Philadelphia, PA to Sacramento, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Philadelphia to Sacramento typically costs $4,300–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,784 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.2 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Philadelphia to Sacramento

Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Sacramento, CA typically costs $4,300–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,784-mile move from Philadelphia to Sacramento, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,900 - $6,500
  • Moving Container $2,200 - $4,000
  • Rental Truck $1,800 - $3,400
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $4,300 - $8,400
  • Moving Container $2,900 - $6,000
  • Rental Truck $1,900 - $3,900
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $7,700 - $14,000
  • Moving Container $3,900 - $7,700
  • Rental Truck $2,500 - $5,100

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $10,849 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
  • 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $2,208 for a studio apartment using a moving container.
  • Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $4,104 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
Colonial Van Lines
Upper Gwynedd, PA Rio Vista, CA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 13, 2026
1-800-Pack-Rat
Whitpain, PA Yuba City, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Feb 13, 2026
Joyce Van Lines
Upland, PA Loomis, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Jan 30, 2026
Budget Truck Rental
West Grove, PA Auburn, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 27, 2026
Allied Van Lines
Green Lane, PA Roseville, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 17, 2026
American Van Lines
Ivyland, PA Marysville, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Jan 17, 2026
Safeway Moving
Warminster, PA Plymouth, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 12, 2026
AB Moving
West Goshen, PA North Highlands, CA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 10, 2026
Mayzlin Relocation
Broomall, PA Wheatland, CA
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 01, 2026
BLVD Moving
Upper Moreland, PA Sacramento, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Dec 27, 2025

Key factors that impact the cost of your Philadelphia to Sacramento move

Your total cost will depend on:

  • Home size: The number of rooms makes a big difference. Expect around $2,900 for a one-bedroom, or up to $14,000 for a four-bedroom.
  • The time of year you're moving: Rates climb in summer because of peak season demand in Philadelphia.
  • DIY vs. professional: Rental trucks can range from $1,800 to $5,100, but require more effort than hiring movers.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Sacramento, CA to Philadelphia, PA guide.

Best Philadelphia to Sacramento movers by type

Professional Icon
Professional
Local Movers Icon
Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Philadelphia to Sacramento

Opting for a full-service mover can make your interstate move from Philadelphia to Sacramento much easier by letting professionals manage the entire process. This choice allows you to focus on what matters most instead of the logistics of moving.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best PA→CA movers

The experienced professionals at moveBuddha reviewed moving rates from 107 Pennsylvania movers, pinpointing the highest-rated services by analyzing satisfaction metrics, reviews, and overall cost.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The business consistently meets deadlines, communicates clearly with clients, and remains within the expected spending limits.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
  • Industry reputation (15%): This mover maintains a strong reputation among industry peers and is active in professional associations and events.
  • Online reputation (15%): A polished, accurate website and quick, respectful responses to online inquiries reflect the company’s strong digital presence.
  • Service options (10%): A broad service menu matters. We value movers that cover everything from packing and storage to unique item care and speedy delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Sacramento

Overall, Philadelphia and Sacramento land in a similar cost of living range, so your monthly outlay shouldn’t swing dramatically.

Singles average $2,656 in Sacramento and $2,541 in Philadelphia, while families in Sacramento see $6,191 versus $6,190 in Philadelphia.

Here’s how the everyday expenses compare across both cities:

