Moving from San Francisco to San Jose, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from San Francisco to San Jose costs between $37 to $4,198 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 48-mile route within California take to days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from San Francisco to San Jose
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from San Francisco to San Jose are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in San Francisco to driving and unloading in San Jose, 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 48 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $786 - $2,680 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $380 - $1,132 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $48 - $114 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Good Green Moving | $150/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 Francisco to San Jose?
It costs between $37 to $4,198 to move from San Francisco to San Jose. The prices below break down your 48-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $467 - $4,198
- Moving containers: $117 - $1,534
- Rental trucks: $37 - $146
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $467 - $1,308 | $117 - $830 | $37 - $95 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $786 - $2,680 | $380 - $1,132 | $48 - $114 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,303 - $4,198 | $784 - $1,534 | $60 - $146 |
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 | $735 - $6,125+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $150/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $120/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $490 - $1,960 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $123 - $490 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from San Francisco to San Jose
At 48 miles, your San Francisco to San Jose 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 Francisco to San Jose. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 48 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from San Francisco to San Jose. They've been in business since 2011 (15 years of experience) and 86.9% of their 634 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Jose to San Francisco guide.
Considerations when moving from San Francisco to San Jose
Cost of living: San Francisco vs. San Jose
Comparing life in San Francisco and San Jose goes beyond just looking at housing prices. We’ll break down key financial factors, like rent, home values, average income, day-to-day expenses, and local job trends, so you can get a clear picture of how living in San Jose stacks up against San Francisco.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Francisco | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,250 | $3,095 |
| Average home cost | $1,374,773 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income (per capita) | $141,446 | $141,565 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,781 | $3,674 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,717 | $8,354 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.63% | 9.38% |
- Rent prices in San Jose are comparable to San Francisco, so your budget should stay about the same, taking some stress off your wallet.
- Home prices in San Jose are 14% lower than in San Francisco, making it easier for you to buy a home, secure an affordable mortgage, and still have money left for the things you care about most.
- Income levels in San Francisco and San Jose are pretty similar, so you can count on consistent earning potential and simpler financial planning.
- If you're moving from San Francisco to San Jose, you'll find that everyday costs are pretty much the same. As long as your income stays steady, the move shouldn't have much of an impact on your budget.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in San Jose and San Francisco. This means your family's financial situation probably won’t change significantly with the move.
- Unemployment in San Jose is 22% higher than in San Francisco. So, finding work may be more challenging, and job stability could be less reliable, especially if you’re relocating without having a job lined up.
- Sales tax in San Jose is 9% higher than in San Francisco, so expect to spend a bit more on things like meals, shopping, and other taxable purchases.
If you’re used to living on $3,000 a month in San Francisco, you’d need roughly $2,910 to maintain the same lifestyle in San Jose.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. San Jose
Before you move, see how life stacks up in San Jose compared to San Francisco. You should compare everything from weather and cost of living to politics, safety, and population. This side-by-side breakdown will help you figure out which city matches your lifestyle and priorities.
| San Francisco | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 971,233 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 85-13 | Democratic 73-25 |
| Summer high | 67ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 42ºF |
| Annual rain | 25" | 17" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 47.73 |
San Jose sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of San Jose is approximately 20% greater than the population of San Francisco. Moving to a larger city means more of everything: people, opportunity, noise, cost, culture, and complexity. Whether that’s exciting or overwhelming depends on your preferences and goals.
- San Francisco and San Jose both voted Democratic in the last election.
- Summers in San Jose can soar to 82°F, much hotter than San Francisco’s high of 67°F. If you’re moving somewhere warmer, be prepared to update your wardrobe, cooling solutions, budget, and even your daily habits to beat the heat.
- During the chilliest months, both San Francisco and San Jose experience similar lows—expect 46°F in San Francisco and 42°F in San Jose.
- You’ll get more rain in San Francisco than in San Jose, averaging about 25 inches of rain each year, versus just 17 inches in San Jose.
- Both San Francisco and San Jose receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- You’ll feel safer in San Jose, thanks to its lower crime index (47.73) compared to San Francisco (61.41).
Things to do in San Jose
Craving adventure, lively culture, or some live sports action? You’ll find it all in San Jose.
Museums in San Jose
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
- Children's Discovery Museum
- The Tech Interactive
- San Jose Museum of Art
- New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum
Parks in San Jose
- Almaden Quicksilver County Park
- Alum Rock Park
- Emma Prusch Farm Park
- Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park
- Joseph D. Grant County Park
Sports teams in San Jose
- San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
- San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
- San Jose Giants (California League)
- San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Universities in San Jose
- San Jose State University
- San Jose City College
- Evergreen Valley College
- International Technological University
- WestMed College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Francisco to San Jose?
Shipping furniture from San Francisco to San Jose with a mover will cost between $364 and $1,109. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $786–$2,680, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to San Jose will cost from $1,303–$4,198.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to San Jose?
If you're moving from San Francisco to San Jose and considering moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices generally range from $114 to $806. If you’ve got two or three bedrooms, costs typically fall between $380 and $1,132. Got an even bigger space? For four- or five-bedroom homes, expect to pay anywhere from $784 up to $1,534.
How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to San Jose?
If you want to keep costs down, renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just remember, you’ll be responsible for driving and all the heavy lifting. We’ve included estimated fuel costs in our pricing, so there are no surprises.
If you’re renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move, you’ll usually spend between $38 and $102. Planning to move a larger apartment? You’re looking at costs from $48 to $114. For a four-bedroom home or bigger moving from San Francisco to San Jose, truck rental prices typically range from $60 up to $146.
How far in advance should I book San Francisco-to-San Jose movers?
For a smooth move from San Francisco to San Jose, book your movers at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, try to secure your moving reservation three months ahead. Early booking not only increases your chances of getting your preferred date but can also help you snag lower rates. Some companies even throw in early-bird discounts when you reserve ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Jose?
To score the best moving deals to San Jose, plan your move between early October and late April. Avoiding the busy May-to-September season means you’ll spend less and have an easier time picking your ideal moving date.
