($828+) Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,316 to $9,460, with an average cost of $3,500. Moves can be as low as $828 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,337 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Santa Ana to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,316 - $9,460 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,500, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,337 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,337-mile route from Santa Ana to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,316 - $5,286, container $1,434 - $2,649, rental truck $854 - $1,599, freight trailer $1,180 - $2,360.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,030 - $6,868, container $1,797 - $3,659, rental truck $979 - $1,902, freight trailer $1,367 - $2,956.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,839 - $9,460, container $2,295 - $4,487, rental truck $1,232 - $2,344, freight trailer $1,912 - $3,779.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,337-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to San Antonio, Texas, with costs ranging from $1,316 - $9,460. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $406 - $2,708. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and San Antonio. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,316 - $5,286
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,030 - $6,868
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,839 - $9,460
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 Santa Ana 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Antonio, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $677 - $6,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $271 - $1,625/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $406 - $3,250 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,354 - $4,062 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,385 - $13,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,014 - $1,927 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,354 - $3,385 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,083 - $4,739 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $406 - $2,031 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $880 - $2,708 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $406 - $20,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $406 - $4,739+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to San Antonio?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,434 and $4,487. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Santa Ana typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,434 - $2,649
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,797 - $3,659
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,295 - $4,487
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $102 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $203 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $948 in Santa Ana, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your San Antonio, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,434. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,797 - $3,659, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,337 miles from Santa Ana, California, to San Antonio, Texas, running $854 - $2,344. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $576 - $658
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Santa Ana to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,599
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $979 - $1,902
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,344
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to San Antonio starts at $854 - $2,344, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($576 - $658) , overnight lodging ($203/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $203 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $88 and $440 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $576 - $658 in fuel for the 1,337-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $948 in Santa Ana, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to San Antonio, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,367 and $2,956.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,360
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,367 - $2,956
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,912 - $3,779
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 $102 - $203 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about five hours typically runs $948.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to San Antonio quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 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 Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,337-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Santa Ana, CA, to San Antonio, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,316 for a studio to $9,460 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,337-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,434 - $4,487. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $854 - $2,344, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,030 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 Santa Ana, CA, to San Antonio, TX
What is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 45.83 and 54.17 in Santa Ana. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Santa Ana, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $979 - $1,902. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
