($1,646+) San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ

The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ ranges from $1,395 to $12,957, with an average cost of $5,200. Moves can be as low as $1,646 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,902 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving options from San Francisco to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,395 - $12,957 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,200, 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 2,902 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,902-mile route from San Francisco to Jersey City, broken down by home size:

  • Full-service movers: $1,395 for a studio up to $12,957 for a 4+ bedroom home.
  • Moving containers: $2,014 - $7,473 depending on home size.
  • Rental trucks: $1,646 - $4,573, the lowest-cost option across the board.
  • Freight trailers: $1,833 - $5,917, 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 September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,902-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, with costs ranging from $1,395 - $12,957. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $609 - $4,060. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Francisco and Jersey City. Local movers in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,395 - $6,805
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,382 - $8,623
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,164 - $12,957

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 Jersey City.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jersey City, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$1,015 - $10,150
Storage in transitNew place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$406 - $2,436/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$609 - $4,872
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers$2,030 - $6,090
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$5,075 - $20,300
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,520 - $2,889
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$2,030 - $5,075
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$1,624 - $7,105
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$609 - $3,045
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage$1,320 - $4,060
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$609 - $30,450+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$609 - $7,105+

What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Jersey City?

Look for New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in New Jersey beyond this list.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $2,014 and $7,473. 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 Jersey City. 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 Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,014 - $3,808
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,668 - $5,529
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,611 - $7,473

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $152 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $305 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jersey City, NJ, 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 $1,421 in San Francisco, 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 New Jersey 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 $2,014. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,668 - $5,529, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Jersey City?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Jersey City, NJ

Renting a moving truck for the 2,902-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, costs between $1,646 and $4,573, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,874 - $2,142
  • Daily insurance: $61/day
  • Equipment rentals: $14 - $41
  • San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Francisco to Jersey City based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,646 - $3,356
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,801 - $3,764
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,415 - $4,573

Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Jersey City looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,646 - $4,573. But once you factor in fuel ($1,874 - $2,142) , overnight lodging ($305/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?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $305 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $132 and $660 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $1,874 - $2,142 in fuel for the 2,902-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,421 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Jersey City?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Jersey City, NJ

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,091 and $4,559.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,833 - $3,536
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,091 - $4,559
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,037 - $5,917

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?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $152 - $305 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in San Francisco, California, typically costs $1,421.

What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Jersey City?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

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 Francisco, CA vs Jersey City, NJ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure San Francisco, CA Jersey City, NJ
Cost of living index245140
Average rent$3,250/mo$2,975/mo
Median home value$1,374,773$538,163
Average income$141,446/yr$94,813/yr
Unemployment rate5.4%8.3%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 10.7%
Walkability score99/10087/100
Safety index38.59/10056.79/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Jersey City, NJ 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 New Jersey, 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 2,902-mile move.

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Our take

The 2,902-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Jersey City, NJ, costs between $1,395 and $12,957 with full-service movers, $2,014 - $7,473 with a moving container, and $1,646 - $4,573 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $4,382 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.

FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Jersey City, NJ

What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

How do I know a mover is licensed in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,874 - $2,142), daily insurance ($61/day), and equipment rentals ($14 - $41) on top. Overnight stops can add another $305/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Jersey City?

Jersey City has a walkability score of 87 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.

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ?

Costs on this route range from around $1,395 to $12,957, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,395 and $12,957, 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 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.