Best movers in San Jose, Calif.

Moving anywhere is tough, but choosing the right moving company from among the dozens in and around San Jose makes things even more difficult. To make things a little easier, we've rounded up the top movers in San Jose using a proprietary system based on objective factors like scores from thousands of reviews, proper licensing and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings . Whether you have a long-distance move across state lines, need an emergency mover or just want the cheapest trustworthy option, this list has an option for you.

Quick overview

The best moving company in San Jose for YOU

The best thing you can do for your search is to start early. Get quotes from multiple moving companies and spend time looking into their reputations through online reviews and recommendations from friends and family. This list can give you a head start, but there's no single company that will work for everyone.

Your budget is one of the biggest deciding factors in which company you pick. Take note of each company's hourly rates, whether they charge any additional fees and hourly minimums. Our pick for the best value San Jose mover is Southwest Movers because it offers excellent service for an affordable price.

If you have an emergency move, your priority should be finding a company that's equipped to take on your move at a moment's notice. Look for companies that explicitly advertise emergency or same-day moving services, or those who have long business hours. Our pick for the best emergency mover in San Jose is Pure Moving Company because it offers same-day services and is available every day of the week. Keep in mind that the summer months and weekends are among the worst times to move , so you may have more difficulty getting last-minute services during those times.

Our pick for the best overall mover in San Jose is NorthStar Moving Company . With more than 30 years in business, NorthStar has plenty of experience moving around the Bay Area and has multiple locations around the country. Its wide range of services, along with a dedication to eco-friendly business practices, make it a solid pick if you want a one-stop shop that cares about its environmental impact.

Table of contents

• Best overall mover in San Jose

• Best value San Jose moving company

• Best national mover

• More best moving companies

• Why you can trust Yahoo Local moving advice

• San Jose moving FAQs

• Methodology

Best moving companies in San Jose

NorthStar Moving Company is the best overall San Jose mover

With locations in California, Arizona and Texas, NorthStar Moving Company has more than 30 years of experience helping folks move around San Jose and the Southwest in general. The company got its start in 1994, offering a wide range of services and focusing on eco-friendly business practices. Its attention to detail and customer service, reflected in its thousands of online reviews, helped it secure the spot as our top San Jose mover.

We reached out to NorthStar Moving, which told us it charges between $199 and $249 per hour for a three-person moving crew. The company has a four-hour minimum, which is tied for the highest on this list. With the minimum, you'll pay at least $796 to $996 in labor. The good news is that the rate includes everything, so you won't be surprised by hidden charges.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• International moves

• Packing and unpacking

• Storage

• Art and piano moving

• Moving supplies

• Luxury moving packages

A deposit is required to book your move, but the representative we spoke to said it varies based on the move type and estimate. It's refundable if you have to cancel, but you have to do so at least 72 hours before your move. For payment, NorthStar accepts cash and major credit cards, and there's no transaction fee for card payments on local moves. Long-distance moves incur a 3% transaction fee for card payments.

One of the big draws for NorthStar Moving Company is that it promotes eco-friendly practices throughout its business. The company uses biodiesel moving trucks with battery-powered lift gates, and its moving boxes are made from 100% recycled materials. It also uses a biodegradable Bubble Wrap alternative and is partnered with an e-waste recycler for large electronics that you want to get rid of. (Read our guide to eco-friendly moving materials if you're packing your own stuff.)

The company also offers "luxury" moving packages that give you access to other services you may need during your move, such as pet and child care. There are also services for cleaning and staging your home or just getting rid of junk.

NorthStar Moving Company has excellent review scores, with a 4.9-star rating on Google (890 reviews), 4.6 stars on Yelp (965 reviews). It's also accredited with the BBB and has an A+ rating with three registered complaints. When we spoke with NorthStar, a company representative told us it doesn't background check its movers, but they go through a lengthy interview process.

NorthStar's Bay Area branch is located at One Bush Plaza, Suite B-182, San Francisco, Calif., 94104. It's open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Want to book a move? You can call 800-275-7767 or visit its website .

