($1,097+) San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to San Jose, CA, runs anywhere from $1,045 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,500 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,691 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,372, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,500 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,586 - $5,493, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,045 - $2,977.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to San Jose, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,198 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio to San Jose: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,198 - $7,290. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,691 miles, expect 4 to 15 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,691-mile route from San Antonio to San Jose, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,372 - $5,297 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,586 - $2,728), rental truck ($1,045 - $1,986), or freight trailer ($1,427 - $2,714). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,198 - $7,290 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,500.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
For the 1,691-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to San Jose, California, full-service movers cost between $2,372 and $10,500. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $441 - $2,940 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Antonio generally start around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,372 - $5,297
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,198 - $7,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,676 - $10,500
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 San Antonio to San Jose.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Jose, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $735 - $7,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $294 - $1,764/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $441 - $3,528 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,470 - $4,410 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,675 - $14,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,101 - $2,092 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $1,470 - $3,675 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,176 - $5,145 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $441 - $2,205 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $956 - $2,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $441 - $22,050+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $441 - $5,145+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to San Jose?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in San Antonio, TX. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to San Jose, California, cost between $1,586 and $5,493. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Antonio runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,586 - $2,728
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,048 - $4,138
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,687 - $5,493
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $110 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $221 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 $1,029 in San Antonio, TX, 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 Jose, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,586. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,048 - $4,138, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to San Jose?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
Plan on $1,045 - $2,977 for a rental moving truck on the 1,691-mile route from San Antonio, Texas, to San Jose, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $791 - $904
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to San Jose based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,438 - $2,977
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,045 - $2,977 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Antonio to San Jose. Fuel ($791 - $904) , lodging at around $221/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,029.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $791 - $904 for the 1,691-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $88 and $478, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $221 per night for hotel stops on the 1,691-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $441 - $662.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to San Jose?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Antonio, Texas, to San Jose, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,323 and $3,053.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,427 - $2,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,654 - $3,053
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,063 - $4,136
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $110 - $221 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in San Antonio, Texas, typically costs $1,029.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to San Jose?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Jose fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs San Jose, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Jose, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 231 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $3,095/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $141,565/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 52.27/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,691-mile route.
Our take
A move from San Antonio, TX, to San Jose, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,372 - $10,500 on the 1,691-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,586 - $5,493, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,045 - $2,977. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,198 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Cisco Systems and Western Digital.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to San Jose, CA
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,372 to $10,500, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,372 and $10,500, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,084 - $2,410. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($791 - $904), daily insurance ($44/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $221/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to San Jose, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
