Highly rated local moving companies for St. Louis to Oakland moves
Organizing a move from St. Louis to Oakland can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 11 local movers in St. Louis known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from St. Louis to Oakland.
- Arch Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Simple Moves: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2969512
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 2969512
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 714664
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: HMB Hunks, LLC , College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1653733
Pricing: $145/hr
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 1653733
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1803212
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to Oakland?
On average, moving companies in Missouri charge about $128 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,252 – $4,793 | $1,178 – $2,976 | $1,181 – $2,324 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,179 – $7,622 | $2,078 – $4,149 | $1,241 – $2,793 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,021 – $11,303 | $2,790 – $5,947 | $1,534 – $3,125 |
Cost to hire movers from St. Louis to Oakland
When planning a move to Oakland from St. Louis, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,252 and $4,793. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $3,179 and $7,622 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $6,021 to $11,303.
Cost of moving containers from St. Louis to Oakland
When you’re heading from St. Louis to Oakland, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,178 and $2,976. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,078 and $4,149. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,790 to $5,947. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Missouri easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Oakland
A moving rental truck from St. Louis to Oakland is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,181 to $2,324. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,241 to $2,793, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from St. Louis to Oakland costs around $1,534 to $3,125.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from St. Louis to Oakland

What to know before moving from St. Louis to Oakland
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Oakland runs about 22% higher for singles and 31% higher for families than St. Louis.
Singles spend around $3,146 in St. Louis versus $2,589 in St. Louis; families pay $8,584 compared with $6,573.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| St. Louis | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,969 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,450 | |
| Average home value | $171,463 | $736,156 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,090 | $94,389 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,589 | $3,146 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,573 | $8,584 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.5% |
| Sales tax | 9.68% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 4.8% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 76% more expensive in Oakland than in St. Louis. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 329% steeper in Oakland compared to St. Louis.
- Here’s some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 43% greater in Oakland than in St. Louis, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Oakland, with the cost of living for a single person being 22% more than in St. Louis. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Oakland, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 31% higher than in St. Louis.
- Oakland has a lower unemployment rate than St. Louis by about 29%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes in Oakland surpass those in St. Louis by 6%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 177% more in California than in Missouri. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in St. Louis versus Oakland:
| Living Expense | St. Louis | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $277.25 | |
| Cell phone plan | $53.00 | |
| Dozen eggs | $6.71 | |
| Loaf of bread | $5.09 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $30.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $140.00 | |
| Gym membership | $54.28 |
How life is different in St. Louis vs. Oakland
| St. Louis | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,310 | 440,646 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 66 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 58 | 65 |
| Crime index | 69.65 | 68.62 |
| Safety index | 30.35 | 31.38 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Oakland’s population is about 50% greater than St. Louis.
- Oakland’s public transportation score is within about 5% of St. Louis, making them very similar.
- Oakland is more walkable than St. Louis with a score of 75 out of 100 vs St. Louis’s 66 out of 100.
- With a score of 65 out of 100, Oakland is more bike-friendly than St. Louis, which has a score of 58 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Oakland and St. Louis have a similar crime rate with scores of 68.62 and 69.65, respectively.
- Oakland and St. Louis have a similar safety level, with scores of 31.38 and 30.35.
- Air quality in Oakland is Good, and in St. Louis it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your St. Louis to Oakland move
- HOA rules: Costs across St. Louis and Oakland 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 Oakland. 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 Oakland
With your sights set on The Town, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Oakland.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Grand Lake
- Piedmont Avenue
- Rockridge
- Temescal
Best neighborhoods for families
- Fairview Park
- Rockridge
- Bushrod
- Upper Rockridge
- Lakeshore
Things to do in Oakland
With your move to California complete, you can dive right into experiencing Oakland. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Oakland is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, USS Potomac, and Oakland Aviation Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Lakeside Park and Garden Center — 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 Oakland Athletics (MLB)Oakland Roots DC (USLC) game.
FAQ
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