Winter Moving & Storage
San Francisco, California
96Trust5.0· 327
- Local
- Long-distance
- Packing
San Francisco Moving Cost Calculator
Estimate what your move in or out of San Francisco should cost, sized to your actual home and localized to California rates, then compare 65 movers with a Trust Score.
Localized to San FranciscoFree, no sign-upNo leads sold
What are you moving?
Select your move type to get started
How much does it cost to move in San Francisco?
Moving costs in San Francisco sit well above the national average. A local move for a three-bedroom home runs $3,000 – $3,450 full-service, or $500 – $1,100 with a moving container; a one-bedroom is closer to $850 – $1,100. Local movers bill by the hour for each mover, and the calculator uses about $110 an hour here (MoveAdvisor's guide assumes $80 nationally). A long-distance move out of San Francisco (around a thousand miles) for the same household clusters near $5,350 – $10,050. The numbers below are localized to San Francisco, then the calculator sizes your actual inventory so you get a figure for your move, not a national average.
Local move · 1-bedroomfull-service
$850 – $1,100Local move · 3-bedroomfull-service
$3,000 – $3,450Local move · 4-bedroomfull-service
$3,900 – $4,3003-bedroom · moving containeryou load, they drive
$500 – $1,1003-bedroom · DIY truck rentalbefore fuel
$100 – $250Long-distance move from San Francisco~1,000 mi, 3-bedroom
$5,350 – $10,050Local crew rateper mover
$110 / hrRanges are planning estimates, not binding quotes. Localized to San Francisco from 2026 industry baselines and adjusted for local labor and cost of living. Use the calculator above to size your actual inventory.
When is the best time to move in San Francisco?
The easiest time to book a move in San Francisco is October through April. Peak season runs May through September, when crews are busiest, and month-end and weekend dates are the busiest slots in any month. A mid-month weekday off-season gives you the most choice of crews and dates.
What affects moving costs in San Francisco?
How much you own
Local San Francisco moves are billed by the hour, so volume is the cost: more furniture and boxes mean more crew-hours. Decluttering before you pack is the cheapest way to cut the bill.
Access at both ends
San Francisco is one of the most expensive metros to move in: steep hills, narrow Victorian staircases, tight parking that often needs a temporary no-parking permit, and premium labor rates.
Move date and season
Peak season (May through September) is the busiest stretch in San Francisco. Month-end and summer weekends fill first; a mid-month weekday in October through April is the easiest window to book.
Distance and service tier
Full-service costs the most and takes the least effort; a moving container splits the difference; a DIY truck rental is cheapest if you'll do the lifting. Distance changes the picture: local moves bill by the hour, long-distance moves by weight and mileage.
Top-rated moving companies in San Francisco
65 San Francisco moving companies, each with a Trust Score built from verified customer signals. Get a written quote and check it against your estimate above.
NorthStar Moving Company
San Francisco, California
94Trust4.9· 918
- Local
- Long-distance
- International
Run a moving company in San Francisco? Claim your free listing. 5 Featured slots open in San Francisco.
San Francisco moving cost FAQ
How much does it cost to move in San Francisco?+
A local move in San Francisco typically runs $3,000 – $3,450 full-service for a three-bedroom home, $500 – $1,100 with a moving container, and less for a one-bedroom (around $850 – $1,100). Your exact cost depends on how much you own, access at both ends, and the date.
How much do movers charge per hour in San Francisco?+
Local movers bill by the hour for each mover. MoveAdvisor's guide assumes about $80 an hour per mover nationally, and the calculator uses about $110 for San Francisco. On that arithmetic a three-bedroom home takes about four movers for seven hours. The total depends on how many hours the move takes, which is driven by volume, stairs, and how packed you are when they arrive.
When is the best time to move in San Francisco?+
October through April is the easiest window to book, since peak season (May through September) is when crews are busiest. Within any month, a mid-month weekday is easier to book than a month-end weekend.
How many moving companies are in San Francisco?+
We currently track 65 moving companies serving San Francisco, California, each with a Trust Score built from verified customer signals. Compare them below and check a written quote against the estimate from the calculator.
Is a moving container cheaper than movers in San Francisco?+
Usually, yes. A container move in San Francisco ($500 – $1,100 for a three-bedroom home) typically runs less than full-service ($3,000 – $3,450) because you supply the loading labor. You trade money for effort.
How much does a long-distance move from San Francisco cost?+
A long-distance move out of San Francisco (roughly a thousand miles) runs about $5,350 – $10,050 full-service for a three-bedroom household, less with a container or DIY truck. Cost scales with both your volume and the exact distance.