San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Francisco to Boise typically costs $2,400–$5,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 639 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Francisco to Boise
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID typically costs $2,400–$5,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 639-mile move from San Francisco to Boise, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,071 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $1,642 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,848 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 16, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 30, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 14, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 22, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 04, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 03, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Francisco to Boise
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,700, but larger homes can run up to $8,800.
- 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 ($600–$1,500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA guide.
Best San Francisco to Boise movers by type
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Francisco to Boise
For a stress-free interstate move from San Francisco to Boise, 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→ID 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 Boise
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Boise runs about 8% higher for singles and -22% higher for families than San Francisco.
Singles spend around $4,100 in Boise versus $3,781 in San Francisco; families pay $6,810 compared with $8,717.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| San Francisco | Boise | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $1,579 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $2,475 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $481,661 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $76,468 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $4,100 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $6,810 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 5.8% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 54% lower in Boise than in San Francisco, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 61% lower in Boise than in San Francisco.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 44% less in Boise than in San Francisco.
- Plan for higher expenses in Boise, since the cost of living for a single person is 8% more than in San Francisco. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- Moving to Boise 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 22% less than in San Francisco.
- Boise experiences an unemployment rate that is about 33% lower than that of San Francisco. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 30% lower in Boise than in San Francisco. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Boise can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 56% lower in Idaho 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 Boise:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Boise |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $136.12 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $49.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $3.88 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $3.51 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $65.00 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $39.83 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Francisco than in Boise.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Francisco than in Boise.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Boise.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Boise.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Boise.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Boise.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Boise.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Boise
| San Francisco | Boise | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 235,684 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 88 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 99 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 34.99 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 65.01 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Boise's population is about 71% less than San Francisco.
- Boise's public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco's score of 10.
- Boise is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 88 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Both Boise and San Francisco have similar bike-friendliness scores (99 vs 99), meaning Boise is about as safe for cyclists as San Francisco. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Boise's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 34.99 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Boise neighborhoods are safer than 34.99% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Boise is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 65.01 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
- Air quality in Boise is Good, and in San Francisco it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco to Boise 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: In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department. In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Idaho moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Idaho 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 Boise smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection for minimal coverage, provided by movers at no extra charge. With liability capped at 60 cents per pound per article, consider alternative coverage options from your selected moving company or explore third-party insurance for full value protection.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Boise
Now that you've chosen City of Trees as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Boise to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Bench
- Downtown Boise
- East End
- North End
- Southeast Boise
Best neighborhoods for families
- Collister
- Depot Bench
- North End
- Southwest Ada
- West Valley
Things to do in Boise
After getting comfortable in your new Idaho home, it's time to see what Boise 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, Boise offers cultural landmarks like the Idaho State Museum, Boise Art Glass, Basque Museum & Cultural Center, and Discovery Center of Idaho.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Camel's Back Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, Julia Davis Park, and Barber 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 Boise Hawks (Pioneer League)Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Boise?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Francisco to Boise 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 Boise?
Because spring and fall moves from San Francisco to Boise 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 Boise take?
A move of 639 miles from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID generally takes one to six days. Movers in San Francisco sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Boise 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.
