San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Jose to Memphis typically costs $3,900–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,047 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Jose to Memphis
Moving from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN typically costs $3,900–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,047-mile move from San Jose to Memphis, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 23, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- United Van Lines recently quoted $4,909 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $3,559 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,735 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 13, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 05, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 21, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 17, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 24, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Jose to Memphis
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,600, but larger homes can run up to $12,900.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Jose.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,300–$3,800) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Memphis, TN to San Jose, CA guide.
Best San Jose to Memphis movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Jose to Memphis
For a stress-free interstate move from San Jose to Memphis, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→TN movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from San Jose to Memphis
Many movers find Memphis easier on the wallet than San Jose - roughly 50% less for singles and 47% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,842 for one person in Memphis versus $3,674 in San Jose. For a family of four, it's $4,402 compared with $8,354.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| San Jose | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,027 | $1,187 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,240 | $1,571 |
| Average home value | $1,453,657 | $143,715 |
| Average income (per capita) | $83,421 | $48,090 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,674 | $1,842 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,354 | $4,402 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 8.0% |
| Sales tax | 9.38% | 9.75% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 58% lower in Memphis than in San Jose, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 90% lower in Memphis than in San Jose.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 42% less in Memphis than in San Jose.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Memphis, where the cost of living for a single person is 50% less than in San Jose.
- Moving to Memphis could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 47% less than in San Jose.
- The unemployment rate in Memphis is 21% higher compared to San Jose, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are similar in Memphis and San Jose (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Tennessee has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing San Jose with Memphis:
| Living Expense | San Jose | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $293.08 | $213.78 |
| Cell phone plan | $48.44 | $58.88 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.80 | $4.12 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.93 | $2.83 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.50 | $19.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $75.00 |
| Gym membership | $123.75 | $37.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Jose than in Memphis.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in San Jose than in Memphis.
- Eggs cost more in San Jose than in Memphis.
- Bread is more expensive in San Jose than in Memphis.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Jose than in Memphis.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Jose than in Memphis.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Jose than in Memphis.
How life is different in San Jose vs. Memphis
| San Jose | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 971,233 | 633,104 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 62 | 41 |
| Crime index | 47.73 | 77.49 |
| Safety index | 52.27 | 22.51 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Memphis's population is about 35% less than San Jose.
- Memphis's public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than San Jose's score of 7.
- Memphis is less walkable than San Jose with a score of 35 out of 100 vs San Jose's 51 out of 100.
- Memphis has a bike-friendliness score of 41 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Jose, which has a score of 62.
- Memphis's crime rate is higher than San Jose with a score of 77.49 compared to San Jose's 47.73. This means that Memphis neighborhoods are safer than 77.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73%.
- Memphis is considered to be less safe than San Jose with a score of 22.51 vs San Jose's 52.27.
- Air quality in Memphis is Good, and in San Jose it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Jose to Memphis move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving company's license by visiting 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: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Memphis smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Memphis
Now that you've chosen Bluff City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Memphis to check out.
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 getting comfortable in your new Tennessee home, it's time to see what Memphis is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Memphis offers cultural landmarks like the Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Shelby Farms Park, Mud Island River Park, Tom Lee Park, and Levitt Shell — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Memphis?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Jose to Memphis are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Jose are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Jose to Memphis?
Because spring and fall moves from San Jose to Memphis are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from San Jose to Memphis take?
A move of 2,047 miles from San Jose, CA to Memphis, TN generally takes six to 17 days. Movers in San Jose sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Memphis is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Jose?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Jose, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Jose offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 61 movers in San Jose have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 53 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
