Compare Cost of San Marcos, CA Movers ($116/hour)
Quick answer: The average cost for local movers in San Marcos, California is between $511 and $6,071, or roughly $116 per hour. If you're relocating beyond California, the cost for long-distance movers in San Marcos varies based on the size and scope of your move.

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$790 - $3,363
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$1,351 - $3,967
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$503 - $3,012
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$20 - $101/day
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$59 - $81/hour
Our track record
Average cost of local San Marcos, CA movers
Hiring a moving company in San Marcos 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 San Marcos:
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
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Studio | $511 | $277 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $790 | $274 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $1,351 | $384 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $3,363 | $538 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $3,967 | $522 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $6,071 | $745 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in San Marcos, CA
For moves that keep you in or around San Marcos, these trusted local movers are our top picks to get the job done right:
- Best California Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Oakley Relocation: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Grizzly Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Move Central Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Lack of communication
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
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Misplaced or lost items
Company Info
State license #: 0190616
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1956864
Alternate Names: One Stop Moving & Storage Inc, San Diego Expert Movers, Quick San Diego Movers, Coastal Movers, Manpower Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 0190480
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 070851
Alternate Names: Agent for North American Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 0191376
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2642040
Alternate Names: Grizzly Movers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Poor complaint handling
Company Info
State license #: 2365576
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2365576
Alternate Names: Move Central Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to move out of state with San Marcos 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 San Marcos
The price of moving a one-bedroom home from San Marcos 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: $3,646 - $7,608
- California to Chicago: $3,053 - $6,117
- California to Houston: $3,269 - $6,061
- California to Phoenix: $2,168 - $4,223
- California to Philadelphia: $3,577 - $6,687
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from San Marcos
Costs for moving a two- or three-bedroom home out of San Marcos 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: $4,974 - $8,846
- California to Chicago: $4,421 - $7,420
- California to Houston: $3,742 - $7,006
- California to Phoenix: $2,571 - $5,616
- California to Philadelphia: $5,032 - $8,595
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from San Marcos
Out-of-state moves from San Marcos involving four-bedroom homes can vary significantly in price. Factors like distance, volume, and seasonal demand all impact the total cost.
Below are sample price ranges for long-distance moves with four or more bedrooms from San Marcos:
- California to New York City: $9,841 - $14,753
- California to Chicago: $7,971 - $13,311
- California to Houston: $6,908 - $12,262
- California to Phoenix: $4,733 - $8,438
- California to Philadelphia: $9,281 - $14,766
Best interstate moving companies in San Marcos
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 San Marcos.
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- 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
- 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 Marcos, CA
The average cost of moving containers in San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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 San Marcos
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 San Marcos, but here are some of our favorites:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in San Marcos, CA
The cheapest way to move from San Marcos is usually by renting a truck. Expect a daily base rate of around $60, though it can run anywhere from $19 to $38.355555555556, plus a per-mile charge between $1.698 and $1.2122222222222. 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 San Marcos
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 San Marcos is easy. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, here are some of the top options:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in San Marcos, CA
Hiring labor-only movers in San Marcos 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 San Marcos
When hiring labor-only movers in San Marcos, 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.
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Factors that affect the cost of your San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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
- Buy additional insurance. Full-service movers are required by federal law to provide basic insurance, known as released value protection, at no cost. While you can't beat free, released value protection provides very minimal coverage — $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of the item's value. So, your reimbursement on a damaged 25-pound TV worth $1,000 would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Most moving companies — and some home insurance providers — offer optional comprehensive insurance plans. While these come at an added cost, they will protect your items based on estimated value instead of weight.
- Get your move approved. Many neighborhoods — particularly those with HOAs — have restrictions around moving. Typically, these restrictions outline which days and times moving is allowable. It's best to double-check the rules ahead of time and to proactively inform a property management group of your moving date.
- Have your paperwork handy. If you are moving to or from an apartment complex, you may need to show proof on moving day of your mover's insurance coverage and, if applicable, an elevator reservation. Go ahead and gather this information — which is usually available in your moving contract — so you aren't scrambling for it when your moving date arrives.
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