($839+) San Jose, CA to Denver, CO Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Denver, CO ranges from $1,251 to $8,699, with an average cost of $3,250. Moves can be as low as $839 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,284 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from San Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Moving options from San Jose to Denver fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,251 - $8,699 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,250, 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 1,284 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,284-mile route from San Jose to Denver, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,251 - $4,973 | $1,296 - $2,339 | $799 - $1,569 | $1,143 - $2,255 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,792 - $6,553 | $1,720 - $3,228 | $846 - $1,904 | $1,297 - $2,636 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,703 - $8,699 | $2,264 - $4,374 | $1,053 - $2,234 | $1,811 - $3,570 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Full-service movers for the 1,284-mile relocation from San Jose, California, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,251 and $8,699. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $569 - $3,796, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Jose typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $119 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,251 - $4,973
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,792 - $6,553
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,703 - $8,699
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 Jose to Denver.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Colorado. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Denver, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $949 - $9,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $380 - $2,278/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $569 - $4,555 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage47% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,898 - $5,694 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,745 - $18,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,422 - $2,701 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $1,898 - $4,745 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $1,518 - $6,643 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $569 - $2,847 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: | $1,234 - $3,796 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $569 - $28,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $569 - $6,643+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Denver?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Jose, 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 Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,296 and $4,374. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Jose runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $2,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,228
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,264 - $4,374
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $142 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $285 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,329 in San Jose, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Denver, CO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Colorado 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 $1,296. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,720 - $3,228, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Jose to Denver?
- 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 Jose 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 Jose:
- Ninja Movers, Inc. (4.0/5), 9 years in business
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (4.7/5), 11 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Truck rentals from San Jose, California, to Denver, Colorado, range from $799 - $2,234 for the 1,284-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $775 - $886
- Daily insurance: $57/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Jose to Denver based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $799 - $1,569
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $846 - $1,904
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,053 - $2,234
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Jose to Denver starts at $799 - $2,234, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($775 - $886) , overnight lodging ($285/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $775 - $886 for the 1,284-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in San Jose, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,329.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,284-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $285 per night, adding $569 - $854 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $95 and $569.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to Denver?
- 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 Jose, CA to Denver, CO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Jose, California, to Denver, Colorado. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,708 and $2,636.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,143 - $2,255
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,297 - $2,636
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,811 - $3,570
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $142 - $285 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Jose, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,329.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Denver?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Jose to Denver. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: San Jose, CA vs Denver, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Denver, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 128 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,900/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $586,595 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $91,681/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 95/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 52.16/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 Denver, CO to San Jose, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Colorado, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 377 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,284-mile move.
Our take
For a move from San Jose, CA, to Denver, CO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,251 for a studio to $8,699 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,284-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,296 - $4,374. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $799 - $2,234, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,792 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Re/max and DaVita.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Denver, CO
Is Denver a safe place to live?
Denver has a safety index of 52.16 out of 100 and a crime index of 47.84, compared to 52.27 and 47.73 in San Jose. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Denver?
Denver has a walkability score of 95 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 96, compared to 51 and 62 in San Jose. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Denver?
For families, Berkeley, Fort Logan, and Hilltop are worth a look in Denver. If you're moving solo or without kids, Capitol Hill, Five Points, and Highland tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Colorado?
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado.
What do local movers charge in San Jose?
Local movers based in San Jose typically start around $316 as a base rate, plus $119/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 Denver run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.