Moving from San Jose to Long Beach, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from San Jose to Long Beach costs between $417 to $7,837 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 362-mile route within California take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from San Jose to Long Beach
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from San Jose to Long Beach are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in San Jose to driving and unloading in Long Beach, 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 362 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,171 - $5,791 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,332 - $2,724 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $418 - $869 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Best California Movers | $119/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 Jose to Long Beach?
It costs between $417 to $7,837 to move from San Jose to Long Beach. The prices below break down your 362-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,312 - $7,837
- Moving containers: $1,052 - $3,138
- Rental trucks: $417 - $1,082
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,312 - $4,215 | $1,052 - $1,847 | $417 - $718 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,171 - $5,791 | $1,332 - $2,724 | $418 - $869 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,443 - $7,837 | $1,835 - $3,138 | $545 - $1,082 |
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 | $693 - $5,775+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $119/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $120/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $462 - $1,848 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $116 - $462 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from San Jose to Long Beach
At 362 miles, your San Jose to Long Beach 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 Jose to Long Beach. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 362 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from San Jose to Long Beach. 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 Long Beach to San Jose guide.
Considerations when moving from San Jose to Long Beach
Cost of living: San Jose vs. Long Beach
Comparing life in San Jose and Long Beach 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 Long Beach stacks up against San Jose.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| San Jose | Long Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,095 | $2,075 |
| Average home cost | $1,184,000 | $762,188 |
| Average income (per capita) | $141,565 | $83,969 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,674 | $2,681 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,354 | $6,051 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.38% | 10.25% |
- Rent prices in Long Beach are 33% lower than in San Jose, meaning you'll likely have more room in your budget for savings, leisure, or other living expenses.
- Home prices in Long Beach are 36% lower than in San Jose, 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 in Long Beach is 41% lower than in San Jose, which could mean a tighter budget, especially if local salaries don’t match up with the cost of living.
- Moving to Long Beach means you’ll spend 27% less on living expenses than you would in San Jose. That puts more cash in your pocket to save, splurge, or invest as you please.
- If you’re relocating to Long Beach, you’ll be glad to know the cost of living is 28% lower than in San Jose. That means you can stretch your budget further and possibly enjoy an even better quality of life after your move.
- The unemployment rate in Long Beach is 21% lower than in San Jose, which suggests a stronger job market with more employment opportunities and greater economic stability.
- Sales tax in Long Beach is 9% higher than in San Jose, 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 Jose, you’d need roughly $2,190 to maintain the same lifestyle in Long Beach.
How life is different in San Jose vs. Long Beach
Before you move, see how life stacks up in Long Beach compared to San Jose. 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 Jose | Long Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 971,233 | 451,307 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 73-25 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 42ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 17" | 14" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 47.73 | 58.58 |
Long Beach sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll find that Long Beach has about 54% fewer people than San Jose. Living in a smaller city often comes with perks like more tranquility, extra space, and lower costs. Just keep in mind you might miss some big-city amenities.
- San Jose and Long Beach both voted Democratic in the last election.
- Moving between San Jose and Long Beach won’t bring major summer surprises. With highs near 79°F in both cities, your summer lifestyle should stay consistent.
- During the chilliest months, both San Jose and Long Beach experience similar lows—expect 42°F in San Jose and 46°F in Long Beach.
- Both San Jose and Long Beach experience similar annual rainfall, with San Jose receiving 17 inches and Long Beach getting 14 inches.
- Both San Jose and Long Beach receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Crime is higher in Long Beach (58.58) than in San Jose (47.73).
Things to do in Long Beach
Craving adventure, lively culture, or some live sports action? You’ll find it all in Long Beach.
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
Sports teams in Long Beach
Universities in Long Beach
- California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach City College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Jose to Long Beach?
Shipping furniture from San Jose to Long Beach with a mover will cost between $1,151 and $3,472. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,171–$5,791, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Jose to Long Beach will cost from $3,443–$7,837.
How much are moving container companies from San Jose to Long Beach?
If you're moving from San Jose to Long Beach and considering moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices generally range from $758 to $1,849. If you’ve got two or three bedrooms, costs typically fall between $1,332 and $2,724. Got an even bigger space? For four- or five-bedroom homes, expect to pay anywhere from $1,835 up to $3,138.
How much is a moving truck from San Jose to Long Beach?
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 $425 and $770. Planning to move a larger apartment? You’re looking at costs from $418 to $869. For a four-bedroom home or bigger moving from San Jose to Long Beach, truck rental prices typically range from $545 up to $1,082.
How far in advance should I book San Jose-to-Long Beach movers?
For a smooth move from San Jose to Long Beach, 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 Long Beach?
To score the best moving deals to Long Beach, 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.
