($1,252+) Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Moving from Memphis, TN, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $1,227 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,960 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,084 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,765, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,960 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,636 - $6,388, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,227 - $3,486.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,710 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Moving options from Memphis to Sacramento fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,710 - $8,012 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,084-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,084-mile route from Memphis to Sacramento, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,765 - $5,542, container $1,636 - $3,341, rental truck $1,227 - $2,416, freight trailer $1,488 - $2,773.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,710 - $8,012, container $2,316 - $4,775, rental truck $1,287 - $2,817, freight trailer $1,712 - $3,747.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,025 - $11,960, container $2,934 - $6,388, rental truck $1,693 - $3,486, freight trailer $2,541 - $5,013.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Full-service movers for the 2,084-mile relocation from Memphis, Tennessee, to Sacramento, California, cost between $2,765 and $11,960. 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 $307 - $2,048, 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 Memphis typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $125 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Sacramento:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,765 - $5,542
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,710 - $8,012
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,025 - $11,960

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 Memphis to Sacramento.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sacramento, 88% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$512 - $5,120
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$205 - $1,229/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$307 - $2,458
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$1,024 - $3,072
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,560 - $10,240
Car shippingSecond vehicle$767 - $1,457
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$1,024 - $2,560
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$819 - $3,584
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$307 - $1,536
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage$666 - $2,048
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$307 - $15,360+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$307 - $3,584+

What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to Sacramento?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Memphis, TN. 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 Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,636 and $6,388. 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 Sacramento. If you go over that window, storage in Memphis adds around $45/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Sacramento:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,636 - $3,341
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,316 - $4,775
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,934 - $6,388

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $154 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 $717 in Memphis, TN, 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 Sacramento, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $1,636. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,316 - $4,775, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Memphis to Sacramento?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
  • Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
  • Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 2,084-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Sacramento, California, costs between $1,227 and $3,486, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $679 - $776
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Memphis to Sacramento based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,227 - $2,416
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,287 - $2,817
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,486

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Memphis to Sacramento starts at $1,227 - $3,486, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($679 - $776) , overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $679 - $776 for the 2,084-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 Memphis, Tennessee, for about 5 hours typically costs around $717.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 2,084-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $154 per night, adding $307 - $461 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $307.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis to Sacramento?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA

For larger DIY moves from Memphis, Tennessee, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Sacramento, California.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,712 and $3,747.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Sacramento:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,488 - $2,773
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,712 - $3,747
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,541 - $5,013

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 $77 and $154.
  • 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 Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $717.

What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Sacramento?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Empire Express, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Empire Express, 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 Memphis to Sacramento. 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: Memphis, TN vs Sacramento, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sacramento, side by side with Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Memphis, TN Sacramento, CA
Cost of living index86127
Average rent$1,299/mo$1,899/mo
Median home value$154,209$483,739
Average income$51,211/yr$83,753/yr
Unemployment rate8.0%7.7%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score35/10049/100
Safety index22.51/10050.79/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Sacramento, CA to Memphis, TN guide.

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moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 70 movers based in Tennessee, handy for sizing up options on this 2,084-mile route.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,084-mile route from Memphis, TN, to Sacramento, CA, run $2,765 - $11,960 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,636 - $6,388, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,227 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,710, 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 Sutter Health and SynGen.

FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to Sacramento, CA

What is the cheapest way to move from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, 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 $1,287 - $2,817. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

How much does it cost to move from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,765 to $11,960, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,765 and $11,960, 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What do local movers charge in Memphis?

Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Sacramento run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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 percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.