($1,537+) San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ ranges from $1,302 to $12,985, with an average cost of $4,900. Moves can be as low as $1,537 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.
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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 $1,302 - $12,985 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,900, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 59% 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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,302 - $6,481 with full-service movers, $1,900 - $3,818 with a container, $1,632 - $3,196 with a rental truck, or $1,781 - $3,539 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,297 - $8,215 full-service, $2,465 - $5,534 by container, $1,767 - $3,476 by rental truck, or $2,135 - $4,385 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,315 - $12,985 full-service, $3,511 - $7,267 by container, $2,278 - $4,358 by rental truck, or $2,920 - $6,104 by freight.
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 Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Full-service movers for the 2,902-mile relocation from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,302 and $12,985. 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 $609 - $4,060, 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 Francisco typically charge a base rate around $284 plus $150 per 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: $1,302 - $6,481
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,297 - $8,215
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,315 - $12,985
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.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jersey City, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $1,015 - $10,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $406 - $2,436/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $609 - $4,872 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $2,030 - $6,090 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $5,075 - $20,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,520 - $2,889 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $2,030 - $5,075 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,624 - $7,105 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $609 - $3,045 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,320 - $4,060 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $609 - $30,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 $1,900 and $7,267. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,900 - $3,818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,465 - $5,534
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,511 - $7,267
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 $1,900. 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 $2,465 - $5,534.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Jersey City?
- 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:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, range from $1,632 - $4,358 for the 2,902-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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 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 Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,632 - $3,196
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,767 - $3,476
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,278 - $4,358
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,632 - $4,358 when pricing out a rental truck from San Francisco to Jersey City. Fuel alone runs $1,874 - $2,142, and overnight lodging ($305/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $152 and $711.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $305.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,874 and $2,142 for the 2,902-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,421 for 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Jersey City?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ
For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Jersey City, New Jersey.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,135 and $4,385.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,781 - $3,539
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,135 - $4,385
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,920 - $6,104
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 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 $152 and $305.
- 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 $1,421.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Jersey City 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 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 index | 245 | 140 |
| 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 rate | 5.4% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 56.79/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to New Jersey over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,902-mile move.
Our take
A move from San Francisco, CA, to Jersey City, NJ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,302 - $12,985 on the 2,902-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,900 - $7,267, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,632 - $4,358. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $4,297 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City, NJ?
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 Jersey City, NJ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,537 to $12,985, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,302 and $12,985, 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 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.
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.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.