($1,334) Movers From San Jose to San Diego

Quick answer: The average cost to move 462 miles from San Jose to San Diego, California, ranges from $494 to $6,268. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best California movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

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

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best San Jose to San Diego moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. San Jose to San Diego moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

Best local San Jose-to-San Diego movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best San Jose movers and the best San Diego movers.

https://www.facebook.com/ninjamoversbayarea/, https://twitter.com/ninjamovers
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (29%)
  • Efficient service (27%)
  • Careful handling (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Unexpected charges (31%)
  • Damage to items (28%)
  • Poor communication (26%)
Review Analysis
Customers rave about Ninja Movers’ speed, professionalism, and careful handling of belongings—80% of 500 reviews were positive. Crews consistently arrive on time, work efficiently, carefully wrap furniture, and provide helpful, polite service, making moving easier and less stressful than with other companies. Many mention clear communication from booking to completion, and several note rates are competitive. Some feedback highlights standout customer support when issues happen. On the downside, complaints focus on items damaged during handling, surprise charges compared to initial quotes, and delivery delays. Compared to similar moving companies, Ninja Movers earns top marks for efficient operations and courteous staff, but may fall short for those expecting flawless results, zero damages, or strictly guaranteed pricing. Most customer input strongly recommends them for local and long-distance moves, but suggests carefully reviewing estimates and policies for extra peace of mind.
Get a Quote (408) 638-6963

Company Info

State license #: 0191848

Years in Business: 8

DOT #: 2967361

Alternate Names: Ninja Movers


Ninja Movers, Inc. offers top-notch local residential moving services throughout Santa Clara, CA and has been a trusted name in the industry since 2018. They stand out from nearby competitors with their strong consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.1 on Google My Business, and an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Customers frequently praise their efficiency and professionalism. In addition to local moves, Ninja Movers provides packing and unpacking services, and they are equipped to handle specialty items such as pianos, art, and safes. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, making the moving process flexible and convenient for their clients.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/LunardiMovingServices/, https://twitter.com/lunardimovers
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Professional and polite staff (28%)
  • Careful handling (27%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (15%)
  • Unexpected charges (12%)
  • Lack of communication (10%)
Review Analysis
Moving made easy: Out of 544 customer feedback entries, 94.7% praised Lunardi Moving for efficiency, care with belongings, professionalism, and helpful staff. Customers repeatedly highlighted attentive and polite crews, swift moving, and careful handling of items. Some reviewers described consistent experiences across multiple moves, including delicate items and complex jobs. A small number of clients, about 3.5%, cited higher-than-expected bills, unexpected fees, or occasional item damage. Neutral feedback often referenced additional charges or less-than-perfect estimates, despite generally satisfactory service. Compared to other moving companies, Lunardi stands out with strong service consistency and attentive staff, though clarity in quoting could be improved to match industry leaders on price transparency.
Get a Quote (408) 849-9630

Company Info

State license #: 0190625

Years in Business: 10

DOT #: 2762936


Lunardi Moving, established in 2015, specializes in local residential moving services in and around San Jose, CA. They stand out among nearby competitors with their comprehensive offerings, including packing, unpacking, and specialty moving services such as pianos and antiques. Lunardi Moving has garnered an impressive reputation, boasting an average rating of 4.8 from 508 Yelp reviews and 65 Google reviews, coupled with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many other local movers, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, providing added convenience and flexibility for customers.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/swmoversco, https://twitter.com/SouthwestMover1
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (37%)
  • Efficient service (35%)
  • Careful handling (31%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (28%)
  • Unexpected charges (24%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
Moving day is made easy by Southwest Moving, with the vast majority of the 343 customer responses—over 93%—praising their efficient service and careful handling of belongings. Many people mention professional, polite crews who work quickly, wrap furniture well, and show up right on schedule. Friendly staff and clear communication are evident at each step, resulting in stress-free, pleasant moves. Yet, about 5% of feedback highlights serious problems, especially related to damage to items, unexpected fees for packing materials, or unprofessional customer service following complaints. While most customers report fast, trustworthy moves at fair prices, those few dissatisfied clients cite unresolved claims, insurance issues, or feeling misled by pricing. Unlike most moving companies, Southwest attracts consistently positive input for its reliability and friendly approach, though complaints about damaged goods and responses to claims indicate room for improvement. For those wanting efficient staff and careful, friendly service, Southwest stands out, but it’s important to confirm all charges and expectations beforehand.
Get a Quote (408) 412-3269

Company Info

State license #: 0191389

Years in Business: 13

DOT #: 1922488


Southwest Moving has been a trusted local moving company serving San Jose, CA, and its surrounding areas since 2011. Known for exceptional customer satisfaction, they boast an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby movers, Southwest Moving offers comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos and art. Though they require a deposit, they accept cash, credit cards, and money orders, making them a flexible and reliable choice for local residential moves.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required

How we chose the best moving companies in Californiatoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 280 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from San Jose to San Diego?

