Most local moves in San Diego cost between roughly $470 and $2,400 with a licensed mover in 2026. Three things set the price: how many movers you need, how many hours the job takes, and how easy your two buildings are to work in. At Sunshine Movers, a 2-mover crew with a truck is $129 per hour, 3 movers is $169, and 4 movers is $209, with a 3-hour minimum and an $80 gas fee inside San Diego County.
Below you’ll find our full rate card, what a move typically costs by home size, a formula to estimate your own move, and the costs that sit outside the mover’s invoice.
Our 2026 hourly rates
Every local estimate we write starts from these numbers. Taxes are included, and there are no stair fees.
| Crew | Hourly rate | Minimum | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $129/hr | 3 hours | Studios, 1-bedroom apartments, small partial moves |
| 3 movers + truck | $169/hr | 3 hours | 2-bedroom apartments and condos, small houses |
| 4 movers + truck | $209/hr | 3 hours | 3-bedroom+ homes, heavy furniture, tight timelines |
- Gas fee: $80 flat for moves within San Diego County
- Included: moving blankets, plastic wrap and tape, and furniture disassembly and reassembly
- No stair fees: walk-ups add time, not a surcharge
- Payment: cash or credit card
Current specials are on our Sunshine Deals page.
What a San Diego move costs by home size
These examples multiply typical job hours by our hourly rate and add the $80 gas fee. They assume normal access: the truck parks close to the door, elevators are reserved, and boxes are packed before the crew arrives.
| Home size | Typical crew | Typical hours | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3 (minimum) | About $470 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 movers | 3–5 | $470–$730 |
| 2 bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–7 | $930–$1,260 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3–4 movers | 6–9 | $1,090–$1,960 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 4 movers | 8–11 | $1,750–$2,380 |
Treat these as budgeting ranges, not quotes. Your real number comes from a written estimate after we see what’s moving. Moves out of San Diego are priced differently; see our long-distance moving guide.
How to estimate your own moving cost
The formula is simple:
Estimated cost = hours × hourly rate for your crew size + $80 gas fee
Example: a 2-bedroom apartment moving from Pacific Beach to Clairemont with a 3-mover crew. The job takes 6 hours, so the math is 6 × $169 = $1,014, plus the $80 gas fee, for a total of about $1,094.
The hours are the part that moves. The next two sections cover what pushes them up and how to keep them down.
What makes a move take longer (and cost more)
- Stairs and elevators. We don’t charge a stair fee, but a third-floor walk-up takes longer than a ground-floor unit. An unreserved elevator in a downtown tower can cost an hour of waiting.
- Long carries and parking. When the truck can’t park near the door, which is common on narrow beach-community streets, every trip to the truck takes longer.
- Packing that isn’t finished. A crew packing loose items on move day works at moving-crew rates. Full or partial packing service is faster when it’s planned ahead.
- Specialty items. Pianos, safes, and oversized furniture need extra care and equipment. See piano moving.
- Drive time between addresses. Ask any mover how travel time is billed. A Point Loma to Chula Vista move and a same-building move are different jobs.
- Peak dates. Summer weekends and the last days of the month book out first. Our best time to move in San Diego guide covers timing.
Why 3 movers can cost less than 2
A bigger crew has a higher hourly rate but often a smaller bill. Take a 2-bedroom move that keeps 2 movers busy for 8 hours:
- 2 movers: 8 hours × $129 = $1,032, plus $80 gas, for a total of $1,112
- 3 movers: the same job takes about 5.5 hours, so 5.5 × $169 = $930, plus $80 gas, for a total of $1,010
On larger homes and walk-ups, the third mover often pays for themselves. Tell us about your home and we’ll recommend the crew size that costs you least overall.
Costs outside the mover’s invoice
A realistic budget also includes these items:
- Boxes and packing supplies if you pack yourself (wardrobe boxes and blankets from us are free, but they have to come back)
- Storage if your move-out and move-in dates don’t line up. See short-term storage costs in San Diego.
- Building fees: HOA move-in fees, elevator deposits, and parking permits
- Tip for the crew. Optional, and covered in how much to tip movers.
The full list, with what to ask before booking, is in our hidden costs of moving in San Diego guide.
How to keep your move on budget
- Have every box packed, taped and labeled before the crew arrives
- Reserve elevators and loading docks at both buildings
- Save a parking spot for the truck as close to the door as you can
- Pick the right crew size; bigger is often cheaper on large jobs
- Choose a weekday or mid-month date if you’re flexible
- Book early, especially for summer. See how far ahead to book movers.
Your price protections in California
In-state household movers are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Before your move, the mover must give you a written Not To Exceed price. That is the most you can be charged unless you add items or services, and any additions must go on a signed Change Order. Written estimates come only after the mover has seen what’s being moved. A verbal or online guess is not a binding estimate.
Always check that a mover has a CAL-T number. Sunshine Movers operates under CAL-T 0192607 and USDOT 3852182. For more warning signs, read how to avoid moving scams in San Diego.
Frequently asked questions
How much do movers cost per hour in San Diego?
Sunshine Movers charges $129 per hour for 2 movers and a truck, $169 for 3 movers, and $209 for 4 movers. Taxes are included, there is a 3-hour minimum, and there is an $80 gas fee within San Diego County.
How much does it cost to move a 1-bedroom apartment in San Diego?
Usually about $470 to $730 with a 2-mover crew, based on 3 to 5 hours of work. Stairs, parking, and packing readiness decide where in that range you land.
Is there a minimum charge?
Yes. Every crew size has a 3-hour minimum, so the smallest local move with 2 movers is about $470 including the gas fee.
Do you charge extra for stairs?
No. There are no stair fees. Stairs can add time to the job, and time is what you pay for.
How much does a 3-bedroom house move cost in San Diego?
Typically $1,090 to $1,960 with 3 to 4 movers working 6 to 9 hours. Large furniture, garages, and long carries push it toward the top of the range.
Get your real number
Every home is different, so the fastest way to a firm price is a written estimate. Call 858-727-2933 or book your move online, and see our local moving services for what’s included.
