How Much Do Movers Cost in San Diego?

Moving locally in San Diego: A local move within San Diego can cost anywhere between $370 and $3,600, depending on the size of the move and the required services.

Moving long distance to or from San Diego, CA: The cost of long-distance moves to or from San Diego, CA, can range from $3,500 to $14,000, based on the weight of the shipment, the distance between the origin and the destination location, and the time of the year.

As daunting as all aspects of the relocation process may be, it’s the cost of the move that causes much of the stress and worries. You may be concerned that you may be overcharged, that your move may drain all your savings, or even that you may not have enough money to cover all your relocation-related expenses.

To ensure your peace of mind and plan your finances well, you need to know your moving costs in advance.

If you’re about to move within San Diego, CA, or from America’s Finest City to another part of the country, you’re in luck – you can find the average cost of moving in and out of San Diego below.

So, how much do San Diego movers cost? How much can you expect to pay for a local move within the city and for a cross-country move from the Birthplace of California?

Here are all the answers you need:

How much does it cost to hire local movers in San Diego?

For a local move in San Diego, relocation costs can range from $400-$500 (for a small apartment) to $3,500-$4,000 (for a large house).

Here is the average cost to hire a local moving company in San Diego at a glance:

• One-bedroom apartment – The average cost to hire San Diego movers for a 1-bedroom apartment is about $370-$600.
• Two-bedroom home – The cost of moving a 2-bedroom home in the Californian paradise can range between $640 and $1,200.
• Three-bedroom home – Moving a 3-bedroom home in Sand Diego requires more movers and takes longer, so the price rises to $1,100-$2,000.
• Four-bedroom house – When it comes to larger homes, local moving help in San Diego can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $3,400 or more.

Hillcrest or Little Italy, Chula Vista or La Jolla, wherever you’re relocating, you can use the above figures to get a rough idea of your moving costs in San Diego. In order to learn your actual moving cost, though, you need to request a quote from a reputable local moving company in San Diego and specify the size of your move and the area of the city where you’re moving to.

Needless to say, moving within the inner city will be less expensive than moving to one of the wonderful San Diego suburbs Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, La Mesa, Del Mar, etc. (See also: Moving to San Diego guide)

Keep in mind that all Californian movers, including moving companies in San Diego, are regulated by the California Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Household Goods and Services. Shippers of household items need to have a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission in order to operate legally in the state, so when hiring a local mover in San Diego, CA, you’re advised to check the company’s registration number to confirm that your chosen moving partner is properly registered in the Golden State.

How much does it cost to hire San Diego movers for a long distance move?

If you intend to leave America’s Finest City, it’s important to know that long distance moving companies in San Diego estimate cross-country moving costs based on weight and distance:

See also: How much does it cost to hire movers?

Let’s explore some of the most popular moving routes from San Diego, California, to other major cities in the country:

• Moving from San Diego, CA to Austin, TX
  • $2,900 – $5,800 (1-bedroom)
  • $3,500 – $7,050 (2-bedroom)
  • $4,800 – $8,000 (3-bedroom)
  • $6,200 – $9,550 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to Denver, CO
  • $2,750 – $5,700 (1-bedroom)
  • $3,300 – $6,750 (2-bedroom)
  • $4,200 – $7,250 (3-bedroom)
  • $5,050 – $8,150 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to Las Vegas, NV
  • $1,450 – $3,500 (1-bedroom)
  • $1,850 – $4,900 (2-bedroom)
  • $2,350 – $5,450 (3-bedroom)
  • $2,850 – $6,150 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to New York, NY
  • $3,100 – $6,550 (1-bedroom)
  • $4,550 – $7,950 (2-bedroom)
  • $6,200 – $9,300 (3-bedroom)
  • $8,650 – $13,400 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AR
  • $1,550 – $3,500 (1-bedroom)
  • $2,050 – $5,000 (2-bedroom)
  • $2,450 – $5,600 (3-bedroom)
  • $2,900 – $6,250 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to Portland, OR
  • $2,800 – $5,850 (1-bedroom)
  • $3,400 – $6,950 (2-bedroom)
  • $4,300 – $7,500 (3-bedroom)
  • $5,100 – $8,250 (4-bedroom)
• Moving from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA
  • $3,000 – $5,850 (1-bedroom)
  • $3,550 – $7,100 (2-bedroom)
  • $4,900 – $8,100 (3-bedroom)
  • $6,300 – $10,450 (4-bedroom)

Needless to say, these prices are only rough estimates – the actual cost of your relocation will depend on your chosen moving company and your specific moving needs and requirements. You can use our free moving cost calculator to get a better idea of your relocation costs but for an accurate number, you need to get on-site estimates from several reputable San Diego movers.

