Cheapest Movers in Watsonville, CA (2025 Guide)

Quick answer: We evaluated 278 California movers, and Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. rose to the top for local moves in Watsonville, CA, due to their competitive pricing, range of options, and positive customer feedback. Our choice for long-distance or out-of-state relocations from California, is Safeway Moving. We like that they maintain reasonable rates without skimping on service quality.

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

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6 Cheapest movers when moving locally in Watsonville, CA

If you're planning a move within Watsonville or to a nearby California city no more than 50 miles away like Pajaro Dunes or Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, take a look at these top-rated, budget-friendly moving companies:

Preferred Partner
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:
https://www.facebook.com/EagleMovingStorage/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (29%)
  • Professional and polite staff (27%)
  • Careful handling (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (32%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (29%)
  • Lack of communication (26%)
Review Analysis
Moving made easy is how customers describe Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., with 86.9% of the 634 feedback entries rating their services positively. Reviewers consistently mention efficient service, careful handling, and professional, polite teams. The booking process is straightforward and communication is strong, making moves feel stress-free compared to larger companies. Many highlight how quickly items are moved and the competitive pricing, with exceptional care towards fragile and valuable belongings. In contrast, 11.7% report issues, mainly with damaged items, late arrivals, or communication lapses during scheduling and claims. While the company receives high praise for their courteous movers and fast work, cases of lost or broken property and delayed deliveries set them apart from top-tier providers who resolve complaints faster and provide more consistent updates. Neutral input often cites both efficient execution and minor damages. Eagle stands out for its efficiency and customer-focused approach but should address recurring concerns with item handling and reliability during high-stress moves.
Get a Quote (415) 404-7400

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
https://www.facebook.com/CardinaleMovingStorage/, https://twitter.com/cardinalemoving
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (36%)
  • Professional and polite staff (30%)
  • Good communication (29%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (23%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
  • Lack of communication (18%)
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.
Get a Quote (831) 632-4100

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
https://www.facebook.com/ScarrMovingandStorage/, https://x.com/scarrmoving
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (49%)
  • Efficient service (47%)
  • Excellent communication (42%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (19%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
  • Unexpected charges (14%)
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.
Get a Quote (831) 424-2784

Company Info

State license #: 0095753

Years in Business: 59

DOT #: 44159


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/poulosmoving, https://x.com/PoulosMovingSys
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (45%)
  • Professional and polite staff (42%)
  • Careful handling (39%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (30%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (28%)
  • Lack of communication (24%)
Review Analysis
Moving doesn't have to be hard—Poulos Moving Systems earns high praise from nearly nine out of ten customers, based on 187 feedback submissions. Most customer input points to staff professionalism, quick and careful service, transparent communication, and smooth moving days as key strengths. People often highlight how attentive movers handled belongings, explained the process, and worked efficiently, even in tricky situations like stairs or heavy loads. Communication stands out, with updates and quick responses appreciated by clients. A few customers, though, dealt with damaged items, slow responses, and unexpected charges. The main complaints involve property damage or trouble reaching the company—issues common with many moving services, but less so here given the lower rate of negative input. For those seeking a careful, courteous, and reliable moving experience, Poulos consistently outperforms most competitors in the region.
Get a Quote (831) 394-5000

Company Info

State license #: 0190661

Years in Business: 15

DOT #: 2618126


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • DOD certified
https://www.facebook.com/tavarespackingandloading/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (32%)
  • Professional and polite staff (27%)
  • Good communication (26%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (25%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (21%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
Customers consistently praise Tavares Packing & Loading for efficient service, careful handling, reasonable rates, and polite, professional staff. Many highlight how quickly moves are completed while keeping belongings damage-free. Positive input also points to affordable prices and responsive communication—features rarely found in larger moving companies. Nearly every review mentions hardworking movers who maintain a friendly, courteous approach. Some feedback, though, raises major concerns about damage to items, especially during storage or complex moves, noting a lack of follow-up on claims. Several dissatisfied customers report last-minute cancellations or difficulty reaching the company before scheduled moves. While most feedback far exceeds industry standards for satisfaction, those considering high-value or time-sensitive moves should weigh these reported drawbacks.
Get a Quote (831) 402-8949

Company Info

State license #: 0191257

Years in Business: 12

DOT #: 3183311

Alternate Names: Tavares Eduardo, Eddie Tavares Packing & Loading


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card

Other local CA moverstoggle

While these local California movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:

Cheapest movers when moving out of California

Moving from California to another state involves more than just packing boxes. You’ll also need the support of an experienced moving team. These interstate moving companies have the know-how and manpower to make your move as easy as possible:

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
  2. International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
  3. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  4. PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Cheapest DIY moving options in Watsonville, CA

Going with a full-service mover for your Watsonville, California move is the easiest way to go. That convenience can be costly, however. To keep moving costs lower, consider using one of the leading moving container companies, or a rental truck provider in Watsonville.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts

Top-rated movers in other nearby California cities

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How we chose the best movers in Watsonville, CAtoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 278 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.

