Best Moving Companies in San Francisco | 2024 Guide

By Sean Donnelly Updated August 15, 2024

Table of Contents

Best Moving Companies
Local Movers
Moving Regulations
Our Recommendation
FAQ
How We Chose

All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hiring the best moving company for the job will help make your relocation to or from San Francisco go smoothly. We’ve researched and analyzed dozens of moving companies to find the best interstate and local movers available. Each provider featured in this article offers basic and full-scale, full-service moving assistance to nearly anywhere in the United States. Request quotes from the movers we’ve listed below to get your Bay Area moving process started.

The Best Movers in San Francisco

The following movers are our picks for quality long-distance moving service and personalized local care.

Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines
Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc.
Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT
Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines

Our Top Pick

International Van Lines

Get 10% Off Your Move!

Best for Antiques

American Van Lines

Get your personalized quote!

Best for Condos/HOAs

Safeway Moving Inc.

Get your personalized quote!

Best Scheduling

BLVD Moving

Get a free estimate today!

Did You Know?

388 movers requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.

International Van Lines

Our Top Pick

4.7

Visit Site

International Van Lines is a moving broker and carrier with a presence in the San Francisco Bay Area. It offers a comprehensive range of services and competitive pricing in line with many other top moving companies.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Has a location in nearby San Jose, California
Offers local and long-distance service to the rest of the United States
Features a price calculator tool on its site

Cons

Brokers out many of its moves
Doesn’t offer fixed-rate pricing

Cost Information

The International Van Lines (IVL) quote process is straightforward. Simply call for a quote via the phone number on its home page to receive ballpark pricing. A company representative informed us that we would need to get a visual inspection of our goods for a more definitive quote but that it doesn’t offer binding estimates.

Sample quote: $3,500–$5,150 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: 25%

Payment options: Credit card, cash, check, or money order

Read more: International Van Lines Review

Moving Services Offered

IVL offers a comprehensive range of services. Whether its San Francisco location assists you directly or it brokers your move out to one of its partners, you can expect help with the following:

Assembly and disassembly of furniture
Crating
Local moving
Long-distance moving
Packing
Storage
Unpacking
Vehicle shipping

American Van Lines

Best for Antiques

4.4

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American Van Lines (AVL) is a moving carrier with hubs in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas. Beyond these central locations, it offers long-distance moving to and from the lower 48 states and San Francisco.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves
Has moving crews that average 10 years of experience on the job
Handles its moves directly as a carrier

Cons

Offers no direct local moving service in San Francisco
Requires large deposits to book

Cost Information

American Van Lines’ flat-rate pricing is contingent upon you accurately logging all inventory. Even when you’ve submitted a full inventory, your total cost can shift once your moving truck has been weighed after loading. It requires high deposits (up to 50%) to book.

Sample quote: $3,655–$5,300 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: 10%–50%

Payment options: Credit card, cash, or check

Read more: American Van Lines Review

Moving Services Offered

American Van Lines offers experienced long-distance movers that can assist with the following:

Antique moving and crating
Furniture disassembly and reassembly
Packing
Special packing for fragile items
Storage services
Vehicle shipping

Safeway Moving Inc.

Best for Condos/HOAs

3.5

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Safeway Moving Inc. is a moving carrier and broker that offers flat rates and quality service for long-distance moving clients. You can book a move with this provider for moves of any size, from a one-bedroom apartment to a five-bedroom house. Safeway has insurance requirements that go beyond moving industry regulations. All Safeway affiliates have to carry $1 million insurance policies, enabling them to move within apartment complexes with stringent regulations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Offers flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of all move bills to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Has stringent insurance requirements for its partners

Cons

Requires large deposits for booking
Offers no local moving help in San Francisco

Cost Information

Safeway Moving Inc. offers in-depth moving quotes. We spent more time on the phone with our Safeway representative than we did with any other mover. Safeway offers reassurance to clients with complicated moving needs. However, it isn’t a good candidate for a last-minute move.

Sample quote: $6,300–$7,500 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: Up to 40%

Payment options: Cash, credit card, wire transfer, and several additional options

Read more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review

Moving Services Offered

Safeway offers 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves. In addition, it offers the following services:

Crating
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Packing
Piano moving
Short- and long-term storage
Vehicle shipping

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Best for Major Cities

4.2

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Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a moving broker with partners in all 50 states. While it doesn’t directly offer moving services, it can book long-distance and local moving help for San Francisco moves through its partners. We like that it offers moving guides and other online resources to help you conduct a stress-free move.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Partners with movers in all 50 states
Offers price matching for most moves
Provides guides and partner bios on its site

Cons

Has no weekend customer service
Offers no direct moving services

Cost Information

IMRG offers quick ballpark pricing for moves via a price calculator on its site. You must submit a request form to receive a comprehensive custom quote. A move coordinator can then provide pricing for your local or cross-country moving needs.

Sample quote: $3,900–$7,000 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: Up to 33% for long-distance moves

Payment options: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card, or money order

Moving Services Offered

IMRG works through its partners to provide the following services:

Access to storage facilities
Crating
Heavy-item moving for pianos and similar goods
Local moving
Long-distance moving
Packing

Moving APT

Best for Coordinated Moves

4.5

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Moving APT is a moving broker with partners across all 50 states. Its moving partners offer services from basic to full-scale, full-service moving assistance. We noted that Moving APT features comprehensive breakdowns of the best movers in major cities, including San Francisco, on its site.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Has 2,500-plus partners in all 50 states
Offers a guide to its best mover partners in San Francisco
Provides a cost calculator tool on its site

Cons

Brokers out all moves
Has varied reviews, depending on which partner handles your move

Cost Information

Moving APT offers a cost calculator tool and speedy free quotes. This makes it easy to get approximate pricing figures once you know your move date, inventory, and service needs for your upcoming relocation. We received the sample long-distance quote below, along with a deposit requirement for booking.

