Best overall value
Local moving companies in San Diego
- Best California Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Grizzly Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Stella Moving & Delivery: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 0190491
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 3369820
Alternate Names: Lovejoy's Family Moving, Republic Relocation Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Misplaced or lost items
Company Info
State license #: 0190616
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1956864
Alternate Names: One Stop Moving & Storage Inc, San Diego Expert Movers, Quick San Diego Movers, Coastal Movers, Manpower Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 0191376
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2642040
Alternate Names: Grizzly Movers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 0191958
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3299407
Alternate Names: Stella Moving & Delivery, The Remarkable Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Factors that influence moving costs from San Diego to Miami
What to know before moving from San Diego to Miami
Moving from San Diego to Miami means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Diego than in Miami, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how San Diego compares to Miami so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Diego | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,881 | $2,990 |
| Average home value | $1,003,444 | $579,925 |
| Average income (per capita) | $72,963 | $54,858 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,346 | $3,103 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,719 | $7,450 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 8.3% |
| Sales tax | 7.75% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Miami, since prices are typically 4% higher than in San Diego.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Miami.
Home prices in Miami are 42.2% lower than in San Diego. - Income in Miami is 24.8% lower than in San Diego, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Miami — including Royal Bank of Canada, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, and Royal Caribbean Cruises — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Miami. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 7.3% lower than in San Diego.
- A move to Miami can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 3.5% less than what it costs in San Diego.
- The unemployment rate in Miami is 25.76% higher than in San Diego.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Miami, since the city's sales taxes in Miami are 9.68% lower than in San Diego.
- One perk of moving to Miami is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in San Diego.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,782.13 in Miami to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Miami
| Miami | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 442,241 | 1,386,932 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 53 |
| Bike friendliness score | 64 | 43 |
| Crime Index | 52.54 | 39.83 |
| Safety Index | 47.46 | 60.17 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Miami might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than San Diego.
- Miami offers better access to buses and trains than San Diego, based on public transportation ratings. Miami has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in San Diego. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Miami means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Diego. Miami is considered more walkable than San Diego, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 53 out of 100 in San Diego. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Miami is considered more bike-friendly than San Diego in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Miami has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, while San Diego is rated as 43 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Miami is higher than in San Diego, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 52.54 in Miami, it is 39.83 in San Diego. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Miami. With a crime index of 47.46, Miami ranks lower in overall safety than San Diego, whose index is 60.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Miami has better air quality than in San Diego. Miami has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Diego. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your San Diego vs. Miami move
- Weather: There are two basic seasons in Miami, a hot and wet season from May through October, and a warm and dry season from November through April. During the hot and wet season, daily thundershowers occur in the humid unstable air masses. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, although hurricanes can develop beyond those dates. Be sure to check your weather app, especially during June through November to avoid hurricanes.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Florida moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Florida 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Miami. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Miami
Now that you've chosen 305 as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Miami to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Coral Gables
- Brickell
- Little Havana
- Wynwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Kendall
- Key Biscayne
- Pinecrest
Things to do in Miami
Once you're settled into your new home in Florida, it's time to get out and discover what Miami has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Miami, such as the Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami Design District, Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and Miami Children's Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Bayfront Park, Tropical Park, Matheson Hammock Park, and Domino Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Miami Dolphins (NFL), Inter Miami CF (MLS), Miami Marlins (MLB), or Florida Panthers (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Miami?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from San Diego to Miami. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in San Diego.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Miami?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from San Diego to Miami 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 San Diego to Miami take?
Covering 2,654 miles, the move from San Diego, CA to Miami, FL typically takes seven to 21 days. Some San Diego movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Miami can help bridge the gap.
