How Much do San Diego Movers Cost?
Are you moving out of state or locally within San Diego?
This is important because, of course, prices are totally different for each.
If you’re moving locally within San Diego: The cost of San Diego moving companies ranges from $513 to $6,377 on average. If you're moving from a small apartment, your costs will likely be closer to the lower end of the range. On the other hand, if you're moving from a large home, you can expect to pay more due to the additional labor and time required.
Jump to: San Diego’s local moving cost, movers, and tips
If you’re moving out of state to/from San Diego: The cost of out-of-state movers in San Diego really depends on where you’re moving to, we can help with that. Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of San Diego, CA:
Jump to: San Diego’s interstate moving cost, movers, and tips
How Much do Movers Cost?
Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.
If you're on a tight budget, our guide covers the cheapest ways to move.
Average cost to hire a local moving company in San Diego
Hiring a full-service San Diego 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 Diego
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
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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 |
- Studio: The average cost to hire movers in San Diego to move a studio apartment is $513. You'll need two movers for three hours at $280 per hour.
- 1 Bedroom: If you have a 1 bedroom, expect to pay around $793 for local San Diego movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $280 per hour.
- 2 Bedroom: The average cost to hire San Diego movers to move a 2 bedroom is $1,409. You'll need three movers for five hours at $392 per hour.
- 3 Bedroom: For a 3 bedroom, expect to pay $3,527 for local San Diego movers. A 3 bedroom tpyically requires four movers for eight hours at $549 per hour.
- 4 Bedroom: Moving a 4 bedroom house in San Diego will cost on average $4,076. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $549 per hour.
- 5+ Bedroom: The cost of hiring San Diego movers for a home with 5 or more bedrooms is $6,377. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $768 per hour.
It's worth noting 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 overall 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.
Best Moving Companies in San Diego, 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 Diego.
Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
|
Get A Quote |
9245 Farnham St, San Diego, CA, 92123 (858) 935-8392 |
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GPS Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
8595 Avenida Costa Sur A, San Diego, CA, 92154 (858) 779-1316 |
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Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
San Diego Movers Cost: Moving out of state
Since the cost of moving out of state 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 Diego or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from San Diego
San Diego to New York City:
$3,293 -
$6,674
San Diego to Chicago:
$3,088 -
$6,033
San Diego to Houston:
$2,999 -
$5,894
San Diego to Phoenix:
$1,622 -
$3,675
San Diego to Philadelphia:
$3,271 -
$6,610
Cost to move a two or three bedroom home out of state from San Diego
San Diego to New York City:
$4,724 -
$8,315
San Diego to Chicago:
$4,159 -
$7,403
San Diego to Houston:
$3,528 -
$7,078
San Diego to Phoenix:
$2,099 -
$5,080
San Diego to Philadelphia:
$4,656 -
$8,213
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from San Diego
San Diego to New York City:
$8,888 -
$13,591
San Diego to Chicago:
$7,798 -
$12,772
San Diego to Houston:
$6,216 -
$10,181
San Diego to Phoenix:
$3,298 -
$6,836
San Diego to Philadelphia:
$8,759 -
$13,519
Now that you have an idea of what your move from San Diego should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in San Diego.
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in San Diego
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in San Diego will absolutely be easier on your wallet.

Here's how the costs break down:
- Base Cost: $19 - $39 per day
- Mileage Fee: $0.79 - $1.09 per mile
- Fuel Cost: Dependent on driving distance.
- Truck Coverage: $20 - $55 based on coverage level
- Parking Permit (if necessary): 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.
- 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, moving equipment rentals and more.
Average cost to rent a moving container in San Diego

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 it's going to cost:
- Storage Fee: $99.95 per 30 days
- Damage Coverage: $10 - $350 based on coverage level
- Parking Permit (if necessary): 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.
- 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 $110 - $490 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 3 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.
Where to rent a moving container in San Diego, CA
Learn more about these types of companies at our best moving container companies page.
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