Native Van Lines
- Highly professional
- Affordable rates
Roadway Moving
- Easy quote system
- Discounts for students
Rockstar Pro Movers
- Great reputation
- Hourly rates
Moving APT put together a comprehensive guide to the top 5 moving companies in San Francisco, pulling from authentic customer feedback and our over 22 years of experience in the moving industry.
In this article, we’ll give you an inside look at what SF movers you can trust, and some tips and tricks you can’t find anywhere else.
Ready to get moving? Read on to see our top 5 picks for the best moving companies in San Francisco, and learn how you can make the moving day even easier, whether you’re going down the block or out of state.
In this article
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers in San Francisco?
A San Francisco move can cost you anywhere between $550 and $5200 if you’re moving locally, and $1300 and $15000 if you’re moving long distance.
Keep in mind your final price may depend on how much you’re moving, and how far everything has to travel.
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| Local (Less than 100 Miles) | $550 – $700 | $850 – $1800 | $1300 – $5200 |
| 100 miles | $1300 – $1800 | $1650 – $2100 | $1500 – $3900 |
| 250 miles | $1400 – $2200 | $1800 – $3500 | $2,000 – $4800 |
| 750 miles | $1500 – $2900 | $2400 – $6900 | $5700 – $7900 |
| 1500 miles | $1700 – $3200 | $2900 – $7900 | $6700 – $9500 |
| 2500 miles+ | $1900 – $3700 | $4200 – $9200 | $15000+ |
Aside from the distance traveled and the amount of stuff being moved, There are several other factors that affect how much you’ll pay on a moving day.
Check out our section on the factors behind your moving costs, and check out these articles for more pricing info:
What to Look for in San Francisco Movers
Every moving company is different, but all the best movers will have a few important things in common. When you’re searching for a mover in the City, keep an eye out for the following:
- Licensing and Insurance: Checking for licensing and insurance is a solid way to filter out any sketchy moving companies. Long distance movers need to be certified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), so look for their FMCSA number.
- Experience: If you’re planning a move, you need movers who know what they’re doing. Keep an eye out for a moving company with a proven track record of successful moves and positive reviews from their customers.
- Services Offered: Different movers offer different services, and you may or may not need all the bells and whistles if you’re just moving down the block. On the other hand, some specialty moving services are essential if you have large or fragile items.
- Price: Moving costs money, but how much you end up paying depends on what movers you choose. We recommend getting quotes from a few different companies so you can compare their prices and possibly even take advantage of price matching.
- Customer Service: Customer services speaks measures for how the rest of your move is going to go. Choose a mover with friendly and professional customer service, and make sure they’ll be around to answer any questions you may have later.
Compare Moving Companies in San Francisco
| Company | 
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| Rating | 4.8 4.8/5 | 4.8 4.8/5 | 4.7 4.7/5 | 4.9 4.9/5 | 4.5 4.5/5 |
| Avarage Price (2-3 Bed) | $3210- $7320 | $3300- $7900 | $2950 - $6650 | $3050 - $6820 | $2900- $8250 |
| Superlative | Best Customer Service | Most Experienced Movers | Most Efficient | Best For Long Distance | Most Affordable |
| Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote |
Top 5 Moving Companies in San Francisco
Native Van Lines is a full-service moving company that specializes in long-distance moves. With a network of experienced movers, they can handle all aspects of your move, from packing and loading to transport and unpacking. They also offer storage solutions if needed.
Native has been providing transportation and logistics for their customers for over 20 years. They’re an award-winning company with a long history of customer satisfaction, which is reassuring peace of mind if you’re on the fence about booking movers in San Francisco.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Full-service moving options
- Experienced team of movers
Cons
- May not be suitable for small, local moves
Why We Recommend Native Van Lines
Native Van Lines has a reputation for providing high-quality moving services at competitive prices. We appreciate their attention to detail and their personalized approach to each move, and they go the extra mile to make sure every customer’s unique needs are met.
Roadway Moving has been in business since 2008, providing high-quality moving services to customers in San Francisco and beyond. With a focus on customer satisfaction and affordable pricing, Roadway Moving has earned a reputation as one of the top moving companies in the Bay Area.
Roadway started in New York City, but they’ve been expanding nationwide ever since. They still keep their young start-up sensibilities, going to great lengths to do right by their customers and providing a wide range of services to keep you satisfied. Check out Roadway Black, their VIP moving option!
