($1,167+) San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,212 to $10,953, with an average cost of $3,950. Moves can be as low as $1,167 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,047 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 Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from San Jose to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,212 - $10,953 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,047 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 2,047-mile route from San Jose to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,212 - $5,227 | $1,571 - $3,075 | $1,155 - $2,162 | $1,500 - $2,768 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,508 - $7,316 | $1,992 - $4,142 | $1,201 - $2,707 | $1,642 - $3,212 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,005 - $10,953 | $2,897 - $5,762 | $1,658 - $3,413 | $2,295 - $4,655 |
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 Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers for the 2,047-mile relocation from San Jose, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,212 and $10,953. 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 $538 - $3,588, 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 Jose typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $119 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,212 - $5,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,508 - $7,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,005 - $10,953
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 Jose to St. Paul.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Jose 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 packing75% of local movers | $897 - $8,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $359 - $2,153/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $538 - $4,306 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,794 - $5,382 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,485 - $17,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,344 - $2,553 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,794 - $4,485 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,435 - $6,279 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $538 - $2,691 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,166 - $3,588 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $538 - $26,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $538 - $6,279+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in San Jose, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,571 and $5,762. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Jose runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,571 - $3,075
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,992 - $4,142
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,897 - $5,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $135 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $269 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 $1,256 in San Jose, 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 $1,571. 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 $1,992 - $4,142.
What are the best moving containers San Jose 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 Jose 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 Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck for this 2,047-mile move from San Jose, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $1,155 and $3,413. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,168 - $1,335
- Daily insurance: $54/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $36
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Jose to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,155 - $2,162
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,201 - $2,707
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,658 - $3,413
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,155 - $3,413 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Jose to St. Paul. Fuel ($1,168 - $1,335), lodging at around $269/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $269 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Jose, California, usually costs about $1,256 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,047-mile drive falls between $1,168 and $1,335, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $90 and $538 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose 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 Jose, 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 Jose, 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 $1,642 and $3,212.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,500 - $2,768
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,642 - $3,212
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,295 - $4,655
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $135 and $269.
- 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 Jose, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,256.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Jose, 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 Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 102 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 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 Jose, 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,047-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,047-mile route from San Jose, CA, to St. Paul, MN, run $1,212 - $10,953 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,571 - $5,762, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,155 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,508, 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 Jose, CA, to St. Paul, MN
How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,168 - $1,335), daily insurance ($54/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $36) on top. Overnight stops can add another $269/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 51 and 62 in San Jose. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Jose, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,167 to $10,953, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,212 and $10,953, 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Jose, 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.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.