY moves cost extra if you hire help for the heavy lifting.
- Move date: Prices spike during the busy season (summer), weekends, and the beginning or end of the month. You’ll often save by moving mid-week or mid-month when demand is lower.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Consider extra insurance. Full-service movers must provide basic coverage — called released value protection — at no additional charge. It’s free, but offers very limited protection: just $0.60 per pound per item, no matter what it’s worth. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $1,000 gets damaged, you’d only be reimbursed $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Many movers — and some home insurers — also offer full-value insurance based on your item’s actual worth for an added fee.
- Confirm your move is approved. Certain neighborhoods, especially those with HOAs, may restrict moving days or hours. Be sure to check those policies ahead of time and notify your property manager of your planned move-in or move-out date.
- Keep key documents ready. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, you may need to present proof of mover’s insurance and possibly an elevator reservation. These details are often found in your moving agreement, so pull them together early to avoid last-minute scrambling.
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