($712+) San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM ranges from $1,135 to $8,314, with an average cost of $3,150. Moves can be as low as $712 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,084 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 Albuquerque, NM
Moving options from San Francisco to Albuquerque fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,135 - $8,314 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,150, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 70% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,084 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,084-mile route from San Francisco to Albuquerque, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,135 - $4,822, container $1,135 - $2,075, rental truck $698 - $1,339, freight trailer $1,085 - $1,925.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,610 - $5,840, container $1,522 - $2,887, rental truck $777 - $1,578, freight trailer $1,169 - $2,455.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,167 - $8,314, container $2,076 - $3,808, rental truck $938 - $1,863, freight trailer $1,677 - $3,303.
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 Albuquerque, NM
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,084-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, with prices running from $1,135 - $8,314. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $551 - $3,676 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Francisco and Albuquerque are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Francisco movers tend to run around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,135 - $4,822
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,610 - $5,840
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,167 - $8,314
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 Albuquerque.
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 Albuquerque, NM
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Albuquerque, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $919 - $9,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $368 - $2,206/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $551 - $4,411 |
| 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 | $1,838 - $5,514 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,595 - $18,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,377 - $2,615 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,838 - $4,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,470 - $6,433 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $551 - $2,757 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,195 - $3,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $551 - $27,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $551 - $6,433+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Albuquerque?
New Mexico Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Mexico, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, cost between $1,135 and $3,808. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Francisco typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,135 - $2,075
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,522 - $2,887
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,076 - $3,808
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,287 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $138 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $276 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Albuquerque, NM, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to New Mexico 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 $1,135. 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 $1,522 - $2,887.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Albuquerque?
- 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 Albuquerque, NM
Renting a moving truck for the 1,084-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, costs between $698 and $1,863, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $634 - $725
- Daily insurance: $55/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- 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 Albuquerque based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $698 - $1,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $777 - $1,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $938 - $1,863
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $698 - $1,863 does not include fuel ($634 - $725), lodging ($276/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Francisco to Albuquerque typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $276 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 $119 and $597 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $634 - $725 in fuel for the 1,084-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,287 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 Albuquerque?
- 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 Albuquerque, NM
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,169 and $2,455.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,085 - $1,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,169 - $2,455
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,303
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $138 and $276.
- 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 $1,287.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Albuquerque?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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 Albuquerque, NM
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Albuquerque, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Albuquerque, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 92 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $265,984 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $65,604/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.9% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 28.28/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Albuquerque, NM 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 Mexico, 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,084-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to Albuquerque, NM, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,135 - $8,314 on the 1,084-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,135 - $3,808 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $698 - $1,863 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,610 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include SunBridge Healthcare and Khi.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Albuquerque, NM
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM?
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 Mexico?
Movers that operate within the Land of Enchantment are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($634 - $725), daily insurance ($55/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $37) on top. Overnight stops can add another $276/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 61, 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 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.