The BEST Moving Companies in San Francisco, CA

Our Top Pick: If you’re moving locally in San Francisco, CA, our top pick is Luigy's Moving & Storage. We’ve rated them 4.86 out of 5 stars. If you’re looking for an interstate moving company to handle your California move, we recommend Safeway Moving.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

With 808,437 people living in San Francisco, the city sees its fair share of moving trucks. With an average moving cost of $150 per hour in San Francisco, finding a moving company that balances cost and quality is key.

Whether your new place is down the road or you’re looking for the best long-distance moving company, we’ve reviewed the best moving companies in San Francisco to make your next move a smooth transition.

How we chose the best movers in San Francisco

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 279 California movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

Our track record

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

Best movers for those moving locally in San Francisco

Luigy's Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.86 / 5

DOT #: 02740355

Years in Business: 23

5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94112

Luigy's Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Francisco, CA since 2001. Compared to other nearby companies, Luigy's stands out with their comprehensive service offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, as well as specialized handling for pianos, hot tubs, art, and antiques. Boasting exceptional consumer reviews with an average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.6 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Luigy's reputation for reliability and quality is well-earned. While a deposit is required, they accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.

Get a Quote (415) 413-4646

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 02740355
  • State license #: 0192210
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.76 / 5

DOT #: 3519797

Years in Business: 14

1149 Montgomery Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name for local residential moves in and around San Bruno, CA since 2010. They stand out with a solid reputation, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp from 429 reviews, and a 4.6 average rating on Google from 129 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, customers frequently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the specialized capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. Flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no required deposit, further underscore their customer-first approach.

Get a Quote (415) 404-7400

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • DOT #: 3519797
  • State license #: 0190673
Back to Top movebuddha icon

Gentle Giant Moving Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.72 / 5

DOT #: 373544

Years in Business: 44

361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080

Gentle Giant Moving Company has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in South San Francisco, CA since 1981. With stellar consumer reviews reflecting an average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 5.0 on Google My Business, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, this company stands out for its reliability and professionalism. Unlike many nearby movers, Gentle Giant also offers office moving services, comprehensive packing and unpacking services, and even storage options if needed. Additionally, they do not require a deposit and accept credit cards, making the moving process as seamless and convenient as possible for their clients.

Get a Quote (415) 544-7000

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Crane vans
  • Storage

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Great Giant Moving Company
Back to Top movebuddha icon

NorthStar Moving Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 1836576

Years in Business: 28

One Bush Plaza Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA 94104

NorthStar Moving Company, established in 1996, offers premier local residential moving services throughout San Francisco, CA, and its surrounding areas. With an impressive track record, they boast 931 Yelp reviews averaging 4.6 stars and 701 Google My Business reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, NorthStar stands out among local competitors. They also provide comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring a seamless moving experience. Notably, NorthStar accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, offering convenience and peace of mind for customers.

Get a Quote (415) 635-3844

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

SF Bay Area Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.62 / 5

DOT #: 2682402

Pricing: $145/hr

Years in Business: 9

310 Shaw Rd, South San Francisco, CA 94080

SF Bay Area Moving, operating since 2015, specializes in local residential moving services within South San Francisco, CA. With a stellar reputation, evidenced by 114 Yelp reviews averaging 4.5 stars and 122 Google My Business reviews averaging 4.9 stars, they stand out among local competitors. The company holds an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to residential moves, they offer packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized services for moving fragile items, artwork, and antiques. Competitive with a rate of $145 per hour, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a reliable and flexible choice for local moves.

Get a Quote (415) 663-2001

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

Best movers for those moving out of California

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
read our full review
(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392

Alternative San Francisco moving options

Moving Containers

  1. U-Pack: 5 out of 5
  2. PODS: 4.8 out of 5
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices

Labor Only

  1. HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5
  2. Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5
Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

Full DIY

  1. U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5
  2. Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285
Most Reliable
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Check prices (844) 847-9517
At A Glance
  • Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
  • Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
  • Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
read our full review
Check prices (844) 847-9517

Average cost of movers in San Francisco

The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the San Francisco area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in California for more pricing info.

Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.

You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estim

Local moving costs in San Francisco

If you’re moving within 50 miles of San Francisco, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In San Francisco, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.79 per mile to $1.59 per mile.

And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in San Francisco is $150 per hour.

Home Size Avg. Total Cost Cost/hour # of Movers # Hours
Studio $485 $210 2 movers 3 hours
1 Bedroom $695 $210 2 movers 4 hours
2 Bedroom $1,157 $294 3 movers 5 hours
3 Bedroom $2,747 $412 4 movers 8 hours
4 Bedroom $3,159 $412 4 movers 9 hours
5+ Bedroom $4,883 $576 5 movers 10 hours

Interstate moving costs out of San Francisco

The cost to move from San Francisco to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from California. Here are a few examples:

Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.

How do I find a reputable San Francisco mover?

If you’re looking for the best movers in San Francisco, here’s what you should look for:

  • A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in San Francisco or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over California, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
  • Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in San Francisco has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
  • Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in San Francisco may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
  • Get multiple estimates: Reputable San Francisco movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.

Fortunately, the San Francisco movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.

If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in California.

FAQs

Do I need to get a parking permit for movers in San Francisco?

Temporary San Francisco moving permits are managed by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA), and the application process takes some time, so plan accordingly. To submit an application for a San Francisco moving permit, the SFMTA office requires a minimum of 5 business days notice, and a number of days don’t count: your application day, the first enforcement day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all are excluded.

For more info on parking permits in San Francisco, visit the local DOT website.

How can I save money when hiring a San Francisco moving company?

It’s almost always cheaper to hire a moving company in San Francisco outside of their busy season. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.

Now that you know when moving companies in San Francisco are less busy, you can use that to negotiate your moving costs.

Do San Francisco movers offer storage?

Yes, depending on your storage needs most moving companies in San Francisco do offer both short and long-term storage units.

However, while some have their own storage facilities, others don't, in which case they may store your items at a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about storage facilities and getting quotes when screening prospective movers early on in the moving process.

If your San Francisco mover doesn’t offer storage - or you need services beyond what they can provide - reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.

Should you use your mover's storage solutions?

What is there to do in San Francisco?

Some popular attractions in San Francisco include:

  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Fisherman's Wharf
  • Alcatraz Island
  • San Francisco Cable Cars
  • Golden Gate Park
  • San Francisco's Chinatown
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • The Exploratorium
  • California Academy of Science
  • Twin Peaks
  • Yerba Buena Gardens
  • Legion of Honor Museum
  • Palace of Fine Arts
  • Ferry Building Marketplace
  • Mission District
  • Union Square
  • City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
  • Asian Art Museum
  • Presidio of San Francisco
  • Lands End

How’s the job market in San Francisco?

San Francisco’s unemployment rate is at 5.4%. Looking for a job in the “Golden Gate City”? Let us help you start looking, here’s a list of the top employers in San Francisco:

  • Lyft
  • Securitize
  • Wells Fargo
  • BNP Paribas
  • Wanda
  • Gap
  • Gapkids & Baby
  • McKesson
  • Aura Health
  • Salesforce
  • Dignity Health
  • Bechtel
  • Charles Schwab
  • Sephora
  • Williams Sonoma
  • Uber Technologies
  • Pacific Gas and Electric
  • True
  • Visa
  • University of California, San Francisco

How can I see all moving companies in California?

You can find all moving companies in California by clicking here.

Helpful San Francisco Resources

Not what you were looking for?

Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!

See All
Hide All