Quick answer: A move from Portland to San Jose costs $1,875 – $10,090 and usually takes seven to 21 days. Key factors include your move size, date, and whether you hire pros or do the 3,225-mile drive yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from San Jose to Portland.
Our track record
Best movers by type
When you’ve got 3 interstate movers to choose from like you do in Portland, the search for the right one can quickly become overwhelming. And that’s after you decide whether to hand the job over to a full-service team or keep more control — and save a little money — with a DIY approach.
We’ve already done the hard work for you. Each Portland mover was reviewed for services offered, pricing, and overall value, with customer experiences drawn from online reviews. From there, we narrowed the field to the best long-distance movers in Portland, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Best professional movers from Portland to San Jose
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Portland to San Jose, full-service movers are the answer. They manage every step so you can keep your attention on the big decisions and the excitement of the move.
There are 3 interstate moving companies in Portland, here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you to San Jose without the headaches.
What moving services are available in Portland?
How we chose the best movers ME→CA movers
Top-rated movers to make your Portland to San Jose move easy
Organizing a move from Portland to San Jose can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Portland known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Portland to San Jose.
- Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Tiny Tim’s Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Integrity Movers: 4.24 out of 5 stars
- William C. Huff Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1846942
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 626233
Alternate Names: Tiny Tims Moving & Trucking, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 0
DOT #: 2333228
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 361089
Years in Business: 117
DOT #: 361089
Alternate Names: William C. Huff Trucking Company, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Portland to San Jose?
Movers in Maine charge $225 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,701 – $7,315 | $1,539 – $3,995 | $1,818 – $3,294 |
2 – 3 bedrooms | $5,279 – $10,090 | $2,865 – $5,716 | $1,875 – $4,121 |
4+ bedrooms | $9,265 – $15,318 | $3,616 – $8,288 | $2,324 – $5,110 |
Cost to hire movers from Portland to San Jose
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Portland to San Jose typically costs between $1,701 and $7,315. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $5,279 and $10,090 when moving from Portland to San Jose. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Portland to San Jose, you’re looking at costs ranging from $9,265 up to $15,318.
Cost of moving containers from Portland to San Jose
If you’re relocating from Portland to San Jose, you’ll typically spend between $1,539 and $3,995 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,865 up to $5,716. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $3,616 and $8,288. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Maine.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Portland to San Jose
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Portland to San Jose move, but remember, you’ll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you’re moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $1,818 and $3,294. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $1,875 to $4,121. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $2,324 and $5,110.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Portland to San Jose

What to know before moving from Portland to San Jose
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – San Jose runs about 47% higher for singles and 38% higher for families than Portland.
Singles spend around $3,674 in Portland versus $2,491 in Portland; families pay $8,354 compared with $6,060.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
Portland | San Jose | |
---|---|---|
Average 1 BR rent | $1,925 | $3,027 |
Average 3 BR rent | $3,500 | $5,240 |
Average home value | $542,001 | $1,453,657 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,171 | $83,421 |
Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 5.5% | 9.38% |
State income tax | 5.8% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 55% more expensive in San Jose than in Portland; make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 168% higher in San Jose than in Portland.
- Exciting news here, the average income is about 30% higher in San Jose than in Portland, so you should have more to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Jose, since the cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 47% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you’re moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 38% higher than in Portland.
- San Jose has a higher unemployment rate than Portland by about 27%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 71% higher in San Jose than in Portland. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 129% higher in California than in Maine. This means a larger portion of your earnings will go to state taxes, potentially reducing your take-home pay.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Portland versus San Jose:
Living Expense | Portland | San Jose |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $203.15 | $293.08 |
Cell phone plan | $54.88 | $48.44 |
Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $4.80 |
Loaf of bread | $3.62 | $4.93 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.50 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $100.00 |
Gym membership | $65.00 | $123.75 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Portland than in San Jose, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Portland than in San Jose.
- Eggs are less expensive in Portland than in San Jose.
- Bread costs less in Portland than in San Jose.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Portland than in San Jose.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Portland than in San Jose.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Portland than in San Jose.
How life is different in Portland vs. San Jose
Portland | San Jose | |
---|---|---|
Population | 68,408 | 971,233 |
Transportation score | 6 | 7 |
Walkability score | 62 | 51 |
Bike friendliness score | 68 | 62 |
Crime index | 32.16 | 47.73 |
Safety index | 67.84 | 52.27 |
Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- San Jose’s population is about 1320% greater than Portland.
- San Jose’s public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Portland’s lower score of 6.
- San Jose is less walkable than Portland with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Portland’s 62 out of 100.
- San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Portland, which has a score of 68.
- San Jose’s crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 47.73 compared to Portland’s 32.16. This means that San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16%.
- San Jose is considered to be less safe than Portland with a score of 52.27 vs Portland’s 67.84.
- Air quality in San Jose is Moderate, and in Portland it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to San Jose move
- HOA rules: Costs across Portland and San Jose are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in California, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to San Jose. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in San Jose
With your sights set on Man Jose, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in San Jose.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Burbank
- Downtown
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Best neighborhoods for families
- Berryessa
- Cambrian Park
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Things to do in San Jose
With your move to California complete, you can dive right into experiencing San Jose. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: San Jose is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum, The Tech Interactive, and San Jose Museum of Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Alum Rock Park, Emma Prusch Farm Park, and Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an San Jose Barracuda (AHL)San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)San Jose Giants (California League)San Jose Sharks (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to San Jose?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Portland to San Jose. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to San Jose?
Want to save on your move from Portland to San Jose? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Portland to San Jose take?
The 3,225-mile move from Portland, ME, to San Jose, , takes seven to 21 days. Some Portland movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in San Jose.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Portland?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 4 movers in Portland provide piano moving services. 3 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 4 piano movers and 3 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 1,579 and 1,108.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
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