($1,682+) Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ ranges from $1,413 to $13,115, with an average cost of $4,750. Moves can be as low as $1,682 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,771 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 Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving options from Santa Ana to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,413 - $13,115 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,750, 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 2,771 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 2,771-mile route from Santa Ana to Jersey City, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,413 - $6,296 $2,089 - $3,985 $1,650 - $2,950 $1,736 - $3,657
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,052 - $8,546 $2,528 - $5,442 $1,734 - $3,882 $2,043 - $4,136
4+ bedrooms $8,009 - $13,115 $3,775 - $7,420 $2,281 - $4,628 $2,962 - $6,233

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 Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,771-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, with costs ranging from $1,413 - $13,115. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $465 - $3,100. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and Jersey City. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,413 - $6,296
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,052 - $8,546
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,009 - $13,115

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 Santa Ana 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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana 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$775 - $7,750
Storage in transitNew place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers$310 - $1,860/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$465 - $3,720
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers$1,550 - $4,650
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,875 - $15,500
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,161 - $2,206
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,550 - $3,875
PianoAny piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,240 - $5,425
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$465 - $2,325
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company$1,008 - $3,100
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$465 - $23,250+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$465 - $5,425+

What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Jersey City?

All three below meet the standards set by the New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association, the group most New Jersey movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Ana, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $2,089 and $7,420. 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 Santa Ana costs roughly $110/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,089 - $3,985
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,528 - $5,442
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,775 - $7,420

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $116 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $233 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 $1,085 in Santa Ana, 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 $2,089. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,528 - $5,442, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:

  • California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
  • Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
  • Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Truck rentals from Santa Ana, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, range from $1,650 - $4,628 for the 2,771-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,367 - $1,562
  • Daily insurance: $47/day
  • Equipment rentals: $11 - $31
  • Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
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 Santa Ana to Jersey City based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,650 - $2,950
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,734 - $3,882
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,281 - $4,628

Pro tip: The base rate of $1,650 - $4,628 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Santa Ana to Jersey City. Fuel ($1,367 - $1,562) , lodging at around $233/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $233 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 $101 and $504 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $1,367 - $1,562 in fuel for the 2,771-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,085 in Santa Ana, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,395 and $4,136.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,736 - $3,657
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,043 - $4,136
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,962 - $6,233

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,085.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $116 - $233 per additional foot to your total.
  • Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana 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. ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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: If speed matters on your move from Santa Ana to Jersey City, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.

Cost of living: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Santa Ana, CA Jersey City, NJ
Cost of living index165140
Average rent$2,650/mo$2,975/mo
Median home value$657,015$538,163
Average income$88,354/yr$94,813/yr
Unemployment rate7.0%8.3%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 10.7%
Walkability score67/10087/100
Safety index45.83/10056.79/100
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 Santa Ana, 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 2,771-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers helps moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average compared to booking blind.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover unlocks dedicated support throughout your move.
Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

A move from Santa Ana, 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 $1,413 - $13,115 on the 2,771-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,089 - $7,420, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,650 - $4,628. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $4,052 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 Santa Ana, CA, to Jersey City, NJ

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

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,367 - $1,562), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $31) on top. Overnight stops can add another $233/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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 is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, 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.

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Jersey City a safe place to live?

Jersey City has a safety index of 56.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 43.21, compared to 45.83 and 54.17 in Santa Ana. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.