Moving from Moreno Valley to San Diego, CA

Quick answer: Moving from Moreno Valley to San Diego costs between $110 to $4,662 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.

Most moves on this 96-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.

Compare moving options from Moreno Valley to San Diego

The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Moreno Valley to San Diego are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.

  • Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Moreno Valley to driving and unloading in San Diego, but cost the most
  • Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
  • Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
  • Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 96 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
Move type Top pick Average cost Best for Main downside
Full-service mover Safeway Moving $1,239 - $3,568 Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading Highest price of all options
Moving container PODS $957 - $1,849 Pack and load on your own schedule You handle all loading and unloading
Rental truck Budget Truck Rental $124 - $204 Lowest upfront cost You drive, load, and unload everything yourself
Labor-only Burgess Moving and Storage $150/hr Need a loading crew and already have a truck You arrange your own transport between cities

How much does it cost to move from Moreno Valley to San Diego?

It costs between $110 to $4,662 to move from Moreno Valley to San Diego. The prices below break down your 96-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.

  • Full service movers: $638 - $4,662
  • Moving containers: $728 - $2,216
  • Rental trucks: $110 - $226
Home size Full-service mover Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $638 - $3,118 $728 - $1,281 $110 - $163
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,239 - $3,568 $957 - $1,849 $124 - $204
4+ bedrooms $1,812 - $4,662 $1,210 - $2,216 $134 - $226
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 11 years of experience, reviewing 3,155 moving companies, and are updated as of May 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.

Extra costs to budget for

Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.

Extra cost Typical range Applies to
Packing service $393 - $3,275+ Full-service movers
Loading labor $150/hr per mover Moving containers, rental trucks
Storage About $100/month Moving containers
Shuttle fee $262 - $1,048 Full-service movers
Equipment rental $66 - $262 Rental trucks
Added protection 1% - 2% of declared value All move types

Best movers from Moreno Valley to San Diego

At 96 miles, your Moreno Valley to San Diego move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.

Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics

Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Moreno Valley to San Diego. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 96 miles.

Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves

Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Moreno Valley to San Diego. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 88.2% of their 51 verified reviews are positive.

More California moving resources

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego to Moreno Valley guide.

Considerations when moving from Moreno Valley to San Diego

Cost of living: Moreno Valley vs. San Diego

The cost of living in Moreno Valley vs. San Diego isn’t just about housing costs. We’ll lay out everything that matters, including rent, home prices, average income, everyday spending, and local job trends, so you can easily see how life in San Diego compares to what you’re used to in Moreno Valley.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Moreno Valley San Diego
Average rent cost $2,550 $2,881
Average home cost $460,926 $847,715
Average income (per capita) $87,477 $104,321
Cost of living (single person) $2,611 $3,346
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,923 $7,719
Unemployment rate 9.1% 6.6%
Average Sales Tax 7.75% 7.75%
  • Rent prices in San Diego are 13% higher than in Moreno Valley, meaning a larger portion of your income may go toward housing, leaving less for savings or other expenses.
  • Home prices in San Diego are 84% higher than in Moreno Valley, so you’ll likely need a larger down payment and can expect bigger monthly mortgage payments if you’re buying a home.
  • You could enjoy greater earning potential and improved financial stability in San Diego, where average income is 19% higher than in Moreno Valley — especially if your salary is on par with the local average.
  • Living costs for one person are 28% higher in San Diego compared to Moreno Valley. Make sure to budget for these higher expenses.
  • If you’re relocating your family to San Diego, plan for living expenses to be about 30% higher than in Moreno Valley. Things like housing, childcare, and healthcare will likely cost more, so San Diego is generally a more expensive spot for families.
  • The unemployment rate in San Diego is 27% lower than in Moreno Valley. This points to a healthier job market, more openings, and better economic stability in your new city.
  • You’ll find sales taxes are basically identical in San Diego and Moreno Valley, which means no change in what you’ll pay at checkout.

If you typically live on $3,000 a month in Moreno Valley, you’ll need about $3,840 to enjoy a similar lifestyle in San Diego.

How life is different in Moreno Valley vs. San Diego

Before you move, check out how life in San Diego measures up to Moreno Valley. You can easily compare the weather, cost of living, politics, safety, and population side by side. This comparison makes it easier to tell which city better fits your lifestyle and needs.

Moreno Valley San Diego
Population 208,634 1,386,932
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Democratic 60-37
Summer high 97ºF 79ºF
Winter low 38ºF 46ºF
Annual rain 12" 12"
Annual snow 0" 0"
Crime index 40.24 39.83
  • San Diego has a population roughly 565% higher than Moreno Valley. Relocating to a bigger city brings more people, possibilities, cultural experiences, and higher costs and a faster paced lifestyle. Whether that energizes or exhausts you all comes down to what you’re looking for.
  • During the last presidential election, both Moreno Valley and San Diego supported the Democratic candidate.
  • In San Diego, summer highs top out around 79°F, lower than Moreno Valley’s 97°F. Relocating here means milder summers and a more relaxed pace outdoors.
  • During winter, Moreno Valley gets colder than San Diego, with lows reaching 38°F compared to San Diego’s 46°F.
  • Both Moreno Valley and San Diego see similar yearly rainfall—Moreno Valley averages 12 inches, while San Diego gets 12 inches.
  • Both Moreno Valley and San Diego receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
  • You’ll find that Moreno Valley and San Diego have similar crime rates, with index scores of 40.24 and 39.83.

Things to do in San Diego

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Diego has plenty to offer:

Museums in San Diego

  • USS Midway Museum
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Parks in San Diego

  • La Jolla Cove
  • Balboa Park
  • La Jolla Shores Park
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
  • Ellen Browning Scripps Park

Sports teams in San Diego

  • San Diego Padres (MLB)
  • San Diego Gulls (AHL)
  • San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)

Universities in San Diego

  • California State University-San Marcos
  • California Western School of Law
  • San Diego Christian College
  • National University
  • Point Loma Nazarene University

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Moreno Valley to San Diego?

Shipping furniture from Moreno Valley to San Diego with a moving company typically costs between $577 and $2,561. If you’re relocating a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay anywhere from $1,239 to $3,568. For a four-bedroom home or larger, prices generally fall between $1,812 and $4,662 for that same route.

How much are moving container companies from Moreno Valley to San Diego?

If you’re planning a move from Moreno Valley to San Diego and thinking about using moving containers, here’s a quick look at typical costs: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually fall between $479 and $1,291. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect to pay from $957 to $1,849. Have an even larger house? Moves for four- or five-bedroom homes typically range from $1,210 to $2,216.

How much is a moving truck from Moreno Valley to San Diego?

If you’re looking to save money, renting a moving truck is often the most budget-friendly choice. Keep in mind, though— you’ll need to handle both the driving and the heavy lifting yourself. To keep things transparent, we’ve factored estimated fuel costs into our pricing so you know exactly what to expect.

If you’re renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move, expect to pay between $107 and $177. Moving a larger apartment? Costs typically fall between $124 and $204. For four-bedroom homes or bigger going from Moreno Valley to San Diego, truck rentals usually range from $134 up to $226.

How far in advance should I book Moreno Valley-to-San Diego movers?

To make your move from Moreno Valley to San Diego as stress-free as possible, lock in your movers at least two months before your big day. If you’re planning a summer move, aim for three months ahead, because spots fill up fast! Booking early not only boosts your chances of getting the date you want, but you might also score a better deal since many companies offer early-bird discounts for customers who plan ahead.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Diego?

The cheapest time of year to move to San Diego is between early October and late April. This period is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.