Moving from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita costs between $97 to $4,288 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 81-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Bakersfield to driving and unloading in Santa Clarita, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 81 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,216 - $3,435 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $942 - $1,767 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $109 - $184 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Mentors Moving & Storage | $116/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita?
It costs between $97 to $4,288 to move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita. The prices below break down your 81-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $642 - $4,288
- Moving containers: $669 - $2,113
- Rental trucks: $97 - $204
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $642 - $3,042 | $669 - $1,134 | $97 - $157 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,216 - $3,435 | $942 - $1,767 | $109 - $184 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,645 - $4,288 | $1,146 - $2,113 | $131 - $204 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $300 - $2,500+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $116/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $90/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $200 - $800 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita
At 81 miles, your Bakersfield to Santa Clarita move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 81 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Meathead Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita. They've been in business since 2003 (23 years of experience) and 87.6% of their 274 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Clarita to Bakersfield guide.
Considerations when moving from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita
Cost of living: Bakersfield vs. Santa Clarita
The cost of living in Bakersfield vs. Santa Clarita isn’t just about housing costs. We’ll lay out everything that matters, including rent, home prices, average income, everyday spending, and local job trends, so you can easily see how life in Santa Clarita compares to what you’re used to in Bakersfield.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Bakersfield | Santa Clarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $3,295 |
| Average home cost | $345,317 | $722,430 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,397 | $119,926 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,493 | $3,290 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,940 | $6,722 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 9.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.25% | 9.5% |
- Rent prices in Santa Clarita are 94% higher than in Bakersfield, meaning a larger portion of your income may go toward housing, leaving less for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in Santa Clarita are 109% higher than in Bakersfield, so you’ll likely need a larger down payment and can expect bigger monthly mortgage payments if you’re buying a home.
- You could enjoy greater earning potential and improved financial stability in Santa Clarita, where average income is 55% higher than in Bakersfield — especially if your salary is on par with the local average.
- Living costs for one person are 32% higher in Santa Clarita compared to Bakersfield. Make sure to budget for these higher expenses.
- Your family’s cost of living will stay about the same in Santa Clarita as it was in Bakersfield, so your finances shouldn’t see much of a change after the move.
- The unemployment rate in Santa Clarita is 63% higher than in Bakersfield. This could make finding work more challenging and potentially affect job security, especially if you're moving without a job lined up.
- You’ll find sales taxes in Santa Clarita are 15% higher than in Bakersfield, which means day-to-day expenses on items like clothes, electronics, or dining out may add up faster.
If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Bakersfield, you’ll need about $3,960 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in Santa Clarita.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Santa Clarita
Before you move, check out how life in Santa Clarita measures up to Bakersfield. You can easily compare the weather, cost of living, politics, safety, and population side by side. This comparison makes it easier to tell which city better fits your lifestyle and needs.
| Bakersfield | Santa Clarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 909,235 | 228,673 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-46 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 97ºF | 89ºF |
| Winter low | 38ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 7" | 18" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 58.49 | 35.92 |
Santa Clarita sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Santa Clarita has roughly 75% fewer people than Bakersfield. Smaller cities usually mean more peace of mind, more space, and lower living costs, though you may find yourself missing a few big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, Santa Clarita voted Democratic, while Bakersfield leaned Republican.
- In Santa Clarita, summer highs top out around 89°F, lower than Bakersfield’s 97°F. Relocating here means milder summers and a more relaxed pace outdoors.
- During winter, Bakersfield gets colder than Santa Clarita, with lows reaching 38°F compared to Santa Clarita’s 46°F.
- Santa Clarita typically gets more rainfall than Bakersfield, with an annual average of 18 inches compared to just Bakersfield’s 7 inches.
- Both Bakersfield and Santa Clarita receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Santa Clarita posts a lower crime rate than Bakersfield, with a crime index of 35.92 compared to Bakersfield’s 58.49.
Things to do in Santa Clarita
Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Santa Clarita has plenty to offer:
Museums in Santa Clarita
- William S. Hart Museum & Ranch
- Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio
- The Olde World Emporium
Parks in Santa Clarita
- Santa Clarita Woodlands Park
Sports teams in Santa Clarita
- FC Santa Clarita
- i9 Sports Santa Clarita (flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball)
- Santa Clarita Sports Center (soccer)
- Santa Clarita Youth Sports (basketball, flag football, T-Ball/Softball, Volleyball)
Universities in Santa Clarita
- California Institute of the Arts
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita?
Shipping furniture from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita with a moving company typically costs between $611 and $2,532. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $1,216 to $3,435. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $1,645 and $4,288 for that same route.
How much are moving container companies from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita?
If you’re planning a move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $501 and $1,093. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $942 to $1,767. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,146 to $2,113.
How much is a moving truck from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita?
If you’re looking to save money, renting a moving truck is often the most budget-friendly choice. Keep in mind, though— you’ll need to handle both the driving and the heavy lifting yourself. To keep things transparent, we’ve factored estimated fuel costs into our pricing so you know exactly what to expect.
If you’re renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move, expect to pay between $101 and $156. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $109 and $184. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita, truck rentals usually range from $131 up to $204.
How far in advance should I book Bakersfield-to-Santa Clarita movers?
To make your move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita as stress-free as possible, lock in your movers at least two months before your big day. If you’re planning a summer move, aim for three months ahead, because spots fill up fast! Booking early not only boosts your chances of getting the date you want, but you might also score a better deal since many companies offer early-bird discounts for customers who plan ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Santa Clarita?
The cheapest time of year to move to Santa Clarita is between early October and late April. This period is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.
