Best movers in San Diego, Calif.

With so many San Diego moving companies, finding one within your moving budget that also meets the unique needs of your move can be challenging. That's why the Yahoo Local moving experts have researched the best movers in San Diego based on important factors like Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation status, services offered and customer reviews. We also contacted each company directly for up-to-date details on rates, availability and policies so you can make the best decision for your San Diego move. Whether you need help with junk removal or are simply looking for a San Diego mover offering the best value, our guide has something for everyone. 

Quick overview

The best moving company in San Diego for YOU

Finding the right moving company in San Diego depends on your budget, timing and the type of move you need help with. Some movers specialize in last-minute relocations, while others require booking weeks in advance. The size of your apartment or home and the number of boxes and furniture you have also impact how many movers you need and how long the job takes.

Costs vary, with most companies charging hourly rates with a minimum commitment. Some add fuel charges or double-drive-time fees, which California law requires for in-state moves. Some moving companies offer discounts for cash payments or for first-time customers, which can help lower your moving costs. Additional services like packing, furniture assembly or storage may be helpful but typically cost extra. If you need these services, ask upfront about the price to determine if it's within your budget.

Availability is another factor, especially during peak moving seasons such as spring and summer. The size of the crew can impact efficiency. Hiring four movers instead of three may speed up the process for a three-bedroom, one-story home. Also, looking at online reviews and ratings can help gauge the company's reliability and indicate if you may run into any issues.

Cube Moving and Storage is our number-one pick for the best mover in San Diego. The company offers moving, packing and storage services, with lower rates than other movers in the area. However, it's important to note that they do charge an extra $60 fee for fuel, and you'll need to pay a $100 deposit to schedule your move.

Best moving companies in San Diego, Calif.

Cube Moving and Storage Inc. is the best overall moving company in San Diego

Founded in 2010, Cube Moving and Storage Inc. is a locally owned moving company built on hard work and a commitment to reliable service. Serving the San Diego area, Cube Moving and Storage specializes in residential and commercial moves, handling both local (under 50 miles) and long-distance relocations. However, it's worth noting that although its website says the company offers out-of-state moving services, when plugging its USDOT number into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database , it shows that the company isn't interstate authorized.

Other services include professional packing, secure storage solutions and specialized military and senior move options. The company offers short-term and long-term storage options in secure, monitored facilities if you need it during your move. Climate-controlled units protect sensitive items like electronics, artwork and documents, while specialty storage accommodates oversized furniture, vehicles and business equipment.

Pricing depends on the payment method. A three-person crew costs $149 per hour when paying in cash or $159 per hour by card for a one-floor, three-bedroom home of about 1,600 square feet. With a three-hour minimum, the cost starts at $497 (cash) or $527 (card), plus a one-time $50 gas fee. A $100 deposit is required to secure a booking and is applied to the final bill. Deposits are refundable if canceled more than three days in advance; after that, they are nonrefundable.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving 

• Packing

• Storage

• Military moves 

• Senior moves 

• Residential and commercial moving

All employees undergo background checks to ensure a reliable moving experience. The company recommends booking at least three weeks in advance, especially during the busy season, which they told Yahoo Local runs from March through May.

Though not accredited by the BBB , Cube Moving and Storage holds an A+ rating with one complaint filed in the last three years. Customer reviews are strong, with a 4.6-star Google rating from more than 151 reviews and a 4.5-star Yelp rating from over 481 reviews. The company is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Qshark Moving Company is the top alternative moving company in San Diego

Qshark Moving Company is one of the larger movers on this list, with several locations scattered across California and Florida. For this particular guide, we called their San Diego office. The company mainly offers moving, packing and storage services, but you can also hire them for a quick day labor job or help with moving heavier items that require special handling. We also want to point out that Qshark's website says it offers interstate moving services, but like many California-based movers, its USDOT number reveals that the company isn't interstate authorized, according to the FMCSA database.

The representative we spoke with over the phone was very friendly and quick to give us pricing details. To move our three-bedroom house, they recommended a team of four movers. Local moves are priced on an hourly basis, and the amount you'll pay per hour depends on your method of payment. The hourly rate for four movers and one truck is charged at $220 per hour in cash, or $230 per hour when paying with a credit or debit card. There's also a $60 fee that covers the cost of the truck and fuel. Double drive-time only applies to moves that are ten miles or further.

The moving truck comes supplied with shrink wrap and blankets to protect your furniture, as well as dollies, wardrobe boxes (free of charge) and tools to take apart larger pieces of furniture. Heavy and specialty items like pianos, grandfather clocks, pool tables, hot tube, etc. will incur an additional charge to move.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing and unpacking

• Storage

• Labor-only services

• Heavy and specialty item moving

• Commercial moving

All of Qshark's movers are full-time employees who have been drug-screened and background-checked. What's more, each mover must complete six months of in-house training and have at least three years of moving experience under their belt before heading out on their first official job.

