($489+) Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Moving from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $514 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,828 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 639 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,719, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,828 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,102 - $3,331, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $514 - $1,405.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,536 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Moving options from Boise to San Francisco 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 $2,536 - $6,614 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 639 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 639-mile route from Boise to San Francisco, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,719 - $4,960 $1,102 - $1,973 $514 - $905 $916 - $1,707
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,536 - $6,614 $1,280 - $2,757 $565 - $1,151 $1,056 - $2,206
4+ bedrooms $4,952 - $9,828 $1,872 - $3,331 $645 - $1,405 $1,425 - $2,664

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Full-service movers for the 639-mile relocation from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,719 and $9,828. 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 $508 - $3,388, 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 Boise typically charge a base rate around $229 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boise to San Francisco:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,719 - $4,960
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,536 - $6,614
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,952 - $9,828

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 Boise to San Francisco.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Idaho 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.

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Specialty moving services from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Boise 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$847 - $8,470
Storage in transitNew place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company$339 - $2,033/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$508 - $4,066
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers$1,694 - $5,082
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,235 - $16,940
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,269 - $2,411
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items27% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Merchant Moving & Storage, LLC$1,694 - $4,235
PianoAny piano type91% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company$1,355 - $5,929
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$508 - $2,541
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $1,101 - $3,388
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$508 - $25,410+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$508 - $5,929+

What are the best full-service movers from Boise to San Francisco?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Boise, ID. 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 Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Moving containers from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,102 and $3,331. 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 Boise runs about $85/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boise to San Francisco:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,102 - $1,973
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,280 - $2,757
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,872 - $3,331

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Boise, ID and San Francisco, 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 $1,186 in Boise, ID, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $127 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $254 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 Idaho 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 $1,102. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,280 - $2,757, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Boise to San Francisco?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boise 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 Boise:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 41 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
  • Vantage Moving Solutions, LLC (4.7/5), 6 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 639-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, costs between $514 and $1,405, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $344 - $394
  • Daily insurance: $51/day
  • Equipment rentals: $12 - $34
  • Boise daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Boise to San Francisco based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $514 - $905
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $565 - $1,151
  • 4+ bedrooms: $645 - $1,405

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Boise to San Francisco starts at $514 - $1,405, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($344 - $394) , overnight lodging ($254/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?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $127 and $593.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $254.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $344 and $394 for the 639-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 $1,186 for 2 movers in Boise, Idaho, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Boise to San Francisco?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,056 and $2,206.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boise to San Francisco:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $916 - $1,707
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,056 - $2,206
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,425 - $2,664

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $127 and $254.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Boise, Idaho, for roughly five hours typically average $1,186.

What are the best freight companies from Boise to San Francisco?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Frasier Transport, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Frasier 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: 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 San Francisco 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: Boise, ID 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 Boise on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Boise, ID San Francisco, CA
Cost of living index119245
Average rent$1,495/mo$3,250/mo
Median home value$455,253$1,374,773
Average income$81,308/yr$141,446/yr
Unemployment rate3.6%5.4%
State income taxUp to 5.8%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score88/10099/100
Safety index65.01/10038.59/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Boise, ID guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Idaho to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 22 movers based in Idaho, handy for sizing up options on this 639-mile route.

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Our take

The 639-mile move from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA, costs between $1,719 and $9,828 with full-service movers, $1,102 - $3,331 with a moving container, and $514 - $1,405 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 $2,536 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 Lyft and Securitize.

FAQs: Moving from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA

How much does it cost to move from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $1,719 to $9,828, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,719 and $9,828, 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 Boise?

Local movers based in Boise typically start around $229 as a base rate, plus $100/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.

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 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.

What percentage of Boise movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 91% of movers in Boise handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.