Sacramento to Los Angeles Movers & Costs (2026)
Moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles, CA (~385 miles) typically costs $351 - $6,640, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
Local movers such as Two Men and a Truck Moving, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 1,286 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $130/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in Sacramento
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Sacramento to Los Angeles are regulated by California law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid California intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by California companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.62/5) as the top local pick, followed by Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. (4.48/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Sacramento to Los Angeles moves complete in 1 - 4 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 1,154+ California movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
Moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles costs between $351 and $6,640*, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
The breakdown below shows what each moving service typically runs, depending on your home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,062 - $6,640
- Moving containers: $902 - $2,759
- Rental trucks: $351 - $925
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves bundle packing, loading, transport, and unloading into one price. Professional packing alone tacks on $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers shift the heavy lifting to you, which is where most of the savings come from.
- Rental trucks cut costs roughly 30% versus full-service, but you handle the driving and either do the heavy lifting yourself or hire moving labor.
- moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,062 - $3,482 | $902 - $1,649 | $351 - $645 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,749 - $4,606 | $1,130 - $2,206 | $386 - $749 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,916 - $6,640 | $1,573 - $2,759 | $442 - $925 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 1,154+ California moving companies, and are updated as of November 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Sacramento, CA movers.
How Sacramento to Los Angeles moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $130 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,560.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 11% of Sacramento movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 12% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 8% of Sacramento movers handle hot tubs, vs 9% nationally. Top pick: A Better Moving |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Sacramento to Los Angeles
Moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles is a job for local and regional California movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. Two Men and a Truck Moving leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 1,286 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Sacramento to Los Angeles
Local movers operating within California know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 21
- 81% positive reviews
- BBB: A
rating
4.48 / 5
- Years in Business: 70
- 83% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 22
- 87% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
Our top local picks:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.62/5 stars): 80.9% positive customer ratings.
- Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. (4.48/5 stars): 83.1% positive customer ratings.
- Fuller Moving Services (4.62/5 stars): 86.8% positive customer ratings.
- A Better Moving (4.44/5 stars): 81.5% positive customer ratings.
- California Moving Systems, Inc. (4.44/5 stars): 90.0% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 88 movers in Sacramento, drawing on 13,936 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Sacramento to Los Angeles
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Sacramento, CA
Sacramento residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More California moving resources
How does Los Angeles compare to Sacramento?
Cost of living: Sacramento vs. Los Angeles
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Sacramento | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,899 | $2,960 |
| Average home cost | $483,739 | $878,142 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,753 | $80,366 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,656 | $5,833 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,191 | $12,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 10.6% |
| Average sales tax | 8.75% | 9.5% |
Cost-of-living data for Sacramento and Los Angeles comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 1,154+ California moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Los Angeles are 56% higher than in Sacramento. A renter relocating without a salary increase will see roughly 56% more of monthly income absorbed by housing.
- Home prices in Los Angeles are 82% higher than Sacramento. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Los Angeles matches Sacramento. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in Los Angeles is 120% higher than Sacramento. Plan to add roughly 120% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Los Angeles is 105% higher than Sacramento. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
- Unemployment in Los Angeles runs 38% higher than Sacramento. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in Los Angeles are 9% higher than Sacramento. The difference adds up on big-ticket purchases like appliances, electronics, and furniture.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,600 in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Sacramento.
How life is different in Sacramento vs. Los Angeles
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Los Angeles might look different from Sacramento in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Sacramento | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,943 | 3,820,914 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51-46 | Democratic 64-31 |
| Summer high | 93ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 39ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 20" | 16" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 49.21 | 53.81 |
Did you know: Summer moves in California can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 20% of movers in California, vs 23% nationally).
- Los Angeles is 628% larger in size than Sacramento. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, both Sacramento and Los Angeles voted Democratic.
- Summer highs in Los Angeles top out at 84°F, vs. 93°F in Sacramento. Lower cooling costs and longer comfortable outdoor windows are the practical upside.
- Winter lows in Sacramento drop to 39°F, colder than Los Angeles's 46°F. Expect milder winters and lower heating costs after the move.
- Annual rainfall in Sacramento (20 inches) and Los Angeles (16 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Sacramento and Los Angeles is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime index in Los Angeles (53.81) is higher than Sacramento (49.21). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.
Things to do in Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers a mix of outdoor adventure, cultural attractions, live sports, and university campuses. The categories below highlight standout destinations in each.
Museums in Los Angeles
- The Getty Center
- Griffith Observatory
- Petersen Automotive Museum
- Battleship USS Iowa Museum
- The Broad
Parks in Los Angeles
- Griffith Park
- Runyon Canyon Park
- Lake Hollywood Park
- Echo Park
- Venice Skatepark
Sports teams in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Los Angeles FC (MLS)
- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Universities in Los Angeles
- California State University, Los Angeles
- California State University, Northridge
- University of California, Los Angeles
- American Film Institute Conservatory
- Alliant International University
Final verdict: Sacramento to Los Angeles movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide California service. For smaller moves, Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.62/5) is the top local choice, with 80.9% positive reviews across 1,286 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $351 - $6,640, based on our analysis of 1,154+ California movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles
Do movers in California offer storage?
59% of movers in California offer storage, including storage-in-transit for when your new place isn't ready when the truck arrives, compared to 60% nationally.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
A full-service move from Sacramento to Los Angeles costs $1,024 - $2,963 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,749 - $4,606, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $2,916 - $6,640.
How much are moving container companies from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
Moving containers from Sacramento to Los Angeles cost $644 - $1,467 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $1,130 - $2,206, and a larger home costs $1,573 - $2,759.
How much is a moving truck from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
A rental truck from Sacramento to Los Angeles costs $362 - $651 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $386 - $749 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $442 - $925 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
How far in advance should I book Sacramento-to-Los Angeles movers?
Book your Sacramento to Los Angeles movers at least 2 months ahead, or 3 months for a summer move since that's peak season. Booking early improves your odds of getting your preferred date and better rates, and some companies offer early-bird discounts. Since this is an intrastate move, same-day or next-day delivery is often available once your booking is confirmed.