Best Movers Near Santa Cruz, CA (2025 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: After reviewing 370 different moving companies in California, we found that Best California Movers stands out as the best choice for local moves in Santa Cruz, CA. They’re known for reasonable pricing, a wide range of services, and glowing reviews. If you're heading out of state from Santa Cruz, we recommend Safeway Moving for their reliable service and competitive costs.
Let's get moving.
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Best California Movers
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Lambert & Son Moving
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Safeway Moving
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PODS
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HireAHelper
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Budget Truck Rental
Preferred partners
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Santa Cruz, CA
Getting ready to move in Santa Cruz or somewhere within 50 miles like Pleasure Point or Soquel? Check out these local moving companies. They’re recognized for their reliable service and competitive pricing.
Best California Movers
- Lambert & Son Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars
- Fairprice Movers: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Lunardi Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- 831 Movers: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 7
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
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
Company Info
State license #: 0190880
Years in Business: 2
DOT #: 2192738
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190625
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2762936
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191403
Years in Business: 9
Alternate Names: Services On Demand
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
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
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
Best movers for those moving out of California
Getting ready to move out of California? It’s important to go with a mover that’s licensed for interstate moves. For a smooth and stress-free relocation from Santa Cruz, CA, take a look at these top-rated interstate moving companies.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- 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
Best moving containers in Santa Cruz, CA
Moving containers are a flexible option that sits right between hiring full-service movers and renting a truck. You do all the packing and unpacking, but a pro handles the driving and transport, unlike a standard truck rental where you’re behind the wheel.
Container pricing in Santa Cruz varies based on how many containers you need and how far you're moving. To get the best value, gather quotes from several movers and compare both the costs and what’s included.
Start your search with these highly rated moving container companies:
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Best rental trucks for your Santa Cruz, CA move
If you’re looking to save the most on your move, whether you’re staying in Santa Cruz or heading out of state, renting a moving truck is the way to go. In California, you’ll usually pay a daily rate of $19–$39, plus an added $0.89–$1.39 per mile.
Opting to rent a truck will save you money compared to hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, but remember — you'll be handling everything yourself, from packing boxes to driving the truck.
If you're planning a DIY move, take a look at our top picks for truck rental companies.
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Labor-only movers in Santa Cruz, CA
If you're renting a moving container or truck but could use a hand with the heavy lifting, hiring a labor-only moving company is a smart move. These pros will send a crew to handle loading and unloading your belongings, plus you can opt for extra help with packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, or even setting up electronics and gym equipment.
Here are our top picks for labor-only movers in Santa Cruz:
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How we chose the best movers in Santa Cruz
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 289 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.
How do I find a reputable Santa Cruz mover?
When you’re searching for top-notch movers in Santa Cruz, keep an eye out for these key qualities:
- A good reputation: A solid reputation is a must, whether you're hiring a family-run newcomer in Santa Cruz or a seasoned national van lines company serving all of California. Stay alert for red flags and beware of common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: Every company runs into the occasional bump in the road — what really matters is how they handle it. If a moving company in Santa Cruz has a track record of ignoring complaints, you’re better off considering other options.
- Make sure they have the right experience: Just because a mover has great reviews for local moves in Santa Cruz doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for a cross-country relocation. Make sure you pick a company with proven experience handling the specific type of move you need.
- Get multiple estimates: Trustworthy Santa Cruz movers will offer you a free moving estimate. Be sure to get quotes from several companies so you can compare prices and find the best deal for your move.
Luckily, every Santa Cruz moving company featured here meets our high standards. They’ve all been carefully picked by the moveBuddha team for their top-notch service.
Looking for movers across the entire state? Explore our picks for the top moving companies in California.
Average cost of movers in Santa Cruz, California
Take a look at the table below for estimated local moving rates in and around Santa Cruz. For a more in-depth breakdown of moving costs, check out our complete guide to moving costs in California.
These are just average price ranges. Your actual costs may differ significantly depending on the specifics of your move. For a more accurate quote, check out our moving cost calculator.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Santa Cruz
If you’re moving less than 50 miles within Santa Cruz, that counts as a local move. Renting a truck here means you’ll pay both a base fee anywhere from $19 to $39 plus a mileage charge, which ranges between $0.89 and $1.39 per mile.
Need an extra set of hands? On average, hiring movers in Santa Cruz will cost you just $99 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $365 | $139 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $504 | $139 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $808 | $194 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,858 | $272 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,130 | $272 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $3,266 | $380 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: How much you’ll pay to move in Santa Cruz depends mostly on your destination. If you’re staying within 50 miles of Santa Cruz, expect lower costs compared to a long-distance move — like heading 450 miles across California.
- Move size: The more belongings you’re bringing, the higher your moving bill will be. Larger loads mean bigger trucks and bigger price tags. If you’re heading out of Santa Cruz for a long-distance or interstate move, expect the moving company to price your move based on the weight and volume of your things. Try decluttering and downsizing to lighten your load and lower your costs.
- Moving method: Full-service movers tend to cost the most, while renting a truck is usually your cheapest bet. Just be sure to weigh what you’re getting for the price — saving money isn’t worth it if you end up missing out on the support you really need for your move.
- Additional services: Whichever type of move you choose, expect to pay extra for add-ons like packing services, help with heavy lifting, and full insurance coverage.
- The time of the year: Moving between May and September — also known as peak season — usually means higher prices and less availability due to increased demand. If you can, schedule your move from October to April to snag better rates.
FAQs
Should I arrange for a parking permit when moving locally in Santa Cruz?
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.
For information about parking permits in Santa Cruz, visit the local DOT website.
What are some ways to cut costs when hiring a Santa Cruz moving company?
If you want to save on your Santa Cruz move, try scheduling it outside the busiest season, which runs from May to September. Picking a weekday between October and April can give you the best rates. You can also cut costs by negotiating with your moving company and asking about any special discounts or deals you might qualify for.
Do Santa Cruz movers offer storage?
Yes, many Santa Cruz movers offer short- and long-term storage options. A lot of moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Santa Cruz 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.
Is there a list of all movers in California?
Discover all your moving options in California by browsing our full directory of California moving companies.
Helpful Santa Cruz Resources
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