Sample quote: $3,576–$6,276 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: Up to 33% for long-distance moves

Payment options: Varies depending on the partner company

Read more: Moving APT Review

Moving Services Offered

Through its partner movers, Moving APT can provide the following services:

Access to storage units
Crating
Debris removal after move-out
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Packing
Packing materials
Vehicle shipping

JK Moving Services

Best Mobile App

4.9

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JK Moving Services is a moving carrier and broker that offers long-distance moving services to and from the San Francisco Bay Area. This provider offers a best-in-class mobile app that gives you access to GPS tracking and moving data from quote day through moving day. As a bonus, JK Moving’s workers are trained in an on-site furnished house to prepare for whatever a move might entail.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Offers 24/7 customer service
Provides GPS tracking for all long-distance moves
Has financing options as low as 0% for all moves

Cons

Has no local moving option in San Francisco
Provides no quick quote function online

Cost Information

JK Moving Services requires a phone call coupled with a visual inspection of all goods in order to render a binding estimate. Otherwise, any quote from this mover is a ballpark estimate. Once you’ve scheduled a video call with a company representative, you’ll be able to get defined pricing. All quotes with JK Moving include full valuation coverage for all goods transported.

Sample quote: Contact for a quote

Deposit: $250

Payment options: Credit card, cash, or check

Read more: JK Moving Services Review

Moving Services Offered

JK Moving Services offers the following basic and add-on services:

Antique and piano moving
Crating
Financing options for your move (as low as 0%)
GPS tracking for all moves
Long-distance moving for San Francisco-area clients
Packing
Storage

North American Van Lines

Best for High-End Appliances

4.8

Visit Site

North American Van Lines (NAVL) operates 500 locations throughout all 50 states, including a Richmond branch in the Bay Area. It is one of the most recognized moving brands in the country and offers reliable service with numerous add-on options.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Serves San Francisco directly via several Bay Area locations
Has a mobile app for easy move tracking
Offers not-to-exceed pricing for some moves

Cons

Offers varied service quality by location
Has varied storage options by geographical area

Cost Information

North American Van Lines’ quote process is straightforward. You call or fill out a form online to request a quote, and you’ll be put in contact with a company representative. All quotes include complete logging of your inventory and take your move distance and date into account.

Sample quote: $6,000–$6,950 (two-bedroom move between San Francisco and Denver)

Deposit: None required

Payment options: Cash, credit card, or certified check

Read more: North American Van Lines Review

Moving Services Offered

NAVL’s basic and customized add-ons include the following services:

Crating
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Packing
Storage
Vehicle shipping

San Francisco Moving Companies for Local Moves

The following movers are among the best local moving companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you prefer a family-owned business for your upcoming relocation, these providers offer full-service moving packages and boast high customer reviews.

Dependable Movers

Dependable Movers is a local company that offers white-glove and basic service for local and long-distance moves. More than 350 clients have given this mover an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google.

Address: 425 Avenue M, San Francisco, CA 94130
Phone number: 628-201-6674

NorthStar Moving Company

NorthStar Moving has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Google with more than 700 reviews. It provides basic and luxury local and long-distance service to San Francisco and beyond.

Address: One Bush Plaza, Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone number: 415-635-3844

Pure Moving Company

Pure Moving Company serves the state of California in several different locations and offers transparent moving rates and a diverse service profile. We noted that its San Francisco location has a perfect review score on Google with nearly 800 reviews.

Address: 401 Terry A Francois Blvd #110, San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone number: 415-919-6497

Moving Regulations for San Francisco Moves

When booking a moving company in any locale, ensure it is properly licensed. All professional movers in California have to be registered with the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). The BHGS mandates movers provide “not-to-exceed” pricing.

Any companies that handle interstate moves must carry active U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers to look up whether a mover’s registration is current through this Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) link.

If you’re moving within a densely populated area in San Francisco or the Bay Area, we recommend purchasing parking permits from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. A parking permit helps ensure parking is reserved near your current residence and your new home when your movers arrive.

Our Recommendation

We recommend requesting quotes from at least three moving companies as a starting point. International Van Lines has a full-service Bay Area location for long-distance and local moving needs. We like that American Van Lines offers defined flat-rate pricing. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group offers excellent service for city moves and partners with many of the best local movers in San Francisco for various needs. Getting quotes from your preferred San Francisco movers will help ensure a more hassle-free move in the Bay Area.

Our Top Pick

International Van Lines

Get 10% Off Your Move!

Best for Antiques

American Van Lines

Get your personalized quote!

Best for Condos/HOAs

Safeway Moving Inc.

Get your personalized quote!

Best Scheduling

BLVD Moving

Get a free estimate today!

San Francisco Moving Companies FAQ

Is it better to book a moving container than a full-service mover for a San Francisco relocation?

It could be better to book a moving container than a full-service mover if you’re moving a one-bedroom or studio apartment in San Francisco. This will likely be the more cost-effective option. Note that you may still need to obtain a parking permit to reserve space.

What does moving labor cost in San Francisco?

Moving labor in San Francisco costs an average of $416, according to HireAHelper. This cost figure reflects a move with two movers for two hours of assistance. The high rate is largely due to the high cost of living in the Bay Area, which drives up general service costs.

How far in advance should I arrange for parking for my moving truck or moving container?

How far in advance you should arrange for parking for your moving truck or moving container depends on the business of your street. In most cases, obtaining permits one to two weeks in advance should suffice. Mark parking spaces for your moving truck the night before or early in the morning of your move date.

How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in San Francisco

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.