($1,109+) San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,310 to $10,603, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,109 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,996 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 San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from San Diego to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,310 - $10,603 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 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,996 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 1,996-mile route from San Diego to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,310 for a studio up to $10,603 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,597 - $5,840 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,086 - $3,053, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,409 - $4,627, 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 San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers for the 1,996-mile relocation from San Diego, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,310 and $10,603. 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 $401 - $2,676, 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 San Diego typically charge a base rate around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,310 - $5,235
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,238 - $7,127
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,176 - $10,603
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 Diego to St. Paul.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Diego 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 packing87% of local movers | $669 - $6,690 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Stella Moving & Delivery | $268 - $1,606/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $401 - $3,211 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,338 - $4,014 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,345 - $13,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,002 - $1,904 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Stella Moving & Delivery | $1,338 - $3,345 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Stella Moving & Delivery | $1,070 - $4,683 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $401 - $2,007 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $870 - $2,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $401 - $20,070+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $401 - $4,683+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to St. Paul?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Minnesota Transport Services Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Diego, 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 Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,597 and $5,840. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to St. Paul. If you go over that window, storage in San Diego adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,597 - $3,119
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,045 - $4,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,884 - $5,840
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $201 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Paul, MN, 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 $937 in San Diego, 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 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 $1,597. 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 $2,045 - $4,163.
What are the best moving containers San Diego 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 San Diego 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 Diego:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
Truck rentals from San Diego, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, range from $1,086 - $3,053 for the 1,996-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $850 - $971
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- San Diego daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Diego to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,086 - $2,160
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,544
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,545 - $3,053
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Diego to St. Paul starts at $1,086 - $3,053, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($850 - $971), overnight lodging ($201/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $100 and $468.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $201.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $850 and $971 for the 1,996-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $937 for 2 movers in San Diego, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego 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 San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN
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 Diego, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota. 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 $1,572 and $3,497.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,409 - $2,807
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,572 - $3,497
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,284 - $4,627
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Diego, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $937.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $100 - $201 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 San Diego to St. Paul?
- 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 Diego 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: San Diego, 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 San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 102 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 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 San Diego, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,996-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from San Diego, 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 $1,310 - $10,603 on the 1,996-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,597 - $5,840, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,086 - $3,053. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,238 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 San Diego, CA, to St. Paul, MN
What do local movers charge in San Diego?
Local movers based in San Diego typically start around $226 as a base rate, plus $200/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in St. Paul run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from San Diego, 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 are the best neighborhoods in St. Paul?
For families, Macalester-Groveland, Summit Hill, and Highland are worth a look in St. Paul. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, St. Anthony Park, and Summit Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,188 - $2,544. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 60.17 and 39.83 in San Diego. 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 San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.