($508+) Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to San Jose, CA, runs anywhere from $508 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,508 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 717 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,635, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,508 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,065 - $3,210, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $508 - $1,455.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to San Jose, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,148 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 Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
Moving options from Tempe to San Jose fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,148 - $5,872 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 717-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 717-mile route from Tempe to San Jose, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,635 - $4,433 | $1,065 - $1,784 | $508 - $935 | $922 - $1,740 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,148 - $5,872 | $1,355 - $2,732 | $548 - $1,178 | $1,094 - $1,977 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,772 - $7,508 | $1,707 - $3,210 | $693 - $1,455 | $1,395 - $2,730 |
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 Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Tempe, Arizona, to San Jose, California, costs between $1,635 and $7,508. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 717-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $481 - $3,204, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Tempe and San Jose. For a rough baseline, movers based in Tempe tend to start around $200 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,635 - $4,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,148 - $5,872
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,772 - $7,508
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 Tempe to San Jose.
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 Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Jose, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $801 - $8,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $320 - $1,922/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $481 - $3,845 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,602 - $4,806 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,005 - $16,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,200 - $2,280 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Budget Movers | $1,602 - $4,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $1,282 - $5,607 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $481 - $2,403 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $1,041 - $3,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $481 - $24,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $481 - $5,607+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to San Jose?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tempe, AZ. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to San Jose, California, cost between $1,065 and $3,210. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to San Jose. If you go over that window, storage in Tempe adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,065 - $1,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,355 - $2,732
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,707 - $3,210
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,121 in Tempe, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $120 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $240 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your San Jose, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $1,065. 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 $1,355 - $2,732.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to San Jose?
- 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
A rental truck for this 717-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to San Jose, California, costs between $508 and $1,455. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $365 - $418
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Tempe daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Tempe to San Jose based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $508 - $935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $548 - $1,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $693 - $1,455
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $508 - $1,455 does not include fuel ($365 - $418), lodging ($240/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Tempe to San Jose typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $240 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $104 and $521 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $365 - $418 in fuel for the 717-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,121 in Tempe, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to San Jose?
- 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 Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tempe, Arizona, to San Jose, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,094 and $1,977.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $922 - $1,740
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $1,977
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,395 - $2,730
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $120 and $240.
- 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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $1,121.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to San Jose?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Tempe, AZ vs San Jose, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Jose, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 231 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $3,095/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $141,565/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 52.27/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Jose, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 228 movers in our Arizona network to compare for this 717-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 717-mile route from Tempe, AZ, to San Jose, CA, run $1,635 - $7,508 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,065 - $3,210, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $508 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,148, 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 Cisco Systems and Western Digital.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to San Jose, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to San Jose, 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 ($365 - $418), daily insurance ($48/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $240/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is San Jose?
San Jose has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 62, compared to 54 and 75 in Tempe. 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 Tempe, AZ to San Jose, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $508 to $7,508, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,635 and $7,508, 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 Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.