Customer testimonial

Perfect every time. I have moved twice with NorthStar, they are quick and efficient. They safely wrap up all furniture in moving blankets, have wardrobe boxes to keep clothes, pillows, and blankets safe, and they disassemble and reassemble furniture for ease of travel. Best moving company I have experienced. - Gene C., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

A2B Movers is our top alternative mover in San Jose

With more than 26 years of experience in the moving industry, A2B Movers knows how to navigate moves in San Jose and the surrounding areas. That's paired with affordable rates that won't break the bank and a commitment to quality services. You can see that in its high review scores across Google, Yelp and Angi, helping it to take the second spot on this list.

A2B Movers told us it charges $179 per hour for a three-person crew if you pay with a credit or debit card. You can save a little by paying with cash, which drops the rate to $169 per hour. There's a three-hour minimum on each job, which means you can expect to pay at least $507 to $537 in labor. That's one of the lowest rates on this list, making A2B a good value pick if you're on a budget.

The company also has a $79 travel fee, which covers a single 26-foot truck and equipment. The representative we spoke with said the travel fee can change based on the overall distance of your move, however.

Services offered

• Local moving

• Statewide moving

• Packing and unpacking

• Storage

You have to pay a $30 deposit to secure your moving date, but it's refundable if you cancel with at least two days of notice. A2B's rates are provided up front on its website and the company accepts cash, debit and credit cards without an additional transaction fee.

Note that A2B isn't authorized through the U.S. Department of Transportation to perform interstate moves. However, it can move you anywhere in California.

The review scores for A2B are great across the board, including a 4.9 rating on Google (1,055 reviews) and 4.8 stars on Yelp (698 reviews). Unfortunately, it isn't currently accredited with the BBB and isn't listed with the organization, so it doesn't have a letter grade. While the company's movers aren't background-checked, a representative told us they're highly trained and trustworthy.

A2B Movers is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which makes it a great option for an emergency move. The company's San Jose office is located at 4320 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 174, San Jose, Calif., 95129. If you want to book a move with A2B, you can call 855-906-3867 or visit its website .

Customer testimonial

Our movers were great. I was pretty overwhelmed by the moving process and they came in and made sure everything was taken care of. Everything was handled with care and all the boxes and furniture made it to their correct rooms. They were super friendly. Their work took the stress out of moving and they really did work so hard in a long day of moving having to work with tricky curvy steps and then also with a flight of stairs at my new apartment. I highly recommend hiring them for your moving needs. - Susan C., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

At Yahoo Local, we work hard to highlight the best local businesses, but we also know that a national moving company may sometimes be the more suitable option, especially for long-distance moves. After reviewing several nationwide providers, we selected BLVD Moving as our top recommendation among national movers . For guidance on choosing between a local or national company, take a look at our in-depth comparison guide .

BLVD Moving is run by a team of industry veterans with decades of relocation experience. Although the company currently operates only four offices in California, it provides both local and long-distance moving services across the U.S. As a family-owned, independently operated business, BLVD manages its own trucks and staff, though its policies note that subcontractors or agents may occasionally assist during periods of high demand, a common industry practice worth noting.

We requested a quote from BLVD for a 500-mile move involving approximately 1,340 cubic feet of belongings, which is roughly equivalent to a standard three-bedroom home without major appliances. The estimate came to about $6,700, aligning with typical pricing from other national movers. To secure your reservation, BLVD requires a 33% deposit, with half of the remaining balance due at pickup and the final payment upon delivery.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

If you need to cancel, deposits are refundable as long as you provide at least two business days’ notice before the scheduled pickup. Delivery windows range from two to 21 business days, depending on distance. The timeline begins on your selected delivery date, which means shipments may take just over a month in some cases.BLVD recommends booking your move at least 30 days in advance, or even earlier during high-demand periods like summer or the beginning and end of the month. (See our guide on the best and worst times to move for more details .) Getting a quote is simple: you can complete an online inventory form or schedule a virtual walkthrough for faster results. Financing is also available for qualified customers, with rates beginning at 0%.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds a B rating , with 99 complaints on file, an amount typical for a large national mover. The company averages 4.5 stars on Google (based on 1,341 reviews) and 2.3 stars on Yelp (376 reviews). All movers are full-time employees who undergo background checks rather than independent contractors.

BLVD’s main office is located at 21622 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, Calif., 91311. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To request a quote, call 844-274-0500 or submit a form online .