Pros
- Provides full-service moving
- Offers competitive pricing
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Some services may not be available for certain moves
Why We Recommend Roadway Moving
Roadway Moving may not be as young as they used to be, but they’re still in the game like they’ve got something to prove. We’ve always been impressed by their drive for high customer satisfaction, and that Roadway Black option is pretty slick.
Originally based in Los Angeles, Rockstar Pro Movers is a great moving company that also operates in the San Francisco Bay Area (and beyond).
They offer a wide range of different services, giving you a helping hand with residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking, and storage solutions.
Rockstar Pro Movers has a pretty comprehensive discount system in place, but you’ll want to get in touch with them to make sure you qualify. Fortunately, their website is super intuitive and easy-to-use, and they’ve included a lot of helpful tips and tricks you can check out, too.
Pros
- Packing and unpacking services
- Storage options and available
- Reliable and professional movers
- Helpful and polished website
Cons
- Some discounts may not be available
Why We Recommend Rockstar Pro Movers
We’re big fans of any mover that offers free information on how their customers can make moving day even easier. Rockstar Pro Movers has a great website that you can use as a helpful resource, and they have discounts available for seniors, military, and more.
Adams Van Lines vets and screens movers so you always know you’re in good hands. They have a nationwide network of agents and movers to help you with your local and long distance moves, so they’re a great choice for moving to or from San Francisco.
If you’re looking for easy customer service, Adams has you covered. They provide their customers with a single point of contact if they have any questions, comments, or concerns. This means you won’t get bounced around between departments if you try to get in touch.
Pros
- Streamlined customer service
- Nationwide network of agents and movers
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible scheduling
Cons
- Limited availability for last-minute moves
Why We Recommend Adams Van Lines
Pricing Van Lines has 20 years of moving under their belt, and they know its way around local or interstate moves. They offer a wide range of services, and they’re a great option for a San Francisco move on a budget.
Despite their affordability, Pricing Van Lines doesn’t cheap out on quality. They have a whole network of skilled movers on their side, and they make sure their teams are up to the task. Pricing can help you if you’re moving across town or across the country, and you won’t break the bank while you’re at it.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Efficient and timely services
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Limited availability in certain areas
Why We Recommend Pricing Van Lines
What Factors Contribute to Moving Costs in San Francisco?
Moving costs in San Francisco can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Distance: The distance you’re moving is one of the most significant factors behind your moving costs. Longer moves will generally be more expensive, and a move down the block will generally be cheaper.
- Volume and weight of belongings: The more stuff you need to move, the more you’ll have to pay. Long-distance movers charge by the overall weight of your belongings, and local movers charge per hour. Either way, more stuff means more money.
- Time of year: The season you choose for your move can also affect the final price of your move. June, July, and August are the most expensive months for planning a move. We recommend you try to schedule a mid-week, mid-month move for maximum savings.
- Packing and unpacking services: If you need packing or unpacking services from your movers, it’ll cost extra. Keep in mind, you’ll have to pay your movers for packing if you want the highest level of insurance coverage.
- Insurance: Moving companies are legally required to provide a minimum amount of coverage for any broken, lost, or destroyed belongings. However, this is usually about $0.60 per pound. If you want full coverage, you’ll have to pay extra.
- Specialty items: Pianos, antiques, artwork, the list goes on. These specialty items require special treatment, and it’s not cheap. You should expect additional charges for a specialty move.
- Access to your property: Do you have a long driveway, several flights of stairs, or elevators? These are all challenges that your movers will have to navigate, and these additional challenges come with additional fees.
- Storage: Sometimes you don’t know if your new space will have enough room for all your stuff, and other times you just don’t know how long it’ll take to get all your stuff situated at your new place. Storage is a great solution, but you’ll have to pay by the month.
- Additional services: Additional services like cleaning, furniture disassembly, reassembly, or hauling appliances will add to the overall cost of your move. If you can handle any of these by yourself, it’s a great way to save some cash.
- Choice of moving company: Different moving companies charge different rates, so we recommend researching and comparing quotes from multiple companies to find the best bang for your buck.
How Long Will a San Francisco Move Take?
A San Francisco move will take anywhere between 1 and 21 days, depending on how much you’re hauling and where it all needs to go.
| Miles | Days |
| 0-500 miles | 1-7 days |
| 500-1500 miles | 3-14 days |
| 1500-2500 miles | 5-21 days |
| 2500+ miles | 7 -21 days |
Many people assume that a smaller move will be finished faster, but this isn’t always the case. Moving companies don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the place, so instead, they’ll wait to bundle multiple moves in one truck. This means a longer wait unless you manage to fill an entire moving truck all by yourself.
