Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A typical 2,686-mile move from Buffalo to San Jose runs $2,001–$8,174 and takes seven to 21 days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Jose to Buffalo guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Buffalo to San Jose
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Buffalo to San Jose isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your NY to CA move
Local moving companies in Buffalo
- Bellhop Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Sheridan Brothers Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Interior Moving Services Inc: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Wayfinder Moving Services : 4.66 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 34026
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 2256609
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 32014
Years in Business: 32
DOT #: 1498819
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 40318
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3104397
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 40835
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Bulldog Movers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Buffalo to San Jose?
Buffalo movers charge $200 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,425 - $5,913 | $1,723 - $4,417 | $1,883 - $3,759 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,039 - $8,174 | $2,906 - $6,188 | $2,001 - $4,474 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,835 - $13,190 | $4,090 - $9,032 | $2,554 - $5,281 |
Cost to hire movers from New York to California
Planning a move from New York to California? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,425 and $5,913. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,039 and $8,174 for the same journey (NY to CA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $7,835 to $13,190.
Cost of moving containers from New York to California
When you’re heading from New York to California, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,723 and $4,417. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,906 and $6,188. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $4,090 to $9,032. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from New York easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from New York to California
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $1,883 and $3,759. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $2,001 and $4,474. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $2,554 up to $5,281 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Buffalo to San Jose
What to know before moving from Buffalo to San Jose
Moving from Buffalo to San Jose comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Jose is generally more expensive than Buffalo, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Buffalo | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,200 | $3,095 |
| Average home value | $213,418 | $1,453,657 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,443 | $83,421 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,589 | $3,674 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,720 | $8,354 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5% | 6.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.75% | 9.38% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in San Jose, since prices are typically 158% higher than in Buffalo.
- The home prices in San Jose are 581.1% higher than in Buffalo, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in San Jose, where incomes are, on average, 31.5% higher than in Buffalo. Major employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Jose, since the cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 41.9% higher than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 46.0% higher than in Buffalo.
- The unemployment rate in San Jose is 30.53% lower than in Buffalo.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in San Jose, since its sales taxes are 7.20% higher than what you are paying in Buffalo.
- State income taxes in San Jose are 22.02% higher than in Buffalo.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,257.24 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.
How life is different in Buffalo vs. San Jose
| San Jose | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 971,233 | 278,349 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 67 |
| Bike friendliness score | 62 | 63 |
| Crime Index | 47.73 | 8.0 |
| Safety Index | 52.27 | 53.55 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- San Jose's population is about 249% greater than Buffalo.
- San Jose's public transportation has a similar score to Buffalo.
- San Jose is less walkable than Buffalo with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Buffalo's 67 out of 100.
- Both San Jose and Buffalo have the same bike-friendliness score of 63 out of 100, meaning San Jose is about as safe for cyclists as Buffalo. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
- San Jose's crime rate is higher than Buffalo with a score of 47.73 compared to Buffalo's 8.0. This means that San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Buffalo neighborhoods are safer than 8.0%.
- San Jose and Buffalo are considered to be equally safe.
- Air quality in San Jose is moderate, and in Buffalo it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Buffalo vs. San Jose move
- Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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: To confirm a moving company's license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to San Jose without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 Jose
Now that you've chosen Man Jose as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in San Jose to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Burbank
- Downtown
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Best neighborhoods for families
- Berryessa
- Cambrian Park
- Evergreen
- West San Jose
- Willow Glen
Things to do in San Jose
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Jose has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: San Jose features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Children's Discovery Museum, The Tech Interactive, San Jose Museum of Art, and New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Alum Rock Park, Emma Prusch Farm Park, and Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an San Jose Barracuda (AHL), San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), San Jose Giants (California League), or San Jose Sharks (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Buffalo to San Jose?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Buffalo to San Jose. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Buffalo.
When is the cheapest time to move from Buffalo to San Jose?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Buffalo to San Jose moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Buffalo to San Jose take?
Covering 2,686 miles, the move from Buffalo, NY to San Jose, CA typically takes seven to 21 days. Some Buffalo movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in San Jose can help bridge the gap.
