How Much do San Francisco Movers Cost?

Quick answer: The typical cost for hiring movers in San Francisco, CA is $150 per hour with a total move cost ranging from $483 to $4,881, on average. If you’re moving out of California, the cost of hiring long-distance movers in San Francisco really depends on where you’re moving.

Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of San Francisco, CA.

Average cost to hire a local moving company in San Francisco

Hiring a full-service San Francisco mover is definitely the most convenient option, but its convenience comes at a cost. Decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting or if you want to save money by doing some of the work yourself.

Here's how much movers cost in San Francisco:

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $483 $210 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $693 $210 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $1,155 $294 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $2,745 $412 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $3,157 $412 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $4,881 $576 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in San Francisco to move a studio apartment is $483. You'll need two movers for three hours at $210 per hour.
  • One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $693 for local San Francisco movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $210 per hour.
  • Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire San Francisco movers to move a two-bedroom home is $1,155. You'll need three movers for five hours at $294 per hour.
  • Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $2,745 for local San Francisco movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $412 per hour.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in San Francisco will cost $3,157, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $412 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring San Francisco movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $4,881. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $576 per hour.

It's worth noting the cost per hour for San Francisco movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $210 per hour for two movers to $576 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher overall cost.

Overall, hiring local San Francisco movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.

Best moving companies in San Francisco, CA

Our team of analysts has spent thousands of hours cross-referencing license data, insurance data, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in San Francisco.

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
(415) 544-7000
Sweet Lemon Moving Services Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1100 Pacific Marina, Alameda, CA, 94501
(415) 500-4298

Visit our best movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you’re moving outside of San Francisco, consider one of San Francisco’s top long-distance movers.

Ask your mover

  • Places like high-rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
  • Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Temporary San Francisco moving permits are managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA), and the application process takes some time, so plan accordingly. To submit an application for a San Francisco moving permit, the SFMTA office requires a minimum of 5 business days notice, and a number of days don’t count: your application day, the first enforcement day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all are excluded.
  • 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.
  • Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.

Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.

Average cost to hire interstate movers in San Francisco

Since the cost of moving out of San Francisco depends so much on where you’re moving, here are some example costs. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to San Francisco or use our moving cost calculator.

Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from San Francisco

San Francisco to New York City: $2,876–$5,770
San Francisco to Chicago: $2,666–$5,389
San Francisco to Houston: $2,569–$5,246
San Francisco to Phoenix: $2,020–$3,987
San Francisco to Philadelphia: $3,086–$6,257

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from San Francisco

San Francisco to New York City: $4,299–$7,566
San Francisco to Chicago: $3,562–$6,605
San Francisco to Houston: $3,599–$6,181
San Francisco to Phoenix: $2,490–$5,179
San Francisco to Philadelphia: $4,471–$7,345

Cost to move a four- bedroom home (or larger) out of state from San Francisco

San Francisco to New York City: $8,168–$12,738
San Francisco to Chicago: $7,087–$10,496
San Francisco to Houston: $6,244–$10,973
San Francisco to Phoenix: $4,078–$6,971
San Francisco to Philadelphia: $7,771–$11,882

Now that you have an idea of what your move from San Francisco should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

Average cost to rent a moving truck in San Francisco

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in San Francisco will absolutely be easier on your wallet.

Here's how the costs of San Francisco rental trucks break down:

  • Base cost: $19–$39 per day
  • Mileage fee: $0.79–$1.59 per mile
  • Fuel cost: Dependent on driving distance.
  • Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): Temporary San Francisco moving permits are managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA), and the application process takes some time, so plan accordingly. To submit an application for a San Francisco moving permit, the SFMTA office requires a minimum of 5 business days notice, and a number of days don’t count: your application day, the first enforcement day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all are excluded.
  • Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets

The total cost to rent a truck will depend on how far a distance you drive the truck, how many days you have the truck rented and a number of additional costs like insurance, parking, and moving equipment rentals.

Average cost to rent a moving container in San Francisco

San Francisco has plenty of moving container companies to choose from. The containers are delivered, you load everything into them, the company picks it up, and it gets put in storage until you're ready for everything to be delivered to your new place.

Naturally, the advantage here is storage. These things will buy you time if you end up with a weird gap between leases.

Here's roughly what moving containers in San Francisco are going to cost:

  • Storage fee: $119.95 per 30 days
  • Damage coverage: $10–$350 based on coverage level
  • Parking permit (if necessary): Temporary San Francisco moving permits are managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA), and the application process takes some time, so plan accordingly. To submit an application for a San Francisco moving permit, the SFMTA office requires a minimum of 5 business days notice, and a number of days don’t count: your application day, the first enforcement day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all are excluded.
  • Door lock (if necessary): $10–$15
  • Equipment costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)

Storing everything in a one-bedroom will end up costing somewhere around $130–$510 door to door. Still, you might want to factor in a little extra in case you end up paying for labor.

Each large container holds about three rooms until it's completely full. You might end up needing more containers, but keep in mind that your cost will essentially double with each container you add.

Helpful San Francisco resources

Not what you were looking for?

Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!

See All
Hide All