($485+) San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID ranges from $1,126 to $7,879, with an average cost of $2,700. Moves can be as low as $485 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 639 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID
Moving options from San Francisco to Boise fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,126 - $7,879 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 77% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 639 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 639-mile route from San Francisco to Boise, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,126 - $4,217 | $960 - $1,825 | $456 - $880 | $917 - $1,562 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,247 - $5,302 | $1,245 - $2,402 | $522 - $1,002 | $996 - $2,060 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,667 - $7,879 | $1,748 - $3,205 | $659 - $1,212 | $1,399 - $2,436 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID
For the 639-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Boise, Idaho, full-service movers cost between $1,126 and $7,879. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $584 - $3,892 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,126 - $4,217
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,247 - $5,302
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,667 - $7,879
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 Boise.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Boise, 47% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $973 - $9,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $389 - $2,335/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $584 - $4,670 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,946 - $5,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,865 - $19,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,458 - $2,769 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,946 - $4,865 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,557 - $6,811 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $584 - $2,919 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,265 - $3,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $584 - $29,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $584 - $6,811+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Boise?
Look for Idaho Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Idaho beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 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 Boise, ID
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Boise, Idaho, cost between $960 and $3,205. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in San Francisco typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $960 - $1,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,245 - $2,402
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,748 - $3,205
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $146 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $292 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Boise, ID, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,362 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Idaho 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 $960. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,245 - $2,402.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Boise?
- 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:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Boise, Idaho, range from $456 - $1,212 for the 639-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $396 - $452
- Daily insurance: $58/day
- Equipment rentals: $14 - $39
- 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 Boise based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $456 - $880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $522 - $1,002
- 4+ bedrooms: $659 - $1,212
Pro tip: The base rate of $456 - $1,212 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Francisco to Boise. Fuel ($396 - $452), lodging at around $292/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $292 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $126 and $632 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $396 - $452 in fuel for the 639-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,362 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Boise?
- 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 Boise, ID
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 Boise, Idaho. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $996 and $2,060.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $917 - $1,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $996 - $2,060
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,399 - $2,436
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,362.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $146 and $292 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Boise?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to Boise. 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 Francisco, CA vs Boise, ID
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Boise, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Boise, ID |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 119 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,495/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $455,253 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $81,308/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 88/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 65.01/100 |
| 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 Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Idaho in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 639-mile route.
Our take
The 639-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Boise, ID, costs between $1,126 and $7,879 with full-service movers, $960 - $3,205 with a moving container, and $456 - $1,212 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,247 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Albertsons and Albertsons Companies.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Boise, ID
How walkable is Boise?
Boise has a walkability score of 88 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($396 - $452), daily insurance ($58/day), and equipment rentals ($14 - $39) on top. Overnight stops can add another $292/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Idaho?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.