Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to move from Nashville to San Diego ranges from $1,488 to $9,849 and the journey will take approximately five to 16 days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 1,988-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Nashville 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 Nashville to San Diego
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Nashville to San Diego can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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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 TN to CA move
Local moving companies in Nashville
- Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Move On: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- 6th Man Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Black Tie Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2016813
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2315850
Alternate Names: 6th Man Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2407712
Alternate Names: Black Tie Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Nashville to San Diego?
Nashville movers charge $120 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 | $1,544 - $6,509 | $1,468 - $3,561 | $1,361 - $2,707 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,134 - $9,849 | $2,638 - $5,425 | $1,488 - $3,253 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,288 - $14,095 | $3,614 - $6,896 | $1,935 - $3,905 |
Cost to hire movers from Tennessee to California
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Tennessee to California, you can expect prices to land between $1,544 and $6,509. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $4,134 to $9,849 for the trip from TN to CA. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $8,288 and $14,095.
Cost of moving containers from Tennessee to California
If you’re relocating from Tennessee to California, you’ll typically spend between $1,468 and $3,561 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,638 up to $5,425. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,614 and $6,896. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Tennessee.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Tennessee 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 $1,361 and $2,707. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,488 and $3,253. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $1,935 up to $3,905 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Nashville to San Diego move
What to know before moving from Nashville to San Diego
Moving from Nashville to San Diego comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Diego is generally more expensive than Nashville, 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:
| Nashville | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,971 | $2,881 |
| Average home value | $428,678 | $1,003,444 |
| Average income (per capita) | $79,020 | $72,963 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,108 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,447 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 6.6% |
| Sales tax | 9.75% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in San Diego, since prices are typically 46% higher than in Nashville.
- The home prices in San Diego are 134.1% higher than in Nashville, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income in San Diego is 7.7% lower than in Nashville, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in San Diego — including United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 7.7% higher than in Nashville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to San Diego can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 8.6% less than what it costs in Nashville.
- The unemployment rate in San Diego is 46.67% higher than in Nashville.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in San Diego, since the city's sales taxes in San Diego are 20.51% lower than in Nashville.
- State income taxes in San Diego are 13.30% higher than in Nashville.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,229.73 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Nashville.
How life is different in Nashville vs. San Diego
| San Diego | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 689,447 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 53 | 96 |
| Bike friendliness score | 43 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 39.83 | 49.1 |
| Safety Index | 60.17 | 50.9 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of San Diego is about 101% greater than Nashville, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- San Diego offers better access to buses and trains than Nashville, based on public transportation ratings. San Diego has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Nashville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- San Diego neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Nashville. Based on its score of 53 out of 100, San Diego isn't as walkable as Nashville, which has a score of 96 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in San Diego, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Nashville. While Nashville has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, San Diego earned a 43. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- San Diego has a lower crime rate than Nashville based on scores of 39.83 and Nashville's 49.1, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in San Diego than in Nashville, based on San Diego's safety index of 60.17 versus 50.9 for Nashville. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in San Diego isn't as good as it is in Nashville, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Diego has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Nashville is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Nashville vs. San Diego move
- 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in California, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to San Diego Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in San Diego
With your sights set on America's Finest City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in San Diego.
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
Things to do in San Diego
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Diego has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: San Diego is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Maritime Museum of San Diego, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's La Jolla Cove, Balboa Park, La Jolla Shores Park, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an San Diego Padres (MLB), San Diego Gulls (AHL), or San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Nashville to San Diego?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Nashville to San Diego. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Nashville.
When is the cheapest time to move from Nashville to San Diego?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Nashville to San Diego 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 Nashville to San Diego take?
Covering 1,988 miles, the move from Nashville, TN to San Diego, CA typically takes five to 16 days. Some Nashville movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in San Diego can help bridge the gap.