Average cost of movers in Watsonville, CA

Use the pricing table below to get a general sense of what local moving costs look like in and around Watsonville. If you want more in-depth info, check out our full guide on moving costs in California.

Keep in mind that the moving quotes provided are just rough estimates. Your actual cost will depend on the specifics of your move. For a more accurate estimate, use our moving cost calculator.

Home Size Avg. Total Cost Cost/hour # of Movers # Hours
Studio $369 $135 2 movers 3 hours
1 Bedroom $502 $138 2 movers 4 hours
2 Bedroom $807 $186 3 movers 5 hours
3 Bedroom $1,825 $261 4 movers 8 hours
4 Bedroom $2,089 $269 4 movers 9 hours
5+ Bedroom $3,257 $369 5 movers 10 hours

Compare the top Watsonville, CA movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in Watsonville, CA stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company moveBuddha rating BBB rating Yelp rating Google rating
Cardinale Moving & Storage, Inc. 4.7/5 A+ 3.9/5 4.5/5
Scarr Moving & Storage, Inc. 4.7/5 A+ 4.7/5 4.4/5
Poulos Moving Systems 4.6/5 A+ 4.1/5 4.1/5
Tavares Packing & Loading 4.6/5 A+ 4.5/5 4.3/5
Lambert & Son Moving 4.5/5 A+ 4.8/5 4.9/5
South Bay Moving Systems Inc. 4.4/5 NR 3.2/5 4.8/5
Monterey Transfer & Storage, Inc. 4.3/5 A+ 3.6/5 4.6/5
Fairprice Movers 4.3/5 A+ 4.8/5 4.9/5
831 Movers 4.2/5 NR 5/5 4.9/5
Southwest Moving 4.1/5 5/5 5/5

FAQs

How can I tell if a moving company is licensed?toggle

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.

We only feature movers that are properly licensed. Take a look at our best movers in California list to find vetted options.

What should I look for in a reputable Watsonville mover?toggle

Choosing a reputable Watsonville moving company doesn’t have to be hard if you focus on a few key considerations:

  • Reputation: Whether it's a family-run business or a major van lines provider, their reputation tells you a lot about what to expect.
  • Dispute resolution: Companies with many unresolved issues are red flags. Even top Watsonville movers have occasional hiccups— it’s how they handle them that matters.
  • Move-specific experience: Just because a mover is great for local jobs doesn't mean they’re ready for your long-distance move. Ask about their experience with moves like yours.

Are long-distance moves available through Watsonville moving companies?toggle

While some Watsonville movers specialize in local jobs, others are equipped for long-distance moves, too. If you’re relocating out of state, browse our picks for the best long distance movers in Watsonville.

Which day of the week is cheapest for hiring movers in Watsonville, CA?toggle

Movers in Watsonville, California, are often cheaper to hire on weekdays, as weekends see higher demand and pricing. According to our research, the cheapest moving period is from October through April—outside the peak May to September season.

To cut costs, book your Watsonville move as early as possible. Avoid high-demand days like weekends, holidays, and summer months. And be wary of movers who offer extremely low quotes. They might raise prices at the last minute.

What’s the most affordable way to relocate from Watsonville, CA?toggle

Renting a truck is often considered the cheapest way to move out of state or within Watsonville, California. It’s also the most hands-on — expect to manage the packing, lifting, and driving on your own.

Is a moving container a good option for relocating from Watsonville?toggle

Moving containers let you move on your timeline, but keep in mind you’ll be doing all the loading and unloading yourself. After you're packed, the company picks up the container and delivers it to your new home, eliminating the need to drive a moving truck.

What are my options for loading help with a moving container in Watsonville?toggle

Using a rental truck or container but need some muscle? Labor-only moving companies can help with just the loading and unloading. It’s a great way to make your move faster and easier while still keeping costs down.

Do movers in Watsonville provide storage services?toggle

Yes, most Watsonville movers offer both short- and long-term storage. Just note that some use third-party warehouses, so it’s wise to ask upfront about where your things will be stored and how much it will cost.

Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?

Helpful Watsonville Resources

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