A $200 upfront deposit is required to book your move. It's fully refundable so long as you cancel more than 72 hours of your move date. Because the company has a three-hour minimum, you'll be likely spend anywhere between at least $860 and $890. Payments can be made with cash or card — no checks.

Qshark Moving Company is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and one filed complaint. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google (325 reviews) and a 4.8-star rating on Yelp (699 reviews). The company is open 24/7.

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Stella Moving and Delivery is the best San Diego mover for limited fees

Stella Moving and Delivery is a fairly young company, having only been around for seven years. When we called the business asking for an estimate, we got to speak with Matthew, the business owner, who says the company was named after his daughter. Beyond moving services, the company also offers, packing, storage, delivery and heavy item moving services to the Bay area.

To move a three-bedroom, 1,300-square-foot house, Matthew recommended a four-person crew and one truck. This would cost $227 per hour, plus the cost of double drive-time. However, there aren't any other hidden fees for the truck, fuel or supplies.

The movers will show up with shrink wrap, blankets and padding to provide protection for your furniture during the drive. As a nice added bonus, free wardrobe boxes and mattress bags will be provided at your request.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing

• Storage

• Delivery

• Heavy and specialty item moving

There's a three-hour minimum for moving jobs. Once the three-hour mark has passed, you'll be charged in 15-minute increments. In order to lock in your move date, you'll need to pay a $75 deposit. This fee is fully refundable as long as you provide notice of cancellation within 72 hours of your move date. Taking both the deposit and the three-hour minimum rule into account, you'll likely spend at least $756 on a local move.

Accepted forms of payment are cash, card or check. Just note that there's a 2.9% processing fee when paying with a credit or debit card. We were also told that all the movers are trained and background-checked.

Stella Moving and Delivery is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no complaints. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google (753 reviews) and a 4.8-star rating on Yelp (336 reviews). The company is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week.

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BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

At Yahoo Local, we want to help people make informed choices about moving. While we often highlight local businesses, sometimes choosing a national moving company is the right move depending on your needs. If you are still comparing options, take a look at our guide comparing local and national movers . For nationwide service, our top pick is BLVD Moving .

BLVD Moving is family-owned and independent, with leadership that brings decades of experience in the moving industry. The company has four locations in California, but provides both local and cross-country moves across the United States. It operates its own trucks and directly employs movers who go through background checks, although it may use subcontractors or agents during peak demand periods, which is a common practice in the industry.

When we asked for a quote on a 500-mile move involving about 1,340 cubic feet of belongings equal to a three-bedroom home without large appliances, the estimate was around $6,700, which is in line with other long-distance movers. To book a move, BLVD requires a 33% deposit with half of the remaining balance due at pickup and the rest upon delivery. Customers who need to cancel can receive a refund as long as the cancellation is made at least two full business days before the scheduled pickup.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, commercial, and office relocations

• Professional packing

• Short- and long-term storage

• Financing options for eligible customers

If you need to cancel, BLVD Moving will refund your deposit as long as you cancel at least two full business days ahead of your scheduled pickup. Delivery windows range from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. The clock starts on your selected delivery date. Once you're ready, it could take just over a month for everything to arrive.

It's a good idea to reserve your moving date at least a month in advance, or earlier if you're planning for peak times like summer or the beginning or end of the month. (Check out our guide to the best and worst times to move for more details.) Getting a quote is easy: you can either schedule a virtual walkthrough or fill out an inventory form online. BLVD also offers financing for qualified customers, with interest rates starting at 0%.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the BBB and holds a B rating. It has 96 complaints on file, which is fairly typical for nationwide movers. The company has a 4.5-star average on Google (1,607 reviews) and a 2.4-star rating on Yelp (393 reviews). All of its movers are full-time employees who pass background checks. The company operates daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

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1st Choice Movers is the best mover in San Diego for discounts

1st Choice Movers is another great option for a mover in San Diego, offering reliable service with a personal touch. Owner Derek Parker answers the phone himself, making scheduling easy. Founded in 2008, the company provides local and in-state moving, packing and unpacking services. Its website lists interstate moving services, but the company is not authorized to perform interstate moves, according to the FMCSA database.

A three-mover crew with a 26-foot truck costs $610 for the required three-hour minimum. After that, the rate is $185 per hour, with drive time between locations doubled per California law. A $40 fuel charge applies. Paying in cash gets a 5% discount, and new customers receive $25 off. Movers bring shrink wrap, tools, dollies, floor runners, tape, moving blankets and seven wardrobe boxes. Mattress bags and TV boxes are available for a small added cost.

Some things to remember: 1st Choice Movers does not install or remove appliances like washers, dryers or refrigerators, but will place them where needed. (Check out our guide to moving with appliances .) Additionally, the company recommends transporting flat-screen TVs yourself. If you want it to move it for you, it must be packaged securely in a box, and, per the company's policy, it is not responsible for any damage that occurs in transit. 

