($1,137+) Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,214 to $10,620, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,137 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,899 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Sacramento to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,214 - $10,620 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,899 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,899-mile route from Sacramento to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,214 for a studio up to $10,620 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,523 - $5,600 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,094 - $3,007, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,303 - $4,220, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers for the 1,899-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,214 and $10,620. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $351 - $2,340, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $5,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,349 - $7,069
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,718 - $10,620
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 Sacramento to St. Paul.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $585 - $5,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $234 - $1,404/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $351 - $2,808 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,170 - $3,510 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,925 - $11,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $876 - $1,665 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Fuller Moving Services | $1,170 - $2,925 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $936 - $4,095 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $351 - $1,755 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $761 - $2,340 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $351 - $17,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $351 - $4,095+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to St. Paul?
Movers licensed to operate in Minnesota are typically members of the Minnesota Transport Services Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Sacramento, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,523 and $5,600. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,523 - $2,739
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,008 - $3,958
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,774 - $5,600
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $88 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $176 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $819 in Sacramento, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your St. Paul, MN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Minnesota 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 $1,523. 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 $2,008 - $3,958.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to St. Paul?
- 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
Truck rentals from Sacramento, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, range from $1,094 - $3,007 for the 1,899-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $707 - $808
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| 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 Sacramento to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,094 - $2,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,463 - $3,007
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sacramento to St. Paul starts at $1,094 - $3,007, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($707 - $808), overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $176 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 $76 and $380 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $707 - $808 in fuel for the 1,899-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $819 in Sacramento, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to St. Paul?
- 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 Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN
If you're moving a larger household from Sacramento, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to St. Paul, Minnesota.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,590 and $3,102.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,303 - $2,725
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,590 - $3,102
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,198 - $4,220
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Sacramento, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $819.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $88 - $176 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Sacramento to St. Paul. 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: Sacramento, CA vs St. Paul, MN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Paul, side by side with Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 102 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 49.14/100 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota 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 1,899-mile route.
Our take
A move from Sacramento, CA, to St. Paul, MN, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,214 - $10,620 on the 1,899-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,523 - $5,600, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,094 - $3,007. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,349 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to St. Paul, MN
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($707 - $808), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Sacramento, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is St. Paul a safe place to live?
St. Paul has a safety index of 49.14 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.86, compared to 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.