$1,406 Movers From San Francisco to Detroit

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Detroit, MI averages from $1,520 to $7,617 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service San Francisco moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to Detroit, MI.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to San Francisco guide.

Moving from San Francisco to Detroit resources

Moving 2,455 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Detroit?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,406 - $5,291 $1,313 - $3,534 $1,404 - $2,717
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,784 - $7,617 $2,333 - $4,847 $1,520 - $3,301
4+ bedrooms $7,543 - $11,663 $3,310 - $6,450 $1,900 - $4,129
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,455 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from San Francisco to Detroit will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Detroit?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Detroit will cost between $1,406 to $5,291. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,784 to $7,617, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Detroit will cost from $7,543 to $11,663.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Detroit?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Detroit will cost you $1,313 to $3,534 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,333 to $4,847. A larger home will cost $3,310 to $6,450.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Detroit?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,404 to $2,717. A larger move will cost $1,520 to $3,301, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Detroit costs from $1,900 to $4,129. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best San Francisco to Detroit moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Detroit is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Detroit.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Detroit

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Detroit

San Francisco Detroit
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,200
Average home value $1,234,246 $65,800
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $34,762
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $969
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $3,338
Unemployment rate 5.4% 10.0%
Sales Tax 8.63% 6.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Detroit are 63% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Detroit are 94.7% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Detroit is 72.5% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 74.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 62.9% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Detroit is 85.19% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Detroit are 30.48% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Detroit are 68.05% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $757.03 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Detroit?

Detroit San Francisco
Population 639,111 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 10
Walkability score 51 99
Bike friendliness score 52 99
Crime Index 55.84 54.33
Safety Index 25.97 37.9
Air Quality Moderate Moderate
  • Detroit's population is about 21% less than San Francisco.
  • Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Detroit is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 51 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Detroit is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 52 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Detroit's crime rate is higher than San Francisco with a score of 55.84 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 55.84% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Detroit is considered to be less safe than San Francisco with a score of 25.97 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Detroit is moderate, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Detroit

  • Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move..
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Detroit. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
(415) 544-7000
Good Green Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1355 Market Street Suite 488, San Francisco, CA, 94103
(855) 613-4663

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Detroit

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Comeback City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Corktown
  • Brush Park
  • Woodbridge
  • Downtown
  • Lafayette Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Sherwood Forest
  • Palmer Woods
  • University District
  • Corktown
  • Lafayette Park

What to do in Detroit

These are some of the best things to do in your new Michigan home.

  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Detroit Riverwalk
  • Motown Museum
  • Belle Isle Park
  • Charles H Wright Museum of African American History
  • Campus Martius Park
  • Detroit Zoo
  • Historic Fort Wayne
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Michigan Science Center
  • Comerica Park
  • Fox Theatre
  • Heidelberg Project
  • The Spirit of Detroit
  • GM Renaissance Center
  • The BELT
  • Detroit Princess Riverboat
  • People Mover
  • Fisher Building
  • Greenfild Village
  • Z Park Garage
  • Detroit Historical Museum
  • Hart Plaza
  • Third Man Records
  • Detroit Masonic Temple
  • John K. King Used & Rare Books
  • “Reflector” Art Installation
  • Eastern Market
  • Dequindre Cut Greenway
  • Milliken State Park and Harbor

Get your sports on!

Detroit is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Detriot Tigers (MLB)
  • Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
  • Detroit Lions (NFL)
  • Detroit Pistons (NBA)

FAQs about moving from San Francisco to Detroit

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Detroit?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Detroit is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF in Detroit.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Detroit?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Detroit in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

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