($1,613+) San Francisco, CA to New York City, NY Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to NYC ranges from $1,526 to $14,172, with an average cost of $5,050. Moves can be as low as $1,613 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,904 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 NYC
Moving options from San Francisco to NYC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,526 - $14,172 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,050, 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 2,904 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 2,904-mile route from San Francisco to NYC, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,526 - $6,938, container $2,181 - $4,209, rental truck $1,596 - $3,356, freight trailer $1,814 - $3,644.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,513 - $8,972, container $2,668 - $5,698, rental truck $1,819 - $3,996, freight trailer $2,134 - $4,739.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $8,245 - $14,172, container $3,871 - $7,704, rental truck $2,231 - $4,525, freight trailer $2,888 - $6,225.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to NYC
Full-service movers for the 2,904-mile relocation from San Francisco, California, to NYC, New York, cost between $1,526 and $14,172. 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 $647 - $4,316, 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 NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,526 - $6,938
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,513 - $8,972
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,245 - $14,172
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 NYC.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New York. 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 NYC
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New York City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $1,079 - $10,790 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $432 - $2,590/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $647 - $5,179 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $2,158 - $6,474 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $5,395 - $21,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,616 - $3,071 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $2,158 - $5,395 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,726 - $7,553 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $647 - $3,237 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,403 - $4,316 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $647 - $32,370+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $647 - $7,553+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to NYC?
Movers licensed to operate in New York are typically members of the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 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 NYC
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to NYC, New York, cost between $2,181 and $7,704. 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 NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,181 - $4,209
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,668 - $5,698
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,871 - $7,704
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $162 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $324 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in NYC, 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 $1,511 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 York 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 $2,181. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,668 - $5,698, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to NYC?
- 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:
- 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 NYC
Plan on $1,596 - $4,525 for a rental moving truck on the 2,904-mile route from San Francisco, California, to NYC, New York. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,994 - $2,279
- Daily insurance: $65/day
- Equipment rentals: $15 - $43
- 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 NYC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,596 - $3,356
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,819 - $3,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,231 - $4,525
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,596 - $4,525 does not include fuel ($1,994 - $2,279) , lodging ($324/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Francisco to NYC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $324 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 $140 and $701 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,994 - $2,279 in fuel for the 2,904-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,511 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 NYC?
- 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 NYC
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to NYC, New York.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,134 and $4,739.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,814 - $3,644
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,134 - $4,739
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,888 - $6,225
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,511.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $162 and $324 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to NYC?
- 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 Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Francisco to NYC, 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: San Francisco, CA vs NYC
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in NYC, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | NYC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 172 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $4,340/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $732,100 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $127,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 11.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 10.9% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 88/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 49.17/100 |
| 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 New York City, NY to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to New York 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 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,904-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,904-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to NYC, run $1,526 - $14,172 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,181 - $7,704, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,596 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,513, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to NYC tend to point to ample economic opportunity and diverse cuisine, though overcrowded and pollution come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include IBM and PepsiCo.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to NYC, NY
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to NYC?
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. New York also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to NYC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,994 - $2,279), daily insurance ($65/day), and equipment rentals ($15 - $43) on top. Overnight stops can add another $324/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to NYC?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,819 - $3,996. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to NYC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,526 to $14,172, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,526 and $14,172, 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.