($1,194+) St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $1,148 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,354 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,895 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,703, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,354 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,631 - $5,649, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,148 - $3,188.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,583 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 St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA
Moving options from St. Paul 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 $3,583 - $8,182 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 1,895 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,895-mile route from St. Paul to Sacramento, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,703 - $6,005, container $1,631 - $2,996, rental truck $1,148 - $2,211, freight trailer $1,439 - $2,889.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,583 - $8,182, container $2,046 - $4,496, rental truck $1,267 - $2,499, freight trailer $1,736 - $3,323.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,830 - $11,354, container $2,884 - $5,649, rental truck $1,535 - $3,188, freight trailer $2,399 - $4,658.
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 St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,895-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Sacramento, California, with prices running from $2,703 - $11,354. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $336 - $2,240 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Paul and Sacramento are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Paul movers tend to run around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,703 - $6,005
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,583 - $8,182
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,830 - $11,354
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 St. Paul to Sacramento.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of St. Paul 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 | $560 - $5,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $224 - $1,344/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $336 - $2,688 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,120 - $3,360 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,800 - $11,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $839 - $1,594 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,120 - $2,800 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $896 - $3,920 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $336 - $1,680 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $728 - $2,240 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $336 - $16,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $336 - $3,920+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,631 and $5,649. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in St. Paul costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,631 - $2,996
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,046 - $4,496
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,884 - $5,649
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Paul, MN 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 $784 in St. Paul, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $84 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $168 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 Minnesota 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 $1,631. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,046 - $4,496, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA
Truck rentals from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Sacramento, California, range from $1,148 - $3,188 for the 1,895-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $675 - $772
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to Sacramento based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,148 - $2,211
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,499
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,535 - $3,188
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Paul to Sacramento looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,148 - $3,188. But once you factor in fuel ($675 - $772) , overnight lodging ($168/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $84 and $392.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $168.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $675 and $772 for the 1,895-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 $784 for 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 $1,736 and $3,323.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,439 - $2,889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,736 - $3,323
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,399 - $4,658
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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $784.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $84 and $168 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Sacramento?
- 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.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Sacramento quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN 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 St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 127 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,899/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $483,739 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $83,753/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 7.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 49/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 50.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 St. Paul, MN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to California 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 49 movers in our Minnesota network to compare for this 1,895-mile move.
Our take
The 1,895-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to Sacramento, CA, costs between $2,703 and $11,354 with full-service movers, $1,631 - $5,649 with a moving container, and $1,148 - $3,188 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 $3,583 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 St. Paul, MN, to Sacramento, CA
How walkable is Sacramento?
Sacramento has a walkability score of 49 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Paul, MN 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.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Paul, MN 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.
How long does a move from St. Paul, MN 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 percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
