Moving from San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA averages from $1,677 to $7,931 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Philadelphia, PA. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Philadelphia to San Diego guide.

Best San Diego to Philadelphia movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from San Diego to Philadelphia.
How much will your move cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
San Diego to Philadelphia car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.

Moving 2,692 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Philadelphia?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,327 - $5,563	$1,430 - $3,561	$1,548 - $3,001
2 - 3 bedrooms	$3,919 - $7,931	$2,538 - $5,293	$1,677 - $3,572
4+ bedrooms	$7,371 - $12,285	$3,499 - $7,211	$2,119 - $4,383

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,692 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from San Diego to Philadelphia will depend on:

Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Who Are The Best San Diego to Philadelphia Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Diego to Philadelphia?

To ship furniture from San Diego to Philadelphia with a mover will cost between $1,327 to $5,563. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $3,919 to $7,931, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to Philadelphia will cost from $7,371 to $12,285.

How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Philadelphia?

Moving containers from San Diego to Philadelphia will cost you $1,430 to $3,561 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,538 to $5,293. A larger home will cost $3,499 to $7,211.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Philadelphia?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,548 to $3,001. A larger move will cost $1,677 to $3,572, and a 4+ bedroom move from San Diego to Philadelphia costs from $2,119 to $4,383.

How to ship a car from San Diego to Philadelphia

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable San Diego to Philadelphia car shipper.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA a good idea?

Cost of Living: San Diego vs Philadelphia

	San Diego	Philadelphia
Average rent cost	$2,374	$1,400
Average home value	$944,228	$227,569
Average income (per capita)	$66,995	$65,077
Cost of Living (single person)	$1,028	$1,068
Cost of Living (family of 4)	$3,686	$3,813
Unemployment rate	7.0%	11.0%
Sales Tax	7.75%	8.0%
State Income Tax	13.3%	3.07%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 41% lower than in San Diego, CA.
Home Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 75.9% lower than in San Diego, CA.
Income in Philadelphia, PA is 2.9% lower than in San Diego, CA.
Cost of Living for a single person in Philadelphia, PA is 3.9% higher than in San Diego, CA.
Cost of Living for a family in Philadelphia, PA is 3.4% higher than in San Diego, CA.
Unemployment rate in Philadelphia, PA is 57.14% higher than in San Diego, CA.
Sales Taxes in Philadelphia, PA are 3.23% higher than in San Diego, CA.
State Income Taxes in Philadelphia, PA are 76.92% lower than in San Diego, CA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,883.3 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA?

	Philadelphia	San Diego
Population	1,603,797	1,386,932
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score	9	6
Walkability score	75	53
Bike friendliness score	67	43
Crime Index	39.3	21.98
Safety Index	37.1	62.95
Air Quality	Good	Moderate

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Philadelphia’s population is about 16% greater than San Diego.
Philadelphia’s public transportation is not as good as San Diego with a score of 9 vs 6.
Philadelphia is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 75 vs 53.
Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than San Diego with a score of 67 vs 43.
Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 39.3 compared to 21.98.
Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 37.1 vs 62.95.
Air Quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in San Diego it’s Moderate.

Considerations for moving to Philadelphia, PA

Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,.
HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
Elevator Reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
Truck Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
State Licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
State Regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
Moving Permits: Pennsylvania does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Philadelphia. Get started here.
Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local San Diego Movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	9245 Farnham St, San Diego, CA, 92123 (858) 935-8392
Move Central Moving Services	Get A Quote	4.72 overall rating	8963 Carroll Way, Suite B1, San Diego, CA, 92121 (858) 230-8281
Republic Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA, 92154 (619) 639-8352