Moving from Santa Clarita to Riverside, CA
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Quick answer: Moving from Santa Clarita to Riverside costs between $103 to $4,690 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 83-mile route within California take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Santa Clarita to Riverside
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Santa Clarita to Riverside are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Santa Clarita 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 83 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,155 - $3,688 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $942 - $1,716 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $105 - $191 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Gentlemen's Moving Company | $125/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 Clarita to Riverside?
It costs between $103 to $4,690 to move from Santa Clarita to Riverside. The prices below break down your 83-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $635 - $4,690
- Moving containers: $649 - $1,951
- Rental trucks: $103 - $190
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $635 - $3,164 | $649 - $1,194 | $103 - $146 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,155 - $3,688 | $942 - $1,716 | $105 - $191 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,696 - $4,690 | $1,111 - $1,951 | $132 - $190 |
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 | $486 - $4,050+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $125/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | $243 - $486/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $324 - $1,296 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $81 - $324 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Santa Clarita to Riverside
At 83 miles, your Santa Clarita 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 Clarita to Riverside. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout California, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 83 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Best California Movers is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Santa Clarita to Riverside. They've been in business since 2019 (7 years of experience) and 98.3% of their 414 verified reviews are positive.
More California moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside to Santa Clarita guide.
Considerations when moving from Santa Clarita to Riverside
Cost of living: Santa Clarita vs. Riverside
When comparing the cost of living between Santa Clarita and Riverside, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Riverside stacks up against Santa Clarita.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Santa Clarita | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,295 | $2,295 |
| Average home cost | $722,430 | $539,898 |
| Average income (per capita) | $119,926 | $88,575 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,290 | $2,573 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,722 | $5,604 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | 7.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.5% | 8.75% |
- Rent in Riverside is about 30% cheaper than in Santa Clarita, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Riverside are 25% lower than in Santa Clarita, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in Riverside is 26% lower than in Santa Clarita. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in Riverside is 22% lower than in Santa Clarita. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in Riverside is 17% lower than in Santa Clarita. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in Riverside is 26% lower than in Santa Clarita. That means you’ll enjoy a stronger job market, more opportunities, and greater economic stability in your new city.
- Sales taxes are about 8% cheaper in Riverside than in Santa Clarita, which can lighten your cost of living if you tend to spend more on taxable goods and services.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,340 in Riverside to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Santa Clarita.
How life is different in Santa Clarita vs. Riverside
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Riverside vs. Santa Clarita. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Santa Clarita | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,673 | 317,261 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 46ºF | 42ºF |
| Annual rain | 18" | 11" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 35.92 | 40.24 |
Riverside sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Riverside is around 39% bigger than Santa Clarita. A move to a larger city brings more people, fresh opportunities, and richer cultural experiences, but also comes with higher living costs and a busier lifestyle. Whether that sounds thrilling or daunting really depends on what you’re looking for in your next home.
- In the last presidential election, both Santa Clarita and Riverside voted Democratic.
- Both Riverside and Santa Clarita average summer highs close to 94°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both Santa Clarita and Riverside experience similar winter lows, with Santa Clarita reaching 46°F and Riverside getting down to 42°F.
- Santa Clarita tends to be wetter than Riverside, averaging 18 inches of annual rainfall compared to Riverside’s 11 inches.
- Both Santa Clarita and Riverside receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Riverside has a higher crime rate than Santa Clarita, with a crime index of 40.24 vs 35.92.
Things to do in Riverside
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Riverside has you covered.
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 Clarita to Riverside?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Santa Clarita to Riverside, expect to pay between $559 and $2,506 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,155 and $3,688. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,696 up to $4,690 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Santa Clarita to Riverside?
If you’re moving from Santa Clarita to Riverside and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $486 and go up to $1,138. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $942 and $1,716. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,111 and $1,951.
How much is a moving truck from Santa Clarita to Riverside?
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 $96 to $159. A larger move will cost $105 to $191, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Santa Clarita to Riverside costs from $132 to $190.
How far in advance should I book Santa Clarita-to-Riverside movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Santa Clarita to Riverside at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Santa Clarita-to-Riverside movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Riverside?
To save money on your move to Riverside, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
