San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Francisco to Arlington typically costs $4,600–$9,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,816 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Francisco to Arlington
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA typically costs $4,600–$9,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,816-mile move from San Francisco to Arlington, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- AB Moving recently quoted $5,993 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,429 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $9,580 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 11, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 19, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 17, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 15, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 12, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 08, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Francisco to Arlington
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,900, but larger homes can run up to $13,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Francisco.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,700–$5,200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Arlington, VA to San Francisco, CA guide.
Best San Francisco to Arlington movers by type
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Best professional movers from San Francisco to Arlington
For a stress-free interstate move from San Francisco to Arlington, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→VA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from San Francisco to Arlington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 82% higher for singles and 37% higher for families than San Francisco.
Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $3,781 in San Francisco; families pay $11,970 compared with $8,717.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Francisco | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $2,475 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $4,350 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $810,670 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $128,145 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $6,867 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $11,970 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 5.75% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 16% lower in Arlington than in San Francisco, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 35% lower in Arlington than in San Francisco.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 6% less in Arlington than in San Francisco.
- Plan for higher expenses in Arlington, since the cost of living for a single person is 82% more than in San Francisco. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Arlington, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 37% more than it is in San Francisco.
- Arlington experiences an unemployment rate that is about 26% lower than that of San Francisco. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 30% lower in Arlington than in San Francisco. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Arlington can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 57% lower in Virginia compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing San Francisco with Arlington:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $208.70 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $59.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $24.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $77.25 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Arlington.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Arlington.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Arlington
| San Francisco | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 238,643 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 71 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 72 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 15.67 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 79.15 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Arlington's population is about 71% less than San Francisco.
- Arlington's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco's score of 10.
- Arlington is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 71 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Arlington has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99.
- Arlington's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 15.67 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Arlington is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 79.15 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
- Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in San Francisco it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco to Arlington move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Virginia doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Arlington smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Arlington
Now that you've chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Arlington to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Aurora Highlands
- Ballston-Virginia Square
- Bluemont
- Clarendon-Courthouse
- Radnor-Ft Myer Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Arlington Ridge
- Barcroft
- Chain Bridge Forest
- Cherrydale
- Dominion Hills
- Forest Glen
- Lyon Village
- Penrose
- Westover Village
Things to do in Arlington
After getting comfortable in your new Virginia home, it's time to see what Arlington is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Arlington offers cultural landmarks like the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Arlington Youth Football Club game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Arlington?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Francisco to Arlington are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Francisco are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Arlington?
Because spring and fall moves from San Francisco to Arlington are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Arlington take?
A move of 2,816 miles from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA generally takes seven to 21 days. Movers in San Francisco sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Arlington is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Francisco?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Francisco, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Francisco offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 70 movers in San Francisco have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 63 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
