($1,277+) Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,190 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,685 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,090 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,765, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,685 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,653 - $5,835, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,190 - $3,450.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,561 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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Memphis to San Francisco: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,561 - $8,332. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,090 miles, expect 6 to 17 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,090-mile route from Memphis to San Francisco, 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 $2,765 - $5,542 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,653 - $3,081), rental truck ($1,190 - $2,488), or freight trailer ($1,503 - $2,977). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,561 - $8,332 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,685.
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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,090-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, with costs ranging from $2,765 - $12,685. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $449 - $2,992. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Memphis and San Francisco. Local movers in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,765 - $5,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,561 - $8,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,956 - $12,685
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 Memphis to San Francisco.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis 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 packing100% of local movers | $748 - $7,480 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $299 - $1,795/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $449 - $3,590 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,496 - $4,488 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,740 - $14,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,121 - $2,129 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,496 - $3,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,197 - $5,236 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $449 - $2,244 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage | $972 - $2,992 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $449 - $22,440+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $449 - $5,236+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to San Francisco?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Memphis, TN. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,653 and $5,835. 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 Memphis typically costs about $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,653 - $3,081
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,140 - $4,775
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,055 - $5,835
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,047 in Memphis, TN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $112 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $224 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your San Francisco, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $1,653. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,140 - $4,775, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
- Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,090-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, costs between $1,190 and $3,450, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $995 - $1,137
- Daily insurance: $45/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
- Memphis 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 Memphis to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,190 - $2,488
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,342 - $2,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,450
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,190 - $3,450 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Memphis to San Francisco. Fuel ($995 - $1,137) , lodging at around $224/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $224 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 Memphis, Tennessee, usually costs about $1,047 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,090-mile drive falls between $995 and $1,137, 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 $75 and $449 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis 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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, 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 $1,346 and $3,529.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,503 - $2,977
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,836 - $3,529
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,323 - $4,915
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Memphis, Tennessee, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,047.
- 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 Memphis to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Empire Express, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Empire Express, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Memphis to San Francisco, 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: Memphis, TN 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 Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 86 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,299/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $154,209 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $51,211/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 22.51/100 | 38.59/100 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Tennessee 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 70 movers in Tennessee, so you have real options to compare for this 2,090-mile move.
Our take
A move from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,765 - $12,685 on the 2,090-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,653 - $5,835, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,190 - $3,450. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,561 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA
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 35 and 41 in Memphis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Francisco?
For families, Bernal Heights, Inner Sunset, and Noe Valley are worth a look in San Francisco. If you're moving solo or without kids, Marina District, Mission Bay, and Mission District tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/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 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 percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
