Moving costs in San Diego, CA
Movers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro earn a median $20.83/h (BLS OEWS 2025), 7.6% above the national median of $19.35. That ranks 17 of 50 metros we cover, so expect billed rates around $54–$71 per mover per hour. Diesel in the California region costs $8.08/gal (EIA, 2026-11-02).
Sources: BLS wages, EIA fuel prices, U.S. CensusData updated 2026-11-04How we calculate →
Local move estimates in San Diego
October move, about 12 miles between homes, with the truck fee.
| Home size | Crew & time | Full service | With packing | DIY truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers, 3–4 h | $460–$830 | $710–$1,280 | $150–$330 |
| 1-bedroom | 2 movers, 4–6 h | $570–$1,110 | $1,070–$2,010 | $160–$360 |
| 2-bedroom | 3 movers, 5–7 h | $970–$1,780 | $1,720–$3,130 | $170–$390 |
| 3-bedroom | 4 movers, 7–9 h | $1,690–$2,880 | $2,940–$5,130 | $190–$450 |
| 4+ bedroom | 4 movers, 9–12 h | $2,120–$3,730 | $3,870–$6,880 | $210–$510 |
Metro facts that move the price
- Population (Census, July 2024): 3,298,799
- Net domestic migration 2024: -23,934 people left on net, so outbound demand is higher and outbound slots book up first in summer
- Peak season (June–August) adds about 12–15% vs. October; winter is ~5–7% cheaper.
Long-distance moves from San Diego
- Los Angeles, CA · 134 mi
- San Francisco, CA · 550 mi
- Riverside, CA · 106 mi
- Sacramento, CA · 567 mi
- San Jose, CA · 500 mi
- Phoenix, AZ · 359 mi
- New York, NY · 2,913 mi
- Las Vegas, NV · 318 mi
- Washington, DC · 2,724 mi
Moving to San Diego
- from Los Angeles, CA
- from San Francisco, CA
- from Riverside, CA
- from Sacramento, CA
- from San Jose, CA
- from Washington, DC
- from New York, NY
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FAQ
How much do movers cost per hour in San Diego?
Based on the BLS 2025 median wage for movers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro ($20.83/h), billed rates work out to about $54–$71 per mover per hour, including the company's overhead and the truck.
How much is a local 2-bedroom move in San Diego?
About $970–$1,780 for a 3-person crew on a ~12-mile move in October, before packing and tips.