($1,749+) Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,716 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,830 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,899 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,602, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,830 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,066 - $7,427, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,716 - $4,631.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,923 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from Jersey City to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,923 - $7,635 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,899 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,899-mile route from Jersey City to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,602 - $6,218, container $2,066 - $4,065, rental truck $1,716 - $3,071, freight trailer $1,878 - $3,551.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,923 - $7,635, container $2,573 - $5,720, rental truck $1,715 - $3,811, freight trailer $2,187 - $4,262.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,607 - $11,830, container $3,811 - $7,427, rental truck $2,214 - $4,631, freight trailer $2,960 - $6,187.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,899-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, with costs ranging from $2,602 - $11,830. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $546 - $3,640. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Jersey City and San Francisco. Local movers in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate plus $139/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jersey City to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,602 - $6,218
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,923 - $7,635
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,607 - $11,830
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 Jersey City to San Francisco.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Francisco, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $910 - $9,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $364 - $2,184/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $546 - $4,368 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,820 - $5,460 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,550 - $18,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,363 - $2,590 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,820 - $4,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,456 - $6,370 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $546 - $2,730 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage | $1,183 - $3,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $546 - $27,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $546 - $6,370+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to San Francisco?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Jersey City, NJ. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, cost between $2,066 and $7,427. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Jersey City typically runs around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,066 - $4,065
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,573 - $5,720
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,811 - $7,427
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Jersey City, NJ and San Francisco, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,274 in Jersey City, NJ, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $137 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $273 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey 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 $2,066. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,573 - $5,720, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to San Francisco?
- 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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.5/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
A rental truck for this 2,899-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, costs between $1,716 and $4,631. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,679 - $1,919
- Daily insurance: $55/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $36
- Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| 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 Jersey City to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,716 - $3,071
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,811
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,214 - $4,631
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Jersey City to San Francisco starts at $1,716 - $4,631, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,679 - $1,919) , overnight lodging ($273/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $137 and $637.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $273.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,679 and $1,919 for the 2,899-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,274 for 2 movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to San Francisco?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Jersey City, New Jersey, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to San Francisco, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,187 and $4,262.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,878 - $3,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,187 - $4,262
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,960 - $6,187
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,274.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $137 and $273 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Jersey City to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Francisco fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Jersey City, NJ vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 245 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 38.59/100 |
| 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 Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Jersey to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 89 movers in New Jersey, so you have real options to compare for this 2,899-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,899-mile route from Jersey City, NJ, to San Francisco, CA, run $2,602 - $11,830 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,066 - $7,427, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,716 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,923, 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 Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Francisco, CA
What do local movers charge in Jersey City?
Local movers based in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate, plus $139/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 Francisco run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,602 to $11,830, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,602 and $11,830, 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.
How walkable is San Francisco?
San Francisco has a walkability score of 99 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 87 and 64 in Jersey City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,679 - $1,919), daily insurance ($55/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $36) on top. Overnight stops can add another $273/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