Even though you're staying inside of California, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,334 - $3,787 $821 - $1,953 $445 - $830
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,360 - $6,268 $1,399 - $2,664 $494 - $1,006
4+ bedrooms $3,956 - $8,714 $1,953 - $3,520 $609 - $1,234

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 462 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.

Considerations when moving from San Jose to San Diego

Cost of living: San Jose vs. San Diego

San Jose San Diego
Average rent cost $3,095 $2,881
Average home value $1,453,657 $1,003,444
Average income (per capita) $83,421 $72,963
Cost of living (single person) $3,674 $3,346
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,354 $7,719
Unemployment rate 6.6% 6.6%
  • Rent prices in San Diego are 7% lower than in San Jose.
  • Home prices in San Diego are 31.0% lower than in San Jose.
  • Income in San Diego is 12.5% lower than in San Jose.
  • The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 8.9% lower than in San Jose.
  • The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 7.6% lower than in San Jose.
  • The unemployment rate in San Diego and San Jose.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,732.17 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.

How life is different in San Jose vs. San Diego

San Diego San Jose
Population 1,386,932 971,233
Political leaning Democratic 60-37 Democratic 73-25
Summer high 79ºF 82ºF
Winter low 46ºF 42ºF
Annual rain 12" 17"
Annual snow 0" 0"
Crime index 39.83 47.73
  • The population of San Diego is approximately 43% greater than the population of San Jose.
  • In the last presidential election, San Diego voted Democratic and San Jose voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in San Diego is 79ºF and in San Jose, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, San Diego reaches the temperature of 46ºF and San Jose gets down to 42ºF.
  • You can expect about 12 inches of annual rainfall in San Diego vs 17 inches of rainfall in San Jose.
  • In San Diego, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in San Jose.
  • San Diego has a lower crime rate than San Jose with a crime index of 47.73 vs 39.83.

Things to do in San Diego

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Diego has plenty to offer:

Museums in San Diegotoggle

  • USS Midway Museum
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum
  • Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla
  • Stuart Collection
  • Africa and Beyond
  • Old Town Model Railroad Depot
  • RC Gorman Navajo Gallery
  • ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station
  • La Jolla Historical Society
  • Scripps Memorial Hospital Sculpture Parks
  • The New Children's Museum

Parks in San Diegotoggle

  • La Jolla Cove
  • Balboa Park
  • La Jolla Shores Park
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
  • Ellen Browning Scripps Park
  • Cuvier Park - The Wedding Bowl
  • Scripps Institute of Oceanography Coastal Reserve
  • La Jolla Underwater Park
  • Coast Boulevard Park
  • Kellogg Park
  • Calumet Park
  • Waterfront Park
  • Friendship Park
  • Mission Trails Regional Park
  • Heritage County Park

Sports Teams in San Diegotoggle

  • San Diego Padres (MLB)
  • San Diego Gulls (AHL)
  • San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)

Universities in San Diegotoggle

  • California State University-San Marcos
  • California Western School of Law
  • San Diego Christian College
  • National University
  • Point Loma Nazarene University
  • San Diego State University
  • University of California San Diego
  • University of Phoenix
  • University of San Diego
  • Alliant International University
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law
  • Azusa Pacific University
  • Azusa Pacific University
  • Brandman University
  • California College San Diego
  • John Paul the Great Catholic University

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Jose to San Diego?toggle

To ship furniture from San Jose to San Diego with a mover will cost between $1,334 and $3,787. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,360–$6,268, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Jose to San Diego will cost from $3,956–$8,714.

How much are moving container companies from San Jose to San Diego?toggle

Moving containers from San Jose to San Diego will cost you $821 to $1,953 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,399 to $2,664. A larger home will cost $1,953 to $3,520.

How much is a moving truck from San Jose to San Diego?toggle

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 $445 to $830. A larger move will cost $494 to $1,006, and a four-bedroom or larger move from San Jose to San Diego costs from $609 to $1,234.

How far in advance should I book San Jose-to-San Diego movers?toggle

Ideally, you should book your move from San Jose to San Diego at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your San Jose-to-San Diego movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Diego?toggle

The cheapest time of year to move to San Diego is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.

Learn more about your move to San Diego

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