How Much Do Santa Cruz, CA Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The going rate for movers in Santa Cruz is usually $99 per hour. Full move costs average between $389 and $3,290. If you're relocating from California, long-distance movers in Santa Cruz can vary a lot depending on your new location.
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Average cost of local movers in Santa Cruz, CA
Hiring a full-service Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Santa Cruz based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $389 | $139 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $528 | $139 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $832 | $194 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $1,882 | $272 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $2,154 | $272 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $3,290 | $380 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
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It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Santa Cruz movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $139 per hour for two movers to $380 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz.
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Next Stop Moving & Storage: 4.14 out of 5 stars
- Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Lambert & Son Moving: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Fairprice Movers: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (29%)
- Professional and polite staff (27%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (32%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (29%)
- Lack of communication (26%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- 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
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (28%)
- Careful handling (26%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
- Unexpected charges (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0189973
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3528657
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (37%)
- Efficient service (31%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 0190880
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2192738
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Visit our best movers in Santa Cruz page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Santa Cruz, consider one of Santa Cruz's top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost of moving containers in Santa Cruz, CA
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA
The best Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Santa Cruz will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA
The best moving truck rentals in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Santa Cruz is an hourly rate of $50 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $99.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Santa Cruz.
Best labor-only moving companies in Santa Cruz
The best Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Santa Cruz, 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). Only the slip licensee of record may pick up parking permits. Bring photo ID, vessel documentation/registration, and proof of current insurance to receive stickers from the harbor office, open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- 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 Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Santa Cruz to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $4,186 - $8,631 | $2,624 - $5,038 | $1,583 - $3,131 |
| Louisville | $4,490 - $9,091 | $2,783 - $5,711 | $1,681 - $3,832 |
| New York City | $4,868 - $9,772 | $3,000 - $6,748 | $2,227 - $4,659 |
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