($1,219+) Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,219 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,763 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,090 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,388, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,763 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,692 - $6,156, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,219 - $3,260.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,470 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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from Memphis to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,470 - $7,954 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,090-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,090-mile route from Memphis to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,388 - $5,736 with full-service movers, $1,692 - $2,972 with a container, $1,219 - $2,375 with a rental truck, or $1,464 - $2,898 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,470 - $7,954 full-service, $2,001 - $4,211 by container, $1,268 - $2,853 by rental truck, or $1,668 - $3,507 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,772 - $11,763 full-service, $2,945 - $6,156 by container, $1,697 - $3,260 by rental truck, or $2,333 - $4,551 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, costs between $2,388 and $11,763. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,090-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $449 - $2,992, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Memphis and San Francisco. For a rough baseline, movers based in Memphis tend to start around $334 plus $125/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,388 - $5,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,470 - $7,954
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,772 - $11,763
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 Memphis to San Francisco.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Francisco, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $748 - $7,480 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Cord Moving and Storage | $299 - $1,795/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $449 - $3,590 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,496 - $4,488 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,740 - $14,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,121 - $2,129 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Guardian Moving Systems | $1,496 - $3,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Cord Moving and Storage | $1,197 - $5,236 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $449 - $2,244 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage | $972 - $2,992 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $449 - $22,440+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $449 - $5,236+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to San Francisco?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Memphis, TN. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,692 and $6,156. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Memphis costs roughly $45/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,692 - $2,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,001 - $4,211
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,945 - $6,156
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $112 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $224 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,047 in Memphis, TN, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your San Francisco, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $1,692. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,001 - $4,211, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Memphis to San Francisco?
- 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Truck rentals from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, range from $1,219 - $3,260 for the 2,090-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $995 - $1,137
- Daily insurance: $45/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
- Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Memphis to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,219 - $2,375
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,268 - $2,853
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,697 - $3,260
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,219 - $3,260 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Memphis to San Francisco. Fuel ($995 - $1,137) , lodging at around $224/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $224 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $97 and $486 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $995 - $1,137 in fuel for the 2,090-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,047 in Memphis, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis to San Francisco?
- 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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,668 and $3,507.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,464 - $2,898
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,668 - $3,507
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,333 - $4,551
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $112 and $224.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $1,047.
What are the best freight companies from Memphis to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- International Paper (4.76/5 stars): International Paper is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Memphis to San Francisco. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 86 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,299/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $154,209 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $51,211/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 22.51/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Tennessee alone has 71 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,090-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,090-mile route from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA, run $2,388 - $11,763 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,692 - $6,156, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,219 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,470, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to San Francisco, CA
Is San Francisco a safe place to live?
San Francisco has a safety index of 38.59 out of 100 and a crime index of 61.41, compared to 22.51 and 77.49 in Memphis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is San Francisco?
San Francisco has a walkability score of 99 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 35 and 41 in Memphis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Francisco?
For families, Bernal Heights, Inner Sunset, and Noe Valley are worth a look in San Francisco. If you're moving solo or without kids, Marina District, Mission Bay, and Mission District tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/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 Francisco run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.