Average Cost of Movers in San Diego
Based on the price calculation of 9 reviews, we estimate that a move within San Diego should very roughly cost $1529.
That's a very rough estimate. To get real, competitive quotes for your move, please fill in this moving quote form.
314 movers in San Diego
"We used Lion Transportation to move my mother's furniture and household items. From the start we were lied to. Other than under-estimating the weight, which seems to be typical to the moving industry. Three men arrived an hour and a half late in a..."
"I'd like to preface this by explaining that I've moved 10x in 10 years and four of them were cross-country moves. I have had many experiences with movers and this is the only time I have ever needed to complain. I will give American Best Moving..."
"I'm definitely walking the fence on this one. They certainly were eager to get started ahead of schedule, which warped MY schedule. But I can live with that. And they appeared to know their job of loading pretty well. Although, I questioned placin..."
"This company overcharged, showed up late with 2 movers rather than 1, the dispatcher was very very rude, came with a truck that contained other people’s belongings, and still charged an exorbitant rate. I therefore Had to hire a second set of mov..."
"Please do NOT use Straightway Moving & Storage Company. Our move was August 2017 it is now January 2018. It has been over 4 months since we are dealing with this issue. We are left with a broken bed, broken shelving, shattered picture frames, da..."
"PLEASE BELIEVE THE REVIEWS BEFORE YOU REGRET!!! I had a terrible experience with this household mover company. Navistar Van Lines hired Energy Moving Systems for the pick-up and storage, and R&M Transportation for the delivery. I contracted for a..."
"I spend over an hour on the telephone with the moving coordinator, a very polite individual, and we went through every possession in order to get "the most accurate pricing quote". They even stated that their company is Swift Express "like the tru..."
"I would definitely avoid them. Great to work with before they have your money but afterwards is when the nightmare starts. Started off by changing my moving date by several days which wouldn’t be a big deal except that I was flying back on specifi..."
"My name is Svetlana Sonkin. I’m retiree and decided to relocate to Florida. I found moving company Atlantic Express Moving and Storage Inc. with reasonable price. My belonging were packed and picked up on June 2, 2015 in Bellevue, Washington to be..."
"[NAME EDIT] promised no extra costs. I ended up paying an extra $1000 hiden items. And my sofa was damaged. Their insurance said they cover $43. STAY AWAY *UPDATED POST VENDOR RESPONSE: Inaccurate/FALSE response from company. There was nothing ..."
What to know when moving to San Diego, CA
San Diego at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area with 57.3% of residents holding a bachelor's degree and nearly 75% renting.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $90,477, which supports a relatively high standard of living.
- The Reality Check:
- 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line, indicating some economic challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 4.8% use public transit for commuting.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $2,351 a month in rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
San Diego's character is marked by a significant percentage of highly educated residents, with 57.3% holding a bachelor's degree. The housing market reflects a strong rental culture, with 74.9% of the population renting their homes. However, the area faces challenges, as 16.8% of residents live in poverty, highlighting economic disparities. With a low public transit usage rate of just 4.8%, most residents likely rely on cars for their daily commutes.
Probably not your spot if you prefer a vibrant public transportation system or are looking for an area with a lower poverty rate.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median rent is $2,351, which may require a substantial budget.
- Median home value is $740,500, making homeownership a significant investment.
- The community is educated, with 57.3% holding bachelor's degrees, but the poverty rate stands at 16.8%.
- With 74.9% of residents renting, this area shows a strong rental market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In California, the property crime rate stands at 1,764 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% higher than the national average of 1,547. The violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100,000, significantly above the national rate of 325.3. However, both property and violent crime rates have seen a decline, with property crime dropping by 26.1% and violent crime by 17.4% from 2022 to 2025.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100,000 vs. national rate of 325.3
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100,000 vs. national rate of 1,547
- Notable trend: Homicide rate down 44.9% since 2022, now at 3.2 per 100,000
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
San Diego has a robust educational landscape with access to numerous institutions. There are a total of 42 postsecondary schools in the area, providing a range of options for higher education.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 42
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 38
Source: NCES Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
San Diego County experiences an average annual precipitation of about 12.1 inches, with around 50 rainy days each year. Winter typically brings the most rain, with an average of 7.3 inches. The area enjoys a mild climate, making outdoor activities appealing year-round.
- Balboa Park - 4.8 stars (78,275 reviews)
- USS Midway Museum - 4.8 stars (52,287 reviews)
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park - 4.7 stars (31,244 reviews)
- Mission Bay Park - 4.6 stars (25,081 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In San Diego County, the unemployment rate is currently at 4.4%, with a labor force of approximately 1,678,915. There are about 1,604,783 employed individuals in the county, indicating a fairly stable job market.
- Unemployment rate: 4.4% (December 2025)
- Employed: 1,604,783
- Labor force: 1,678,915
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Where do people move from San Diego?
People move long distance from San Diego to popular cities like Austin TX, Denver CO and Portland OR.
Popular destinations within California include Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Here are other popular long distance destinations:
See all popular local, long distance and international moving routes from San Diego here.