Moving from San Diego to Santa Clarita, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from San Diego to Santa Clarita costs between $199 to $5,515 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 159-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from San Diego to Santa Clarita
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from San Diego to Santa Clarita are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in San Diego to driving and unloading in Santa Clarita, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 159 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,412 - $4,449 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,177 - $2,001 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $223 - $405 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Republic Moving & Storage | $200/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Santa Clarita?
It costs between $199 to $5,515 to move from San Diego to Santa Clarita. The prices below break down your 159-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $885 - $5,515
- Moving containers: $891 - $2,440
- Rental trucks: $199 - $451
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $885 - $3,543 | $891 - $1,572 | $199 - $326 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,412 - $4,449 | $1,177 - $2,001 | $223 - $405 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,120 - $5,515 | $1,518 - $2,440 | $270 - $451 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $465 - $3,875+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $200/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $100/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $310 - $1,240 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $78 - $310 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from San Diego to Santa Clarita
At 159 miles, your San Diego to Santa Clarita move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from San Diego to Santa Clarita. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 159 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from San Diego to Santa Clarita. They've been in business since 2020 (6 years of experience) and 98.5% of their 1,177 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Clarita to San Diego guide.
Considerations when moving from San Diego to Santa Clarita
Cost of living: San Diego vs. Santa Clarita
When comparing the cost of living between San Diego and Santa Clarita, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Santa Clarita stacks up against San Diego.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Diego | Santa Clarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,881 | $3,295 |
| Average home cost | $847,715 | $722,430 |
| Average income (per capita) | $104,321 | $119,926 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,346 | $3,290 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,719 | $6,722 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.75% | 9.5% |
- Rent prices in Santa Clarita are 14% higher than in San Diego. So, you’ll likely need to set aside more for housing, which could shrink your budget for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in Santa Clarita are 15% lower than in San Diego, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Salaries here average 15% higher than in San Diego. If your pay matches local rates, you could see a real boost to your financial well-being.
- The cost of living for a single person is the same in Santa Clarita and San Diego. That means your move should have minimal financial impact, assuming your income stays the same.
- The cost of living for a family in Santa Clarita is 13% lower than in San Diego. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in Santa Clarita is 45% higher than in San Diego. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Sales taxes run 23% higher in Santa Clarita than in San Diego, so you should plan on higher costs for regular taxable purchases.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,940 in Santa Clarita to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in San Diego.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Santa Clarita
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Santa Clarita vs. San Diego. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| San Diego | Santa Clarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 228,673 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 60-37 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 89ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 12" | 18" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 39.83 | 35.92 |
Santa Clarita sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Santa Clarita has about 84% fewer people than San Diego. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, both San Diego and Santa Clarita voted Democratic.
- In Santa Clarita, summer highs often climb to 89°F, hotter than San Diego where averages reach 79°F. Prepare for extra sun and the challenges of hotter weather.
- During the coldest part of the year, both San Diego and Santa Clarita experience similar winter lows, with San Diego reaching 46°F and Santa Clarita getting down to 46°F.
- Santa Clarita typically gets more rain than San Diego, with an average annual rainfall of 18 inches compared to San Diego’s 12 inches.
- Both San Diego and Santa Clarita receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Santa Clarita is safer than San Diego, boasting a lower crime index of 35.92 compared to San Diego’s 39.83.
Things to do in Santa Clarita
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Santa Clarita has you covered.
Museums in Santa Clarita
- William S. Hart Museum & Ranch
- Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio
- The Olde World Emporium
Parks in Santa Clarita
- Santa Clarita Woodlands Park
Sports teams in Santa Clarita
- FC Santa Clarita
- i9 Sports Santa Clarita (flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball)
- Santa Clarita Sports Center (soccer)
- Santa Clarita Youth Sports (basketball, flag football, T-Ball/Softball, Volleyball)
Universities in Santa Clarita
- California Institute of the Arts
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Diego to Santa Clarita?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from San Diego to Santa Clarita, expect to pay between $773 and $2,957 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,412 and $4,449. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $2,120 up to $5,515 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from San Diego to Santa Clarita?
If you’re moving from San Diego to Santa Clarita and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $595 and go up to $1,387. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,177 and $2,001. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,518 and $2,440.
How much is a moving truck from San Diego to Santa Clarita?
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 one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $205 to $336. A larger move will cost $223 to $405, and a four-bedroom or larger move from San Diego to Santa Clarita costs from $270 to $451.
How far in advance should I book San Diego-to-Santa Clarita movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from San Diego to Santa Clarita at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your San Diego-to-Santa Clarita movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Santa Clarita?
To save money on your move to Santa Clarita, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
