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How Much Do Watsonville, CA Movers Cost?

Quick answer: Local moving costs in Watsonville, California typically range from $447 to $4,038, with an average hourly rate of $122. For out-of-state moves, what you’ll pay long-distance movers in Watsonville depends on how far you’re going, your home size, and service level.

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Average cost of local movers in Watsonville, CA

Opting for a moving company in Watsonville provides unmatched convenience, streamlining your move considerably. Be prepared, however, for this ease of transition to come with a steeper price than if you decide to dive into a DIY move.

Here’s how much professional movers cost in Watsonville based on your move size:

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $447 $171 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $618 $171 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedrooms $995 $240 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedrooms $2,291 $336 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedrooms $2,627 $336 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedrooms $4,038 $470 5 movers 10 hours

Read more cost details

  • Studio: When relocating from a studio apartment, it’s common to have two movers handle the job, which can consume up to three hours. This timeframe can shift depending on your belongings, charged by the hour at $171.
  • One bedroom: When relocating from a one-bedroom residence, it’s reasonable to plan for a cost of $171 per hour. This accounts for a two-person crew over the course of four hours.
  • Two bedrooms: Moving a two-bedroom home in California will cost about $240 an hour. You’ll likely need three movers for five hours.
  • Three bedrooms: The cost to hire movers in California for a three-bedroom home is $336 per hour. Generally, it takes eight hours to finish with a crew of four.
  • Four bedrooms: For a four-bedroom move in California, expect four movers to need about nine hours, billed at $336 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The hourly rate for hiring California movers to handle a property with five or more bedrooms is $470. Moves of this scale typically involve five movers and around 10 hours.

Good news for Watsonville moves: Hourly moving rates in CA hover around $122, which undercuts the U.S. norm of $139.

Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Watsonville move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Best local moving companies in Watsonville, CA

With a comprehensive review of licenses, insurance policies, customer feedback, and myriad other factors, our skilled team has pinpointed the best local movers in Watsonville.

  1. Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  2. Lambert & Son Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  3. Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  4. Lunardi Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  5. Mod Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Quick moving process
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Unprofessional behavior
  • Misplaced or lost items
  • Crew arrived unprepared
Review Analysis
High marks dominate feedback for Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc., with 43 reviews analyzed and nearly 90% noting a standout experience. Customers praise the team’s professionalism, careful handling of belongings, efficient and quick moves, as well as helpful attitudes. Many describe stress-free relocations that come in under budget, and several cite repeat exceptional service across multiple moves.
Staff receive recognition for politeness, organization, and clear communication—qualities that make a big impact during stressful moves. A handful of clients report issues such as unprofessional conduct from management, misplaced items, and crews arriving without proper tools, though these remain rare within the feedback. Scarr’s strengths put them ahead of many competitors for reliability and peace of mind, but consistent quality control is key to maintaining their strong reputation.
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Get a Quote (831) 424-2784

Company Info

State license #: 0095753

DOT #: 44159


Services Offered

  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Lack of communication
  • Damage to items
  • Misplaced or lost items
Review Analysis
Moving made easy—that’s the takeaway from 336 customer reviews of Lambert & Son Moving. Nearly 96% of feedback praised the team’s efficient service, professional attitude, careful handling of belongings, quick moving process, and clear communication. People noted that the company stays on schedule and treats property with respect, helping customers go through even complex or last-minute moves without stress.
Rates were described as fair, estimates accurate, and the booking process direct. While most reviewers called out the movers’ positive attitudes and helpfulness, a small share of customers experienced communication issues, especially with unreturned calls or inquiry follow-up. A few mentioned damage to items during moves or issues with missing belongings, particularly related to special circumstances like third-party transport. Compared with the industry, Lambert & Son’s consistently positive input, flexible service, and reputation for care and reliability put them ahead of many local and national competitors in customer satisfaction.
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Get a Quote (831) 420-0419

Company Info

State license #: 0189973

DOT #: 3528657


Services Offered

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Good communication
  • Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Misplaced or lost items
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Exceeding most expectations, Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc. receives largely enthusiastic feedback: out of 86 total reviews, more than 80% highlight professionalism, careful handling, efficient and quick service, strong communication, and prompt crews. Staff members routinely earn praise for courtesy and attention to detail. Customers commonly note that the moving process feels organized and stress-free.
On the other hand, about 19% of input flags serious concerns—primarily about damaged or missing items, unanswered claims, and communication gaps, especially for interstate and storage moves. These recurring problems appear at higher rates than with top-rated long-distance competitors. Most users report a standout local moving experience, but those needing secure long-term storage or extended-haul relocation report more issues. Cardinale’s consistent positive performance in local moves, combined with speedy, polite crews, often outshines others in the region, while their handful of negative reviews underscore the importance of careful communication and transparency in the claims process.
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Get a Quote (831) 632-4100

