($1,452) Movers From Mesa, AZ to San Francisco, CA

What to know before moving from Mesa to San Francisco

Moving from Mesa to San Francisco comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Francisco is generally more expensive than Mesa, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Francisco are 82% higher than in Mesa, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Mesa.
  Home prices in San Francisco are 186.7% higher than in Mesa.
• Income in San Francisco is 111.8% higher than in Mesa, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Francisco include Lyft, Securitize, and Wells Fargo.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Francisco, since the cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 56.5% higher than in Mesa. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Francisco, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 56.6% higher than in Mesa.
• The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 11.48% lower than in Mesa.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Francisco, since the city’s sales taxes in San Francisco are 3.98% higher than in Mesa.
• State income taxes in San Francisco are 432.00% higher than in Mesa.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,694.95 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mesa.

How life is different in Mesa vs. San Francisco

• The population of San Francisco is about 60% greater than Mesa, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• San Francisco offers better access to buses and trains than Mesa, based on public transportation ratings. San Francisco has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 4 in Mesa. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Francisco means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Mesa. San Francisco is considered more walkable than Mesa, with a score of 99 out of 100 versus 38 out of 100 in Mesa. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, San Francisco is considered more bike-friendly than Mesa in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, while Mesa is rated as 60 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Francisco is higher than in Mesa, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 61.41 in San Francisco, it is 44.67 in Mesa. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in San Francisco. With a crime index of 38.59, San Francisco ranks lower in overall safety than Mesa, whose index is Mesa's 55.33. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in San Francisco isn’t as good as it is in Mesa, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Francisco has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Mesa is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Mesa vs. San Francisco move

• Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Francisco. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Francisco

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Golden Gate City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.

Helpful moving resources