Santa Clarita to San Francisco Movers & Costs (2026)

A Santa Clarita to San Francisco, CA move (~351 miles) starts around $340 for a studio move with a rental truck, and goes up to $6,638 for full-service movers handling a 5-bedroom home.

Local movers such as Best California Movers, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.66 out of 5 stars across 2,322 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $125/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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Off-peak savings available · November

November is a low-cost month to move in Santa Clarita

Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.

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What are the best ways to move from Santa Clarita to San Francisco?

Did you know: Intrastate moves like Santa Clarita to San Francisco 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 Best California Movers (4.66/5) as the top local pick, followed by Precision Moving & Storage Corp. (4.58/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.

Here's a closer look at each moving option:

Move type Top pick Avg. cost Best for Downside
Full-service Best California Movers $1,732 - $4,759 Hands-off moves (no heavy lifting or driving) Highest price of all options
Moving container PODS $1,162 - $2,111 (approx. 30% less than full-service) Moving on your own schedule You handle all loading & unloading
Rental truck Budget Truck Rental $376 - $729 (approx. 60% less than full-service) Minimizing upfront costs You drive, load & unload everything yourself
Labor-only Best California Movers $125/hr Loading help when you already have a truck You arrange your own transport between cities

Did you know: Most Santa Clarita to San Francisco 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 Santa Clarita to San Francisco?

A move from Santa Clarita to San Francisco runs $340 to $6,638*, per moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Costs shift based on service type and home size.

Here's what each option costs:

  • Full-service movers: $1,046 - $6,638
  • Moving containers: $838 - $2,578
  • Rental trucks: $340 - $828

What drives the cost difference?

  • Full-service moves combine packing, loading, transport, and unloading in one quote. Professional packing alone runs $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
  • Moving containers lower your costs by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles transport.
  • Rental trucks land roughly 30% under full-service pricing, but you're responsible for driving the truck and arranging your own moving help.
  • Movers using moveBuddha's cost calculator typically save 30% compared to their first quote.
Home size Full-service mover Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,046 - $3,683 $838 - $1,626 $340 - $590
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,732 - $4,759 $1,162 - $2,111 $376 - $729
4+ bedrooms $2,776 - $6,638 $1,537 - $2,578 $430 - $828

*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 Santa Clarita, CA movers.

How Santa Clarita to San Francisco moving costs break down

It'll cost you about $125 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 $1,500.

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.
12% of Santa Clarita 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
4% of Santa Clarita movers handle hot tubs, vs 9% nationally. Top pick:
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 Santa Clarita to San Francisco

Moving from Santa Clarita to San Francisco 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. Best California Movers leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.66 out of 5 stars across 2,322 verified customer reviews.

Best local & regional movers from Santa Clarita to San Francisco

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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.66 / 5
  • Years in Business: 8
  • 99% positive reviews
  • BBB: A
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.58 / 5
  • Years in Business: 12
  • 96% positive reviews
  • BBB: D-
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
  • Years in Business: 33
  • 90% positive reviews
  • BBB: A+

Our top local picks:

  1. Best California Movers (4.66/5 stars): 98.6% positive customer ratings.
  2. Precision Moving & Storage Corp. (4.58/5 stars): 96.2% positive customer ratings.
  3. Camelot Moving & Storage (4.5/5 stars): 90.4% positive customer ratings.
  4. Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (4.42/5 stars): 91.7% positive customer ratings.
  5. NorthStar Moving Company (4.52/5 stars): 86.9% positive customer ratings.

We evaluated 248 movers in Santa Clarita, drawing on 89,879 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.

Best national carriers from Santa Clarita to San Francisco

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.

Mover Certified by moveBuddha
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
Mover Certified by moveBuddha
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans

Our top national picks:

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Clarita residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.

How does San Francisco compare to Santa Clarita?

Cost of living: Santa Clarita vs. San Francisco

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.

Santa Clarita San Francisco
Average rent cost $3,295 $3,250
Average home cost $722,430 $1,374,773
Average income (per capita) $119,926 $141,446
Cost of living (single person) $3,290 $3,781
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,722 $8,717
Unemployment rate 9.6% 5.4%
Average sales tax 9.5% 8.63%

Cost-of-living data for Santa Clarita and San Francisco 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 San Francisco match Santa Clarita. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
  • Home prices in San Francisco are 90% higher than Santa Clarita. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
  • Average income in San Francisco is 18% higher than Santa Clarita. Negotiating a cost-of-living raise is realistic if you're transferring within the same employer.
  • Cost of living for one person in San Francisco is 15% higher than Santa Clarita. Plan to add roughly 15% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
  • Cost of living for a family of 4 in San Francisco is 30% higher than Santa Clarita. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
  • Unemployment in San Francisco runs 44% lower than Santa Clarita. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
  • Sales taxes in San Francisco are 9% lower than Santa Clarita. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,450 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Santa Clarita.

How life is different in Santa Clarita vs. San Francisco

Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in San Francisco might look different from Santa Clarita in ways that matter more once you've settled in.

Santa Clarita San Francisco
Population228,673808,988
Political leaningDemocratic 49.8-48.3Democratic 85-13
Summer high89ºF67ºF
Winter low46ºF46ºF
Annual rain18"25"
Annual snow0"0"
Crime index35.9261.41

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).

  • San Francisco is 254% larger in size than Santa Clarita. 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 Santa Clarita and San Francisco voted Democratic.
  • Summer highs in San Francisco top out at 67°F, vs. 89°F in Santa Clarita. Lower cooling costs and longer comfortable outdoor windows are the practical upside.
  • Winter lows in Santa Clarita (46°F) and San Francisco (46°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
  • Annual rainfall in San Francisco is 25 inches, vs. 18 inches in Santa Clarita. Expect more wet days and budget for rain-resistant gear and home maintenance.
  • Annual snowfall in Santa Clarita and San Francisco is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
  • Crime index in San Francisco (61.41) is higher than Santa Clarita (35.92). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.

Things to do in San Francisco

San Francisco balances outdoor access, cultural depth, sports culture, and academic presence. The categories below cover the best of each.

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

Final verdict: Santa Clarita to San Francisco 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, Best California Movers (4.66/5) is the top local choice, with 98.6% positive reviews across 2,322 ratings.

Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $340 - $6,638, based on our analysis of 1,154+ California movers and 12 years of pricing data.

FAQs about moving from Santa Clarita to San Francisco

How much is a moving truck from Santa Clarita to San Francisco?

A rental truck from Santa Clarita to San Francisco costs $350 - $590 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $376 - $729 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $430 - $828 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.

How much are moving container companies from Santa Clarita to San Francisco?

Moving containers from Santa Clarita to San Francisco cost $629 - $1,460 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $1,162 - $2,111, and a larger home costs $1,537 - $2,578.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Santa Clarita to San Francisco?

A full-service move from Santa Clarita to San Francisco costs $995 - $3,154 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,732 - $4,759, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $2,776 - $6,638.

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 many movers in Santa Clarita offer labor-only help?

30% of movers in Santa Clarita offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.