San Francisco to Long Beach Movers & Costs (2026)
The cost to move from San Francisco to Long Beach, CA (~404 miles) typically ranges from $375 to $6,838.
Local movers such as Pure Moving Company, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.56 out of 5 stars across 2,911 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $150/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in San Francisco
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from San Francisco to Long Beach?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like San Francisco to Long Beach are regulated by California law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid California intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by California companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend Pure Moving Company (4.56/5) as the top local pick, followed by Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most San Francisco to Long Beach moves complete in 1 - 4 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 1,154+ California movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Long Beach?
The cost to move from San Francisco to Long Beach ranges from $375 to $6,838*, according to moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
Here's what to expect depending on which moving service you pick and how much you're hauling:
- Full-service movers: $1,086 - $6,838
- Moving containers: $921 - $2,887
- Rental trucks: $375 - $924
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves cover packing, loading, transport, and unloading end-to-end. Professional packing on its own adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower your costs because you handle the loading and unloading while the company handles the drive.
- Rental trucks come in roughly 30% cheaper than full-service, but you have to drive the truck yourself and find or hire moving labor.
- Running quotes through moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% versus their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,086 - $3,684 | $921 - $1,625 | $375 - $676 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,727 - $4,735 | $1,168 - $2,282 | $408 - $825 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,932 - $6,838 | $1,457 - $2,887 | $477 - $924 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 1,154+ California moving companies, and are updated as of November 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of San Francisco, CA movers.
How San Francisco to Long Beach moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $150 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,800.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from San Francisco to Long Beach
Moving from San Francisco to Long Beach is a job for local and regional California movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. Pure Moving Company leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.56 out of 5 stars across 2,911 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from San Francisco to Long Beach
Local movers operating within California know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.56 / 5
- Years in Business: 12
- 99% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 16
- 87% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.52 / 5
- Years in Business: 19
- 94% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
Our top local picks:
- Pure Moving Company (4.56/5 stars): 98.63% positive customer ratings.
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): 87.0% positive customer ratings.
- Got2Move (4.52/5 stars): 93.9% positive customer ratings.
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.48/5 stars): 96.2% positive customer ratings.
- Good Green Moving (4.44/5 stars): 88.1% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 263 movers in San Francisco, drawing on 72,252 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from San Francisco to Long Beach
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from San Francisco, CA
San Francisco residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More California moving resources
How does Long Beach compare to San Francisco?
Cost of living: San Francisco vs. Long Beach
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| San Francisco | Long Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,250 | $2,075 |
| Average home cost | $1,374,773 | $762,188 |
| Average income (per capita) | $141,446 | $83,969 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,781 | $2,681 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,717 | $6,051 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Average sales tax | 8.63% | 10.25% |
Cost-of-living data for San Francisco and Long Beach comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 1,154+ California moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Long Beach are 36% lower than in San Francisco. The gap typically frees up several hundred dollars a month for savings or a larger unit.
- Home prices in Long Beach are 45% lower than San Francisco. Buyers can stretch existing budget into a larger home, better neighborhood, or earlier purchase timeline.
- Average income in Long Beach is 41% lower than San Francisco. A same-role transfer typically requires offsetting the salary gap with cost-of-living savings.
- Cost of living for one person in Long Beach is 29% lower than San Francisco. The savings typically free up 29% of monthly take-home for savings or discretionary spending.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Long Beach is 31% lower than San Francisco. Most households convert the savings into housing upgrades, college savings, or retirement contributions.
- Unemployment rates in Long Beach and San Francisco match. Job market conditions are comparable for hiring and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in Long Beach are 19% higher than San Francisco. The difference adds up on big-ticket purchases like appliances, electronics, and furniture.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,130 in Long Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in San Francisco.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Long Beach
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Long Beach might look different from San Francisco in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| San Francisco | Long Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 451,307 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 85-13 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 67ºF | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 25" | 14" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 58.58 |
Did you know: Summer moves in California can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 20% of movers in California, vs 23% nationally).
- Long Beach is 44% smaller in size than San Francisco. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
- In the last presidential election, both San Francisco and Long Beach voted Democratic.
- Summer highs in Long Beach reach 79°F, hotter than San Francisco at 67°F. Expect higher AC costs and more indoor activity from June to August.
- Winter lows in San Francisco (46°F) and Long Beach (46°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in San Francisco is 25 inches, vs. 14 inches in Long Beach. The drier climate in Long Beach typically supports more outdoor lifestyle and less wet-weather gear.
- Annual snowfall in San Francisco and Long Beach is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime indexes in Long Beach (58.58) and San Francisco (61.41) are similar. Safety considerations apply at the neighborhood level, not the city level.
Things to do in Long Beach
Adventure, cultural attractions, live sports, and college campuses define Long Beach's lifestyle profile. The categories below highlight where to start.
Museums in Long Beach
- The Queen Mary
- Museum of Latin American Art
- Rancho Los Cerritos
- Long Beach Museum of Art
- Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum
Parks in Long Beach
- Bluff Park
- Rainbow Lagoon Park
- Bixby Park
- El Dorado Park West
Universities in Long Beach
- California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach City College
Final verdict: San Francisco to Long Beach movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide California service. For smaller moves, Pure Moving Company (4.56/5) is the top local choice, with 98.63% positive reviews across 2,911 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $375 - $6,838, based on our analysis of 1,154+ California movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from San Francisco to Long Beach
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Francisco to Long Beach?
A full-service move from San Francisco to Long Beach costs $1,011 - $3,134 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,727 - $4,735, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $2,932 - $6,838.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle piano or antique moves?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Long Beach?
The cheapest time to move to Long Beach is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Long Beach?
Moving containers from San Francisco to Long Beach cost $601 - $1,501 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $1,168 - $2,282, and a larger home costs $1,457 - $2,887.
How many movers in San Francisco offer labor-only help?
15% of movers in San Francisco offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.