The price window for professional movers in San Jose is pretty huge. On one hand, you can score a local mover for as little as $120. But on the other hand, moving your 5-bedroom home across country can cost upwards of 12 grand.
When people ask us “How much does it cost to move in San Jose?” there’s no easy answer. Every move is different, and so is every moving company. Some folks are only moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment across town, and some folks have a lot more stuff and a lot more miles to cover.
Whether you’re moving local or moving long distance, it’s always a good idea to cut down on the excess before you shop for quotes. The less you have, the less you’ll have to pay. It also gives you a stronger bargaining position when you shop around for movers. (But fortunately, Pricing Van Lines keeps it cheap right out of the gate).
When you’re shopping for movers, make sure you read your quote carefully. There may be other fees and add-ons, such as…
- Packing fees
- Access fees for elevators, gates, long carries, and staircases
- Shuttle fees
- Storage fees
- Full-coverage insurance (which isn’t required, but can be a real lifesaver)
Cost to Hire Local Movers in San Jose?
Local moving in San Jose can be downright affordable. That’s because local movers charge per hour, per mover (and each job usually requires 2 movers per bedroom).
Don’t get too excited, though. Local moving companies may look a little cheaper on the surface, but there are some reasons your relocation may be more expensive.
For one, you may have a ton of heavy and awkward furniture. Your movers will have to spend time disassembling it and reassembling it, which in turn takes more hours. Another example: rush hour. If you don’t plan smart, your movers may be stuck in a traffic jam with the meter running. Again, more hours – and a lot more money.
| Home Size | No. of Movers | # Hours | Ave Cost / Hr | Average Cost |
| Studio + 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 2 hours | $120 | $240 |
| 2 Bedroom | 3 movers | 4 hours | $180 | $720 |
| 3 Bedroom | 4 movers | 6 hours | $240 | $1,440 |
| 4 Bedroom | 4 movers | 7 hours | $240 | $1,680 |
| 5 Bedroom+ | 5 movers | 9 hours | $300 | $2,700 |
Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers in San Jose?
If you’re moving over 100 miles or across state lines, you’ll need to book a long distance moving company. Long-distance moves from San Jose are priced per mile and per pound. Moving a 1-bedroom apartment 1,000 miles will cost from $2,800 to $4,500. A 4-bedroom home can cost from $5,100 all the way up to $8,350 (and more).
It’s not all bad news, though. If you’re moving less than 1,000 miles, you’ll pay less than our ballpark estimate. And if you manage to downsize before shopping for quotes (i.e. get rid of all that unwanted clutter in your house so you don’t have to pay to move it), you can get a much cheaper long distance move.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,500
- 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,900
- 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,550
- 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,100–$8,350
Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs
- Packing fees
- Insurance
- Vehicle transport
Your Cross Country Moving Cost
Nationwide movers need to deal with a ton of communication and coordination – not to mention lots of fuel expenses. That’s why cross country moving usually runs from $3,000 to $12,000.
Coast to coast relocations are an expensive game, but you get what you pay for: highly-trained teams, a solid support network, and usually a few bonuses thrown in if you book outside of peak season (June through August).
- Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000–$5,000
- 2-Bedroom Home: $5,500–$7,500
- 3-Bedroom Home: $7,000–$10,000
- 4-Bedroom Home: $9,000–$12,000
Key Cost Factors
- Distance: Just like a long distance move, but bigger. More miles, more money.
- Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800, but this depends on the truck.
- Specialty Services: Packing, junk removal, vehicle hauling, storage… add it all up, and you’re in for a few hundred bucks, or even a few thousand.
Make Your Move Effortless – Get a Quote Today!
- 15% off seasonal discount
- 10% off for early reservations
- 10% off for flexible pickup windows
Call us now at 305-504-2383 or quickly get your free moving quote using our online cost calculator – it only takes seconds!
How Much Does it Cost to Move if it’s DIY?
Lots of people test their luck with a DIY move. We wouldn’t recommend it – and we’re not just saying that as a professional moving company.
First of all, you’ll have to pay for a truck rental. That’s $20 to $120 a day, in a best-case scenario. You’ll also have to pay for gas, and anyone who’s seen a gas pump knows that can be as high as $500 for a long-distance move. You’ll also need to shell out for packing supplies, and some extra hands for loading up the big, heavy items like appliances. (It’ll be cheaper than a hospital visit.)
All told, a DIY move can be cheap – but you’ve gotta stay extra disciplined. Professional movers may cost a bit more, but the ease and efficiency is priceless.
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
How Long Does Moving Take?
Your move can take anywhere between 1 and 21 days. Again, it comes down to the distance you’re traveling and all the boxes that need loading and unloading – but it also comes down to rules, regulations, and industrywide practices.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a whole list of rules for drivers, including how many hours they can work per day. If a driver logs too many hours in one 11-hour period, the FMCSA may investigate them for safety violations.
Movers also practice bundling to cut down on empty space. This means they’ll load multiple moves into the same truck or trailer to maximize fuel and trip efficiency. After all, if they’re driving long distance, they may as well make every gallon of gas count.
Bundling saves money, but it also leads to delays while movers unload (or pick up) other moves en route to their destination. You can pay for rush delivery if you’re really in a hurry, but that can cost as much as a few thousand dollars.
Hire the Best with Pricing Van Lines
How much does it cost to hire movers in San Jose? It varies wildly, from $120 to $12,000. But if you choose to move with Pricing Van Lines, we’ll keep those costs manageable. Tell us more about your move, and we’ll send you a free quote today!
