($1,676+) Jersey City, NJ to San Jose, CA Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Jose, CA, runs anywhere from $1,693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,325 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,932 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 $2,704, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $13,325 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,131 - $7,674, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,693 - $4,752.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to San Jose, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,039 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 Jose, CA
Moving options from Jersey City to San Jose fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $4,039 - $8,026 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,932-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,932-mile route from Jersey City to San Jose, 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 $2,704 - $6,460 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,131 - $4,193), rental truck ($1,693 - $3,251), or freight trailer ($1,823 - $3,519). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,039 - $8,026 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $13,325.
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 Jose, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Jose, California, costs between $2,704 and $13,325. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,932-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $529 - $3,528, 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 Jersey City and San Jose. For a rough baseline, movers based in Jersey City tend to start around $256 plus $139/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 Jersey City to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,704 - $6,460
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,039 - $8,026
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,906 - $13,325
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 Jose.
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 Jose, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Jose, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $882 - $8,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $353 - $2,117/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $529 - $4,234 |
| 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 | $1,764 - $5,292 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,410 - $17,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,321 - $2,510 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,764 - $4,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,411 - $6,174 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $529 - $2,646 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage | $1,147 - $3,528 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $529 - $26,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $529 - $6,174+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to San Jose?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Jersey City, NJ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Jose, CA
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Jose, California, cost between $2,131 and $7,674. 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 Jersey City typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,131 - $4,193
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,764 - $5,731
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,780 - $7,674
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 Jersey City, NJ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,235, 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 $132 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $265 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Jersey City, NJ, and San Jose, CA, 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 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 $2,131. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,764 - $5,731, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to San Jose?
- 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 Jose, CA
A rental truck for this 2,932-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Jose, California, costs between $1,693 and $4,752. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,646 - $1,881
- Daily insurance: $53/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $35
- 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 Jose based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,693 - $3,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,871 - $3,871
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,294 - $4,752
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Jersey City to San Jose starts at $1,693 - $4,752, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,646 - $1,881) , overnight lodging ($265/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $265 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Jersey City, New Jersey, usually costs about $1,235 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,932-mile drive falls between $1,646 and $1,881, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $88 and $529 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to San Jose?
- 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 Jose, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Jose, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,588 and $4,358.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,823 - $3,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,125 - $4,358
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,144 - $6,387
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $132 - $265 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for about five hours typically runs $1,235.
What are the best freight companies from Jersey City to San Jose?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Jersey City to San Jose. 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: Jersey City, NJ vs San Jose, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Jose, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 231 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $3,095/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $141,565/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 52.27/100 |
| 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 Jose, 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 2,932-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,932-mile route from Jersey City, NJ, to San Jose, CA, run $2,704 - $13,325 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,131 - $7,674, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,693 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,039, 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 Cisco Systems and Western Digital.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Jose, CA
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to San Jose, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,704 to $13,325, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,704 and $13,325, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 Jose run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
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.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Jose?
For families, Berryessa, Cambrian Park, and Evergreen are worth a look in San Jose. If you're moving solo or without kids, Burbank, Downtown, and Evergreen tend to be popular picks instead.
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.