When planning to move out of state from San Diego, CA, remember that all interstate movers need to be registered with the FMSCA and to have a valid USDOT number in order to operate legally in the country. So, be sure to verify your chosen San Diego movers’ USDOT number before signing a contract with the company to ensure your peace of mind.

If you’re interested in comparing the rates of San Diego movers with other Californian moving companies, take a look at the cost of hiring movers in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco.

Factors that affect the cost of moving services in San Diego

The cost to hire movers for your relocation within America’s Finest City or out of state from San Diego will be based on the size of your move, the relocation distance, and the required services. Factors such as the time period of your move and the specifics of the area can also affect the price.

• Number of items you have for moving – The more things you want to relocate, the more your shipment will weigh and the more space it will take up in the moving truck. Besides, loading and unloading will also take more time and effort. Therefore, the final moving cost will increase in direct proportion to the size of your move.
• Type of items you’re relocating – Specialty items, fragile items, sensitive items, and extremely heavy items are very difficult to move – they require special care, so they result in a higher moving cost.
• Accessorial services – Professional movers offer a variety of additional services that can make things much easier for you – packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, appliance handling, storage in transit, split pickup and delivery, etc. Each extra service you decide to take advantage of will add to the final cost of your move.
• Specifics of the pickup and delivery locations – Stairs, elevators, small doors, and other obstacles make the moving process much more difficult, so they incur extra charges. Besides, some neighborhood specifics may also affect the final price – when moving to or within Downtown or Gaslamp Quarter for example, you can expect higher costs because of limited parking space and potentially longer carry distances; the narrow streets in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Coronado pose truck accessibility issues that may necessitate extra services and, therefore, extra fees; etc.
• Insurance – The basic liability coverage that you get for free when working with a professional mover covers only $0.60 per pound per item. If you want full value protection, you will need to pay extra.
• Distance between origin and destination – If you’re moving locally in San Diego, you will be charged on an hourly basis. When moving to a different state, the price of your long-distance move will be calculated at a per mile rate.
• Time period of your move – Most house moves take place during the summer, during weekends, during national holidays, and at the beginning and end of a month. Moving services are in high demand during these busy periods, so moving rates are higher. If you schedule your move for an off-peak time (fall or winter, middle of the month, weekdays, etc.), your moving costs may be up to 25% lower than during peak season.

You can find some additional useful information on how movers estimate moving costs here.

How to make your move in – or from – San Diego smoother and cheaper

In order to ensure a safe and smooth moving experience, you need to hire one of the best San Diego movers for your relocation. Fortunately, you can do this without breaking the bank – you just need to do some research and play your cards right:

• Schedule your move for the off-peak season – Movers tend to make discounts and lower their rates during slow periods (when the demand for moving services is low – from October to March, during weekdays, etc.) in order to secure more jobs. So, if you have the flexibility to choose when to move house, picking a moving date during a less busy period will help you get a better deal for your relocation;
• Research moving companies in San Diego – Ask for recommendations, read online reviews, check the companies’ ratings with the BBB, explore the movers’ online profiles, etc. Look for experienced and trustworthy professionals that offer reasonable prices, so you can find cheap movers in San Diego who will take good care of your move;
• Get multiple quotes – Request in-house estimates from three of four reputable and affordable San Diego movers, interview them, and carefully compare the offers (prices, services, time-frames, special conditions, etc.). Call the movers that you like best – discuss the details of your relocation with them and negotiate the cost;
• Pare down your belongings – Declutter your home before the move and get rid of everything you don’t need or love. The fewer items you decide to relocate, the cheaper and easier your move is going to be;
• Pack smartly:
  • Do your own packing – so you don’t need to pay for professional packing services;
  • Get free moving boxes and use alternative packing supplies you already have at home – to save money on packing supplies;
  • Know what not to pack for moving – get a list of non-allowable items from your chosen moving company so you don’t waste time, effort, and money packing things your movers won’t move.

Prepare well for the movers and do your best to avoid rookie moving day mistakes. (See also: How to organize a safe and trouble-free moving day)

Must-read: How to reduce moving costs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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