Moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco costs between $427 to $8,574 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 381-mile route within California take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Los Angeles to San Francisco
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Los Angeles to driving and unloading in San Francisco, 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 381 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,129 - $5,721 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,376 - $2,553 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $451 - $884 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Seka Moving | $100/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 Los Angeles to San Francisco?
It costs between $427 to $8,574 to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The prices below break down your 381-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,331 - $8,574
- Moving containers: $1,076 - $3,189
- Rental trucks: $427 - $1,115
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,331 - $4,415 | $1,076 - $1,949 | $427 - $800 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,129 - $5,721 | $1,376 - $2,553 | $451 - $884 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,375 - $8,574 | $1,841 - $3,189 | $572 - $1,115 |
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 | $486 - $4,050+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $100/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $110/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $324 - $1,296 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $81 - $324 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Los Angeles to San Francisco
At 381 miles, your Los Angeles to San Francisco 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 Los Angeles to San Francisco. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 381 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Los Angeles to San Francisco. They've been in business since 2019 (7 years of experience) and 98.3% of their 414 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Francisco to Los Angeles guide.
Considerations when moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco
Cost of living: Los Angeles vs. San Francisco
The cost of living in Los Angeles vs. San Francisco 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 Francisco compares to what you’re used to in Los Angeles.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,960 | $3,250 |
| Average home cost | $878,142 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income (per capita) | $80,366 | $141,446 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,833 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $12,720 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 5.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.5% | 8.63% |
- Rent prices in San Francisco are 10% higher than in Los Angeles, meaning a larger portion of your income may go toward housing, leaving less for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in San Francisco are 57% higher than in Los Angeles, so you’ll likely need a larger down payment and can expect bigger monthly mortgage payments if you’re buying a home.
- You could enjoy greater earning potential and improved financial stability in San Francisco, where average income is 76% higher than in Los Angeles — especially if your salary is on par with the local average.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 35% lower than in Los Angeles, meaning you'll likely have more financial flexibility, allowing for increased savings, spending, or investment opportunities.
- Good news, living costs are 31% lower in San Francisco than in Los Angeles. 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 Francisco is 49% lower than in Los Angeles. This points to a healthier job market, more openings, and better economic stability in your new city.
- With sales taxes 9% lower in San Francisco than Los Angeles, everyday expenses like meals, clothing, and electronics could be easier on your wallet.
If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Los Angeles, you’ll need about $1,950 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in San Francisco.
How life is different in Los Angeles vs. San Francisco
Before you move, check out how life in San Francisco measures up to Los Angeles. 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.
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,820,914 | 808,988 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 64-31 | Democratic 85-13 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 67ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 16" | 25" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 53.81 | 61.41 |
San Francisco sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that San Francisco has roughly 79% fewer people than Los Angeles. Smaller cities usually mean more peace of mind, more space, and lower living costs, though you may find yourself missing a few big-city conveniences.
- During the last presidential election, both Los Angeles and San Francisco supported the Democratic candidate.
- In San Francisco, summer highs top out around 67°F, lower than Los Angeles’s 84°F. Relocating here means milder summers and a more relaxed pace outdoors.
- In the coldest months, you’ll find similar low temperatures in both Los Angeles and San Francisco—with winter lows around 46°F and 46°F.
- San Francisco typically gets more rainfall than Los Angeles, with an annual average of 25 inches compared to just Los Angeles’s 16 inches.
- Both Los Angeles and San Francisco receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- San Francisco shows a higher crime rate than Los Angeles, with index scores of 61.41 compared to 53.81.
Things to do in San Francisco
Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Francisco has plenty to offer:
Museums in San Francisco
- Exploratorium
- California Academy of Sciences
- Walt Disney Family Museum
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Legion of Honor
Parks in San Francisco
- Golden Gate Park
- Presidio of San Francisco
- Mission Dolores Park
- Crissy Field
- Yerba Buena Gardens
Sports teams in San Francisco
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
Universities in San Francisco
- City College of San Francisco
- San Francisco State University
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law
- University of California, San Francisco
- Academy of Art University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Shipping furniture from Los Angeles to San Francisco with a moving company typically costs between $1,161 and $3,532. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $2,129 to $5,721. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $3,375 and $8,574 for that same route.
How much are moving container companies from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
If you’re planning a move from Los Angeles to San Francisco and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $753 and $1,912. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $1,376 to $2,553. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,841 to $3,189.
How much is a moving truck from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
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 $427 and $738. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $451 and $884. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Los Angeles to San Francisco, truck rentals usually range from $572 up to $1,115.
How far in advance should I book Los Angeles-to-San Francisco movers?
To make your move from Los Angeles to San Francisco 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 Francisco?
The cheapest time of year to move to San Francisco 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.
