Compare Cost of Santa Monica, CA Movers ($119/hour)
Quick answer: Local moving costs in Santa Monica, California typically range from $344 to $3,257, with an average hourly rate of $119. For out-of-state moves, what you'll pay long-distance movers in Santa Monica depends on how far you're going, your home size, and service level.
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$488 - $1,806
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$790 - $2,051
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$503 - $2,991
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$20 - $99/day
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$60 - $81/hour
Our track record
Average cost of local Santa Monica, CA movers
Hiring a moving company in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica:
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $344 | $134 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $488 | $133 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $790 | $190 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,806 | $263 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,051 | $266 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $3,257 | $369 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in Santa Monica, CA
If your move is local, don’t miss our list of the best moving companies in Santa Monica:
- Best California Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- ABC Moving Systems: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- SOS Moving, LLC: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Simple Moving Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Royal Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Transparent pricing
- Damage to items
- Poor complaint handling
- Inaccurate estimates
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unprofessional behavior
Company Info
State license #: 178603
Years in Business: 32
DOT #: 2437030
Alternate Names: A B C Moving & Storage, ABC Office Moving Systems, ABC MSC Moving and Storage Systems
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Unfriendly or rude staff
Company Info
State license #: 0192140
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3398018
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 0191762
Pricing: $119/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3126394
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unprofessional behavior
Company Info
State license #: 0191476
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2894555
Alternate Names: Royal Moving Co., Royal Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Moving costs in other nearby California cities
Average cost to move out of state with Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
When moving a one-bedroom home from Santa Monica and out of California, the overall cost will mostly come down to distance, move size, and how you decide to move.
Still, to give you a rough idea, here are some sample cost ranges for long-distance moves from California:
- California to New York City: $3,718 - $7,318
- California to Chicago: $3,117 - $5,992
- California to Houston: $2,989 - $6,364
- California to Phoenix: $2,084 - $4,223
- California to Philadelphia: $3,404 - $6,899
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from Santa Monica
Out-of-state moving costs from Santa Monica for two- or three-bedroom homes vary based on the actual total volume and weight of your belongings. Move costs for a three-bedroom that is sparsely furnished and relatively small, for example, could be less than a two-bedroom home with a lot of square footage and decor.
In general, though, you can expect to pay within these ranges for two- to three-bedroom moves of similar distances from Santa Monica:
- California to New York City: $5,128 - $9,297
- California to Chicago: $4,335 - $7,955
- California to Houston: $3,860 - $7,080
- California to Phoenix: $2,728 - $5,338
- California to Philadelphia: $4,983 - $9,034
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Santa Monica
Moving a four-bedroom home from Santa Monica to another state comes with a wide range of possible costs. The final price often depends on how far you're going, how much you're moving, and the time of year.
Here’s a general look at what out-of-state moves with four or more bedrooms from Santa Monica might cost:
- California to New York City: $9,166 - $15,048
- California to Chicago: $8,213 - $12,784
- California to Houston: $7,195 - $12,262
- California to Phoenix: $4,733 - $7,859
- California to Philadelphia: $9,093 - $15,052
Best interstate moving companies in Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica.
- 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
rating
- 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 Santa Monica, CA
The average cost of moving containers in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica, but here are some of our favorites:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in Santa Monica, CA
The cheapest way to move from Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica, CA
Hiring labor-only movers in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
When hiring labor-only movers in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica move
Since no two moves are exactly the same, neither are the costs. The amount you’ll pay will be based on the exact details of your move. There are some common cost factors to consider with your Santa Monica move, including:
- How far you’re moving: The cost goes up the farther you’re moving. Local moves are typically less expensive than out-of-state or cross-country moves, which require more time, fuel, and labor.
- Move size: The more belongings you need to transport, the more it’ll cost. Bigger moves usually require larger trucks and more movers.
- The type of mover: Going with full-service movers generally costs more than doing it yourself with a moving container company, where you take on the packing and loading yourself.
- Optional services: Add-ons like packing, unpacking, or high-value insurance will raise your total. Even if you DIY, hiring labor to help load or unload will increase your costs.
- When you move: Timing matters. Summer, weekends, and month beginnings are in high demand—and more expensive. You can save by scheduling your move for mid-month or mid-week.
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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