Compare Cost of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Movers ($118/hour)
Quick answer: In Rancho Santa Margarita, California, local movers usually charge between $309 and $2,461, or around $118 per hour. If you're heading out of California, the cost of long-distance movers in Rancho Santa Margarita depends on the move size, mileage, and any extra services you request.

Let's get moving.
-
$400 - $1,385
-
$635 - $1,583
-
$497-$3,002
-
$20-$100/day
-
$60-$79/hour
Our track record
Average cost of local Rancho Santa Margarita, CA movers
Hiring a moving company in Rancho Santa Margarita is definitely the most convenient way to move, but that convenience comes at a higher cost than a DIY approach. You'll need to decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you or if you'd rather save money by doing at least some of the work yourself.
Here's how much movers cost in Rancho Santa Margarita:
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $309 | $101 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $400 | $101 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $635 | $146 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $1,385 | $200 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $1,583 | $200 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $2,461 | $279 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
If you're moving a short distance, take a look at our picks for top local moving companies in Rancho Santa Margarita:
- Best California Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Next Stop Moving & Storage: 4.24 out of 5 stars
- Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- VIP Transport, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (41%)
- Professional and polite staff (37%)
- Good communication (36%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
- Unexpected charges (10%)
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (27%)
- Professional and polite staff (23%)
- Good communication (21%)
- Damage to items (14%)
- Unexpected charges (11%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (9%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3756197
Alternate Names: Domus Logistics Inc
Services Offered
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (29%)
- Professional and polite staff (27%)
- Careful handling (24%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
- Damage to items (16%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 189603
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 649215
Alternate Names: Terry Moving and Storage Inc, Richards Moving Company, Orange County Storage Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (24%)
- Professional and polite staff (21%)
- Careful handling (19%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
- Unexpected charges (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (34%)
- Good communication (31%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (21%)
- Lack of communication (19%)
Company Info
State license #: 0137029
Years in Business: 41
DOT #: 125563
Alternate Names: Mayflower Transit, VIP Transport East, Inc, VIP Transport - United Van Lines, VIP Transport - Mayflower Transit, United Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to move out of state with Rancho Santa Margarita movers
The cost of moving out of California can shift a lot depending on where you're headed. To give you an idea, we've listed a few sample routes below. For the most accurate estimate, take a look at your specific route from California or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Rancho Santa Margarita
The price of moving a one-bedroom home from Rancho Santa Margarita to another state largely depends on how far you're going, the size of your move, and the moving method you choose.
To help set expectations, here are a few example price ranges for long-distance moves leaving California:
- California to New York City: $3,331 - $7,461
- California to Chicago: $3,182 - $6,122
- California to Houston: $3,176 - $5,945
- California to Phoenix: $2,065 - $4,142
- California to Philadelphia: $3,304 - $7,180
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from Rancho Santa Margarita
Costs for moving a two- or three-bedroom home out of Rancho Santa Margarita are mostly influenced by the total load. A modest three-bedroom move can sometimes come in cheaper than a larger, well-furnished two-bedroom home with heavier belongings.
Here’s a general overview of what you might pay for two- to three-bedroom moves covering comparable distances:
- California to New York City: $5,230 - $8,941
- California to Chicago: $4,041 - $7,877
- California to Houston: $3,747 - $7,233
- California to Phoenix: $2,470 - $5,181
- California to Philadelphia: $5,082 - $8,602
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Rancho Santa Margarita
Relocating a four-bedroom or larger home from Rancho Santa Margarita involves a number of variables. The costs can vary significantly depending on distance, volume, and seasonality.
Here’s a general idea of what long-distance moves from Rancho Santa Margarita with four or more bedrooms might cost:
- California to New York City: $9,557 - $14,469
- California to Chicago: $7,897 - $12,409
- California to Houston: $7,339 - $11,101
- California to Phoenix: $4,688 - $8,113
- California to Philadelphia: $8,734 - $13,498
Best interstate moving companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
Once you have a good idea of the cost to move out of California, your next move is to check out the best long-distance movers serving Rancho Santa Margarita.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Average cost of moving containers in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
The average cost of moving containers in Rancho Santa Margarita is approximately $500 for local relocations and as much as $3,000 for long-distance moves. Cross-country moves can reach as high as $7,000 or more. Costs are largely based on distance and the container size you choose.
