Moving from Buffalo, NY to San Francisco, CA: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Buffalo, NY to San Francisco, CA averages from $1,663 to $7,914 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco to Buffalo guide.

Best Buffalo to San Francisco movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from Buffalo to San Francisco.
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.
Buffalo to San Francisco car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.

Moving 2,653 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Buffalo to San Francisco?

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	$1,326 - $5,545	$1,421 - $3,539	$1,535 - $2,975
2 - 3 bedrooms	$3,900 - $7,914	$2,523 - $5,260	$1,663 - $3,542
4+ bedrooms	$7,335 - $12,257	$3,477 - $7,164	$2,101 - $4,346

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,653 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 Buffalo to San Francisco 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 Buffalo to San Francisco 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 Buffalo to San Francisco?

To ship furniture from Buffalo to San Francisco with a mover will cost between $1,326 to $5,545. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $3,900 to $7,914, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Buffalo to San Francisco will cost from $7,335 to $12,257.

How much are moving container companies from Buffalo to San Francisco?

Moving containers from Buffalo to San Francisco will cost you $1,421 to $3,539 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,523 to $5,260. A larger home will cost $3,477 to $7,164.

How much is a moving truck from Buffalo to San Francisco?

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 $1,535 to $2,975. A larger move will cost $1,663 to $3,542, and a 4+ bedroom move from Buffalo to San Francisco costs from $2,101 to $4,346.

How to ship a car from Buffalo to San Francisco

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable Buffalo to San Francisco 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 Buffalo, NY to San Francisco, CA a good idea?

Cost of Living: Buffalo vs San Francisco

	Buffalo	San Francisco
Average rent cost	$1,050	$2,900
Average home value	$214,262	$1,579,001
Average income (per capita)	$61,042	$123,859
Cost of Living (single person)	$1,022	$1,270
Cost of Living (family of 4)	$3,645	$4,576
Unemployment rate	9.5%	5.0%
Sales Tax	8.75%	8.63%
State Income Tax	10.9%	13.3%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent Prices in San Francisco, CA are 176% higher than in Buffalo, NY.
Home Prices in San Francisco, CA are 636.9% higher than in Buffalo, NY.
Income in San Francisco, CA is 102.9% higher than in Buffalo, NY.
Cost of Living for a single person in San Francisco, CA is 24.3% higher than in Buffalo, NY.
Cost of Living for a family in San Francisco, CA is 25.5% higher than in Buffalo, NY.
Unemployment rate in San Francisco, CA is 47.37% lower than in Buffalo, NY.
Sales Taxes in San Francisco, CA are 1.37% lower than in Buffalo, NY.
State Income Taxes in San Francisco, CA are 22.02% higher than in Buffalo, NY.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,272.0 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How is life different in Buffalo, NY to San Francisco, CA?

	San Francisco	Buffalo
Population	873,965	278,349
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score	10	7
Walkability score	99	67
Bike friendliness score	99	63
Crime Index	50.72	8.0
Safety Index	40.45	53.55
Air Quality	Moderate	Moderate

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

San Francisco’s population is about 214% greater than Buffalo.
San Francisco’s public transportation is not as good as Buffalo with a score of 10 vs 7.
San Francisco is more walkable than Buffalo with a score of 99 vs 67.
San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Buffalo with a score of 99 vs 63.
San Francisco's crime rate is higher than Buffalo with a score of 50.72 compared to 8.0.
San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Buffalo with a score of 40.45 vs 53.55.
Air Quality in San Francisco is Moderate, and in Buffalo it’s Moderate.

Considerations for moving to San Francisco, CA

Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation..
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 Francisco. 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 Buffalo Movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Wayfinder Moving Services	Get A Quote	4.52 overall rating	75 Comet Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14216 (716) 832-6683
Diamond Moving & Storage, Inc.	Get A Quote	4.38 overall rating	1440 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14209 (716) 710-6640
Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.38 overall rating	364 Nagel Drive, Cheektowaga, NY, 14225 (716) 245-4275