($1,019+) San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX ranges from $1,276 to $10,257, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $1,019 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,737 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
Moving options from San Francisco to McKinney fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,276 - $10,257 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,737 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,737-mile route from San Francisco to McKinney, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,276 - $5,326 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,445 - $2,615), rental truck ($1,060 - $1,902), or freight trailer ($1,366 - $2,601). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,277 - $7,289 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,257.
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 San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
For the 1,737-mile move from San Francisco, California, to McKinney, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,276 and $10,257. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $575 - $3,836 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,276 - $5,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,277 - $7,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,631 - $10,257
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 Francisco to McKinney.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McKinney, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $959 - $9,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $384 - $2,302/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $575 - $4,603 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,918 - $5,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,795 - $19,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,437 - $2,729 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,918 - $4,795 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,534 - $6,713 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $575 - $2,877 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,247 - $3,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $575 - $28,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $575 - $6,713+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to McKinney?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, CA. 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 San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to McKinney, Texas, cost between $1,445 and $5,065. 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 Francisco typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,445 - $2,615
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,829 - $3,967
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,548 - $5,065
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,343, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $144 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $288 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, and McKinney, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,445. 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 $1,829 - $3,967.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to McKinney?
- 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to McKinney, Texas, range from $1,060 - $2,824 for the 1,737-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,060 - $1,211
- Daily insurance: $58/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to McKinney based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,060 - $1,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,425
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,335 - $2,824
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Francisco to McKinney starts at $1,060 - $2,824, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,060 - $1,211), overnight lodging ($288/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 $288 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 $125 and $623 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,060 - $1,211 in fuel for the 1,737-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,343 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to McKinney?
- 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 Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX
For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, 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 McKinney, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,584 and $2,958.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,366 - $2,601
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,584 - $2,958
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,038 - $4,011
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 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 $144 and $288.
- 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 Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,343.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to McKinney?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to McKinney. 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: San Francisco, CA vs McKinney, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McKinney, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 112 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $438,120 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $120,273/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 27/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 78.52/100 |
| 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 McKinney, TX to San Francisco, 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 Texas, 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 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,737-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to McKinney, TX, 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 $1,276 - $10,257 on the 1,737-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,445 - $5,065 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,060 - $2,824 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,277 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 Globe Life and SRS Distribution.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to McKinney, TX
How walkable is McKinney?
McKinney has a walkability score of 27 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,019 to $10,257, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,276 and $10,257, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX?
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 do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 McKinney run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to McKinney, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.