Moving from Irvine to Sacramento, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Irvine to Sacramento costs between $463 to $8,738 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 428-mile route within California take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Irvine to Sacramento
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Irvine to Sacramento are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Irvine to driving and unloading in Sacramento, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 428 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,387 - $5,741 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,382 - $2,790 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $499 - $1,030 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $75/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Irvine to Sacramento?
It costs between $463 to $8,738 to move from Irvine to Sacramento. The prices below break down your 428-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,325 - $8,738
- Moving containers: $1,146 - $3,431
- Rental trucks: $463 - $1,250
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,325 - $4,596 | $1,146 - $1,945 | $463 - $819 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,387 - $5,741 | $1,382 - $2,790 | $499 - $1,030 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,800 - $8,738 | $1,778 - $3,431 | $596 - $1,250 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $495 - $4,125+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $75/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $110/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $330 - $1,320 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $83 - $330 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Irvine to Sacramento
At 428 miles, your Irvine to Sacramento move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Irvine to Sacramento. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 428 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Irvine to Sacramento. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 88.2% of their 51 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Sacramento to Irvine guide.
Considerations when moving from Irvine to Sacramento
Cost of living: Irvine vs. Sacramento
The cost of living in Irvine vs. Sacramento isn’t just about housing costs. We’ll lay out everything that matters, including rent, home prices, average income, everyday spending, and local job trends, so you can easily see how life in Sacramento compares to what you’re used to in Irvine.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Irvine | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $4,000 | $1,899 |
| Average home cost | $1,113,305 | $483,739 |
| Average income (per capita) | $129,647 | $83,753 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $9,167 | $2,656 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $18,000 | $6,191 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.75% | 8.75% |
- Rent in Sacramento is about 53% cheaper than in Irvine. That means you’ll probably free up more of your budget for savings, fun, or other expenses.
- Home prices in Sacramento are 57% lower than in Irvine. That means you’ll have an easier time buying a home, locking in an affordable mortgage, and still having money left over for what matters most to you.
- Income in Sacramento is 35% lower than in Irvine, which might mean you’ll need to watch your budget, especially if your income doesn’t keep pace with the cost of living.
- The cost of living for a single person in Sacramento is 71% lower than in Irvine, meaning you'll likely have more financial flexibility, allowing for increased savings, spending, or investment opportunities.
- Good news, living costs are 66% lower in Sacramento than in Irvine. That means your money goes further, giving you more room in your budget and a chance to boost your quality of life after the move.
- The unemployment rate in Sacramento is 43% higher than in Irvine. This could make finding work more challenging and potentially affect job security, especially if you're moving without a job lined up.
- You’ll find sales taxes in Sacramento are 13% higher than in Irvine, which means day-to-day expenses on items like clothes, electronics, or dining out may add up faster.
If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Irvine, you’ll need about $870 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in Sacramento.
How life is different in Irvine vs. Sacramento
Before you move, check out how life in Sacramento measures up to Irvine. You can easily compare the weather, cost of living, politics, safety, and population side by side. This comparison makes it easier to tell which city better fits your lifestyle and needs.
| Irvine | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,670 | 524,943 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 93ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 39ºF |
| Annual rain | 13" | 20" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 31.01 | 49.21 |
Sacramento sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Sacramento has a population roughly 71% higher than Irvine. Relocating to a bigger city brings more people, possibilities, cultural experiences, and higher costs and a faster paced lifestyle. Whether that energizes or exhausts you all comes down to what you’re looking for.
- During the last presidential election, both Irvine and Sacramento supported the Democratic candidate.
- Summer temperatures in Sacramento can reach 93°F, hotter than Irvine at 82°F. Expect warmer days, higher cooling bills, and adjustments to your daily routine.
- During the chilliest part of the year, Sacramento is colder than Irvine, reaching a low of 39°F while Irvine only dips to 46°F.
- Sacramento typically gets more rainfall than Irvine, with an annual average of 20 inches compared to just Irvine’s 13 inches.
- Both Irvine and Sacramento receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Sacramento shows a higher crime rate than Irvine, with index scores of 49.21 compared to 31.01.
Things to do in Sacramento
Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Sacramento has plenty to offer:
Museums in Sacramento
- California State Railroad Museum
- Crocker Art Museum
- California State Capitol Museum
- Old Sacramento
- California Automobile Museum
Parks in Sacramento
- Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
- Capitol Park
- William Land Park
- McKinley Park
- American River Parkway
Sports teams in Sacramento
- Sacramento Kings (NBA)
- Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
- Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West)
Universities in Sacramento
- California State University-Sacramento
- Epic Bible College
- MTI College
- Asher College
- Carrington College-Sacramento
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Irvine to Sacramento?
Shipping furniture from Irvine to Sacramento with a moving company typically costs between $1,275 and $3,801. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $2,387 to $5,741. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $3,800 and $8,738 for that same route.
How much are moving container companies from Irvine to Sacramento?
If you’re planning a move from Irvine to Sacramento and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $795 and $1,872. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $1,382 to $2,790. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,778 to $3,431.
How much is a moving truck from Irvine to Sacramento?
If you’re looking to save money, renting a moving truck is often the most budget-friendly choice. Keep in mind, though— you’ll need to handle both the driving and the heavy lifting yourself. To keep things transparent, we’ve factored estimated fuel costs into our pricing so you know exactly what to expect.
If you’re renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move, expect to pay between $467 and $835. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $499 and $1,030. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Irvine to Sacramento, truck rentals usually range from $596 up to $1,250.
How far in advance should I book Irvine-to-Sacramento movers?
To make your move from Irvine to Sacramento as stress-free as possible, lock in your movers at least two months before your big day. If you’re planning a summer move, aim for three months ahead, because spots fill up fast! Booking early not only boosts your chances of getting the date you want, but you might also score a better deal since many companies offer early-bird discounts for customers who plan ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Sacramento?
The cheapest time of year to move to Sacramento is between early October and late April. This period is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.
