($1,679) Movers From Boise, ID to San Diego, CA

What to know before moving from Boise to San Diego

Moving from Boise to San Diego means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Boise than in San Diego, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Boise compares to San Diego so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in San Diego are 93% higher than in Boise, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Boise.
  Home prices in San Diego are 108.3% higher than in Boise.
• Income in San Diego is 4.6% lower than in Boise, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in San Diego include United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare.
• The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 18.4% lower than in Boise. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Diego, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 13.3% higher than in Boise.
• The unemployment rate in San Diego is 83.33% higher than in Boise.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Diego, since the city’s sales taxes in San Diego are 29.17% higher than in Boise.
• State income taxes in San Diego are 129.31% higher than in Boise.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,448.29 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boise.

How life is different in Boise vs. San Diego

• The population of San Diego is about 488% greater than Boise, 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.
• San Diego offers better access to buses and trains than Boise, based on public transportation ratings. San Diego has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Boise. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• San Diego neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boise. Based on its score of 53 out of 100, San Diego isn’t as walkable as Boise, which has a score of 88 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 San Diego, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boise. While Boise has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, San Diego earned a 43. 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 San Diego is higher than in Boise, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 39.83 in San Diego, it is 34.99 in Boise. 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 San Diego. With a crime index of 60.17, San Diego ranks lower in overall safety than Boise, whose index is Boise's 65.01. 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 San Diego isn’t as good as it is in Boise, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Diego has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Boise is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Boise vs. San Diego move

• Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Diego. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Diego

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.

Helpful moving resources