$1,322 Movers From San Diego to Philadelphia

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Dec 1, 2023 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA averages from $1,638 to $7,899 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service San Diego moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to Philadelphia, PA.

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

Moving from San Diego to Philadelphia resources

• Best San Diego to Philadelphia movers: We've handpicked the best moving companies from San Diego to Philadelphia.
• Moving cost: Use our moving cost 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?

San Diego movers charge $200 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

*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: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
• Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Diego, so moving companies will likely charge more.
• Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Diego to Philadelphia?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Philadelphia will cost between $1,322 to $5,541. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,903 to $7,899, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Diego to Philadelphia will cost from $7,342 to $12,236.

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

Moving containers from San Diego to Philadelphia will cost you $1,396 to $3,477 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,478 to $5,168. A larger home will cost $3,416 to $7,041.

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.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,511 to $2,930. A larger move will cost $1,638 to $3,488, and a four-bedroom move from San Diego to Philadelphia costs from $2,069 to $4,280. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best San Diego to Philadelphia moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Diego to Philadelphia is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Diego to Philadelphia.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657 % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote (866) 835-2392 % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841 % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves Air Van northAmerican Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote (844) 950-2963 % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote (703) 972-1772 % of users select this mover

If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.

Pros and cons of moving from San Diego to Philadelphia

Cost of living: San Diego vs Philadelphia

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 41% lower than in San Diego.
• Home prices in Philadelphia are 75.9% lower than in San Diego.
• Income in Philadelphia is 2.9% lower than in San Diego.
• The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 3.9% higher than in San Diego.
• The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 3.4% higher than in San Diego.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 57.14% higher than in San Diego.
• Sales taxes in Philadelphia are 3.23% higher than in San Diego.
• State income taxes in Philadelphia are 76.92% lower than in San Diego.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,116.73 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 compared to Philadelphia?

• Philadelphia's population is about 16% greater than San Diego.
• Philadelphia's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus San Diego's higher score of 6.
• Philadelphia is more walkable than San Diego with a score of 75 out of 100 vs San Diego's 53 out of 100.
• Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than San Diego with a score of 67 out of 100 vs San Diego's 43.
• Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than San Diego with a score of 39.3 compared to San Diego's 21.98. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 39.3% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 21.98%.
• Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than San Diego with a score of 37.1 vs San Diego's 62.95.
• Air quality in Philadelphia is good, and in San Diego it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Philadelphia

• 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 forwarded 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
most popular Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	9245 Farnham St, San Diego, CA, 92123 (858) 935-8392
We Like To Move It Moving	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	4901 Morena Blvd Ste 1102, San Diego, CA, 92117 (619) 483-1505
Stella Moving & Delivery	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	2291 Dunlop St Business Unit #20, San Diego, CA, 92111 (619) 393-6426

Visit our best long distance movers in San Diego page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Cedar Park
• Fishtown
• Manayunk
• Point Breeze
• Washington Square West

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Bella Vista
• Bustleton
• Chestnut Hill
• Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
• Foxchase
• Roxborough

What to do in Philadelphia

These are some of the best things to do in your new Pennsylvania home.

• Independence National Historical Park
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Reading Terminal Market
• Please Touch Museum
• Betsy Ross House
• Franklin Square
• Center City Shopping and LOVE Park
• UPenn (The University of Pennsylvania)
• South Street
• Philadelphia Magic Gardens
• Philadelphia Sports Tailgate
• Italian Market
• Chinatown
• Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Winterfest
• Barnes Foundation
• Spruce Street Harbor Park
• The Franklin Institute
• Breweries
• Cheesesteaks
• Mutter Museum
• Chestnut Hill
• Wissahickon
• Frankford Ave/Fishtown

Get your sports on!

• Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
• Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
• Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
• Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
• Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Philadelphia

• How Much do Philadelphia Movers Cost?
• How Much Does It Cost To Move to Pennsylvania?
• Who’s Moving Into and Out of Philadelphia?
• Philadelphia Neighborhood Guide
• 40 Lesser-Known Things To Do In Philadelphia
• What is the cost of living in Philadelphia, PA?
• Is Moving to Philadelphia Worth It?
• Best Philadelphia Moving Companies
• The Best Pennsylvania Moving Companies