Moving from Sacramento to San Francisco, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Sacramento to San Francisco costs between $102 to $4,244 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 87-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Sacramento to San Francisco
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Sacramento to San Francisco are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Sacramento to driving and unloading in San Francisco, 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 87 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,155 - $3,435 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $942 - $1,615 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $111 - $173 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Two Men and a Truck Moving | $130/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 Sacramento to San Francisco?
It costs between $102 to $4,244 to move from Sacramento to San Francisco. The prices below break down your 87-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $610 - $4,244
- Moving containers: $675 - $1,991
- Rental trucks: $102 - $192
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $610 - $3,073 | $675 - $1,229 | $102 - $157 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,155 - $3,435 | $942 - $1,615 | $111 - $173 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,679 - $4,244 | $1,111 - $1,991 | $125 - $192 |
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 | $381 - $3,175+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $130/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $120/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $254 - $1,016 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $64 - $254 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Sacramento to San Francisco
At 87 miles, your Sacramento to San Francisco 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 Sacramento to San Francisco. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 87 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Double Move is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Sacramento to San Francisco. They've been in business since 2024 (2 years of experience) and 98.5% of their 203 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Francisco to Sacramento guide.
Considerations when moving from Sacramento to San Francisco
Cost of living: Sacramento vs. San Francisco
The cost of living in Sacramento vs. San Francisco 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 San Francisco compares to what you’re used to in Sacramento.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Sacramento | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,899 | $3,250 |
| Average home cost | $483,739 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,753 | $141,446 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,656 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,191 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 5.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.75% | 8.63% |
- Rent prices in San Francisco are 71% higher than in Sacramento, meaning a larger portion of your income may go toward housing, leaving less for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in San Francisco are 184% higher than in Sacramento, so you’ll likely need a larger down payment and can expect bigger monthly mortgage payments if you’re buying a home.
- You could enjoy greater earning potential and improved financial stability in San Francisco, where average income is 69% higher than in Sacramento — especially if your salary is on par with the local average.
- Living costs for one person are 42% higher in San Francisco compared to Sacramento. Make sure to budget for these higher expenses.
- If you’re relocating your family to San Francisco, plan for living expenses to be about 41% higher than in Sacramento. Things like housing, childcare, and healthcare will likely cost more, so San Francisco is generally a more expensive spot for families.
- The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 30% lower than in Sacramento. This points to a healthier job market, more openings, and better economic stability in your new city.
- You’ll find sales taxes are basically identical in San Francisco and Sacramento, which means no change in what you’ll pay at checkout.
If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Sacramento, you’ll need about $4,260 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in San Francisco.
How life is different in Sacramento vs. San Francisco
Before you move, check out how life in San Francisco measures up to Sacramento. 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.
| Sacramento | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,943 | 808,988 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51-46 | Democratic 85-13 |
| Summer high | 93ºF | 67ºF |
| Winter low | 39ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 20" | 25" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 49.21 | 61.41 |
San Francisco sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- San Francisco has a population roughly 54% higher than Sacramento. 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 Sacramento and San Francisco supported the Democratic candidate.
- In San Francisco, summer highs top out around 67°F, lower than Sacramento’s 93°F. Relocating here means milder summers and a more relaxed pace outdoors.
- During winter, Sacramento gets colder than San Francisco, with lows reaching 39°F compared to San Francisco’s 46°F.
- Both Sacramento and San Francisco see similar yearly rainfall—Sacramento averages 20 inches, while San Francisco gets 25 inches.
- Both Sacramento and San Francisco receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- San Francisco shows a higher crime rate than Sacramento, with index scores of 61.41 compared to 49.21.
Things to do in San Francisco
Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Francisco has plenty to offer:
Museums in San Francisco
- Exploratorium
- California Academy of Sciences
- Walt Disney Family Museum
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Legion of Honor
Parks in San Francisco
- Golden Gate Park
- Presidio of San Francisco
- Mission Dolores Park
- Crissy Field
- Yerba Buena Gardens
Sports teams in San Francisco
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
Universities in San Francisco
- City College of San Francisco
- San Francisco State University
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law
- University of California, San Francisco
- Academy of Art University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Sacramento to San Francisco?
Shipping furniture from Sacramento to San Francisco with a moving company typically costs between $611 and $2,610. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $1,155 to $3,435. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $1,679 and $4,244 for that same route.
How much are moving container companies from Sacramento to San Francisco?
If you’re planning a move from Sacramento to San Francisco and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $491 and $1,093. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $942 to $1,615. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,111 to $1,991.
How much is a moving truck from Sacramento to San Francisco?
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 $104 and $146. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $111 and $173. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Sacramento to San Francisco, truck rentals usually range from $125 up to $192.
How far in advance should I book Sacramento-to-San Francisco movers?
To make your move from Sacramento to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
The cheapest time of year to move to San Francisco 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.
