Moving from Indianapolis to San Francisco (Movers from $1,499)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from Indianapolis to San Francisco costs $1,814 to $9,348 and takes 7-18 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 2,251-mile move yourself.

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 Francisco to Indianapolis guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis to San Francisco?

Indianapolis movers charge $75 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from Indianapolis to San Francisco

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 Francisco can be as low as $1,499 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $12,850.
• 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 $1,595 to $4,188. 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 Francisco?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Indianapolis to San Francisco will cost between $1,499 to $6,373. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,397 to $9,348, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Indianapolis to San Francisco will cost from $8,020 to $13,339.

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

Moving containers from Indianapolis to San Francisco will cost you $1,544 to $3,985 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,609 to $5,568. A larger home will cost $3,772 to $7,388.

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

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 $1,595 to $3,145. A larger move will cost $1,814 to $3,524, and a four-bedroom move from Indianapolis to San Francisco costs from $2,073 to $4,499. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Indianapolis to San Francisco moving companies

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

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from Indianapolis to San Francisco

Cost of living: Indianapolis vs San Francisco

• Rent prices in San Francisco are 149% higher than in Indianapolis.
• Home prices in San Francisco are 467.4% higher than in Indianapolis.
• Income in San Francisco is 132.3% higher than in Indianapolis.
• The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 330.5% higher than in Indianapolis.
• The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 186.7% higher than in Indianapolis.
• The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 3.57% lower than in Indianapolis.
• Sales taxes in San Francisco are 23.29% higher than in Indianapolis.
• State income taxes in San Francisco are 322.22% higher than in Indianapolis.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $12,914.80 in San Francisco 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 Francisco?

• San Francisco's population is about 9% less than Indianapolis.
• San Francisco's public transportation has a score of 10 out of 10 versus Indianapolis's higher score of 5.
• San Francisco is more walkable than Indianapolis with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Indianapolis's 31 out of 100.
• San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Indianapolis with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Indianapolis's 43.
• San Francisco's crime rate is lower than Indianapolis with a score of 54.33 compared to Indianapolis's 59.06. This means that San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Indianapolis neighborhoods are safer than 59.06%.
• San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Indianapolis with a score of 37.9 vs Indianapolis's 40.94.
• Air quality in San Francisco is moderate, and in Indianapolis it's good.

Considerations for moving to San Francisco

• 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.

Local Indianapolis movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Bellhop Moving	Get A Quote	4.66 overall rating	4916 Lemans Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46205 (317) 218-9538
All My Sons Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	2817 E 55th Pl Suite 103, Indianapolis, IN, 46220 (317) 820-2093
Busy Bee Movers	Get A Quote	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 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:

• Marina District
• Mission Bay
• Mission District
• Noe Valley

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Bernal Heights
• Inner Sunset
• Noe Valley
• North Beach
• Presidio Heights

What to do in San Francisco

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

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Fisherman's Wharf
• Alcatraz Island
• San Francisco Cable Cars
• Golden Gate Park
• San Francisco's Chinatown
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
• The Exploratorium
• California Academy of Science
• Twin Peaks
• Yerba Buena Gardens
• Legion of Honor Museum
• Palace of Fine Arts
• Ferry Building Marketplace
• Mission District
• Union Square
• City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
• Asian Art Museum
• Presidio of San Francisco
• Lands End

Get your sports on!

• San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
• San Francisco Giants (MLB)
• Golden State Warriors (NBA)

Helpful moving resources