($1,087+) St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA, runs anywhere from $1,142 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,157 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,819 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,519, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,157 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,596 - $5,622, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,142 - $3,263.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,279 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 St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Anaheim: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,279 - $6,953. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,819 miles, expect 5 to 16 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,819-mile route from St. Louis to Anaheim, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,519 - $5,466, container $1,596 - $2,868, rental truck $1,142 - $2,070, freight trailer $1,494 - $2,689.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,279 - $6,953, container $2,104 - $4,266, rental truck $1,211 - $2,666, freight trailer $1,716 - $3,246.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,901 - $10,157, container $2,792 - $5,622, rental truck $1,452 - $3,263, freight trailer $2,234 - $4,408.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,819-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California, with costs ranging from $2,519 - $10,157. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $349 - $2,328. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Louis and Anaheim. Local movers in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,519 - $5,466
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,279 - $6,953
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,901 - $10,157
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 St. Louis to Anaheim.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Anaheim, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing93% of local movers | $582 - $5,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $233 - $1,397/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $349 - $2,794 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $1,164 - $3,492 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,910 - $11,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $872 - $1,656 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $1,164 - $2,910 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $931 - $4,074 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $349 - $1,746 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $757 - $2,328 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $349 - $17,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $349 - $4,074+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Anaheim?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California, cost between $1,596 and $5,622. 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 St. Louis typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,596 - $2,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,104 - $4,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,792 - $5,622
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $87 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $175 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $815 in St. Louis, MO, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Anaheim, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri 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 $1,596. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,104 - $4,266, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Anaheim?
- 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California, range from $1,142 - $3,263 for the 1,819-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $674 - $770
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Anaheim based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,142 - $2,070
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,211 - $2,666
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,452 - $3,263
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Anaheim looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,142 - $3,263. But once you factor in fuel ($674 - $770) , overnight lodging ($175/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $815.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $674 - $770 for the 1,819-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $70 and $378, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $175 per night for hotel stops on the 1,819-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $349 - $524.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Anaheim?
- 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 St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, 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 Anaheim, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,716 and $3,246.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,494 - $2,689
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,716 - $3,246
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,234 - $4,408
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $87 - $175 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $815.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Anaheim?
- 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.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Anaheim. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Anaheim, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Anaheim, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Anaheim, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,550/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $769,966 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $90,583/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 56/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 46.82/100 |
| 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 Anaheim, CA to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 1,819-mile move.
Our take
A move from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,519 - $10,157 on the 1,819-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,596 - $5,622, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,142 - $3,263. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,279 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include PacSun and Firmenich.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA?
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 St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, 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 long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 ($674 - $770), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $175/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA?
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 $1,211 - $2,666. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
