Moving from Irvine to San Diego, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Irvine to San Diego costs between $99 to $4,690 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 85-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Irvine to San Diego
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Irvine to San Diego are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Irvine to driving and unloading in San Diego, 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 85 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,203 - $3,580 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $924 - $1,767 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $108 - $189 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $75/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 Irvine to San Diego?
It costs between $99 to $4,690 to move from Irvine to San Diego. The prices below break down your 85-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $616 - $4,690
- Moving containers: $635 - $1,971
- Rental trucks: $99 - $184
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $616 - $3,164 | $635 - $1,182 | $99 - $149 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,203 - $3,580 | $924 - $1,767 | $108 - $189 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,747 - $4,690 | $1,100 - $1,971 | $130 - $184 |
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 | $495 - $4,125+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $75/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $110/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $330 - $1,320 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $83 - $330 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Irvine to San Diego
At 85 miles, your Irvine to San Diego 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 Irvine to San Diego. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 85 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Irvine to San Diego. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 88.2% of their 51 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego to Irvine guide.
Considerations when moving from Irvine to San Diego
Cost of living: Irvine vs. San Diego
The cost of living in Irvine vs. San Diego 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 San Diego compares to what you’re used to in Irvine.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Irvine | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $4,000 | $2,881 |
| Average home cost | $1,113,305 | $847,715 |
| Average income (per capita) | $129,647 | $104,321 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $9,167 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $18,000 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.75% | 7.75% |
- Rent in San Diego is about 28% cheaper than in Irvine. That means you’ll probably free up more of your budget for savings, fun, or other expenses.
- Home prices in San Diego are 24% lower than in Irvine. That means you’ll have an easier time buying a home, locking in an affordable mortgage, and still having money left over for what matters most to you.
- Income in San Diego is 20% lower than in Irvine, which might mean you’ll need to watch your budget, especially if your income doesn’t keep pace with the cost of living.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 63% lower than in Irvine, meaning you'll likely have more financial flexibility, allowing for increased savings, spending, or investment opportunities.
- Good news, living costs are 57% lower in San Diego than in Irvine. That means your money goes further, giving you more room in your budget and a chance to boost your quality of life after the move.
- The unemployment rate in San Diego is 22% higher than in Irvine. 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 are basically identical in San Diego and Irvine, which means no change in what you’ll pay at checkout.
If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Irvine, you’ll need about $1,110 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in San Diego.
How life is different in Irvine vs. San Diego
Before you move, check out how life in San Diego measures up to Irvine. 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.
| Irvine | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,670 | 1,386,932 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 60-37 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 13" | 12" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 31.01 | 39.83 |
San Diego sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- San Diego has a population roughly 351% higher than Irvine. Relocating to a bigger city brings more people, possibilities, cultural experiences, and higher costs and a faster paced lifestyle. Whether that energizes or exhausts you all comes down to what you’re looking for.
- During the last presidential election, both Irvine and San Diego supported the Democratic candidate.
- You’ll find that both San Diego and Irvine have similar summer temperatures, so expect the same warm weather you’re used to, without changing your routine.
- In the coldest months, you’ll find similar low temperatures in both Irvine and San Diego—with winter lows around 46°F and 46°F.
- Both Irvine and San Diego see similar yearly rainfall—Irvine averages 13 inches, while San Diego gets 12 inches.
- Both Irvine and San Diego receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- San Diego shows a higher crime rate than Irvine, with index scores of 39.83 compared to 31.01.
Things to do in San Diego
Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Diego has plenty to offer:
Museums in San Diego
- USS Midway Museum
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Parks in San Diego
- La Jolla Cove
- Balboa Park
- La Jolla Shores Park
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
- Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Sports teams in San Diego
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Diego Gulls (AHL)
- San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
Universities in San Diego
- California State University-San Marcos
- California Western School of Law
- San Diego Christian College
- National University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Irvine to San Diego?
Shipping furniture from Irvine to San Diego with a moving company typically costs between $588 and $2,455. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $1,203 to $3,580. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $1,747 and $4,690 for that same route.
How much are moving container companies from Irvine to San Diego?
If you’re planning a move from Irvine to San Diego and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $496 and $1,127. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $924 to $1,767. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,100 to $1,971.
How much is a moving truck from Irvine to San Diego?
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 $95 and $149. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $108 and $189. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Irvine to San Diego, truck rentals usually range from $130 up to $184.
How far in advance should I book Irvine-to-San Diego movers?
To make your move from Irvine to San Diego 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 San Diego?
The cheapest time of year to move to San Diego 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.
