Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 16 2025
Los Angeles is located some 381.6 miles away from San Francisco. Since both cities are in the same state of California, you’ll want to find the best local movers to get your property to your new home.
Relocating to Los Angeles can be prudent if you want to enjoy California’s beautiful weather without having to bear the steep cost of living in San Francisco. For a smooth experience, it is essential that you know how to identify and select the best local moving company.
Cost Of Moving From San Francisco To Los Angeles
It will cost you an average of between $1500 and $2500 to move from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
The exact amount you will pay for your move will, however, depend on factors such as the number of items you are transporting, and the exact distance to cover. If the commercial movers require additional packing supplies for your items, this will drive up the price. They may also charge extra fees for additional services like packing and unpacking.
Why You Would Want To Move To Los Angeles From San Francisco
The two California cities have a lot in common, but there are still some very distinct differences that would make you choose one over the other.
The need for affordable housing can be one reason you leave the Bay Area and head south to Los Angeles. Even though both cities are expensive, San Francisco is incredibly higher. Housing costs in Los Angeles are 50 percent less expensive than in San Francisco – with the difference in overall cost of living standing at 56 percent.
Which Is Better To Hire Between Hourly And Flat Rate Movers?
The majority of local movers charge by the hour, but the flat rate option is still available with local moves. While one option may not necessarily be better than the other, it may be more suited to your specific circumstances.
Choose an hourly rate when:
- You are only moving a small amount of goods or apartment.
- You intend to do the packing by yourself.
Hourly charges are generally more suited to smaller moves such as a studio apartment which usually take about 3-4 hours.
Ideally the moving company should provide the right number of people to facilitate a quicker move. So, ensure you ask the would-be local mover about the number of people they will be sending over for the job. The more the better for you.
Work with flat rate movers when:
- You are moving over a long distance, lasting two hours or so.
- You are moving a large house with a lot property.
- You are moving in a location notorious for traffic snarl-ups.
Unless you intend to do your own packing, the exercise could drive up the cost of moving for someone charging per hour. Flat rate movers will send people to survey your belongings and establish the estimated value and weight of your items beforehand.
Once the company has taken inventory of your property and agreed on a price, it won’t matter how many hours they take packing or transporting the items. The movers can be stuck on traffic all day but that will not be your problem. In this regard, the flat rate will serve you much better.
moving companies san francisco to los angeles movers from san francisco to los angeles 94116 to 90291 moving company moving company san francisco to los angeles movers san francisco to los angeles moving services san francisco to los angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
Most San Francisco to Los Angeles movers charge $1,200–$3,500 for an intrastate move of roughly 380 miles. Pricing is driven by home size (studio–4BR), shipment weight, number of movers, packing labor, stairs or elevator access, and long-carry distance. Bay Area congestion, Los Angeles delivery restrictions, and summer demand can raise rates. This route is priced by inventory, not hourly. See typical ranges for an average cost of moving interstate.
Transit time is usually 1–3 days from pickup to delivery. Smaller loads may qualify for next-day delivery, while larger homes or shared trucks take longer. Timing depends on load size, I-5 traffic, Grapevine weather, building access rules, and whether packing is included. Weekend pickups and peak-season moves often extend delivery windows due to higher demand and limited truck availability.
Yes. This is a long-distance intrastate California move, not a local move. Movers price it by weight or inventory and follow California DOT rules, with FMCSA standards applying to valuation and documentation. Services typically include inventories, defined delivery windows, and valuation options rather than hourly billing. Learn how these moves differ under a long distance moving service.
The largest cost drivers are shipment size, crew size (2–4 movers), packing time, stairs or elevator schedules, parking permits, and specialty items like pianos or safes. Tight Bay Area loading zones and Los Angeles HOA delivery rules increase labor time. Rates rise during May–September and for weekend moves. Storage needs and valuation coverage also affect totals.
Yes. Many providers offer partial or full packing for long-distance California routes. Packing typically adds $300–$1,200, depending on home size and fragile items. Professional packing reduces damage risk on the long drive and speeds loading in buildings with strict time windows. Packing is commonly bundled with full service movers for efficiency and accountability.
The most affordable window is October through April, excluding holidays. Summer moves cost more due to peak demand and limited capacity. Midweek pickups are usually cheaper than weekends. While weather is generally mild, winter rain in Northern California can affect loading times. Early booking improves availability with San Francisco interstate movers.