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• Packing

• Labor-only services

• Home and apartment moving

• Commercial moving

Additionally, 1st Choice Movers may charge extra for factors that can increase your move time, like long distances, stairs, furniture disassembly and last-minute packing, which isn't unusual for movers but can increase your costs. However, the movers can take apart and reassemble all beds and furniture. All employees undergo background checks.

With 4.9 stars on Yelp (796 reviews) and 4.9 stars on Google (239 reviews), 1st Choice Movers has built a reputation for quality service. It is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating. This mover is open Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Little Guy Big Truck Moving and Storage is the best San Diego mover for junk removal services

Little Guy Big Truck Moving and Storage, founded in 2017 by Jennifer Marie Cux and her husband, Aurelio Cux, is a fairly young family-owned company offering local and long-distance moving, packing, storage, junk removal and furniture assembly. Serving San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and beyond, the company operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For a three-bedroom, one-story home, rates start at $200 per hour for cash payments or $210 per hour with credit or debit for a team of four movers and a 26-foot truck. While most moving companies send three movers for a job this size, Jennifer told Yahoo Local that it likes to send four "so they can pair up" for a more efficient move.

A three-hour minimum applies, bringing the starting cost to at least $600 in cash or $630 with a card. Double drive-time charges apply only when moving more than 20 miles between locations. No deposit is required, though cancellations should be made as early as possible.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving 

• Packing 

• Storage 

• Furniture assembly 

• Junk removal

Jennifer answers the phones and helps schedule moves, which we think is a nice and personable touch. "We are family-owned and operated — my husband and brother-in-law work here, and we have movers who have been with us for five or six years. They are like family, coming to my kids' birthday parties. They are trustworthy," she said. All employees undergo background checks, and Spanish-speaking services are available.

Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating and no complaints, the company also holds a five-star rating on Google from 113 reviews and Yelp from 328 reviews. 

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You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

Yahoo has decades of experience providing reliable information on local businesses. We don't just ask you to trust us — we show you how our rankings work. Our proprietary system pulls reviews from multiple trusted sources and weights them to deliver what we believe is the most authoritative local business rankings. We share the details behind our process so you can judge credibility for yourself. Unlike some competitors, Yahoo Local never accepts payment for inclusion or placement, and our independent picks are not sponsored or influenced by outside parties. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

Here's more about how we selected the best movers in San Diego:

• 82 movers evaluated

• 28,825 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all six featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced or sought from all six featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

San Diego moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate in San Diego?

When calling moving companies for quotes in San Diego, it's important to have a few details ready to ensure an accurate estimate. The first thing movers will ask for is the size of your home. Be prepared to provide the square footage of your current home and your new home and the number of bedrooms in each. This helps movers estimate the number of movers needed for your job.

Additionally, list large furniture items you plan to move, such as couches, beds and appliances, and include sizes. Some companies may also ask for an estimate of the boxes you plan to pack . This information helps the company determine the right moving truck size for your stuff. 

Let your movers know if you have any specialty items, like a piano or heavy safe. These typically require additional care and may incur extra charges due to their weight or unique handling needs.

What should you know about packing and storage in San Diego?

San Diego's moderate climate offers some advantages when packing and storing your items, as it is not too hot or cold. However, you must consider potential humidity and coastal air when packing up your home. To reduce the risk of climate-related damage to your items, place everything in sealed boxes and store them in a cool, dry place.

If you need to use storage, consider a temperature- or climate-controlled storage unit , especially for sensitive items like electronics or wooden furniture. While San Diego doesn't experience extreme temperatures, humidity can still be a concern, so protecting your belongings is key.

What's different about condo and apartment moving in San Diego?

Moving into or out of a condo or apartment in San Diego may involve additional steps. Many apartment complexes or high-rise buildings require you to reserve elevators for your move-in or move-out, and some may have restrictions on moving hours or days to avoid disrupting other residents. Contact your building's management office for anything you or the moving company should be aware of ahead of your moving day, like parking restrictions or scheduled time slots for elevator access.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in San Diego?

No special moving permit or license is required in San Diego, but your chosen moving company must be appropriately licensed to operate. They should be registered with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). You can verify a company's credentials by checking with these agencies.

If you're moving into a busy area like downtown San Diego, you might need a temporary parking permit for the moving truck. Check with the city's parking services or your homeowner association (HOA) to see if this applies to your location.

Want to learn more? Our full guide to California moving company licensing and regulations has all the details.

How much should you tip movers in San Diego?

Tipping movers in San Diego is not required, but it's a great way to show appreciation for their hard work. The typical tip range is between 10% and 20% of the total cost of your move. You can give individual tips directly to each mover or add the tip to your final bill if the company allows it. If your move involves extra effort or goes above and beyond, consider tipping on the higher end of the range.

For more details on moving and tipping etiquette, check out our guide on how much to tip movers .

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