What Is The Cost To Move in San Jose, CA

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

When it comes to saving money on a move, comparing all the options is the best way to keep costs low.

Here are the 3 primary options when moving locally in San Jose.

Hire an San Jose moving company
Rent a moving truck
Rent a portable moving container

Below we lay out the cost for each of these local moving options.

If you're coming from outside the greater San Jose area, check these popular routes for moving to San Jose and use the long distance move calculator to estimate costs.

Average cost to hire a moving company in San Jose, CA

Hiring a full-service moving company is definitely the most convenient option, but you should consider the cost to decide whether hiring a company to do all the heavy lifting is worth it or not.

So let's examine exactly how much the average San Jose moving company is going to charge.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$458	$210	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$668	$210	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$1,130	$294	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$2,720	$412	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$3,132	$412	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$4,856	$576	5 movers	10 hours

Remember, these are just averages meant to give you a general idea on move pricing. Rates can vary depending on the moving company you choose to hire and the specific needs of your move.

Best Moving Companies in San Jose, 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 Jose.

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Silicon Valley Moving and Storage	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	186 Barnard Ave, San Jose, CA, 95125 (408) 941-0600
All Reasons Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	600 E Trimble Rd, San Jose, CA, 95131 (408) 351-9515
Lunardi Moving	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	1856 Almaden Road Unit 3, San Jose, CA, 95125 (408) 849-9630

Visit our Best Movers in San Jose page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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.
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones began to reactivate at the end of 2021. We are currently in the process of reactivating remaining RPP zones. If you live in one of these zones, please register for and purchase your virtual parking permit at sanjose.getapermit.net. Instructions on how to register for, purchase, and manage your residential permit were mailed to all eligible addresses within some of these zones on Monday, February 28, 2022.
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.

Average cost to rent a moving truck in San Jose, CA

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

Here's how the costs break down:

Base Cost: $19 - $39 per day
Mileage Fee: $0.89 - $1.59 per mile
Fuel Cost: Dependent on driving distance.
Truck Coverage: $20 - $55 based on coverage level
Parking Permit (if necessary): Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones began to reactivate at the end of 2021. We are currently in the process of reactivating remaining RPP zones. If you live in one of these zones, please register for and purchase your virtual parking permit at sanjose.getapermit.net. Instructions on how to register for, purchase, and manage your residential permit were mailed to all eligible addresses within some of these zones on Monday, February 28, 2022.
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 Jose, CA

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 gonna cost:

Storage Fee: $119.95 per 30 days
Damage Coverage: $10 - $350 based on coverage level
Parking Permit (if necessary): Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones began to reactivate at the end of 2021. We are currently in the process of reactivating remaining RPP zones. If you live in one of these zones, please register for and purchase your virtual parking permit at sanjose.getapermit.net. Instructions on how to register for, purchase, and manage your residential permit were mailed to all eligible addresses within some of these zones on Monday, February 28, 2022.
Door Lock (if necessary): $10 - $15
Equipment Costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)

So, 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 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.