Top Lansing, MI to San Diego, CA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Lansing guide.

1. Kingsley Moving Systems LLC: 4.76 out of 5 stars
2. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
3. M & M Moving and Storage: 4.2 out of 5 stars
4. Good Guys Moving Services: 4.14 out of 5 stars
5. MASS Movers LLC: 4.14 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Michigan to California

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Michigan to California typically costs between $1,580 and $6,098. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,092 and $9,114 when moving from MI to CA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Michigan to California, you're looking at costs ranging from $7,763 up to $12,996.

Cost of moving containers from Michigan to California

If you're relocating from Michigan to California, you'll typically spend between $1,398 and $3,678 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,434 up to $5,144. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,482 and $7,252. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Michigan.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan to California

Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.

Expect to pay between $1,405 and $2,913 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,663 to $3,400. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $2,040 to $3,962.

These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.

• You may want to budget more for rent in San Diego, since prices are typically 155% higher than in Lansing.
• The home prices in San Diego are 575.5% higher than in Lansing, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in San Diego, where incomes are, on average, 12.7% higher than in Lansing. Major employers in San Diego include United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 109.8% higher than in Lansing. 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 83.8% higher than in Lansing.
• The unemployment rate in San Diego is 10.81% lower than in Lansing.
• Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in San Diego, since its sales taxes are 29.17% higher than what you are paying in Lansing.
• State income taxes in San Diego are 212.94% higher than in Lansing.

• The population of San Diego is about 1,131% greater than Lansing, 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 Lansing, based on public transportation ratings. San Diego has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Lansing. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Diego means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lansing. San Diego is considered more walkable than Lansing, with a score of 53 out of 100 versus 46 out of 100 in Lansing. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in San Diego, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Lansing. While Lansing has a bike-friendliness score of 55 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.
• San Diego has a lower crime rate than Lansing based on scores of 39.83 and Lansing's 48.66, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in San Diego than in Lansing, based on San Diego's safety index of 60.17 versus 51.34 for Lansing. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in San Diego isn't as good as it is in Lansing, 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 Lansing 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.

• 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially 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: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to San Diego without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Gaslamp Quarter
• Hillcrest
• North Park
• Ocean Beach
• Pacific Beach

Best neighborhoods for families

• Carmel Valley
• Del Mar Heights
• Loma Portal
• Rancho Bernardo
• Rancho Penasquitos

Things to do in San Diego

After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, San Diego has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

• Arts and culture: San Diego is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, La Jolla Shores Park, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
• Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an San Diego Padres (MLB), San Diego Gulls (AHL), or San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) game.