($1,575+) Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,575 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,981 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,757 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,319, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,981 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,879 - $6,941, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,575 - $4,158.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,457 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Jersey City to San Diego: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,457 - $7,452. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 51% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,757 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,757-mile route from Jersey City to San Diego, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,319 - $5,653 | $1,879 - $3,878 | $1,575 - $3,083 | $1,692 - $3,258 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,457 - $7,452 | $2,413 - $5,247 | $1,705 - $3,670 | $1,910 - $4,322 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,915 - $10,981 | $3,328 - $6,941 | $2,010 - $4,158 | $2,718 - $5,950 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,757-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, with costs ranging from $2,319 - $10,981. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $438 - $2,920. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Jersey City and San Diego. Local movers in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate plus $139/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jersey City to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,319 - $5,653
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,457 - $7,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,915 - $10,981
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Jersey City to San Diego.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $730 - $7,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $292 - $1,752/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $438 - $3,504 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,460 - $4,380 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,650 - $14,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,094 - $2,078 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,460 - $3,650 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,168 - $5,110 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $438 - $2,190 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $949 - $2,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $438 - $21,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $438 - $5,110+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to San Diego?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Jersey City, NJ. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,879 and $6,941. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Jersey City typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,879 - $3,878
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,413 - $5,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,328 - $6,941
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,022 in Jersey City, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $110 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $219 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your San Diego, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,879. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,413 - $5,247.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to San Diego?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Jersey City to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Jersey City:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Metropolis Moving, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
Truck rentals from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, range from $1,575 - $4,158 for the 2,757-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,281 - $1,464
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Jersey City to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,575 - $3,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,705 - $3,670
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $4,158
Pro tip: A rental truck from Jersey City to San Diego looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,575 - $4,158. But once you factor in fuel ($1,281 - $1,464), overnight lodging ($219/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,022.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,281 - $1,464 for the 2,757-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $88 and $475, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $219 per night for hotel stops on the 2,757-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $438 - $657.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to San Diego?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Jersey City, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,910 and $4,322.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,692 - $3,258
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $4,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,718 - $5,950
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Jersey City, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,022.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $110 - $219 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Jersey City to San Diego?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Diego fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Jersey City, NJ vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 155 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 60.17/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Jersey to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 312 movers in New Jersey, so you have real options to compare for this 2,757-mile move.
Our take
A move from Jersey City, NJ, to San Diego, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,319 - $10,981 on the 2,757-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,879 - $6,941, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,575 - $4,158. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,457 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to San Diego, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,281 - $1,464), daily insurance ($44/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $219/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,705 - $3,670. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,575 to $10,981, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,319 and $10,981, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Jersey City?
Local movers based in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate, plus $139/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in San Diego run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.