Quick answer: Expect to pay $1,564–$9,561 for a move from St. Paul to San Francisco, with most moves taking five to 16 days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 1,982 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Francisco to St. Paul guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
|
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best Professional Movers from St. Paul to San Francisco
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from St. Paul to San Francisco can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
|
Safeway Moving
|
American Van Lines
|
Allied Van Lines
|
Mayzlin Relocation
|
North American Van Lines
|
How we chose the best moving companies for your MN to CA move
Local movers servicing St. Paul to San Francisco moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in St. Paul that also provides long-distance services to San Francisco can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in St. Paul who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from St. Paul to San Francisco.
- Matt's Moving Company : 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Metcalf Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- College Muscle Movers, LLC: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Nystrom Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 374236
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1704106
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 105
DOT #: 1127088
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 286311
Years in Business: 73
DOT #: 286311
Alternate Names: Rochester Transfer & Storage Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1443087
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 1443087
Alternate Names: College Muscle, College Muscle Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 1124693
Years in Business: 77
DOT #: 1124693
Alternate Names: Nystrom's Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul to San Francisco?
St. Paul movers charge $100 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 | $1,590 - $6,251 | $1,410 - $3,417 | $1,474 - $2,705 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,476 - $9,561 | $2,535 - $5,003 | $1,564 - $3,284 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,956 - $13,797 | $3,473 - $6,749 | $1,876 - $3,982 |
Cost to hire movers from Minnesota to California
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Minnesota to California typically costs between $1,590 and $6,251. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,476 and $9,561 when moving from MN to CA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Minnesota to California, you're looking at costs ranging from $7,956 up to $13,797.
Cost of moving containers from Minnesota to California
Moving from Minnesota to California? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $1,410 and $3,417. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,535 to $5,003. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,473 up to $6,749. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Minnesota.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Minnesota 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 $1,474 and $2,705 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,564 to $3,284. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $1,876 to $3,982.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that influence moving costs from St. Paul to San Francisco
What to know before moving from St. Paul to San Francisco
Moving from St. Paul to San Francisco comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Francisco is generally more expensive than St. Paul, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| St. Paul | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,350 | $3,250 |
| Average home value | $278,221 | $1,241,003 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,483 | $136,689 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,633 | $3,781 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,290 | $8,717 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 9.88% | 8.63% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in San Francisco, since prices are typically 141% higher than in St. Paul.
- The home prices in San Francisco are 346.0% higher than in St. Paul, 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 Francisco, where incomes are, on average, 115.3% higher than in St. Paul. Major employers in San Francisco include Lyft, Securitize, and Wells Fargo.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Francisco, since the cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 4.1% higher than in St. Paul. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to San Francisco, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 103.2% higher than in St. Paul.
- The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 10.20% higher than in St. Paul.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Francisco, since the city's sales taxes in San Francisco are 12.65% lower than in St. Paul.
- State income taxes in San Francisco are 35.03% higher than in St. Paul.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,122.21 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Paul.
How life is different in St. Paul vs. San Francisco
| San Francisco | St. Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 303,176 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 10 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 60 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 64 |
| Crime Index | 61.41 | 50.86 |
| Safety Index | 38.59 | 49.14 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of San Francisco is about 167% greater than St. Paul, 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 Francisco offers better access to buses and trains than St. Paul, based on public transportation ratings. San Francisco has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 8 in St. Paul. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in San Francisco means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in St. Paul. San Francisco is considered more walkable than St. Paul, with a score of 99 out of 100 versus 60 out of 100 in St. Paul. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, San Francisco is considered more bike-friendly than St. Paul in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, while St. Paul is rated as 64 out of 100.
- The crime rate in San Francisco is higher than in St. Paul, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 61.41 in San Francisco, it is 50.86 in St. Paul. 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 Francisco. With a crime index of 38.59, San Francisco ranks lower in overall safety than St. Paul, whose index is 49.14. 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 Francisco isn't as good as it is in St. Paul, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Francisco has an air quality rating of Moderate, and St. Paul 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 St. Paul vs. San Francisco move
- Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
- 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- 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 Francisco. 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 Francisco
With your sights set on Golden Gate City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in San Francisco.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Marina District
- Mission Bay
- Mission District
- Noe Valley
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bernal Heights
- Inner Sunset
- Noe Valley
- North Beach
- Presidio Heights
Things to do in San Francisco
After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, San Francisco has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in San Francisco include museums and art centers like the Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Legion of Honor.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Golden Gate Park, Presidio of San Francisco, Mission Dolores Park, and Crissy Field — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an San Francisco 49ers (NFL), San Francisco Giants (MLB), or Golden State Warriors (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to San Francisco?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to San Francisco are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to San Francisco?
Because most people are moving from St. Paul to San Francisco in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from St. Paul to San Francisco take?
Moving from St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA covers 1,982 miles and usually takes five to 16 days Need to move faster? Some St. Paul movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Francisco.