Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Tempe to San Francisco typically costs $2,500–$6,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 761 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Tempe to San Francisco
Moving from Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA typically costs $2,500–$6,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 761-mile move from Tempe to San Francisco, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,876 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $759 for a 3 bedroom using a rental truck.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $2,994 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 27, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 21, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 08, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 02, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 14, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 01, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 16, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Tempe to San Francisco
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,800, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,900.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Tempe, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,600) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Best Tempe to San Francisco movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Tempe to San Francisco
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Tempe to San Francisco, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best AZ→CA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 99 Arizona moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Tempe to San Francisco
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - San Francisco runs about -30% higher for singles and 28% higher for families than Tempe.
Singles spend around $3,781 in San Francisco versus $5,433 in Tempe; families pay $8,717 compared with $6,810.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Tempe | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $3,259 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $5,475 |
| Average home value | $471,494 | $1,241,003 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,080 | $136,689 |
| Cost of living (single) | $5,433 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,810 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 8.1% | 8.63% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 13.3% |
- Rent is estimated to be 77% higher in San Francisco compared to Tempe; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 163% greater in San Francisco than in Tempe.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 113% higher in San Francisco than in Tempe, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in San Francisco. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 30% lower than in Tempe.
- When relocating to San Francisco, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 28% greater than in Tempe.
- The unemployment rates of San Francisco and Tempe are very similar, with less than a 5% difference, thus maintaining a consistent employment landscape.
- Sales taxes rise by 7% in San Francisco over Tempe, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 432% higher in California than in Arizona, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Tempe and San Francisco:
| Living Expense | Tempe | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $256.54 | $229.35 |
| Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $62.91 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.75 | $5.91 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $5.06 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.17 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $125.00 |
| Gym membership | $30.00 | $99.96 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- Eggs are less expensive in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- Bread costs less in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Tempe than in San Francisco.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tempe than in San Francisco.
How life is different in Tempe vs. San Francisco
| Tempe | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,587 | 808,988 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 54 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 75 | 99 |
| Crime index | 42.36 | 61.41 |
| Safety index | 57.64 | 38.59 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- San Francisco's population is about 348% greater than Tempe.
- San Francisco's public transportation score of 10 out of 10 is higher than Tempe's score of 8.
- San Francisco is more walkable than Tempe with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Tempe's 54 out of 100.
- With a score of 99 out of 100, San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Tempe, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- San Francisco's crime rate is higher than Tempe with a score of 61.41 compared to Tempe's 42.36. This means that San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Tempe neighborhoods are safer than 42.36%.
- San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Tempe with a score of 38.59 vs Tempe's 57.64.
- Air quality in San Francisco is Moderate, and in Tempe it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Tempe to San Francisco move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to San Francisco. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in San Francisco
Now that you've decided to make the move to The Golden Gate City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Marina District
- Mission Bay
- Mission District
- Noe Valley
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bernal Heights
- Inner Sunset
- Noe Valley
- North Beach
- Presidio Heights
Things to do in San Francisco
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Francisco has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout San Francisco, such as the Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, Walt Disney Family Museum, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Golden Gate Park, Presidio of San Francisco, Mission Dolores Park, and Crissy Field — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an San Francisco 49ers (NFL)San Francisco Giants (MLB)Golden State Warriors (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tempe to San Francisco?
The best time to move from Tempe to San Francisco is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Tempe.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tempe to San Francisco?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Tempe to San Francisco, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Tempe to San Francisco take?
Moving from Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA covers 761 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Tempe movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Francisco.
Which movers in Tempe give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers here honor AAA discounts. 2 movers give special rates to military members. 5 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Tempe?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 54 movers in Tempe advertise piano moving expertise. 37 movers in Tempe provide antique moving services. State totals show 73 piano movers and 49 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