Customer testimonial

I would like to thank Armando and team from BLVD Moving today. Your team was very professional took care of my furniture as well as my home. Moving cross country is very stressful but BLVD Moving has truely reduced the stress. Beginning with first contact the staff has been right there with me! I would highly recommend BLVD Moving to anyone needing movers! - Nancy C., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Lunardi Moving & Storage is the best San Jose mover for GPS tracking

Lunardi Moving Services owes its namesake to the Lunardi family, which opened the business in 1970 and still runs it today. Founded in Santa Clara, Calif., the company still operates out of the San Jose area and sports an additional office in Los Angeles. Over its 55 years in business, Lunardi has earned an excellent reputation for high standards, reliability and customer service.

When we connected with Lunardi Moving Services, a company representative told us its rates for a three-person crew typically vary between $235 and $265 per hour. There's a three-hour minimum for each move, which means you can expect to pay at least $705 to $795 in labor costs. That's the highest among companies on this list, though Lunardi's experience and services may be worth it for your move if your budget allows.

Services offered

• Local and statewide moving

• Packing and unpacking

• Senior moves

• Portable storage

• GPS tracking for trucks

• Furniture disassembly and assembly

• Packing materials

Lunardi requires a relatively high deposit of $350 to secure your move date, but the deposit is applied to your total at the end of your move. You can get a refund if you need to cancel, but you have to give at least three days' notice. For payments, the company accepts cash, checks, Zell or credit and debit cards, with a 3% transaction fee applied to card payments.

What makes this mover unique among others on this list is that it provides GPS tracking on its moving trucks so you can see where your stuff is at any given moment. It also offers portable storage units, which can be dropped off at your home to be loaded at your own pace. Unfortunately, the company isn't authorized by the U.S. DoT to perform interstate moves, but it can take you anywhere in California.

Lunardi Moving Services is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. Its review ratings are stellar as well, with a 4.8-star rating on Google (155 reviews) and 4.8 stars on Yelp (549 reviews). A company representative we spoke with confirmed that all of its movers receive a background check.

Lunardi Moving Services is located at 1670 South 7th St., San Jose, Calif., 95112. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. You can call 408-849-9630 or visit its website to book a move.

Customer testimonial

After a successful move with Lunardi earlier this month, we hired them a second time to help with more unpacking and assembling additional furniture. We specifically requested the same crew again (Adolfo, Matheus and Eliseo), because of the awesome job they did the first time around. We felt 100% comfortable trusting them to handle our fragile items, so we booked them instead of looking for a local crew. They handled everything with great care, were kind and pleasant throughout, and were organized and efficient. They took great pride in their work. - R.R., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Southwest Movers is the best value mover in San Jose

Southwest Movers originally got its start in New York in 1992 with a goal of providing excellent moving services to customers across the country. It now has locations in Florida and California, including San Jose, that give it even more reach. All the while, the company has focused on approaching each move with care, which is reflected in its excellent scores from hundreds of reviews on Google, Yelp and Angi.

With the lowest rates on this list, Southwest Movers claims the title of the best value mover in San Jose. The company told us it charges between $160 and $170 per hour for a crew of three movers. What's unique is that the company doesn't have a set hourly minimum. Instead, it has a $450 minimum charge, but the representative we spoke to told us most moves will likely take longer than the roughly 2.5 to 2.8 hours it would take to reach that threshold anyway.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• International move coordination

• Packing and unpacking

• Labor-only services

• Art moving

In addition to the hourly rate and minimum charge, Southwest Movers has a $75 truck fee that covers the cost of the truck and travel time. The company representative told us that the fee can be higher if the move distance is more than 30 miles, however. There's no deposit required to book your move.

For payment, Southwest Movers accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders and major credit cards. Note that there's a 3% transaction fee applied if you pay with a credit or debit card.

Southwest Movers is not accredited by the BBB , but it has an A+ rating and no registered complaints. However, its reviews give some added assurance thanks to a five-star rating on Google (20 reviews) and 4.5 stars on Yelp (120 reviews). When we spoke to Southwest Movers, a representative told us all of its movers are full-time employees, but couldn't confirm whether they're background-checked.

You can find Southwest Movers' San Jose office at 875 S. Winchester Blvd. #107, San Jose, Calif., 95131. The company is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. To book a move with Southwest Movers, you can call 408-412-3269 or visit its website to request a quote.

