($1,056+) St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA, runs anywhere from $1,056 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,579 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,149, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,579 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,520 - $5,515, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,056 - $3,048.
- 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 $3,124 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Moving options from St. Louis to Anaheim fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,124 - $7,248 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,819-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,149 - $5,004 with full-service movers, $1,520 - $2,677 with a container, $1,056 - $1,932 with a rental truck, or $1,356 - $2,562 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,124 - $7,248 full-service, $1,946 - $4,024 by container, $1,131 - $2,514 by rental truck, or $1,588 - $3,251 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,566 - $9,579 full-service, $2,660 - $5,515 by container, $1,370 - $3,048 by rental truck, or $2,213 - $4,157 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California, costs between $2,149 and $9,579. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,819-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $349 - $2,328, 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 St. Louis and Anaheim. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/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 St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,149 - $5,004
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,124 - $7,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,566 - $9,579
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.
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 St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Anaheim, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $582 - $5,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $233 - $1,397/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $349 - $2,794 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% 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 items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $1,164 - $2,910 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $931 - $4,074 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $349 - $1,746 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% 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?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in St. Louis, MO. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California, cost between $1,520 and $5,515. 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 Anaheim. If you go over that window, storage in St. Louis adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,520 - $2,677
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,946 - $4,024
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,660 - $5,515
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $87 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $175 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Anaheim, CA, 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 $815 in St. Louis, MO. 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 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 $1,520. 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 $1,946 - $4,024.
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:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA
Plan on $1,056 - $3,048 for a rental moving truck on the 1,819-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $1,056 - $1,932
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,131 - $2,514
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,370 - $3,048
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,056 - $3,048 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Louis to Anaheim. Fuel alone runs $674 - $770, and overnight lodging ($175/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $175 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in St. Louis, Missouri, usually costs about $815 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,819-mile drive falls between $674 and $770, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $58 and $349 to your total.
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
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Anaheim, 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 $1,588 and $3,251.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Anaheim:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,356 - $2,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,588 - $3,251
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,213 - $4,157
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 $87 and $175.
- 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 St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly five hours typically average $815.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Anaheim?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Louis to Anaheim, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
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 138 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 1,819-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,819-mile route from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA, run $2,149 - $9,579 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,520 - $5,515, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,056 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,124, 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 PacSun and Firmenich.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Anaheim, CA
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 to 16 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 ($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 $1,131 - $2,514. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Anaheim, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,056 to $9,579, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,149 and $9,579, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.