($936+) San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,284 to $10,201, with an average cost of $3,600. Moves can be as low as $936 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,690 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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from San Jose to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,284 - $10,201 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,600, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 65% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,690 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 1,690-mile route from San Jose to San Antonio, 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 $1,284 - $5,251 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,510 - $2,762), rental truck ($975 - $1,836), or freight trailer ($1,346 - $2,340). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,924 - $6,945 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,201.
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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Hiring full-service movers from San Jose, California, to San Antonio, Texas, costs between $1,284 and $10,201. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,690-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $525 - $3,500, 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 San Jose and San Antonio. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Jose tend to start around $316 plus $119/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 San Jose to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $5,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,924 - $6,945
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,521 - $10,201
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 Jose to San Antonio.
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 San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Antonio, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $875 - $8,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $350 - $2,100/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $525 - $4,200 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,750 - $5,250 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,375 - $17,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,311 - $2,490 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,750 - $4,375 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,400 - $6,125 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $525 - $2,625 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,138 - $3,500 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $525 - $26,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $525 - $6,125+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to San Antonio?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Jose, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,510 and $5,334. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Jose runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,510 - $2,762
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,858 - $3,637
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,509 - $5,334
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $131 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $263 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 $1,225 in San Jose, CA, 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 San Antonio, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,510. 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 $1,858 - $3,637.
What are the best moving containers San Jose to San Antonio?
- 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 Jose 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 Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Truck rentals from San Jose, California, to San Antonio, Texas, range from $975 - $2,891 for the 1,690-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $941 - $1,075
- Daily insurance: $53/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $35
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Jose to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,836
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,012 - $2,318
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,397 - $2,891
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $975 - $2,891 does not include fuel ($941 - $1,075), lodging ($263/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Jose to San Antonio typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $941 - $1,075 for the 1,690-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 San Jose, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,225.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,690-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $263 per night, adding $525 - $788 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $88 and $525.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to San Antonio?
- 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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Jose, California, to San Antonio, Texas, 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 $1,515 and $3,031.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,346 - $2,340
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,515 - $3,031
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,067 - $3,942
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Jose, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,225.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $131 - $263 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to San Antonio?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Jose to San Antonio. 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 Jose, CA vs San Antonio, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Antonio, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 91 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 51.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,690-mile move.
Our take
For a move from San Jose, CA, to San Antonio, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,284 for a studio to $10,201 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,690-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,510 - $5,334. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $975 - $2,891, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,924 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to San Antonio, TX
How walkable is San Antonio?
San Antonio has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 45, compared to 51 and 62 in San Jose. 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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $936 to $10,201, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,284 and $10,201, 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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, 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 Jose?
Local movers based in San Jose typically start around $316 as a base rate, plus $119/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 San Antonio run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from San Jose, CA to San Antonio, 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 Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.