Philadelphia Sacramento
Average 1 BR rent $1,791 $2,080
Average 3 BR rent $3,116 $3,540
Average home value $216,914 $476,699
Average income (per capita) $70,746 $78,954
Cost of living (single) $2,541 $2,656
Cost of living (family of four) $6,190 $6,191
Unemployment rate 10.6% 7.7%
Sales tax 8.0% 8.75%
State income tax 3.07% 13.3%
  • Planning a move to Sacramento? Keep in mind that rent could be approximately 12% higher than in Philadelphia, so be sure to adjust your monthly expenses accordingly.
  • Anticipate a larger mortgage expense since home prices in Sacramento are about 120% higher than those in Philadelphia.
  • Exciting update: you'll see an average income that's about 12% higher in Sacramento compared to Philadelphia, which might allow for more savings or investments.
  • Since the cost of living for a single person in both Sacramento and Philadelphia is within a 5% difference, your expenses will be quite similar.
  • The cost of living for a family is within about 5% of the same in Sacramento and Philadelphia, so you probably won’t see a major difference in expenses.
  • The unemployment rate in Sacramento is about 27% lower than in Philadelphia. This is often a positive indicator of a robust job market and economic health, beneficial if you plan to move there.
  • Sales taxes in Sacramento are 9% more than in Philadelphia, implying increased costs for common purchases like apparel, dining, and gadgets.
  • Income taxes in California are 333% above those in Pennsylvania. Consequently, more of your income may be allocated to tax payments, which could diminish your overall earnings.

See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between Philadelphia and Sacramento:

Living Expense Philadelphia Sacramento
Basic utilities $269.29 $356.80
Cell phone plan $61.40 $61.14
Dozen eggs $4.30 $4.58
Loaf of bread $4.15 $4.27
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $20.00 $20.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $90.00 $80.00
Gym membership $48.67 $47.08
  • Basic utilities cost less in Philadelphia than in Sacramento, helping trim your monthly bills.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in Philadelphia than in Sacramento.
  • Eggs are less expensive in Philadelphia than in Sacramento.
  • Bread costs less in Philadelphia than in Sacramento.
  • The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Philadelphia than in Sacramento.
  • Gym memberships cost more in Philadelphia than in Sacramento.

How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Sacramento

Philadelphia Sacramento
Population 1,603,797 524,943
Transportation score 9 6
Walkability score 75 49
Bike friendliness score 67 67
Crime index 66.09 49.21
Safety index 33.91 50.79
Air quality Good Moderate
  • Sacramento's population is about 67% less than Philadelphia.
  • Sacramento's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than Philadelphia's score of 9.
  • Sacramento is less walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 75 out of 100.
  • Both Sacramento and Philadelphia have similar bike-friendliness scores (67 vs 67), meaning Sacramento is about as safe for cyclists as Philadelphia. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
  • Sacramento's crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 49.21 compared to Philadelphia's 66.09. This means that Sacramento neighborhoods are safer than 49.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09%.
  • Sacramento is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 50.79 vs Philadelphia's 33.91.
  • Air quality in Sacramento is Moderate, and in Philadelphia it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Philadelphia to Sacramento move

  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: California’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
  • Moving Permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
  • Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Sacramento. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Sacramento

Planning your move to Almond Capital of the World? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home in Sacramento.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown Sacramento
  • East Sacramento
  • Land Park
  • Natomas Park
  • North Oak Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Boulevard Park
  • River Park
  • Land Park
  • Village 7
  • East Sacramento
  • Natomas Park

Things to do in Sacramento

After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Sacramento has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Sacramento features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, California State Capitol Museum, and Old Sacramento.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, Capitol Park, William Land Park, and McKinley Park — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Sacramento Kings (NBA)Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Sacramento?

Planning your move from Philadelphia to Sacramento? Aim for spring or fall when the weather is pleasant and demand is lower, helping you avoid peak-season rates in Philadelphia.

When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Sacramento?

Because most people are moving from Philadelphia to Sacramento in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Philadelphia to Sacramento take?

The 2,784-mile journey from Philadelphia, PA to Sacramento, CA, typically takes seven to 21 days. Some movers in Philadelphia offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Sacramento.

Are there special savings available from movers in Philadelphia?

Several movers here offer discounted rates that can help lower your total moving costs. 1 provide savings for AAA members. 2 have discounts for military personnel. 2 extend reduced rates to seniors.

These offers can vary widely, so it’s best to verify details with the mover before booking.

Are piano and antique moving services available in Philadelphia?

Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Philadelphia, 53 movers can manage piano relocations. 41 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Pennsylvania has 79 piano movers and 57 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.

Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.