Our top recommendation for moving containers in Rancho Santa Margarita is PODS, thanks to its multiple container sizes (eight, 12, and 16 feet), competitive pricing, and solid customer reviews. However, you should get quotes from PODS and two other moving container companies before making a decision.
To help you get started, take a look at these other top-notch moving containers.
Best moving container companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you want to handle the packing and loading but leave the driving to a professional, consider a moving container company. There are lots of options to choose from in Rancho Santa Margarita, but here are some of our favorites:
|
|
|
Average cost of moving truck rentals in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
The cheapest way to move from Rancho Santa Margarita is usually by renting a truck. Expect a daily base rate of around $60, though it can run anywhere from $19 to $38, plus a per-mile charge between $2 and $1. While budget-friendly, this option means you’ll handle everything — from loading up to driving the truck to your new home.
Best moving truck rentals in Rancho Santa Margarita
If you're looking to save the most money, your best bet is to pack up and drive a rental truck yourself. Luckily, finding moving truck rental companies in Rancho Santa Margarita is easy. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, here are some of the top options:
|
|
|
Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Hiring labor-only movers in Rancho Santa Margarita will run you about $30–$40 an hour per mover. So, if you’re working with a two-person crew, expect to pay $60–$80 per hour total.
Two people is typically all it takes to move studio apartments and one-bedrooms. But beyond that, you’ll probably need a larger crew. Two- and three-bedroom homes usually call for three or four movers, for example, and homes with four or more bedrooms require a four- or five-person crew.
Best labor-only moving companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
When hiring labor-only movers in Rancho Santa Margarita, go with a company that offers clear pricing and is known for reliable service. Companies that also help with packing or provide moving supplies can be a big plus.
Here are some of our favorite picks for labor-only movers.
Here are our favorite labor-only movers.
|
|
Factors that affect the cost of your Rancho Santa Margarita move
The exact amount you’ll pay for your move depends on the specific details of your move. That said, here are some of the most common factors that can influence the price of your Rancho Santa Margarita move:
- Where you’re moving: The farther the distance between your current home and your new one, the more you can expect to pay. A local move within the same city or nearby area will usually cost less than a long-distance or cross-country relocation due to fuel, mileage, and labor time.
- How much stuff you have: More belongings mean more work. Larger moves often need a bigger truck and additional crew members, which increases the overall cost.
- Your moving method: Full-service movers handle everything for you, but that convenience comes at a price. Choosing a DIY option, like a moving container company, can be more affordable if you’re willing to do the heavy lifting yourself.
- The services you select: Extra services like packing, unpacking, or premium insurance will add to your total. Even if you're going DIY, hiring help for loading and unloading will bump up your budget.
- Your moving date: Moving prices fluctuate based on demand. You'll pay more during the summer, on weekends, or at the start or end of the month. Mid-week and mid-month moves usually come with lower rates.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Consider extra insurance. Full-service movers must provide basic coverage — called released value protection — at no additional charge. It’s free, but offers very limited protection: just $0.60 per pound per item, no matter what it’s worth. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $1,000 gets damaged, you’d only be reimbursed $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Many movers — and some home insurers — also offer full-value insurance based on your item’s actual worth for an added fee.
- Confirm your move is approved. Certain neighborhoods, especially those with HOAs, may restrict moving days or hours. Be sure to check those policies ahead of time and notify your property manager of your planned move-in or move-out date.
- Keep key documents ready. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, you may need to present proof of mover’s insurance and possibly an elevator reservation. These details are often found in your moving agreement, so pull them together early to avoid last-minute scrambling.
- Secure a parking spot. For complete guidelines, check the Rancho Santa Margarita website.
Helpful Rancho Santa Margarita Resources
Rancho Santa Margarita Moving Services
Nearby Cities
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!