($981+) Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,253 to $9,668, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $981 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,735 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Sacramento to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,253 - $9,668 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,735 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,735-mile route from Sacramento to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,253 - $5,079 | $1,418 - $2,702 | $1,032 - $1,944 | $1,276 - $2,532 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,221 - $6,885 | $1,851 - $3,703 | $1,149 - $2,407 | $1,450 - $3,274 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,468 - $9,668 | $2,475 - $5,126 | $1,337 - $2,859 | $2,104 - $4,185 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,735-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,253 and $9,668. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $338 - $2,252, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,253 - $5,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,221 - $6,885
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,468 - $9,668
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Sacramento to San Antonio.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Antonio, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $563 - $5,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $225 - $1,351/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $338 - $2,702 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,126 - $3,378 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,815 - $11,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $843 - $1,602 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $1,126 - $2,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $901 - $3,941 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $338 - $1,689 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $732 - $2,252 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $338 - $16,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $338 - $3,941+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to San Antonio?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Sacramento, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,418 and $5,126. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,418 - $2,702
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,851 - $3,703
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,475 - $5,126
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, CA and San Antonio, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $788 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $84 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $169 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,418. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,851 - $3,703.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to San Antonio?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Sacramento to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Plan on $1,032 - $2,859 for a rental moving truck on the 1,735-mile route from Sacramento, California, to San Antonio, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $622 - $710
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Sacramento to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,407
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,337 - $2,859
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sacramento to San Antonio starts at $1,032 - $2,859, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($622 - $710), overnight lodging ($169/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $788.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $622 - $710 for the 1,735-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $68 and $366, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $169 per night for hotel stops on the 1,735-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $338 - $507.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to San Antonio?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Sacramento, CA to San Antonio, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Sacramento, California, to San Antonio, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,450 and $3,274.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,276 - $2,532
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,450 - $3,274
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,104 - $4,185
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $84 - $169 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $788.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to San Antonio?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Sacramento to San Antonio. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Sacramento, CA vs San Antonio, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Antonio, side by side with Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 91 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 51.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Antonio, TX to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,735-mile route.
Our take
A move from Sacramento, CA, to San Antonio, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,253 - $9,668 on the 1,735-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,418 - $5,126, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,032 - $2,859. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,221 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to San Antonio, TX
Is San Antonio a safe place to live?
San Antonio has a safety index of 51.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.06, compared to 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is San Antonio?
San Antonio has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 45, compared to 49 and 67 in Sacramento. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio?
For families, Alamo Heights, Great Northwest, and Northwest Crossing are worth a look in San Antonio. If you're moving solo or without kids, Alamo Heights, Downtown, and Tobin Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What do local movers charge in Sacramento?
Local movers based in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate, plus $130/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in San Antonio run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.