($1,081+) San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $1,027 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,448 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,734 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,344, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,448 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,532 - $5,206, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,027 - $3,025.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,309 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Moving options from San Antonio to Sacramento 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 $3,309 - $7,140 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 1,734 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,734-mile route from San Antonio to Sacramento, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,344 for a studio up to $10,448 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,532 - $5,206 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,027 - $3,025, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,434 - $4,560, billed by the space you actually use.
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 San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Hiring full-service movers from San Antonio, Texas, to Sacramento, California, costs between $2,344 and $10,448. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,734-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $316 - $2,108, 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 Antonio and Sacramento. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Antonio tend to start around $192 plus $96/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 Antonio to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,344 - $5,484
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,309 - $7,140
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,849 - $10,448
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 Antonio to Sacramento.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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 Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sacramento, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $527 - $5,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $211 - $1,265/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,530 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,054 - $3,162 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,635 - $10,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $789 - $1,500 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $1,054 - $2,635 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $843 - $3,689 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $316 - $1,581 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $685 - $2,108 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $316 - $15,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $316 - $3,689+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Sacramento?
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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Antonio, TX, 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 Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,532 and $5,206. 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 San Antonio typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,532 - $2,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,099 - $4,124
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,647 - $5,206
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Antonio, TX and Sacramento, 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 $738 in San Antonio, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $79 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $158 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 Texas 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 $1,532. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,099 - $4,124, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Sacramento?
- 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 Antonio 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 Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,734-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Sacramento, California, costs between $1,027 and $3,025, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $582 - $665
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Antonio to Sacramento based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $2,160
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,430 - $3,025
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,027 - $3,025 does not include fuel ($582 - $665) , lodging ($158/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Antonio to Sacramento typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $158 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $69 and $343 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $582 - $665 in fuel for the 1,734-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $738 in San Antonio, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Sacramento?
- 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 Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Antonio, Texas, to Sacramento, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,631 and $3,136.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,434 - $2,521
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,631 - $3,136
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,560
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?
- 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 San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $738.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $79 and $158 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Sacramento?
- 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.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs Sacramento, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sacramento, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 127 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $1,899/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $483,739 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $83,753/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 7.7% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 49/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 50.79/100 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas 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 289 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,734-mile move.
Our take
The 1,734-mile move from San Antonio, TX, to Sacramento, CA, costs between $2,344 and $10,448 with full-service movers, $1,532 - $5,206 with a moving container, and $1,027 - $3,025 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,309 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sutter Health and SynGen.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Sacramento, CA
How long does a move from San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA?
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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, 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.
Is Sacramento a safe place to live?
Sacramento has a safety index of 50.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.21, compared to 51.94 and 48.06 in San Antonio. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Sacramento?
Sacramento has a walkability score of 49 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. 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 Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
