Moving from San Diego to Sacramento, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from San Diego to Sacramento costs between $488 to $9,287 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 510-mile route within California take 1 to 6 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from San Diego to Sacramento
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from San Diego to Sacramento are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in San Diego 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 510 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,412 - $6,288 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,403 - $2,879 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $531 - $1,085 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Republic Moving & Storage | $200/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 San Diego to Sacramento?
It costs between $488 to $9,287 to move from San Diego to Sacramento. The prices below break down your 510-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,504 - $9,287
- Moving containers: $1,129 - $3,665
- Rental trucks: $488 - $1,386
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,504 - $4,484 | $1,129 - $1,942 | $488 - $943 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,412 - $6,288 | $1,403 - $2,879 | $531 - $1,085 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,656 - $9,287 | $2,003 - $3,665 | $635 - $1,386 |
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 | $465 - $3,875+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $200/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $100/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $310 - $1,240 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $78 - $310 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from San Diego to Sacramento
At 510 miles, your San Diego 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 San Diego to Sacramento. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 510 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from San Diego to Sacramento. They've been in business since 2020 (6 years of experience) and 98.5% of their 1,177 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Sacramento to San Diego guide.
Considerations when moving from San Diego to Sacramento
Cost of living: San Diego vs. Sacramento
When comparing the cost of living between San Diego and Sacramento, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Sacramento stacks up against San Diego.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Diego | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,881 | $1,899 |
| Average home cost | $847,715 | $483,739 |
| Average income (per capita) | $104,321 | $83,753 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,346 | $2,656 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,719 | $6,191 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 7.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.75% | 8.75% |
- Rent in Sacramento is about 34% cheaper than in San Diego, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Sacramento are 43% lower than in San Diego, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in Sacramento is 20% lower than in San Diego. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in Sacramento is 21% lower than in San Diego. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in Sacramento is 20% lower than in San Diego. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in Sacramento is 17% higher than in San Diego. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Sales taxes run 13% higher in Sacramento than in San Diego, so you should plan on higher costs for regular taxable purchases.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,370 in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in San Diego.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Sacramento
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Sacramento vs. San Diego. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| San Diego | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 524,943 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 60-37 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 93ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 39ºF |
| Annual rain | 12" | 20" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 39.83 | 49.21 |
Sacramento sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Sacramento has about 62% fewer people than San Diego. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, both San Diego and Sacramento voted Democratic.
- In Sacramento, summer highs often climb to 93°F, hotter than San Diego where averages reach 79°F. Prepare for extra sun and the challenges of hotter weather.
- During the coldest months, Sacramento gets chillier than San Diego, with lows of 39°F compared to 46°F.
- Sacramento typically gets more rain than San Diego, with an average annual rainfall of 20 inches compared to San Diego’s 12 inches.
- Both San Diego and Sacramento receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Sacramento has a higher crime rate than San Diego, with a crime index of 49.21 vs 39.83.
Things to do in Sacramento
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Sacramento has you covered.
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 San Diego to Sacramento?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from San Diego to Sacramento, expect to pay between $1,428 and $3,873 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $2,412 and $6,288. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $4,656 up to $9,287 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Sacramento?
If you’re moving from San Diego to Sacramento and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $776 and go up to $1,849. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,403 and $2,879. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $2,003 and $3,665.
How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Sacramento?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $508 to $896. A larger move will cost $531 to $1,085, and a four-bedroom or larger move from San Diego to Sacramento costs from $635 to $1,386.
How far in advance should I book San Diego-to-Sacramento movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from San Diego to Sacramento at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your San Diego-to-Sacramento movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Sacramento?
To save money on your move to Sacramento, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
