$1,456 Movers From San Diego, CA to Montana

Quick answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Montana averages from $1,064 to $7,680 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional San Diego moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Montana to San Diego, CA guide.

Moving from San Diego, CA to Montana resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Montana. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 1,334 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best San Diego to Montana moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from San Diego to Montana is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Diego to Montana.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
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(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from San Diego, CA to Montana?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from San Diego to Montana:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,456 - $5,589 $1,112 - $2,782 $907 - $1,734
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,257 - $7,680 $1,911 - $3,855 $1,064 - $2,214
4+ bedrooms $5,922 - $10,579 $2,727 - $4,968 $1,338 - $2,702
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,334 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Montana will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Diego, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from San Diego, CA to Montana?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Montana will cost between $1,456 to $5,589. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from San Diego to MT will range from $3,257 to $7,680, and a large move from San Diego to Montana will cost from $5,922 to $10,579.

How much are moving containers like PODS from San Diego, CA to Montana?

Moving pods from San Diego to Montana will cost you $1,112 to $2,782. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,911 to $3,855. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,727 to $4,968. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from San Diego to Montana.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego, CA to Montana?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $907 to $1,734. A larger move will cost $1,064 to $2,214, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from San Diego to Montana costs from $1,338 to $2,702.

Is moving from San Diego, CA to Montana a good idea?

If you’re moving to Montana from San Diego, CA, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Montana

San Diego, CA Montana
Average rent cost $2,895 $836
Average home cost $961,892 $446,483
Average income (per capita) $71,251 $66,341
Unemployment rate 6.6% 2.8%
State income tax 13.3% 6.75%
  • Rent is about 130% less expensive in Montana than in San Diego.
  • Home prices are about 69.1% lower in Montana than in San Diego.
  • The average income is about 5.3% lower in Montana than in San Diego.
  • Montana has a lower unemployment rate than San Diego by about 79.2%.
  • Income taxes are 49.25% lower in Montana than in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego, CA from Montana?

San Diego, CA Montana
Population 1,386,932 1,122,867
Political leaning Democratic 60-37 Republican 57-41
Summer high 79ºF 84ºF
Winter low 46ºF 12ºF
Annual rain 12" 15"
Annual snow 0" 49"
Crime index 23.28 26.29
  • The population of Montana is approximately 19% lower than the population of San Diego.
  • In the last presidential election, Montana voted Republican and San Diego voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Montana is 84ºF and in San Diego, it’s 79ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Montana reaches the temperature of 12ºF and San Diego gets down to 46ºF.
  • You can expect about 15 inches of annual rainfall in Montana vs 12 inches of rainfall in San Diego.
  • In Montana, it snows about 49 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in San Diego.
  • Montana has a higher crime rate than San Diego with a crime index of 26.29 vs 23.28.

Considerations for moving to Montana

  • Weather: Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east..
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Montana moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Montana does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Montana. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local San Diego movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Maison Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780
(800) 832-5950

Visit our best movers in San Diego page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Montana?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Montana.

Museums in Montana

  • National Museum of Wildlife Art
  • Museum of the Rockies
  • Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center
  • Moss Mansion
  • Conrad Mansion
  • World Museum of Mining
  • Images of Nature by Thomas Mangelsen
  • American Computer & Robotics Museum
  • Sunti World Art Gallery
  • Fort Missoula Museum
  • Copper King Mansion
  • Yellowstone Art Museum
  • Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum
  • C.M. Russell Museum
  • Northwest Montana History Museum

Parks in Montana

  • Lone Pine State Park
  • Caras Park
  • Sacajawea Park
  • Herron Park
  • Phil Baux Park
  • Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
  • Whitefish Lake State Park
  • Pioneer Park
  • Crystal Park
  • Riverfront Park
  • Hugh Rogers Wag Park
  • Red Rock Falls, Glacier National Park
  • Gallatin County Regional Park
  • Glen Lake Rotary Park - Bozeman Beach (formerly East Gallatin Recreation Area)
  • Gibson Park
  • Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park

Sports Teams in Montana

  • Montana Grizzlies (NCAA)
  • Montana State Bobcats (NCAA)

Universities in Montana

  • Montana State University
  • The University of Montana
  • Montana Tech
  • Montana State University Billings
  • Carroll College
  • Rocky Mountain College
  • Montana State University-Northern
  • The University of Montana Western
  • University of Providence

Moving from San Diego to Montana FAQs

Why are people moving from San Diego to Montana?

Many people are moving to Montana because of unmatched natural beauty and bountiful outdoor opportunities.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from San Diego?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in San Diego.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Montana