San Antonio, TX to Riverside, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Antonio to Riverside typically costs $3,000–$7,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,299 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Antonio to Riverside
Moving from San Antonio, TX to Riverside, CA typically costs $3,000–$7,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,299-mile move from San Antonio to Riverside, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- PODS recently quoted $3,571 for a 3 bedroom using a moving container.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $7,102 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,845 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 04, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 24, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 07, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 25, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Antonio to Riverside
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,400, but larger homes can run up to $9,400.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Antonio.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($900–$2,400) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Best San Antonio to Riverside movers by type
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Antonio to Riverside
For a stress-free interstate move from San Antonio to Riverside, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best TX→CA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 291 Texas moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from San Antonio to Riverside
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Riverside runs about 17% higher for singles and 14% higher for families than San Antonio.
Singles spend around $2,573 in Riverside versus $2,194 in San Antonio; families pay $5,604 compared with $4,931.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Antonio | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,471 | $2,163 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,533 | $3,270 |
| Average home value | $249,398 | $642,297 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,451 | $76,755 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,194 | $2,573 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,931 | $5,604 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Riverside, note that rent can be roughly 53% more expensive than it is in San Antonio; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 158% higher in Riverside than in San Antonio.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 23% higher in Riverside compared to San Antonio, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Riverside, since the cost of living for a single person is 17% more than in San Antonio. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Riverside, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Riverside is 14% more than it is in San Antonio.
- The unemployment rate in Riverside is 87% higher compared to San Antonio, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 6% higher in Riverside than in San Antonio. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- California has a state income tax, while Texas does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing San Antonio with Riverside:
| Living Expense | San Antonio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $208.99 | $226.85 |
| Cell phone plan | $58.64 | $46.50 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.65 | $5.45 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.01 | $4.02 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $70.00 | $85.00 |
| Gym membership | $42.93 | $35.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in San Antonio than in Riverside, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Antonio than in Riverside.
- Eggs are less expensive in San Antonio than in Riverside.
- Bread costs less in San Antonio than in Riverside.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in San Antonio than in Riverside.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Antonio than in Riverside.
How life is different in San Antonio vs. Riverside
| San Antonio | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,434,625 | 317,261 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 37 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 45 | 49 |
| Crime index | 48.06 | 40.24 |
| Safety index | 51.94 | 59.76 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Riverside's population is about 78% less than San Antonio.
- Riverside's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than San Antonio's score of 6.
- Riverside is more walkable than San Antonio with a score of 43 out of 100 vs San Antonio's 37 out of 100.
- With a score of 49 out of 100, Riverside is more bike-friendly than San Antonio, which has a score of 45 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Riverside's crime rate is lower than San Antonio with a score of 40.24 compared to San Antonio's 48.06. This means that Riverside neighborhoods are safer than 40.24% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Antonio neighborhoods are safer than 48.06%.
- Riverside is considered to be safer than San Antonio with a safety index of 59.76 vs San Antonio's 51.94.
- Air quality in Riverside is Moderate, and in San Antonio it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Antonio to Riverside move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Riverside smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Riverside
Now that you've chosen City of Arts and Innovation as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Riverside to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Canyon Crest
- Victoria
- Downtown
- Magnolia Center
- La Sierra South
Best neighborhoods for families
- Orangecrest
- Mission Grove
- Canyon Crest
- Alessandro Heights
- Victoria
Things to do in Riverside
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Riverside is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Riverside offers cultural landmarks like the March Field Air Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Art Museum, and Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Mount Rubidoux Park, Fairmount Park, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, and Ryan Bonaminio Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an California Baptist Lancers (College sports)UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports)Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Riverside?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Antonio to Riverside are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Antonio are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Antonio to Riverside?
Because spring and fall moves from San Antonio to Riverside are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from San Antonio to Riverside take?
A move of 1,299 miles from San Antonio, TX to Riverside, CA generally takes three to eight days. Movers in San Antonio sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Riverside is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Antonio?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 4 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 4 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Antonio offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 20 movers in San Antonio have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 13 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across TX, there are 176 piano movers and 120 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
