Fact Checked by: Quick answer: For a 753-mile move from Phoenix to Sacramento, expect to spend around $690–$6,668 and two to seven days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Sacramento to Phoenix guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Phoenix to Sacramento
Picking a long-distance moving company for your move from Phoenix to Sacramento isn't easy — there are tons of options out there, and figuring out who's reliable (and who's not) can feel like a real challenge.
No need to stress about sifting through endless options — we've already done the homework for you. Our picks are based on real reviews, pricing, and the range of services offered.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your AZ to CA move
Local moving companies in Phoenix
- Gilbert Moving & Storage: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Moving Team Six LLC: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Camelback Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Mentors Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3190108
Alternate Names: Gilbert Moving and Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2315604
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 1635834
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2911596
Alternate Names: Mentors Moving & Storage of Arizona LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Alternate Names: Scottsdale Moving & Storage Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Phoenix to Sacramento?
Phoenix movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,437 - $5,103 | $961 - $2,329 | $633 - $1,216 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,688 - $6,668 | $1,646 - $3,266 | $690 - $1,563 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,059 - $9,890 | $2,207 - $4,467 | $865 - $1,877 |
Cost to hire movers from Arizona to California
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Arizona to California, you can expect prices to land between $1,437 and $5,103. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,688 to $6,668 for the trip from AZ to CA. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $5,059 and $9,890.
Cost of moving containers from Arizona to California
Moving containers from Arizona to California will cost you $961 to $2,329 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,646 to $3,266. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,207 to $4,467. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Arizona.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Arizona to California
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $633 to $1,216. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $690 to $1,563, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Arizona to California costs around $865 to $1,877.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors influencing moving costs from Phoenix to Sacramento
What to know before moving from Phoenix to Sacramento
Moving from Phoenix to Sacramento comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Sacramento is generally more expensive than Phoenix, 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:
| Phoenix | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,899 |
| Average home value | $411,139 | $476,699 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,552 | $78,954 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,369 | $2,656 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,226 | $6,191 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 7.7% |
| Sales tax | 8.6% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Sacramento, since prices are typically 12% higher than in Phoenix.
- The home prices in Sacramento are 15.9% higher than in Phoenix, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Sacramento, where incomes are, on average, 22.3% higher than in Phoenix. Major employers in Sacramento include Sutter Health, SynGen, and State of California.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Sacramento, since the cost of living for a single person in Sacramento is 12.1% higher than in Phoenix. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Sacramento, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Sacramento is 18.5% higher than in Phoenix.
- The unemployment rate in Sacramento is 16.67% higher than in Phoenix.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Sacramento, since its sales taxes are 1.74% higher than what you are paying in Phoenix.
- State income taxes in Sacramento are 432.00% higher than in Phoenix.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,363.44 in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.
How life is different in Phoenix vs. Sacramento
| Sacramento | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,943 | 1,608,139 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 49 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 56 |
| Crime Index | 49.21 | 53.06 |
| Safety Index | 50.79 | 46.94 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Sacramento's population is about 67% less than Phoenix.
- Sacramento's public transportation has a similar score to Phoenix.
- Sacramento is more walkable than Phoenix with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Phoenix's 41 out of 100.
- With a score of 67 out of 100, Sacramento is more bike-friendly than Phoenix, which has a score of 56 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Sacramento and Phoenix have a similar crime rate.
- Sacramento and Phoenix are considered to be equally safe.
- Air quality in Sacramento is moderate, and in Phoenix it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Phoenix vs. Sacramento move
- Weather: Sacramento has hot, dry summers and mild to cool winters with occasional rainfall. The wet season is generally October through April. The foggiest months are December and January. Tule fog can be extremely dense, lowering visibility to less than 100 feet and making driving conditions extremely hazardous. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rain and heavy fog.
- 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento
With your sights set on Almond Capital of the World, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Sacramento.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Sacramento
- East Sacramento
- Land Park
- Natomas Park
- North Oak Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Boulevard Park
- Land Park
- Village 7
- East Sacramento
- Natomas Park
Things to do in Sacramento
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what Sacramento has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Sacramento features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, California State Capitol Museum, Old Sacramento, and California Automobile Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, Capitol Park, William Land Park, and McKinley Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Sacramento Kings (NBA), Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship), or Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Sacramento?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Phoenix to Sacramento are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Phoenix. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Phoenix to Sacramento?
Because most people are moving from Phoenix to Sacramento in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Phoenix to Sacramento take?
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, CA covers 753 miles and usually takes two to seven days Need to move faster? Some Phoenix movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Sacramento.
