Top-rated movers to make your St. Louis to San Diego move easy
Finding a trusted local moving company in St. Louis that offers long-distance services to San Diego can be a challenge. Good news — we’ve done the homework for you. Our team reviewed 13 top local movers in St. Louis who handle long-distance moves, evaluating them based on pricing, service offerings, and customer satisfaction.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from St. Louis to San Diego.
- Arch Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Simple Moves: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- McGuire Moving and Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage: 4.56 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
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 #: 2256609
Years in Business: 45
DOT #: 2256609
Alternate Names: McGuire Moving Co.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Company Info
State license #: 987335
Years in Business: 36
DOT #: 987335
Alternate Names: ABC Quality Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to San Diego?
In Missouri, moving services typically cost around $128 per hour. Below are standard prices for hiring a full-service moving company, renting a moving container, or a truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,174 – $4,889 | $1,100 – $2,717 | $1,036 – $2,118 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,988 – $7,213 | $1,864 – $4,175 | $1,100 – $2,545 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,023 – $10,158 | $2,627 – $5,455 | $1,371 – $2,966 |
Cost to hire movers from St. Louis to San Diego
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move to San Diego from St. Louis, you can expect prices to land between $1,174 and $4,889. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,988 to $7,213 for the trip from St. Louis to San Diego. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $6,023 and $10,158.
Cost of moving containers from St. Louis to San Diego
Moving containers from St. Louis to San Diego will cost you $1,100 to $2,717 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,864 to $4,175. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,627 to $5,455. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Missouri.
Cost of moving truck rentals from St. Louis to San Diego
Renting a moving truck from St. Louis to San Diego typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $1,036 and $2,118 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,100 to $2,545. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $1,371 to $2,966.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that impact the cost of your St. Louis to San Diego move

What to know before moving from St. Louis to San Diego
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – San Diego runs about 29% higher for singles and 17% higher for families than St. Louis.
Singles spend around $3,346 in St. Louis versus $2,589 in St. Louis; families pay $7,719 compared with $6,573.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| St. Louis | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,704 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,914 | |
| Average home value | $171,463 | $1,003,444 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,090 | $72,963 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,589 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,573 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 6.6% |
| Sales tax | 9.68% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 4.8% | 13.3% |
- Planning a move to San Diego? Keep in mind that rent could be approximately 130% higher than in St. Louis, so be sure to adjust your monthly expenses accordingly.
- Anticipate a larger mortgage expense since home prices in San Diego are about 485% higher than those in St. Louis.
- Exciting update: you’ll see an average income that’s about 10% higher in San Diego compared to St. Louis, which might allow for more savings or investments.
- Prepare your budget for higher expenses in San Diego, as living costs for a single person are 29% higher than in St. Louis. This includes essential costs such as utilities, groceries, clothing, and commuting.
- 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 17% higher than in St. Louis.
- With San Diego and St. Louis having similar unemployment rates, deviating by approximately 5%, job opportunities and market competitiveness remain consistent.
- Sales taxes are 20% less in San Diego relative to St. Louis. This will help shrink your living expenses, especially if you tend to buy more taxable goods.
- Income taxes in California are 177% above those in Missouri. Consequently, more of your income may be allocated to tax payments, which could diminish your overall earnings.
See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between St. Louis and San Diego:
| Living Expense | St. Louis | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $277.55 | |
| Cell phone plan | $66.79 | |
| Dozen eggs | $5.26 | |
| Loaf of bread | $4.50 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $21.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | |
| Gym membership | $65.68 |
How life is different in St. Louis vs. San Diego
| St. Louis | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,310 | 1,386,932 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 66 | 53 |
| Bike friendliness score | 58 | 43 |
| Crime index | 69.65 | 39.83 |
| Safety index | 30.35 | 60.17 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- San Diego’s population is about 373% greater than St. Louis.
- San Diego’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than St. Louis’s score of 8.
- San Diego is less walkable than St. Louis with a score of 53 out of 100 vs St. Louis’s 66 out of 100.
- San Diego has a bike-friendliness score of 43 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as St. Louis, which has a score of 58.
- San Diego’s crime rate is lower than St. Louis with a score of 39.83 compared to St. Louis’s 69.65. This means that San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Louis neighborhoods are safer than 69.65%.
- San Diego is considered to be safer than St. Louis with a safety index of 60.17 vs St. Louis’s 30.35.
- Air quality in San Diego is Moderate, and in St. Louis it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your St. Louis to San Diego move
- 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, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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: California’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
- 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to San Diego. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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.
Where to live in San Diego
Planning your move to America’s Finest City? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home in San Diego.
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 features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and San Diego Air & Space Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, La Jolla Shores Park, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an San Diego Padres (MLB)San Diego Gulls (AHL)San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to San Diego?
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Louis to San Diego?
How long does a move from St. Louis to San Diego take?
Are there special savings available from movers in St. Louis?
Are piano and antique moving services available in St. Louis?
Helpful moving resources
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