($581+) San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ ranges from $1,240 to $8,617, with an average cost of $3,050. Moves can be as low as $581 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 761 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from San Francisco to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,240 - $8,617 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,050, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 761 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 761-mile route from San Francisco to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,240 - $4,305, container $1,129 - $1,912, rental truck $581 - $1,050, freight trailer $1,036 - $1,830.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,514 - $5,642, container $1,364 - $2,875, rental truck $638 - $1,310, freight trailer $1,182 - $2,277.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,158 - $8,617, container $1,981 - $3,743, rental truck $777 - $1,588, freight trailer $1,570 - $2,878.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
Hiring full-service movers from San Francisco, California, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $1,240 and $8,617. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 761-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $577 - $3,844, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between San Francisco and Tempe. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Francisco tend to start around $284 plus $150/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,240 - $4,305
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,514 - $5,642
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,158 - $8,617
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from San Francisco to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tempe, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $961 - $9,610 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $384 - $2,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $577 - $4,613 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,922 - $5,766 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,805 - $19,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,440 - $2,735 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,922 - $4,805 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,538 - $6,727 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $577 - $2,883 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,249 - $3,844 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $577 - $28,830+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $577 - $6,727+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Tempe?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Francisco, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,129 and $3,743. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Francisco typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $1,912
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,875
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,981 - $3,743
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,345, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $144 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $288 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, and Tempe, AZ, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Arizona move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,129. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,875, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Tempe?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in San Francisco to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in San Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
A rental truck for this 761-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $581 and $1,588. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $465 - $532
- Daily insurance: $58/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Francisco to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $581 - $1,050
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $638 - $1,310
- 4+ bedrooms: $777 - $1,588
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $581 - $1,588 when pricing out a rental truck from San Francisco to Tempe. Fuel alone runs ($465 - $532) , and overnight lodging ($288/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $288 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Francisco, California, usually costs about $1,345 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 761-mile drive falls between $465 and $532, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $96 and $577 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Tempe?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Francisco, California, to Tempe, Arizona. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,182 and $2,277.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,036 - $1,830
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,182 - $2,277
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,570 - $2,878
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $144 and $288.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,345.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Tempe quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 113 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 761-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 761-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Tempe, AZ, run $1,240 - $8,617 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,129 - $3,743, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $581 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,514, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Tempe, AZ
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $638 - $1,310. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Tempe, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,240 to $8,617, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,240 and $8,617, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tempe run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
