How Much Do Salinas, CA Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The going rate for movers in Salinas is usually $140 per hour. Full move costs average between $525 and $4,633. If you're relocating from California, long-distance movers in Salinas can vary a lot depending on your new location.
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Average cost of local movers in Salinas, CA
Hiring a full-service Salinas mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Salinas move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Salinas based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $525 | $196 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $721 | $196 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,151 | $274 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $2,633 | $384 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $3,017 | $384 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $4,633 | $538 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Salinas movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $196 per hour for two movers to $538 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 total cost.
Overall, hiring local Salinas 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.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Salinas move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Salinas, CA
Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Salinas.
- Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Poulos Moving Systems: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Tavares Packing & Loading: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- South Bay Moving Systems Inc.: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (49%)
- Efficient service (47%)
- Excellent communication (42%)
- Damage to items (19%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
- Unexpected charges (14%)
Company Info
State license #: 0095753
Years in Business: 59
DOT #: 44159
Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Salinas, CA, since 1966. With consistent high ratings on Yelp (4.6) and Google My Business (4.4), and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is known for its reliability and customer satisfaction. While many local movers might struggle with complex moves, Scarr Moving & Storage excels, offering specialized services such as piano, hot tub, and antique moving. Additionally, they stand out by accepting credit cards, requiring no deposit, and providing shipment tracking, making them a convenient and reputable choice for your local moving needs.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (42%)
- Careful handling (39%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (28%)
- Lack of communication (24%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190661
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 2618126
Poulos Moving Systems, a reputable local moving company in Salinas, CA, has been providing exemplary residential moving services since 2011. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer specialized services, including office, senior, and military moves, as well as the capability to move delicate items like pianos, pool tables, art, and antiques. Customers consistently commend their high-quality service, reflected in a 4.1 average rating on Yelp and Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. With no deposit required and credit card payments accepted, Poulos Moving Systems stands out as a reliable choice for local moves in the area.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Efficient service (32%)
- Professional and polite staff (27%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (21%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191257
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 3183311
Alternate Names: Tavares Eduardo, Eddie Tavares Packing & Loading
Tavares Packing & Loading has been providing top-notch local residential moving services in and around Salinas, CA since 2014. Known for their reliability and expertise, they also offer packing and unpacking services, making moving a seamless experience. With 93 Yelp reviews averaging 4.5 stars and 16 Google reviews averaging 4.3 stars, their customer satisfaction speaks volumes. Boasting an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Tavares Packing & Loading stands out among other nearby moving companies for their dedication to quality and service excellence. They accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, adding convenience to their exceptional service.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Good communication (29%)
- Damage to items (23%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
- Lack of communication (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 0102808
Years in Business: 52
DOT #: 45193
Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name in Castroville, CA for local residential moves since 1973. With decades of experience, they stand out for their comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques. Unlike many nearby movers, they offer convenient payment options, including credit cards and cryptocurrency, and require no deposit. Their reputation is solid, with an A+ rating from the BBB, a 4.5-star average on Google, and a 3.9-star average on Yelp, showcasing their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Good communication (24%)
- Damage to items (36%)
- Misplaced or lost items (28%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191825
DOT #: 2967929
Alternate Names: South Bay Moving Systems Inc.
South Bay Moving Systems Inc., established in 2024, offers comprehensive local residential moving services in and around Salinas, CA. They stand out from other nearby moving companies with their extensive service offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, and the ability to handle specialty items such as pianos, hot tubs, and art. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company has garnered mostly positive feedback, boasting an impressive 4.8 average rating from 341 reviews on Google, despite a more mixed 3.1 average from 22 Yelp reviews. They accept credit cards and require no deposits, making them a convenient and reliable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Pay by credit card
Visit our best movers in Salinas page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Salinas, consider one of Salinas's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost of moving containers in Salinas, CA
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Salinas. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Salinas move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Salinas can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Salinas based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Salinas, CA
The best Salinas moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in Salinas, CA
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Salinas will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Salinas ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Salinas rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.89–$1.39 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Salinas, CA
The best moving truck rentals in Salinas provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Salinas, CA
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Salinas is an hourly rate of $70 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $140.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Salinas.
Best labor-only moving companies in Salinas
The best Salinas labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
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Factors that affect the cost of movers in Salinas, CA
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Salinas, CA, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). Residential Permit Parking Districts limit on-street parking to residents with a permit, initiated by resident petitions, requiring a certified petition, parking study, community meetings, Traffic and Transportation Commission review, and City Council approval.
- Check state licensing laws. 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.
- Invest in moving insurance. 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.
What is the cheapest way to move to Salinas?
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Salinas for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Salinas to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $3,155 - $6,918 | $1,765 - $3,512 | $834 - $1,813 |
| Fargo | $3,773 - $8,821 | $2,356 - $4,828 | $1,381 - $3,013 |
| New Orleans | $4,227 - $8,616 | $2,583 - $5,334 | $1,587 - $3,575 |
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