Moving from Santa Ana to Riverside, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Santa Ana to Riverside costs between $40 to $4,038 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 39-mile route within California take to days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Santa Ana to Riverside
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Santa Ana to Riverside are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Santa Ana to driving and unloading in Riverside, 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 39 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $835 - $2,680 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $380 - $1,076 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $48 - $121 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Best Fit Movers | $75/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 Santa Ana to Riverside?
It costs between $40 to $4,038 to move from Santa Ana to Riverside. The prices below break down your 39-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $453 - $4,038
- Moving containers: $121 - $1,612
- Rental trucks: $40 - $149
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $453 - $1,321 | $121 - $814 | $40 - $97 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $835 - $2,680 | $380 - $1,076 | $48 - $121 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,382 - $4,038 | $792 - $1,612 | $60 - $149 |
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 | $495 - $4,125+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $75/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $110/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $330 - $1,320 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $83 - $330 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Santa Ana to Riverside
At 39 miles, your Santa Ana to Riverside 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 Santa Ana to Riverside. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 39 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Santa Ana to Riverside. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 88.2% of their 51 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside to Santa Ana guide.
Considerations when moving from Santa Ana to Riverside
Cost of living: Santa Ana vs. Riverside
Comparing life in Santa Ana and Riverside 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 Riverside stacks up against Santa Ana.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Santa Ana | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,650 | $2,295 |
| Average home cost | $657,015 | $539,898 |
| Average income (per capita) | $88,354 | $88,575 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $6,333 | $2,573 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,160 | $5,604 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 7.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.25% | 8.75% |
- Rent prices in Riverside are 13% lower than in Santa Ana, meaning you'll likely have more room in your budget for savings, leisure, or other living expenses.
- Home prices in Riverside are 18% lower than in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana and Riverside are pretty similar, so you can count on consistent earning potential and simpler financial planning.
- Moving to Riverside means you’ll spend 59% less on living expenses than you would in Santa Ana. That puts more cash in your pocket to save, splurge, or invest as you please.
- If you’re relocating to Riverside, you’ll be glad to know the cost of living is 50% lower than in Santa Ana. That means you can stretch your budget further and possibly enjoy an even better quality of life after your move.
- The unemployment rate in Riverside matches that of Santa Ana, so you can look forward to a similar job market and employment opportunities in your new city.
- Sales taxes match in Riverside and Santa Ana, so your day-to-day spending on taxable goods shouldn’t be affected by the move.
If you’re used to living on $3,000 a month in Santa Ana, you’d need roughly $1,230 to maintain the same lifestyle in Riverside.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Riverside
Before you move, see how life stacks up in Riverside compared to Santa Ana. 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.
| Santa Ana | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 310,227 | 317,261 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 47ºF | 42ºF |
| Annual rain | 13" | 11" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 54.17 | 40.24 |
Riverside sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Moving from Santa Ana to Riverside might seem straightforward since both cities are similarly sized, but don’t let that fool you. The real differences lie in each city's atmosphere, job market, layout, and living costs. Those are the things you’ll really feel.
- Santa Ana and Riverside both voted Democratic in the last election.
- Summers in Riverside can soar to 94°F, much hotter than Santa Ana’s high of 82°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 Santa Ana and Riverside experience similar lows—expect 47°F in Santa Ana and 42°F in Riverside.
- Both Santa Ana and Riverside experience similar annual rainfall, with Santa Ana receiving 13 inches and Riverside getting 11 inches.
- Both Santa Ana and Riverside receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- You’ll feel safer in Riverside, thanks to its lower crime index (40.24) compared to Santa Ana (54.17).
Things to do in Riverside
Craving adventure, lively culture, or some live sports action? You’ll find it all in Riverside.
Museums in Riverside
- March Field Air Museum
- Mission Inn Museum
- Riverside Art Museum
- Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
- Heritage House
Parks in Riverside
- Mount Rubidoux Park
- Fairmount Park
- Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park
- Ryan Bonaminio Park
- Hunter Park
Sports teams in Riverside
- California Baptist Lancers (College sports)
- UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports)
- Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball
Universities in Riverside
- California Baptist University
- California Southern Law Schoo
- La Sierra University
- National University
- Riverside City College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Santa Ana to Riverside?
Shipping furniture from Santa Ana to Riverside with a mover will cost between $340 and $1,132. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $835–$2,680, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Santa Ana to Riverside will cost from $1,382–$4,038.
How much are moving container companies from Santa Ana to Riverside?
If you're moving from Santa Ana to Riverside and considering moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices generally range from $117 to $790. If you’ve got two or three bedrooms, costs typically fall between $380 and $1,076. Got an even bigger space? For four- or five-bedroom homes, expect to pay anywhere from $792 up to $1,612.
How much is a moving truck from Santa Ana to Riverside?
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 $39 and $93. Planning to move a larger apartment? You’re looking at costs from $48 to $121. For a four-bedroom home or bigger moving from Santa Ana to Riverside, truck rental prices typically range from $60 up to $149.
How far in advance should I book Santa Ana-to-Riverside movers?
For a smooth move from Santa Ana to Riverside, 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 Riverside?
To score the best moving deals to Riverside, 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.
