Compare Cost of San Mateo, CA Movers ($118/hour)
Quick answer: Moving within San Mateo, California will typically cost you from $494 to $4,672, or about $118 per hour. For longer moves out of state, long-distance movers in San Mateo price jobs based on total distance, home size, and services like packing.
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$693 - $2,670
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$1,168 - $3,162
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$503 - $2,960
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$20 - $99/day
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$61 - $81/hour
Our track record
Average cost of local San Mateo, CA movers
Hiring a moving company in San Mateo 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 San Mateo:
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $494 | $206 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $693 | $208 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,168 | $279 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,670 | $400 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,162 | $400 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,672 | $547 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in San Mateo, CA
For moves that keep you in or around San Mateo, 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
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- AMS Bekins: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- SF Bay Area Moving: 4.58 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
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Lack of communication
- Unfriendly or rude staff
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Misplaced or lost items
Company Info
State license #: 0168138
Years in Business: 76
DOT #: 2256609
Alternate Names: Bekins AMS Relocation, Inc., AMS Relocation, Inc., Bekins
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Unexpected charges
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unprofessional behavior
Company Info
State license #: 0192239
Pricing: $145/hr
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2682402
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to move out of state with San Mateo movers
Since the cost of moving out of California depends largely on where you're moving, we've provided some example costs below. To get the most accurate pricing based on your specific destination, find your moving route to California or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from San Mateo
The price of moving a one-bedroom home from San Mateo to another state largely depends on how far you're going, the size of your move, and the moving method you choose.
To help set expectations, here are a few example price ranges for long-distance moves leaving California:
- California to New York City: $3,575 - $7,318
- California to Chicago: $3,117 - $6,179
- California to Houston: $2,989 - $6,122
- California to Phoenix: $2,105 - $4,054
- California to Philadelphia: $3,334 - $6,828
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from San Mateo
Costs for moving a two- or three-bedroom home out of San Mateo are mostly influenced by the total load. A modest three-bedroom move can sometimes come in cheaper than a larger, well-furnished two-bedroom home with heavier belongings.
Here’s a general overview of what you might pay for two- to three-bedroom moves covering comparable distances:
- California to New York City: $4,974 - $8,846
- California to Chicago: $4,163 - $7,649
- California to Houston: $3,821 - $7,596
- California to Phoenix: $2,623 - $5,394
- California to Philadelphia: $4,983 - $8,683
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from San Mateo
Moving a four-bedroom home from San Mateo to another state comes with a wide range of possible costs. The final price often depends on how far you're going, how much you're moving, and the time of year.
Here’s a general look at what out-of-state moves with four or more bedrooms from San Mateo might cost:
- California to New York City: $9,262 - $15,490
- California to Chicago: $8,132 - $13,179
- California to Houston: $7,411 - $11,673
- California to Phoenix: $4,780 - $8,272
- California to Philadelphia: $9,187 - $14,479
Best interstate moving companies in San Mateo
Now that you have an idea of what your out-of-state move from California will cost, it's time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in San Mateo.
- 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
rating
- 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 San Mateo, CA
Moving containers in San Mateo generally cost about $540 for a local move, while long-distance jobs can push the total up to $2,970. If you’re heading across the country, it’s not uncommon to see prices close to $6,920 or even higher. The two biggest cost factors? Distance and the size of the container you choose.
We often recommend PODS in San Mateo. They have eight-, 12-, and 16-foot containers, keep pricing competitive, and have earned a solid reputation among customers. But don’t stop there. Get quotes from at least two other providers to see how everything compares.
Need more options? Take a look at these highly-rated moving container companies before making your decision.
Best moving container companies in San Mateo
If you want to save some money on your San Mateo move but don’t want the hassle of doing everything yourself, moving container companies are a great alternative. With a moving container, you’ll take care of the packing and loading but won’t have to worry about driving. Here are a few highly recommended options for moving containers in San Mateo:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in San Mateo, CA
In San Mateo, daily rental costs for a moving truck usually start at $60, with most people paying between $19 and $38.355555555556, plus mileage fees of $1.698 to $1.2122222222222. It’s a solid choice for those looking to cut costs, but keep in mind it’s a fully DIY approach. You'll be doing the heavy lifting and the driving.
Best moving truck rentals in San Mateo
The most budget-friendly way to move is by packing everything up and hitting the road with a rental truck. There are plenty of moving truck rental companies to choose from in San Mateo. If you don’t mind the extra effort, here are a few of the best ones:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in San Mateo, CA
In San Mateo, labor-only movers typically charge $30–$40 per hour per person. That means your total hourly cost will be around $60–$80, depending on how many movers you hire.
It typically only takes a two-person crew to handle smaller spaces like studios and one-bedrooms. For two- and three-bedroom homes, plan on three to four movers. It’ll likely take a crew of four or five people to move homes with four or more bedrooms.
Best labor-only moving companies in San Mateo
Finding reliable moving help in San Mateo means looking for labor-only companies with upfront pricing and solid service reviews. It’s even better if they offer extras like packing assistance or moving supplies.
These are our top picks for labor-only movers.
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Factors that affect the cost of your San Mateo move
The exact amount you’ll pay for your move depends on the specific details of your move. That said, here are some of the most common factors that can influence the price of your San Mateo move:
- Where you’re moving: The farther the distance between your current home and your new one, the more you can expect to pay. A local move within the same city or nearby area will usually cost less than a long-distance or cross-country relocation due to fuel, mileage, and labor time.
- How much stuff you have: More belongings mean more work. Larger moves often need a bigger truck and additional crew members, which increases the overall cost.
- Your moving method: Full-service movers handle everything for you, but that convenience comes at a price. Choosing a DIY option, like a moving container company, can be more affordable if you’re willing to do the heavy lifting yourself.
- The services you select: Extra services like packing, unpacking, or premium insurance will add to your total. Even if you're going DIY, hiring help for loading and unloading will bump up your budget.
- Your moving date: Moving prices fluctuate based on demand. You'll pay more during the summer, on weekends, or at the start or end of the month. Mid-week and mid-month moves usually come with lower rates.
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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