($1,134+) San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN ranges from $1,265 to $11,529, with an average cost of $3,950. Moves can be as low as $1,134 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,047 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving options from San Jose to Memphis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,265 - $11,529 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,047 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,047-mile route from San Jose to Memphis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,265 for a studio up to $11,529 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,670 - $5,889 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,193 - $3,388, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,417 - $4,618, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
Full-service movers for the 2,047-mile relocation from San Jose, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,265 and $11,529. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $519 - $3,460, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Jose typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $119 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,265 - $5,237
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,311 - $7,108
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,269 - $11,529
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 Jose to Memphis.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Memphis, 41% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $865 - $8,650 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $346 - $2,076/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $519 - $4,152 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,730 - $5,190 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,325 - $17,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,296 - $2,462 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $1,730 - $4,325 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Vector Moving and Storage | $1,384 - $6,055 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $519 - $2,595 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,125 - $3,460 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $519 - $25,950+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $519 - $6,055+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Memphis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Jose, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,670 and $5,889. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Jose typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,670 - $3,203
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,406
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,818 - $5,889
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $130 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $260 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Memphis, TN, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,211 in San Jose, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Tennessee 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 $1,670. 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 $2,161 - $4,406.
What are the best moving containers San Jose to Memphis?
- 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 Jose 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 Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,047 miles from San Jose, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, running $1,193 - $3,388. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,127 - $1,288
- Daily insurance: $52/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $35
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Jose to Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,193 - $2,279
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,215 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,534 - $3,388
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Jose to Memphis starts at $1,193 - $3,388, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,127 - $1,288), overnight lodging ($260/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $260 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 $112 and $562 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,127 - $1,288 in fuel for the 2,047-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,211 in San Jose, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to Memphis?
- 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 Jose, CA to Memphis, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Jose, California, to Memphis, Tennessee. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,557 and $3,525.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,417 - $2,773
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,695 - $3,525
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,368 - $4,618
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $130 and $260.
- 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 Jose, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,211.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Memphis?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Memphis quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: San Jose, CA vs Memphis, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Memphis, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 86 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,299/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $154,209 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $51,211/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 22.51/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Memphis, TN to San Jose, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Tennessee, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,047-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Jose, CA, to Memphis, TN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,265 - $11,529 on the 2,047-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,670 - $5,889 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,193 - $3,388 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,311 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Memphis, TN
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN?
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 long does a move from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,127 - $1,288), daily insurance ($52/day), and equipment rentals ($12 - $35) on top. Overnight stops can add another $260/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,215 - $2,632. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.