Company Info

State license #: 0102808

DOT #: 45193


Services Offered

  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Quick moving process
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Higher-than-expected costs
  • Unexpected charges
  • Damage to items
Review Analysis
Moving made easy: Out of 544 customer feedback entries, 94.7% praised Lunardi Moving for efficiency, care with belongings, professionalism, and helpful staff. Customers repeatedly highlighted attentive and polite crews, swift moving, and careful handling of items. Some reviewers described consistent experiences across multiple moves, including delicate items and complex jobs.
A small number of clients, about 3.5%, cited higher-than-expected bills, unexpected fees, or occasional item damage. Neutral feedback often referenced additional charges or less-than-perfect estimates, despite generally satisfactory service. Compared to other moving companies, Lunardi stands out with strong service consistency and attentive staff, though clarity in quoting could be improved to match industry leaders on price transparency.
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Get a Quote (408) 849-9630

Company Info

State license #: 0190625

DOT #: 2762936


Services Offered

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Helpful movers
  • Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
  • Unexpected charges
  • Damage to items
  • Unfriendly or rude staff
Review Analysis
Moving with Mod Movers feels like hiring a team of skilled friends who truly care about your belongings. After analyzing 277 customer comments, an impressive 93% reflect satisfaction, with many mentioning professional, polite crews and careful, efficient service. Customers regularly praise the movers’ helpful attitudes, quick work, and attention to protecting homes and items.
Feedback highlights their ability to handle difficult jobs with organization and a friendly approach. Some clients mention being pleasantly surprised when final bills came in under the estimate, or that supervisors go the extra mile to resolve challenges. On the flip side, a few customers report issues like charges beyond initial estimates, property damage, or less-than-friendly staff. These negatives form just under 7% of total input, which is notably low compared to moving companies in general. Most feedback suggests Mod Movers consistently delivers above-average care, communication, and professionalism for both short and long-distance moves, leading many to highly recommend their services.
Show more
Get a Quote (831) 480-0381

Company Info

State license #: 0191620

DOT #: 2983026


Services Offered

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Pay by credit card

Moving costs in other nearby California citiestoggle

Average cost to hire interstate movers in Watsonville, CA

The cost of moving out of California mostly depends on where you’re headed, so we’ve listed some sample prices below. For more precise costs, explore your moving route to California or use our moving cost calculator.

Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Watsonville

Several factors influence the price of a one-bedroom move from Watsonville — mainly how far you’re going, how much you’re bringing, and how you plan to get it there.

Below are some common price ranges to help estimate the cost of long-distance moves from California:

  • Watsonville to Las Vegas $1,335 – $3,248
  • Watsonville to Denver $2,384 – $4,811
  • Watsonville to Louisville $2,568 – $5,091

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Watsonville

When moving either a two- or three-bedroom home from Watsonville, the primary factor impacting cost is the overall weight of your belongings. Interestingly, a larger two-bedroom home with numerous possessions might end up costing more than a more modestly furnished three-bedroom move.

Below, you’ll find a typical cost range for moves spanning similar distances for homes with two to three bedrooms:

  • Watsonville to Las Vegas $1,873 – $4,534
  • Watsonville to Mesa $2,154 – $4,683
  • Watsonville to Columbus $3,568 – $6,672

Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from Watsonville

Below is a look at some example four-bedroom move costs out of state from Watsonville. Remember, your exact price will ultimately be based on the amount of belongings you have, what time of year you are moving, and how far you’re moving.

Sample ranges for interstate moves from Watsonville of four or more bedrooms:

  • Watsonville to Las Vegas $2,743 – $5,982
  • Watsonville to Phoenix $4,124 – $6,650
  • Watsonville to Nashville $6,432 – $10,970

Best interstate moving companies in Watsonville, CA

Understanding the potential cost of your move from California is a great starting point. From here, you’ll want to connect with the top-rated long-distance movers in Watsonville to get things rolling.

