($1,605+) San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ ranges from $1,322 to $11,790, with an average cost of $4,450. Moves can be as low as $1,605 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,756 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Moving options from San Diego to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,322 - $11,790 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,450, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 58% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,756 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,756-mile route from San Diego to Jersey City, 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 $1,322 - $5,891 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,994 - $3,730), rental truck ($1,529 - $2,935), or freight trailer ($1,640 - $3,258). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,946 - $7,922 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,790.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Full-service movers for the 2,756-mile relocation from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,322 and $11,790. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $447 - $2,980, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Diego typically charge a base rate around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,322 - $5,891
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,946 - $7,922
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,498 - $11,790
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 Diego to Jersey City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jersey City, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing86% of local movers | $745 - $7,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $298 - $1,788/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $447 - $3,576 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,490 - $4,470 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,725 - $14,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,116 - $2,120 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Grizzly Moving | $1,490 - $3,725 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: One Stop Moving & Storage | $1,192 - $5,215 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $447 - $2,235 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationally | $969 - $2,980 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $447 - $22,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $447 - $5,215+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Jersey City?
Look for New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in New Jersey 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 Diego, 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 Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,994 and $7,083. 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 Diego runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,994 - $3,730
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,413 - $5,350
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,260 - $7,083
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $112 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $224 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jersey City, NJ, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,043 in San Diego, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to New Jersey 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 $1,994. 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 $2,413 - $5,350.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Jersey City?
- 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 Diego 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 Diego:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,756 miles from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, running $1,529 - $4,201. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,307 - $1,493
- Daily insurance: $45/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
- San Diego daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Diego to Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,529 - $2,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,672 - $3,635
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $4,201
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Diego to Jersey City starts at $1,529 - $4,201, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,307 - $1,493), overnight lodging ($224/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $112 and $522.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $224.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,307 and $1,493 for the 2,756-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 $1,043 for 2 movers in San Diego, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Jersey City?
- 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 Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey. 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 $1,341 and $4,155.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,640 - $3,258
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $4,155
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,855 - $5,950
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Diego, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,043.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $112 - $224 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 Diego to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Diego to Jersey City, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 140 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 56.79/100 |
| 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 Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to New Jersey over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,756-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Diego, CA, to Jersey City, NJ, 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 $1,322 - $11,790 on the 2,756-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,994 - $7,083 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,529 - $4,201 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,946 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 Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Jersey City, NJ
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,307 - $1,493), daily insurance ($45/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $30) on top. Overnight stops can add another $224/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Jersey City?
Jersey City has a walkability score of 87 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 53 and 43 in San Diego. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.