($1,618+) Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA, runs anywhere from $1,682 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,504 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,771 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 $2,478, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,504 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,969 - $7,569, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,682 - $4,583.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,965 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Jersey City to Santa Ana: 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 $3,965 - $7,807. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,771 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 2,771-mile route from Jersey City to Santa Ana, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,478 - $6,096, container $1,969 - $3,869, rental truck $1,682 - $3,074, freight trailer $1,899 - $3,448.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,965 - $7,807, container $2,501 - $5,605, rental truck $1,734 - $3,586, freight trailer $2,085 - $4,136.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,814 - $11,504, container $3,739 - $7,569, rental truck $2,303 - $4,583, freight trailer $2,876 - $6,233.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,771-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, with costs ranging from $2,478 - $11,504. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $450 - $3,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Jersey City and Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,478 - $6,096
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,965 - $7,807
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,814 - $11,504
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 Santa Ana.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Santa Ana, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $750 - $7,500 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $300 - $1,800/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $450 - $3,600 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,500 - $4,500 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,750 - $15,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,124 - $2,135 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,500 - $3,750 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,200 - $5,250 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $450 - $2,250 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage | $975 - $3,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $450 - $22,500+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $450 - $5,250+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to Santa Ana?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Santa Ana, CA
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, cost between $1,969 and $7,569. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Jersey City runs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,969 - $3,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,501 - $5,605
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,739 - $7,569
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $113 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $225 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Santa Ana, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,050 in Jersey City, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,969. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,501 - $5,605, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to Santa Ana?
- 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:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.5/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Truck rentals from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, range from $1,682 - $4,583 for the 2,771-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,323 - $1,511
- Daily insurance: $45/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $30
- 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 Santa Ana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,682 - $3,074
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,734 - $3,586
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,303 - $4,583
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,682 - $4,583 does not include fuel ($1,323 - $1,511) , lodging ($225/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Jersey City to Santa Ana typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $1,050.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,323 - $1,511 for the 2,771-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 $90 and $488, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $225 per night for hotel stops on the 2,771-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $450 - $675.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to Santa Ana?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Jersey City, New Jersey, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Santa Ana, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,085 and $4,136.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,899 - $3,448
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,085 - $4,136
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,876 - $6,233
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $1,050.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $113 - $225 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 Santa Ana?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Santa Ana, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 165 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $2,650/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $657,015 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $88,354/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 67/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 45.83/100 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 89 movers in our New Jersey network to compare for this 2,771-mile move.
Our take
A move from Jersey City, NJ, to Santa Ana, 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 $2,478 - $11,504 on the 2,771-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,969 - $7,569, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,682 - $4,583. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,965 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 Allied Universal and First American Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,323 - $1,511), daily insurance ($45/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $30) on top. Overnight stops can add another $225/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has a walkability score of 67 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 62, compared to 87 and 64 in Jersey City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to Santa Ana, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,478 to $11,504, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,478 and $11,504, 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 percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
