How Much Do San Diego, CA Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The going rate for movers in San Diego is usually $200 per hour. Full move costs average between $513 and $6,377. If you're relocating from California, long-distance movers in San Diego can vary a lot depending on your new location.
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Average cost of local movers in San Diego, CA
Hiring a full-service San Diego 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 San Diego move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in San Diego based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $513 | $280 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $793 | $280 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,409 | $392 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $3,527 | $549 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $4,076 | $549 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $6,377 | $768 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that the cost per hour for San Diego movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $280 per hour for two movers to $768 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 San Diego 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 San Diego move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in San Diego, 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 San Diego.
- We Like To Move It Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Stella Moving & Delivery: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Dominant Moving Company: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (34%)
- Friendly and approachable staff (28%)
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Unexpected charges (15%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191446
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2843171
We Like To Move It Moving is a trusted local moving company serving San Diego, CA, and nearby areas since 2017. Specializing in local residential moves, they provide comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and moving specialty items such as pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. With an impressive track record of 175 Yelp reviews averaging 4.8 stars and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out among other local movers for its reliability and customer satisfaction. For convenience, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, making them an excellent choice for stress-free moving.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (30%)
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Good communication (20%)
- Damage to items (35%)
- Unexpected charges (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191958
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3299407
Alternate Names: Stella Moving & Delivery, The Remarkable Movers
Stella Moving & Delivery offers exceptional local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, establishing itself as a reliable choice since 2020. With glowing reviews, an average of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, Stella Moving boasts a reputation for high customer satisfaction, further reinforced by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby movers, they provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services, fragile-only packing, and specialized moving services for items like pianos and antiques. They accept both cash and credit cards, though a deposit is required, and they offer full valuation insurance coverage and shipment tracking for added peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
- Professional and polite staff (20%)
- Efficient service (18%)
- Good communication (16%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (22%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190947
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: TMT SoCal Inc
Two Men and a Truck has been providing reliable local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA since 2013. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an average Yelp rating of 3.6 from 346 reviews, they have a solid reputation for customer satisfaction. Unlike some nearby moving companies, Two Men and a Truck offers a broad range of services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, and they can handle specialty items like pianos and safes. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, making the moving process straightforward and hassle-free.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (44%)
- Professional and polite staff (34%)
- Good communication (30%)
- Damage to items (12%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (10%)
- Lack of communication (9%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191852
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3177184
Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc, a San Diego-based company established in 2019, excels in providing local residential moving services. Unlike many other nearby moving companies, Coast 2 Coast also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, ensuring a seamless moving experience. Consumer reviews are stellar, with an average rating of 5.0 on both Yelp and Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating their reliability and customer satisfaction. The company also accepts both cash and credit cards, making payments convenient for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (28%)
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Careful handling (24%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (26%)
- Lack of communication (22%)
Company Info
State license #: 191165
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2718191
Alternate Names: Velorom LLC
Dominant Moving Company offers reliable and professional local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA. Established in 2015, they have quickly become a reputable name in the area, distinguished by their comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services. With over 335 Yelp reviews averaging 4.3 stars and 145 Google reviews averaging 4.6 stars, their customer satisfaction is notably high, although their Better Business Bureau rating of F may raise concerns for some. Unlike many nearby competitors, Dominant Moving Company also offers specialized services such as piano and safe moving, catering to unique moving needs. They accept various payment methods but do require a deposit, ensuring a secure and efficient moving experience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Visit our best movers in San Diego page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of San Diego, consider one of San Diego's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to hire interstate movers in San Diego, CA
Since the cost of moving out of San Diego depends so much on where you're moving, we've included some example costs below to give you a better idea of pricing. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to San Diego or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from San Diego
The cost to move a studio apartment or one-bedroom home out of state from San Diego depends on the moving method you choose, how much stuff you have, and how far you're moving.
Take a look at some example costs to move a one-bedroom cross-country:
- San Diego to New York City: $3,210–$6,306
- San Diego to Chicago: $3,071–$6,120
- San Diego to Houston: $2,833–$5,920
- San Diego to Phoenix: $1,694–$3,692
- San Diego to Philadelphia: $3,286–$6,705
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from San Diego
As with any move, the cost to relocate a two- or three-bedroom from San Diego can vary widely based on move size, distance, and time of year.
Here is a look at some two- and three-bedroom move costs out of San Diego:
- San Diego to New York City: $4,792–$8,021
- San Diego to Chicago: $4,178–$7,068
- San Diego to Houston: $3,614–$6,899
- San Diego to Phoenix: $2,004–$5,305
- San Diego to Philadelphia: $4,631–$8,495
Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from San Diego
The cost to move a four-bedroom or larger home out of California will be significantly higher than for one- or two-bedroom houses, since a bigger house typically means more items. Movers calculate long-distance moves, in part, based on the total estimated volume and weight of your household belongings.
While moving costs can vary, take a look at these cost ranges for moving four or more bedrooms out of San Diego:
- San Diego to New York City: $8,574–$12,840
- San Diego to Chicago: $8,066–$13,083
- San Diego to Houston: $6,305–$10,327
- San Diego to Phoenix: $3,181–$6,458
- San Diego to Philadelphia: $8,710–$13,444
Best interstate moving companies in San Diego, CA
Now that you have an idea of what your move from San Diego should cost, it's time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.
- 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
rating
- 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 San Diego, CA
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in San Diego. 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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
The best San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in San Diego will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in San Diego 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 San Diego rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.79–$1.09 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 San Diego, CA
The best moving truck rentals in San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in San Diego is an hourly rate of $100 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $199.9 per hour to hire labor assistance in San Diego.
Best labor-only moving companies in San Diego
The best San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in San Diego, 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). Type 1 Moving Permits: Applications must be submitted at least 2 working days prior to the intended move $16.00 permit fee Type 2 Moving Permits: Applications must be submitted at least 5 working days prior to the intended move for extra -legal loads that do not meet each of the Type 1 criteria. These moves require route evaluations prior to issuance of the permit. $212.00 Permit review and route evaluation fee is required.
- 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from San Diego to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $3,463 - $7,838 | $1,873 - $4,161 | $980 - $2,188 |
| Columbus | $4,148 - $9,469 | $2,739 - $5,393 | $1,734 - $3,509 |
| Philadelphia | $4,631 - $9,278 | $2,852 - $6,254 | $1,924 - $4,055 |
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