Santa Ana to Anaheim Movers & Costs (2026)
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Moving from Santa Ana to Anaheim, CA (~8 miles) costs between $34 and $3,344, depending on home size and move type.
Local movers such as Meathead Movers, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 596 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $75/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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September availability is going fast in Santa Ana
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20 - 30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Santa Ana to Anaheim?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Santa Ana to Anaheim 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 Meathead Movers (4.62/5) as the top local pick, followed by NorthStar Moving Company (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 Santa Ana to Anaheim moves complete in - 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 374+ California movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana to Anaheim?
Movers typically charge between $34 and $3,344* for a Santa Ana to Anaheim move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Your final price depends on the service type and home size you choose.
Here's what each option costs:
- Full-service movers: $391 - $3,344
- Moving containers: $103 - $1,391
- Rental trucks: $34 - $125
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves price in packing, loading, transport, and unloading together. Just the professional packing piece adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers reduce costs by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles the long-haul drive.
- Rental trucks save about 30% over full-service, but you'll need to drive the truck yourself, plus line up or hire moving help.
- moveBuddha's cost calculator typically helps movers cut 30% off their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $391 - $1,235 | $103 - $738 | $34 - $84 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $713 - $2,154 | $328 - $1,016 | $44 - $99 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,182 - $3,344 | $690 - $1,391 | $55 - $125 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 374+ California moving companies, and are updated as of September 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 Santa Ana, CA movers.
How Santa Ana to Anaheim moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $75 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 $900.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 29% of Santa Ana movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 24% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 28% of Santa Ana movers handle hot tubs, vs 22% nationally. Top pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
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 Santa Ana to Anaheim
Moving from Santa Ana to Anaheim 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. Meathead Movers leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 596 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Santa Ana to Anaheim
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
Our top local picks:
- Meathead Movers (4.62/5 stars): 76.7% positive customer ratings.
- NorthStar Moving Company (4.62/5 stars): 94.1% positive customer ratings.
- Best Moving Service (4.52/5 stars): 90.0% positive customer ratings.
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (4.56/5 stars): 98.6% positive customer ratings.
- Sterling Van Lines (4.76/5 stars): 84.5% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 95 movers in Santa Ana, drawing on 46,277 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Santa Ana to Anaheim
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.
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 Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More California moving resources
How does Anaheim compare to Santa Ana?
Cost of living: Santa Ana vs. Anaheim
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.
| Santa Ana | Anaheim | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,650 | $2,550 |
| Average home cost | $657,015 | $769,966 |
| Average income (per capita) | $88,354 | $90,583 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $6,333 | $5,451 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,160 | $11,381 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.1% |
| Average sales tax | 9.25% | 7.75% |
Cost-of-living data for Santa Ana and Anaheim comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated September 2026 across 374+ California moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Anaheim match Santa Ana. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Anaheim are 17% higher than Santa Ana. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Anaheim matches Santa Ana. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in Anaheim is 14% lower than Santa Ana. The savings typically free up 14% of monthly take-home for savings or discretionary spending.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Anaheim matches Santa Ana. Household budgets carry over without restructuring after the move.
- Unemployment in Anaheim runs 41% lower than Santa Ana. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in Anaheim are 16% lower than Santa Ana. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,580 in Anaheim to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Santa Ana.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Anaheim
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Anaheim might look different from Santa Ana in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Santa Ana | Anaheim | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 310,227 | 346,824 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 47ºF | 46ºF |
| Annual rain | 13" | 14" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 54.17 | 53.18 |
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 22% of movers in California, vs 33% nationally).
- Anaheim is 12% larger in size than Santa Ana. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, both Santa Ana and Anaheim voted Democratic.
- Summer highs in Anaheim (84°F) match Santa Ana (82°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Santa Ana (47°F) and Anaheim (46°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Santa Ana (13 inches) and Anaheim (14 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Santa Ana and Anaheim is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime indexes in Anaheim (53.18) and Santa Ana (54.17) are similar. Safety considerations apply at the neighborhood level, not the city level.
Things to do in Anaheim
Outdoor recreation, cultural institutions, professional sports, and higher education shape daily life in Anaheim. The lineup below names the most-visited venues in each category.
Museums in Anaheim
- The Disney Gallery
- Muzeo
- Founder's Park
Parks in Anaheim
- Yorba Regional Park
- Pearson Park Amphitheatre
Sports teams in Anaheim
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Universities in Anaheim
- Anaheim University
- Southern California Institute of Technology
Final verdict: Santa Ana to Anaheim 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, Meathead Movers (4.62/5) is the top local choice, with 76.7% positive reviews across 596 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $34 - $3,344, based on our analysis of 374+ California movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Santa Ana to Anaheim
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Anaheim?
The cheapest time to move to Anaheim 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.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle piano or antique moves?
About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Santa Ana to Anaheim?
A full-service move from Santa Ana to Anaheim costs $308 - $1,007 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $713 - $2,154, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $1,182 - $3,344.
How far in advance should I book Santa Ana-to-Anaheim movers?
Book your Santa Ana to Anaheim movers at least 2 months ahead, or 3 months for a summer move since that's peak season. Booking early improves your odds of getting your preferred date and better rates, and some companies offer early-bird discounts. Since this is an intrastate move, same-day or next-day delivery is often available once your booking is confirmed.
How long does a move from Santa Ana to Anaheim take?
Most moves from Santa Ana to Anaheim take - days from pickup to delivery. Same-day or next-day delivery is common on intrastate routes like this one, and getting your delivery date in writing gives you a binding guarantee. Add 4 - 8 hours for professional packing of a 2 - 3 bedroom home before the truck departs.
