San Diego’s a great town. There’s the beach, Balboa Park, great tacos, blah blah blah. Look, if you’re reading this, odds are you already know plenty about America’s Finest City. But you came here to find out how much it’ll cost to move in, move out, or just move across town.
Fortunately, Moving APT has plenty of experience with local, long distance, and cross country moving. We’ve helped thousands of clients over our 20+ years in the moving industry, so we’d say we’re a pretty reliable source for moving data.
“$150 to $12,000” is not a super helpful window. But if you want the cost of moving in San Diego, this is the size of the ballpark. If you want something a little more specific, read on for a more detailed look at the price of a professional moving company.
Important Factors Behind the Cost of Hiring Movers
Distance, Physical dimensions (size of your move), Extra services and add-ons, Fees and surcharges and Insurance.
How much does it cost to hire local movers in San Diego?
You can book local moving companies in San Diego for like… $150 an hour.
Don’t get too excited: This is a base price for a studio apartment, and it only applies to the moving industry’s strict definition of local moving.
What counts as a local move? We’re glad you asked. In industry parlance, anything under 100 miles AND within the same state counts as a local move.
These guys charge per hour, per mover. Usually, it takes two movers per bedroom.
| Home Size | Average Total Cost | Cost per Hour | Number of Movers |
| Studio/1 Bedroom | $750 | $150/hr | 2 Movers |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,225 | $225/hr | 3 Movers |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,800 | $300/hr | 4 Movers |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,250 | $300/hr | 4 Movers |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $3,575 | $375/hr | 5 Movers |
If you’re just moving across town, a local moving company may be your best bet for a quick and easy relocation: They’ll know all those sneaky back-routes, and since they’ve got a local reputation to maintain, you can expect great customer service.
Pro Tip
Working with local movers? Wanna save money on moving day? Do everything you can to streamline the process. You’re getting billed per hour, so make every minute count. We recommend staging everything in one easy-to-access corner or bedroom. Also, try to schedule your move far from rush hour!
How much does it cost to hire long distance movers in San Diego?
If you’re moving over 100 miles or across state lines, you’ll be working with long distance movers – and they’ll cost you between $400 and $12,000. Long-distance moves from San Diego can vary wildly in price. But why?
Long distance movers charge per mile, and per pound. This means if you’re moving a studio apartment 101 miles, it’ll be a lot closer to that $400 mark, and if you’re moving a 5-bedroom McMansion all the way to Maine, it’ll be closer to $12,000 (but we’ll get to cross country moving later).
Every move is different, so we went with a basic, 1,000 mile move to give you a frame of reference. Moving more than 1,000 miles? Expect to pay more. Moving less than 1,000 miles? You’re in luck – and you may not have to pay as much.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,830–$4,570
- 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,190–$6,940
- 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,580–$7,640
- 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,170–$8,390
Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs
Take note: You may have to pay more if you’ve requested extras and add-ons.
- Packing fees: $500–$2,000
- Insurance: $100–$300
- Storage fees: $150–$500 per month
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,830 – $4,570 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $3,190 – $6,940 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $4,580 – $7,640 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $5,170 – $8,390 |
| 5-Bedroom Home (Max Est.) | Up to $12,000 |
Pro Tip
You may not be able to do much about the distance, but you can definitely do something about the amount of stuff you’re moving. If you’ve got old, unwanted, or unused items, get rid of them before you shop for movers. There’s no reason to take them with you – and there’s certainly no reason to pay to have them moved!
How much does it cost to hire cross country movers in San Diego?
Cross country movers will cost you between $3,000 and $12,000. Coast to coast moving takes a ton of planning and prep, and you’ll have to pay accordingly. Unlike plain old’ state to state moving, cross country moving requires an extra level of planning and coordination.
Firstly, your moving agent may have to communicate with several different moving companies to provide the same level of care from point A to point B.
And if you’re working with just one mover for all of your extras and add-ons, they’ll need to clear out big blocks of their calendar just to cater to your relocation. Oh, and since it’s such a long haul, expect fuel surcharges, too.
- Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,080–$5,120
- 2-Bedroom Home: $5,620–$7,470
- 3-Bedroom Home: $7,180–$9,990
- 4-Bedroom Home: $9,250–$12,000
Key Cost Factors
- Distance: The farther the move, the higher the transportation costs.
Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800 depending on truck size. - Specialty Services: Packing/unpacking, furniture assembly, and handling fragile items can add $500–$1,000 to your bill.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
| Studio or 1-Bedroom | $3,080 – $5,120 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $5,620 – $7,470 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $7,180 – $9,940 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $9,250 – $12,000 |
How Much Does it Cost to Move in San Diego if it’s DIY?
You can DIY moving in San Diego for like… $150, $200 a day.
But that’s just on paper. Sure, the truck can cost as little as $20 a day, but how many days will you need it? How much was gas last time you filled up? And do you really want to spend all that time wrapping, packing, and loading up boxes?
We’re not just saying this because we’re professional movers. It turns out, a DIY move can be pretty expensive if you’re not disciplined enough with your expenses – especially if you’re traveling long distance.
You’ll have to pay for hotels, food, gas, all that stuff. Plus, you’ll be missing out on some much-needed paychecks during the road trip.
Truck Rental Costs
- Small truck: $20–$30/day
- Medium truck: $40–$70/day
- Large truck: $80–$120/day
Gas Expenses
- Local move: $30–$60
- Long-distance move: $200–$500 (depending on the mileage)
Packing Supplies
- Boxes, tape, and other materials: $100–$250
Labor Costs (if hiring helpers)
- $40–$60/hour per person
Pro Tip
Most people choose DIY moving because it’s the cheapest option. We can’t deny it – it is pretty inexpensive. But you really have to stay on top of your expenses. Map out all your expenses on a spreadsheet, and see if you can score free moving supplies. Liquor stores and bookstores typically have sturdy boxes they’re willing to part with.
How Long Does Moving Take?
Hiring movers is one thing, but how long will you have to wait for them to finish the job? Depending on how far you’re moving, expect your move to take between 1 and 21 days. Fortunately, “21 days” is more of a CYA estimate for worst-case scenarios.
Most local moves (assuming you aren’t moving some 5+ bedroom house) can be finished in one to three days.
But for out of state moving, you’re looking at something closer to a week or two – maybe longer if it’s a massive house and a coast to coast relocation.
Moving takes a while for a few reasons. The first is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These are the guys who make all the rules for interstate transit. As per FMCSA regulations, drivers can’t log more than 11-hours of drive-time per day.
Some Background on Bundling
Aside from the rules, there’s also the industry-wide practice of bundling. If your belongings don’t fill a moving truck or trailer, that’s a lot of empty space that gets wasted on moving day. To maximize efficiency, moving companies will bundle multiple moves in the same truck, filling in every cubic foot.
Don’t worry: Your stuff will be safely secured and separated from the other moves in the truck. The real downside to bundling is it takes extra time to deal with dropoffs and deliveries along the same route. Thankfully, bundling is why you can score long distance moving for pretty cheap sometimes. There may be a truck out there that’s got just enough space for you!
Hire the Best with Moving APT
It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to San Diego or getting out of town – you deserve to move with the best. If you’re ready to book a local or long distance mover you can trust, use Moving APT to get a free quote and a custom-built relocation.
