San Francisco, CA to Montgomery, AL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Francisco to Montgomery typically costs $4,300–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,414 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from San Francisco to Montgomery
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Montgomery, AL typically costs $4,300–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,414-mile move from San Francisco to Montgomery, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $7,697 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,254 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,777 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 14, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 04, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 19, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 18, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 07, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 24, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 11, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 03, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Francisco to Montgomery
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,800, but larger homes can run up to $13,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Francisco.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,500–$4,200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Montgomery, AL to San Francisco, CA guide.
Best San Francisco to Montgomery movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from San Francisco to Montgomery
For a stress-free interstate move from San Francisco to Montgomery, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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 CA→AL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from San Francisco to Montgomery
Many movers find Montgomery easier on the wallet than San Francisco - roughly 56% less for singles and 59% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,651 for one person in Montgomery versus $3,781 in San Francisco. For a family of four, it's $3,569 compared with $8,717.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| San Francisco | Montgomery | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $1,232 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $1,567 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $140,563 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $49,989 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $1,651 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $3,569 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.8% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 10.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 5.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 63% lower in Montgomery than in San Francisco, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 89% lower in Montgomery than in San Francisco.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 63% less in Montgomery than in San Francisco.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Montgomery, where the cost of living for a single person is 56% less than in San Francisco.
- Moving to Montgomery could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 59% less than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rate in Montgomery is 7% higher compared to San Francisco, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 16% higher in Montgomery than in San Francisco. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 62% lower in Alabama compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing San Francisco with Montgomery:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $180.00 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $50.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $3.99 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $1.57 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $16.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $51.49 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $37.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Montgomery.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Montgomery
| San Francisco | Montgomery | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 200,603 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 26 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 33 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 65.25 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 34.75 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Montgomery's population is about 75% less than San Francisco.
- Montgomery's public transportation score of 2 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco's score of 10.
- Montgomery is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 26 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Montgomery has a bike-friendliness score of 33 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99.
- Montgomery's crime rate is higher than San Francisco with a score of 65.25 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Montgomery neighborhoods are safer than 65.25% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Montgomery is considered to be less safe than San Francisco with a score of 34.75 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
- Air quality in Montgomery is Moderate, and in San Francisco it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco to Montgomery move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Alabama doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Montgomery smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Montgomery
Now that you've chosen Cradle of the Confederacy as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Montgomery to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cloverdale/Idlewild
- Old Cloverdale
- EastChase
- Entertainment District
- Midtown
Best neighborhoods for families
- Dalraida
- Forest Park
- Hillwood
- McGehee Estates
- Pike Road
Things to do in Montgomery
After getting comfortable in your new Alabama home, it's time to see what Montgomery is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Montgomery offers cultural landmarks like the Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Library and Museum, Civil Rights Memorial Center, and Alabama Department of Archives and History.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Riverfront Park, Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, Wright Brothers Park, and Alabama Bicentennial Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Montgomery Biscuits (Double A) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Montgomery?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Francisco to Montgomery are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Francisco are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Montgomery?
Because spring and fall moves from San Francisco to Montgomery are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Montgomery take?
A move of 2,414 miles from San Francisco, CA to Montgomery, AL generally takes seven to 18 days. Movers in San Francisco sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Montgomery is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Francisco?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Francisco, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Francisco offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 70 movers in San Francisco have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 63 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
