($991+) San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $991 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,177 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,733 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,307, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,177 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,477 - $5,283, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $991 - $2,859.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,032 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from San Antonio to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,032 - $6,885 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 64% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,733 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,733-mile route from San Antonio to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,307 - $5,442 with full-service movers, $1,477 - $2,674 with a container, $991 - $1,944 with a rental truck, or $1,329 - $2,632 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,032 - $6,885 full-service, $1,966 - $3,703 by container, $1,094 - $2,243 by rental truck, or $1,465 - $3,118 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,986 - $10,177 full-service, $2,657 - $5,283 by container, $1,393 - $2,859 by rental truck, or $2,104 - $4,269 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,733-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to San Francisco, California, with costs ranging from $2,307 - $10,177. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $458 - $3,052. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and San Francisco. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,307 - $5,442
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,032 - $6,885
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,986 - $10,177
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from San Antonio to San Francisco.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing85% of local movers | $763 - $7,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $305 - $1,831/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $458 - $3,662 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,526 - $4,578 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,815 - $15,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,143 - $2,171 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $1,526 - $3,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,221 - $5,341 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $458 - $2,289 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $992 - $3,052 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $458 - $22,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $458 - $5,341+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to San Francisco?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Antonio, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,477 and $5,283. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Antonio costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,477 - $2,674
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,966 - $3,703
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,657 - $5,283
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Antonio, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,068, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $114 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $229 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Antonio, TX, and San Francisco, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,477. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,966 - $3,703.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to San Francisco?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in San Antonio to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,733 miles from San Antonio, Texas, to San Francisco, California, running $991 - $2,859. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $841 - $962
- Daily insurance: $46/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $31
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Antonio to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $991 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $2,243
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,393 - $2,859
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $991 - $2,859 when pricing out a rental truck from San Antonio to San Francisco. Fuel alone runs $841 - $962, and overnight lodging ($229/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $841 - $962 for the 1,733-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,068.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,733-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $229 per night, adding $458 - $687 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $76 and $458.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to San Francisco?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to San Francisco, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,465 and $3,118.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,329 - $2,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,465 - $3,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,104 - $4,269
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $114 and $229.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $1,068.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Francisco fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 803 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,733-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,733-mile route from San Antonio, TX, to San Francisco, CA, run $2,307 - $10,177 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,477 - $5,283, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $991 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,032, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to San Francisco, CA
What is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($841 - $962), daily insurance ($46/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $31) on top. Overnight stops can add another $229/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is San Francisco?
San Francisco has a walkability score of 99 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $991 to $10,177, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,307 and $10,177, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.