($1,578+) San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA ranges from $1,348 to $12,388, with an average cost of $4,550. Moves can be as low as $1,578 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,874 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.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from San Francisco to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,348 - $12,388 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,550, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 57% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,874 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 2,874-mile route from San Francisco to Philadelphia, 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 $1,348 - $6,065 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,981 - $3,631), rental truck ($1,547 - $2,939), or freight trailer ($1,854 - $3,506). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,941 - $8,158 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,388.
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 Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
For the 2,874-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full-service movers cost between $1,348 and $12,388. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $566 - $3,772 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,348 - $6,065
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,941 - $8,158
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,645 - $12,388
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 Francisco to Philadelphia.
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 San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $943 - $9,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $377 - $2,263/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $566 - $4,526 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,886 - $5,658 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,715 - $18,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,413 - $2,684 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,886 - $4,715 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,509 - $6,601 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $566 - $2,829 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationally | $1,226 - $3,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $566 - $28,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $566 - $6,601+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Philadelphia?
All three below meet the standards set by the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, the group most Pennsylvania 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 San Francisco, CA. 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 San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,981 and $6,973. 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 Francisco typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,981 - $3,631
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,544 - $5,109
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,477 - $6,973
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Francisco, CA and Philadelphia, PA. 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 $1,320 in San Francisco, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $141 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $283 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 California to Pennsylvania 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 $1,981. 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 $2,544 - $5,109.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Philadelphia?
- 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, range from $1,547 - $4,564 for the 2,874-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,725 - $1,971
- Daily insurance: $57/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $2,939
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,710 - $3,682
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,140 - $4,564
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,547 - $4,564. But once you factor in fuel ($1,725 - $1,971), overnight lodging ($283/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,320.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,725 - $1,971 for the 2,874-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $113 and $613, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $283 per night for hotel stops on the 2,874-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $566 - $849.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Philadelphia?
- 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 Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
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 Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $2,117 and $4,470.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,854 - $3,506
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,117 - $4,470
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,669 - $5,985
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $141 and $283.
- 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 San Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,320.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Philadelphia?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to Philadelphia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Philadelphia, PA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Philadelphia, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 104 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 33.91/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Pennsylvania, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,874-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to Philadelphia, PA, 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 $1,348 - $12,388 on the 2,874-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,981 - $6,973 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,547 - $4,564 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,941 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 Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Philadelphia, PA
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,710 - $3,682. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.