Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Oakland to Memphis costs $1,570–$9,382 and takes six to 17 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,078-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Memphis to Oakland guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Oakland to Memphis
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Oakland to Memphis can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to TN move
Local moving companies in Oakland
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- All Star Movers & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Luigy's Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- 680 Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.76 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191302
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2971368
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192210
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 02740355
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191566
Pricing: $125/hr
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2950711
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Oakland to Memphis?
Oakland movers charge $147 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,534 - $6,178 | $1,451 - $3,521 | $1,480 - $2,769 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,429 - $9,382 | $2,503 - $5,321 | $1,570 - $3,295 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,066 - $14,425 | $3,646 - $6,969 | $2,041 - $4,327 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Tennessee
Planning a move from California to Tennessee? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,534 and $6,178. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,429 and $9,382 for the same journey (CA to TN). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $8,066 to $14,425.
Cost of moving containers from California to Tennessee
When you’re heading from California to Tennessee, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,451 and $3,521. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,503 and $5,321. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $3,646 to $6,969. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from California easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Tennessee
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $1,480 and $2,769 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,570 to $3,295. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $2,041 to $4,327.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Oakland to Memphis
What to know before moving from Oakland to Memphis
Moving from Oakland to Memphis means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Oakland than in Memphis, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Oakland compares to Memphis so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Oakland | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,200 | $1,299 |
| Average home value | $736,156 | $143,715 |
| Average income (per capita) | $94,389 | $48,090 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,146 | $1,842 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,584 | $4,402 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 8.0% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 9.75% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Memphis are 41% lower than in Oakland, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Memphis.
Home prices in Memphis are 80.5% lower than in Oakland. - Income in Memphis is 49.1% lower than in Oakland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Memphis — including FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Memphis. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 41.4% lower than in Oakland.
- A move to Memphis can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 48.7% less than what it costs in Oakland.
- The unemployment rate in Memphis is 77.78% higher than in Oakland.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Memphis, since the city's sales taxes in Memphis are 4.88% lower than in Oakland.
- One perk of moving to Memphis is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Oakland.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,756.52 in Memphis to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.
How life is different in Oakland vs. Memphis
| Memphis | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 633,104 | 440,646 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 35 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 41 | 65 |
| Crime Index | 77.49 | 68.62 |
| Safety Index | 22.51 | 31.38 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Memphis is about 44% greater than Oakland, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Memphis without a car might be more difficult than in Oakland. Memphis has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Oakland is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Memphis neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Oakland. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Memphis isn't as walkable as Oakland, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Memphis, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Oakland. While Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, Memphis earned a 41. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Memphis is higher than in Oakland, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 77.49 in Memphis, it is 68.62 in Oakland. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Memphis. With a crime index of 22.51, Memphis ranks lower in overall safety than Oakland, whose index is 31.38. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Memphis and Oakland is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Oakland vs. Memphis move
- Weather: Winter weather comes alternately from the upper Great Plains and the Gulf of Mexico, which can lead to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from Texas (very hot and humid) or the Gulf (hot and very humid). Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year though mainly during the spring months. Large hail, strong winds, flooding and frequent lightning can accompany these storms. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Tennessee, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Tennessee doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Memphis without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Memphis
Now that you've decided to make the move to Bluff City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Memphis.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Binghampton
- Cooper-Young
- Crosstown
- Downtown
- Midtown
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bartlett
- Cordova
- East Memphis
- Germantown
- River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral
Things to do in Memphis
After settling into your new Tennessee home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Memphis has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Memphis include museums and art centers like the Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Shelby Farms Park, Mud Island River Park, Tom Lee Park, and Levitt Shell — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Memphis?
The best time to move from Oakland to Memphis is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Oakland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Oakland to Memphis?
With many people choosing to move from Oakland to Memphis in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Oakland to Memphis take?
The 2,078-mile move from Oakland, CA, to Memphis, TN, takes six to 17 days. Some Oakland movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Memphis.