Best overall value
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Most experienced mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best for contents coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years’ experience
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best customer service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Best customized plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

Average cost of moving containers in Watsonville, CA

Moving containers in Watsonville generally cost about $540 for a local move, while long-distance jobs can push the total up to $2,970. If you’re heading across the country, it’s not uncommon to see prices close to $6,920 or even higher. The two biggest cost factors? Distance and the size of the container you choose.

Best moving containers in Watsonville, CA

Check out this list of top moving container companies for reliable providers you can trust.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 5.0 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Watsonville, CA

Renting a moving truck in Watsonville usually costs about $60 per day, but prices can range from $19 to $38 daily. You’ll also pay a per-mile fee of $2- $1, depending on your move’s distance and the truck size. While this is the most affordable moving method, just know it also means doing all the heavy lifting — and driving — yourself.

Here are the typical costs of Watsonville rental trucks:

  • Base cost: $19 – $38 per day
  • Mileage fee: $2 – $1 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:

  • Total drive distance
  • Timeframe of your rental
  • Insurance add-ons
  • Where and how you park
  • Highway tolls
  • Fuel needed for the trip
  • Dining stops and hotel stays
  • Extra equipment rentals like ramps or blankets

Best moving truck rentals in Watsonville, CA

The cheapest way to move is to just pack and drive it yourself with a moving truck. There’s no shortage of options for moving truck rental companies in Watsonville. If you are ready to put the work in, here are some of the top moving truck rental companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.0 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.2 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Best labor-only moving companies in Watsonville

When hiring labor-only movers in Watsonville, 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

Factors that affect the cost of movers in Watsonville, CA

Since every move is a little different, your total cost will depend on your individual needs. Still, here are some of the key factors that commonly affect Watsonville moving costs:

  • Distance: How far you’re moving has a big impact on your total moving costs. Moving within a city or even to a nearby town will usually cost far less than relocating out of state or across the country. That’s because longer distances involve mileage and fuel expenses, as well as more labor hours.
  • The size of your move: Naturally, the more stuff you have, the more it will cost to move it. Larger moves are more expensive because they typically require a bigger truck and moving crew.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Add-on services: Want help packing or extra coverage for your stuff? These kinds of add-ons cost more — and even DIY moves cost extra if you hire help for the heavy lifting.

Quick tips for a stress-free move

  • Evaluate the need for additional insurance. While full-service movers include basic coverage known as released value protection at no extra cost, it provides minimal security: a mere $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of its actual value. Therefore, if your 25-pound TV worth $1,000 gets damaged, reimbursement would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). To bridge this gap, many movers and some home insurers offer full-value insurance that covers the true value of your belongings for an extra fee.
  • 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.
  • Keep key documents ready. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, you may need to present proof of mover’s insurance and possibly an elevator reservation. These details are often found in your moving agreement, so pull them together early to avoid last-minute scrambling.

What discounts do Watsonville movers offer?

Some movers in Watsonville advertise discounts for specific groups. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available locally compared to state and national averages:

Type of discount Watsonville California National average
AAA members 0.0% 1.98% 1.21%
Seniors 0.0% 1.98% 4.46%
Students 0.0% 0.57% 1.21%
Teachers 0.0% 0.57% 0.38%
Law enforcement 0.0% 1.13% 0.8%
Military 2.5% 1.98% 3.88%

Ask upfront about discounts when calling Watsonville movers — offers vary from one company to the next.

What is the cheapest way to move to Watsonville?

For a budget-friendly move, you might look into a container company where you do the packing and loading. They’ll handle the transport of your goods in Watsonville. Another option is to rent a moving truck and manage the entire process yourself.

Here are the average moving costs from Watsonville to another state with different types of movers:

Destination Professional Movers Containers Rental Trucks
Huntsville $3,541 – $7,779 $2,180 – $4,557 $1,367 – $3,210
Boise $2,391 – $5,566 $1,363 – $2,725 $609 – $1,223
Wilmington $4,161 – $8,353 $2,710 – $5,901 $1,889 – $3,871

How to pay for your Watsonville move

Wondering how to pay your movers? While most accept credit cards, some also take checks, cash, or money orders. Here’s how payment methods in Watsonville compare to those across CA and the U.S.

Payment method Watsonville California U.S.
Credit card 39 333 2652
Cash 9 113 755
Money order 5 38 268

Some Watsonville movers offer more flexibility than others — ask how you can pay before booking.

Helpful Watsonville resources

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