If you need more resources to help you plan out moving day, we’ve got you covered. Check out these helpful articles, and read on to see what to look for in San Francisco movers near me:
How to Prepare for a Move in San Francisco
Preparing for a move in San Francisco can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and preparation, it can be made much easier. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to plan and prepare for your move. This includes making a checklist of everything that needs to be done, packing supplies that need to be purchased, and moving companies you need to contact.
- Declutter: Moving is a great opportunity to downsize and get rid of all the stuff you don’t need anymore. Pawn off that old couch and donate that old dresser – and check if your movers offer junk removal for anything that needs to be trashed.
- Pack smart: Labeling your boxes makes everything easier. And when you’re boxing everything up, pack heavier items in smaller boxes to make them easier to carry. Don’t forget to use packing materials like bubble wrap or newspaper to protect fragile items.
- Notify important parties: Contact your bank, utilities, and post office and let them know you’ll be moving. You need to make sure your mail gets forwarded to your new address, and that you won’t experience any disruption in your services.
- Make arrangements for pets and plants: If you have pets or plants, make arrangements for their transportation or care during your move. Look into pet sitters and pet transportation, and make sure you properly prepare your plants for the move.
Here’s How We Rank Our San Francisco Movers
Moving APT has 22 years of experience in the local and long-distance moving field, serving more than 22,000 clients to date. Unlike other recommendation sites, we do real, face-to-face business with the movers in our network.
This makes our data more in-depth and reliable than anything else you’ll find online.
Our rating methodology is based on the following:
Reviews
- Online Reputation: We sort through reviews and company profiles to make sure your movers are highly-rated and backed by plenty of experience.
- Industry-Insider Information: We work with movers to get a full picture of the services provided by other companies across the field.
- Mystery Shopping: We make sure movers are giving you the same rate they give us. Sometimes we call and pose as complete strangers to make sure they’re honest.
licensing and Accreditation
- Arbitration Program: Movers are legally required to have an arbitration program in place to compensate for lost or damaged items. We make sure it’s up to date.
- Active Claim Department: We check to see if movers have any outstanding claims to see how they handle customers who’ve reported damages – and how quickly they help.
- Safety Record: The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System provides us with up-to-date information about a mover’s safety track record, including accidents and inspections.
- Active Moving Insurance: Long-distance movers in NYC are legally required to provide full or released-value protection on all of your items. We make sure of it.
Client Feedback
- Video and phone reviews: We ask our own clients for short video testimonies detailing their experiences with their movers. It shows which movers are exceeding expectations.
- Online surveys: We take the time to read about each completed move to get the full picture of how a mover performed.
As a moving broker, Moving APT actually deals with drivers and movers on a daily basis. We negotiate deals for our clients and ensure that movers always honor their contracts – no last-minute upselling, no overcharging, and no funny business.
It’s how we help our clients get moved with minimal fuss, and it’s part of maintaining clear communication between clients and moving companies.
More customers for better movers If a mover is exceeding expectations, we send them more business. If a mover needs to improve, we don’t. It’s simple.
FAQ About San Francisco Movers
Is moving to San Francisco worthwhile?
The harsh climate and closeness to everything make biking or walking better options, as well. San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the United States, so benefits from the great scenery anytime possible. On the contrary, having a vehicle in the city can be a good or bad experience.
What salary is good in SF?
The average income in San Francisco is $96,265 for homes and $74,841 for single persons as contained in data from the 2013 to 2017 American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates of the United States Census Bureau.
What is the amount to prepare to hire a mover?
Rates of moving services are often about $90 to $120 per hour for two workers. For example, charging $90 per hour, a six hours move involving 2 men would cost $540. You would then need to include insurance, gas, and tip.
Below is some sample move. Always ensure you get the right quote to plan the budget for your move, as each move is different.
2-bedroom townhouse about $375 to $700
3-bedroom house about $800 to $1900
4-bedroom home for about $3,000.
Is it costly to live in San Francisco?
Real estate cost is so much the highest expense for those residing in San Francisco. The average rent in San Francisco is $3,700 and is two and a half times the country’s average of $1,463. The only city that is more expensive than San Francisco of Manhattan with $4,210 as average rent.
Ready to Get Moving?
You’ve seen our list of the best movers in San Francisco, and you’ve seen our tips and tricks to make the moving day even easier. Now all you have to do is shop around, compare quotes, and book your move.
Ready to get started? Check out our moving cost calculator and start budgeting for moving day.
