($466+) Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $466 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,903 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 639 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,721, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,903 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,040 - $3,366, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $466 - $1,275.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,468 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Boise to San Francisco: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,468 - $6,429. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 79% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 639-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 639-mile route from Boise to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,721 - $4,772 | $1,040 - $1,736 | $466 - $836 | $899 - $1,578 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,468 - $6,429 | $1,233 - $2,427 | $512 - $992 | $1,027 - $1,922 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,582 - $8,903 | $1,680 - $3,366 | $621 - $1,275 | $1,412 - $2,461 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 639-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, with prices running from $1,721 - $8,903. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $508 - $3,388 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Boise and San Francisco are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Boise movers tend to run around $229 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boise to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,721 - $4,772
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,468 - $6,429
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,582 - $8,903
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 Boise to San Francisco.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 47% of Boise movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing66% of local movers | $847 - $8,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready47% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $339 - $2,033/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $508 - $4,066 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers | $1,694 - $5,082 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,235 - $16,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,269 - $2,411 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items5% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers (ID) | $1,694 - $4,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type24% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,355 - $5,929 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $508 - $2,541 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers (ID) | $1,101 - $3,388 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $508 - $25,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $508 - $5,929+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boise to San Francisco?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Boise, ID. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,040 and $3,366. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Boise typically runs around $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boise to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,233 - $2,427
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,680 - $3,366
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Boise, ID, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,186, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $127 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $254 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Boise, ID, and San Francisco, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Idaho to California 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 $1,040. 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 $1,233 - $2,427.
What are the best moving containers Boise to San Francisco?
- 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 Boise 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 Boise:
- 208 Moving Company (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 27 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
A rental truck for this 639-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, California, costs between $466 and $1,275. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $344 - $394
- Daily insurance: $51/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $34
- Boise daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.99
| 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 Boise to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $466 - $836
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $512 - $992
- 4+ bedrooms: $621 - $1,275
Pro tip: The base rate of $466 - $1,275 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Boise to San Francisco. Fuel ($344 - $394), lodging at around $254/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $254 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 $110 and $551 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $344 - $394 in fuel for the 639-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,186 in Boise, Idaho, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boise to San Francisco?
- 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 Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA
For larger DIY moves from Boise, Idaho, 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 Francisco, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,027 and $1,922.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boise to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $899 - $1,578
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,027 - $1,922
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,412 - $2,461
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Boise, Idaho, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,186.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $127 and $254 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Boise to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Boise to San Francisco. 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: Boise, ID vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Boise on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Boise, ID | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,495/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $455,253 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $81,308/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 88/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 65.01/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Francisco, CA to Boise, ID guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Idaho to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 70 movers in Idaho, so you have real options to compare for this 639-mile move.
Our take
The 639-mile move from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA, costs between $1,721 and $8,903 with full-service movers, $1,040 - $3,366 with a moving container, and $466 - $1,275 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,468 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Boise, ID, to San Francisco, CA
What do local movers charge in Boise?
Local movers based in Boise typically start around $229 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Francisco run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Francisco?
For families, Bernal Heights, Inner Sunset, and Noe Valley are worth a look in San Francisco. If you're moving solo or without kids, Marina District, Mission Bay, and Mission District tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA?
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 $512 - $992. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is San Francisco a safe place to live?
San Francisco has a safety index of 38.59 out of 100 and a crime index of 61.41, compared to 65.01 and 34.99 in Boise. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Boise movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 24% of movers in Boise handle piano moves, and 5% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.