Moving from Albany, NY to San Diego, CA: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Albany, NY to San Diego, CA averages from $1,760 to $8,221 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to San Diego, CA. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Albany guide.

Best Albany to San Diego movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from Albany to San Diego.
How much will your move cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
Albany to San Diego car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.

Moving 2,834 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Albany to San Diego?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,372 - $5,785	$1,481 - $3,691	$1,625 - $3,152
2 - 3 bedrooms	$4,094 - $8,221	$2,626 - $5,490	$1,760 - $3,753
4+ bedrooms	$7,704 - $12,739	$3,624 - $7,492	$2,225 - $4,607

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,834 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Albany to San Diego will depend on:

Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Who Are The Best Albany to San Diego Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Albany to San Diego?

To ship furniture from Albany to San Diego with a mover will cost between $1,372 to $5,785. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $4,094 to $8,221, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Albany to San Diego will cost from $7,704 to $12,739.

How much are moving container companies from Albany to San Diego?

Moving containers from Albany to San Diego will cost you $1,481 to $3,691 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,626 to $5,490. A larger home will cost $3,624 to $7,492.

How much is a moving truck from Albany to San Diego?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,625 to $3,152. A larger move will cost $1,760 to $3,753, and a 4+ bedroom move from Albany to San Diego costs from $2,225 to $4,607.

How to ship a car from Albany to San Diego

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable Albany to San Diego car shipper.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from Albany, NY to San Diego, CA a good idea?

Cost of Living: Albany vs San Diego

	Albany	San Diego
Average rent cost	$1,125	$2,374
Average home value	$274,500	$944,228
Average income (per capita)	$63,475	$66,995
Cost of Living (single person)	$1,801	$1,028
Cost of Living (family of 4)	$4,205	$3,686
Unemployment rate	7.1%	7.0%
Sales Tax	8.0%	7.75%
State Income Tax	10.9%	13.3%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent Prices in San Diego, CA are 111% higher than in Albany, NY.
Home Prices in San Diego, CA are 244.0% higher than in Albany, NY.
Income in San Diego, CA is 5.5% higher than in Albany, NY.
Cost of Living for a single person in San Diego, CA is 42.9% lower than in Albany, NY.
Cost of Living for a family in San Diego, CA is 12.3% lower than in Albany, NY.
Unemployment rate in San Diego, CA is 1.41% lower than in Albany, NY.
Sales Taxes in San Diego, CA are 3.13% lower than in Albany, NY.
State Income Taxes in San Diego, CA are 22.02% higher than in Albany, NY.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,712.4 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albany.

How is life different in Albany, NY to San Diego, CA?

	San Diego	Albany
Population	1,386,932	99,224
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score	6	8
Walkability score	53	65
Bike friendliness score	43	55
Crime Index	21.98	10.0
Safety Index	62.95	49.65
Air Quality	Moderate	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

San Diego’s population is about 1,298% greater than Albany.
San Diego’s public transportation is not as good as Albany with a score of 6 vs 8.
San Diego is less walkable than Albany with a score of 53 vs 65.
San Diego is less bike-friendly than Albany with a score of 43 vs 55.
San Diego's crime rate is higher than Albany with a score of 21.98 compared to 10.0.
San Diego is considered to be safer than Albany with a safety index of 62.95 vs 49.65.
Air Quality in San Diego is Moderate, and in Albany it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to San Diego, CA

Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round..
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 on the state regulator's official website.
Moving Permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to San Diego. Get started here.
Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Albany Movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Mabey's Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	515 Third Avenue Extension, Rensselaer, NY, 12144 (518) 283-0017
Mack's Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.72 overall rating	4 Center Street, Green Island, NY, 12183 (518) 326-2041
Lamanna Moving & Storage, LLC	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	559 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12204 (518) 618-2836

Visit our Best Movers in Albany page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in San Diego, CA

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods in San Diego to move to.

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

What to do in San Diego

Moving to The “America's Finest City”? These are some of the best things to do in your new California home.

San Diego Zoo
The Botanical Building and the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden (Balboa Park)
SeaWorld San Diego
USS Midway Museum
Gaslamp Quarter
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
La Jolla Cove and Seal Rock
Legoland
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Coronado Island
North Park
Hang-gliding and Paragliding Tours
Seaport Village
Belmont Park
Pacific Beach
Liberty Public Market
Cabrillo National Monument
Mexican Food
Mission San Diego de Alcala
Museum of US (Balboa Park)
UCSD Stuart Art Collection
San Diego Central Library
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Grant Hill Park