Oakland to San Diego, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
- The cost to move 496 miles from Oakland to San Diego typically ranges from $2,324 to $5,936. A smaller move will cost around $485.
- Hiring professional movers for a move from Oakland to San Diego usually comes in between $2,324 and $5,936.*These numbers are based on a 2–3 bedroom home and one–four day delivery time. Your total cost and delivery time will vary based on your home size, the distance, and the time of year.
- We recommend Safeway Moving as our top pick for your move from Oakland to San Diego.
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Licensed
Insured
Price
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Best movers from Oakland to San Diego
Best overall value
Veteran owned
Portion to charity
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing
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Professional
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Container
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Rental truck
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Labor-only
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Estimated cost to move from Oakland to San Diego
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from San Diego to Oakland guide.
Local moving companies in Oakland
Choosing one of the 372 local California movers for your Oakland to San Diego move, makes everything easier. With their local know-how, these pros offer personalized service and take care of packing, loading, and transporting your stuff, so your move goes faster and feels a lot less stressful.
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- West Coast Moving Systems, Inc: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Cross Country Moving Company: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Pure Moving Company: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192456
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 3071646
Alternate Names: West Coast Movers , West Coast Moving Systems
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2626333
Alternate Names: Cross Country Long Distance Movers , Cross Country Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191103
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3207734
Alternate Names: Pure Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Cost to move from Oakland to San Diego
Take a look at the table below for typical moving cost estimates from Oakland to San Diego. Costs are grouped by home size and moving service to make comparing options straightforward.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,311 - $3,407 | $790 - $1,753 | $446 - $849 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,324 - $5,936 | $1,290 - $2,645 | $485 - $1,017 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,104 - $8,509 | $1,860 - $3,530 | $616 - $1,262 |
Cost to hire movers from Oakland to San Diego
For a studio or one-bedroom move from Oakland to San Diego, expect to pay between $1,311 and $3,407. Moving a two- to three-bedroom home from Oakland to San Diego generally falls between $2,324 and $5,936. A large-scale move from Oakland to San Diego typically ranges from $4,104 to $8,509.
Cost of moving containers from Oakland to San Diego
Container moves from Oakland to San Diego start around $790 and can reach $1,753 for smaller shipments. For homes with two to three bedrooms, pricing generally lands between $1,290 and $2,645. Four-bedroom and bigger moves usually cost $1,860–$3,530. Learn more about PODS cost.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move within California.
Cost of renting a moving truck from Oakland to San Diego
A rental truck for the Oakland to San Diego route is often the cheapest choice, but it requires you to do all the driving and physical work.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $446 to $849. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $485 to $1,017, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Oakland to San Diego costs around $616 to $1,262.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Considerations when moving from Oakland to San Diego
Cost of living: Oakland vs. San Diego
The cost of living in Oakland vs. San Diego goes beyond rent prices. You also need to think about housing costs, average salaries, daily expenses, and job trends to see how living in San Diego stacks up against Oakland.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Oakland | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,200 | $2,881 |
| Average home cost | $736,156 | $1,003,444 |
| Average income (per capita) | $94,389 | $72,963 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,146 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,584 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 6.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 10.25% | 7.75% |
- Rent prices in San Diego are 31% higher than in Oakland. That means you might end up spending more of your income on housing, leaving less room in your budget for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in San Diego are 36% higher than in Oakland. If you’re planning to buy a home, be prepared for a bigger down payment and higher monthly mortgage payments.
- Income in San Diego is 23% lower than in Oakland. You may need to keep a closer eye on your budget, particularly if salaries don’t match the cost of living.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 6% higher than in Oakland, you'll likely need to adjust your budget to accommodate increased expenses.
- The living costs for a family of four are 10% lower in San Diego than in Oakland. That means your money stretches further, giving you extra room in your budget and the opportunity to enjoy an even better quality of life after your move.
- Unemployment in San Diego is 47% higher than in Oakland. This means job hunting may be tougher and job security less certain, especially if you’re relocating without having a job lined up.
- You’ll benefit from 24% lower sales taxes in San Diego compared to Oakland, leaving more room in your budget for family needs or personal spending.
If you usually spend $3,000 a month living in Oakland, expect to budget around $3,180 to maintain the same lifestyle in San Diego.
How life is different in Oakland vs. San Diego
As you plan your move, comparing life in Oakland vs. San Diego is essential to making an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and needs. Factors like population size, climate, political leaning, cost of living, and safety can significantly impact your experience in a new place. Below is a side-by-side breakdown of key differences between Oakland and San Diego to help you evaluate which city may be a better fit.
| Oakland | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,646 | 1,386,932 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51-46 | Democratic 60-37 |
| Summer high | 72ºF | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 44ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 24" | 12" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 68.62 | 39.83 |
San Diego sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- San Diego is about 215% larger than Oakland. Moving to a bigger city means more people, opportunities, and cultural experiences, plus higher costs and a faster pace. Whether that's exciting or overwhelming depends on what you want from your new home.
- The last presidential election saw both Oakland and San Diego siding with the Democratic party.
- San Diego summers peak around 79°F, noticeably warmer than Oakland’s 72°F. A move here means adapting to stronger heat with lifestyle and budget changes.
- During the coldest months, both Oakland and San Diego experience similar chilly lows, with temperatures near 44°F and 46°F.
- Get ready for wetter weather in Oakland, which sees about 24 inches of rain each year—that’s more than the 12 inches you’ll typically get annually in San Diego.
- Both Oakland and San Diego receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- San Diego has a lower crime rate than Oakland, with a crime index of 39.83 vs 68.62.
Things to do in San Diego
Looking for adventure, cultural experiences, or live sports? Oakland has something for everyone.
Museums in San Diego
- USS Midway Museum
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Parks in San Diego
- La Jolla Cove
- Balboa Park
- La Jolla Shores Park
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
- Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Sports teams in San Diego
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Diego Gulls (AHL)
- San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)
Universities in San Diego
- California State University-San Marcos
- California Western School of Law
- San Diego Christian College
- National University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Oakland to San Diego?
Moving your furniture from Oakland to San Diego with a professional moving company usually ranges from $1,311 to $3,407. If you're packing up a two- or three-bedroom home, prices typically land between $2,324 and $5,936. Planning to move four bedrooms or more? Expect to pay anywhere from $4,104 to $8,509 for the same distance.
How much are moving container companies from Oakland to San Diego?
If you’re moving from Oakland to San Diego and considering moving containers, here’s a quick breakdown of what you might spend: For a studio or one-bedroom, costs typically range from $790 to $1,753. Two- and three-bedroom homes usually fall between $1,290 and $2,645. If you’re moving from a four- or five-bedroom home, expect prices to range from $1,860 to $3,530.
How much is a moving truck from Oakland to San Diego?
Want to save some cash? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest bet. Just remember, you’ll be in charge of both the driving and the heavy lifting. To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve included average fuel costs in our pricing so you’re not caught off guard.
Renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move will typically set you back between $446 and $849. If you're moving a larger apartment, you can expect costs to range from $485 to $1,017. For four-bedroom homes or bigger making the trip from Oakland to San Diego, rental prices generally fall between $616 and $1,262.
How far in advance should I book Oakland-to-San Diego movers?
Ideally, you should book your move from Oakland to San Diego at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead. The sooner you reserve your Oakland-to-San Diego movers, the better the chance you’ll get affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Diego?
If you want to save money on your move to San Diego, aim for early October through late April. This window falls outside the hectic peak season (May to September), when most people relocate and prices soar. By steering clear of the busy summer months, you’ll take advantage of lower demand and lower rates.