($1,164+) San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,405 to $11,552, with an average cost of $4,250. Moves can be as low as $1,164 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,015 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 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 Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from San Francisco to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,405 - $11,552 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,250, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,015 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,015-mile route from San Francisco to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,405 - $5,285 with full-service movers, $1,604 - $3,078 with a container, $1,164 - $2,245 with a rental truck, or $1,504 - $2,914 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,490 - $7,900 full-service, $2,269 - $4,670 by container, $1,247 - $2,728 by rental truck, or $1,747 - $3,700 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,473 - $11,552 full-service, $2,813 - $6,121 by container, $1,623 - $3,408 by rental truck, or $2,322 - $4,944 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,015-mile move from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, with prices running from $1,405 - $11,552. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $563 - $3,756 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Francisco and St. Paul are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Francisco movers tend to run around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $5,285
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,490 - $7,900
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,473 - $11,552
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 Francisco to St. Paul.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Minnesota. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Paul, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $939 - $9,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $376 - $2,254/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $563 - $4,507 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,878 - $5,634 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,695 - $18,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,407 - $2,672 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,878 - $4,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,502 - $6,573 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $563 - $2,817 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,221 - $3,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $563 - $28,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $563 - $6,573+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,604 and $6,121. 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 Francisco adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,269 - $4,670
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,813 - $6,121
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,315, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $141 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $282 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, and St. Paul, MN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,604. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,269 - $4,670, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Renting a moving truck for the 2,015-mile move from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $1,164 and $3,408, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,204 - $1,376
- Daily insurance: $56/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,164 - $2,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,247 - $2,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,623 - $3,408
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to St. Paul looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,164 - $3,408. But once you factor in fuel ($1,204 - $1,376) , overnight lodging ($282/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,204 - $1,376 for the 2,015-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,315.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,015-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $282 per night, adding $563 - $845 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $94 and $563.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,747 and $3,700.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,504 - $2,914
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,747 - $3,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,322 - $4,944
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $141 and $282.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,315.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco 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 Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Paul fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Francisco, 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 Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 102 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 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 Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Minnesota, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,015-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,015-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to St. Paul, MN, run $1,405 - $11,552 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,604 - $6,121, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,164 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,490, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to St. Paul, MN
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, 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.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,405 to $11,552, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,405 and $11,552, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