Customer testimonial

Santiago and his crew were extremely helpful in making my move as simple as possible. They were efficient throughout the whole move. Couldn't be happier with my choice in moving companies. Price also was very reasonable and the customer service lady was extremely nice on the phone with me and my wife. Scheduling was also easy and they were able to come out the weekend after I called. - Brandon S., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

Pure Moving Company is the best emergency mover in San Jose

Pure Moving Company is the youngest mover on this list, but it isn't short on experience. Started in 2010, the company has expanded across several major metro areas in California, New York, Washington and Florida. Its San Jose location has earned a great reputation over the years for providing quality moving services that prioritize careful handling of your stuff, proper planning and affordable rates.

While it isn't the cheapest mover on this list, Pure Moving Company still provides great value. The company told us its rate for a three-person moving crew is $179 per hour with a four-hour minimum on each job. That means you can expect to pay at least $716 in labor costs for your move.

Services offered

• Local and statewide moving

• Packing and unpacking

• Emergency moves

• Military and senior moves

• Labor-only services

• Specialty item moving

There's an additional truck fee of $39, which covers travel costs. However, Pure Moving Company doesn't require a deposit to book your move date. For payments, the company accepts cash and major credit cards. While there's no explicit card transaction fee, you can get a 7% discount if you pay in cash.

If you have last-minute moving needs, Pure Moving Company is our pick for the best emergency mover on this list. The company offers same-day moving services so you can get help when you need it. It also has some of the best availability among companies on this list because it's open every day of the week.

Pure Moving Company is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and no registered complaints. Its scores from hundreds of reviews are also among the highest on the list, with five stars on Google (515 reviews) and 4.8 stars on Yelp (258 reviews). A company representative confirmed to us that all of its movers receive a background check.

Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week, Pure Moving Company is located at 111 N. Market St. #302, San Jose, Calif., 95113. You can book a move with the company by calling 855-627-9057 or visiting its website .

Customer testimonial

Easily the best move I've had. Zhenya and Art were complete pros. They moved a huge number of things very quickly with finesse, and a good plan to ensure everything was reasonably protected. I honestly like the guys and would happily hire them again. - Eddy L., Google reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

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

Yahoo has been providing trustworthy information about local businesses for decades. Yahoo Local carries that torch by not just telling you to trust us, but showing you why you should. All of our Yahoo Local recommendations are chosen with a proprietary ranking system that evaluates companies on factors ranging from review scores from reputable sources to proper licensing. We never take money for placement on our lists, and none of our picks are sponsored (unlike some competitors). You can check out what went into our picks for the best San Jose movers below. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

• 35 movers evaluated

• 23,326 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all six featured movers

• Independent price quotes sourced from all six featured moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

San Jose moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

You'll find yourself providing similar bits of information to moving companies as you call around for quotes, so it's a good idea to prepare ahead of time. Basic information about your home, including the number of bedrooms and square footage, is important for helping moving companies determine how many movers you need. You should also be prepared to note if you're moving from a home, townhouse, condo or apartment and if there are stairs involved.

Some companies will ask for your full address, while others may only need a zip code to give a ballpark quote. Companies that work off a flat rate will typically ask for a full inventory of items you need to move. Be sure to note any specialty items, like a piano or safe, that may require a separate charge.

What should you know about packing and storage inSan Jose ?

The climate in San Jose is pretty mild, so you don't have to worry as much about weather extremes like other parts of the country. That said, you should still take care to protect sensitive items and antiques during your move. Always aim to store your boxes in a cool, dry area to guard against mold and mildew. Read our guide to moving antiques and other valuables for more tips.

If you need to use a storage unit, go with one that is climate- or temperature-controlled to protect belongings that might be damaged by huge shifts in temperature and humidity. You can also take certain precautions to protect against water damage , just in case your storage unit is flooded.

What's different about condo and apartment moving inSan Jose ?

Apartment and condo moves come with a couple of unique considerations when you're moving. Depending on the rules in your building, you might need to reserve an elevator to move your stuff. Typically, you can arrange to reserve an elevator with your building manager. Coordinate with your moving crew to make sure the times line up so you can avoid issues on moving day.

Some buildings also require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your moving company. A COI shows that your moving company carries a certain level of insurance to cover any damage it may do to the building during the move. Your moving company should be able to provide this, but some charge to provide one.

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

If you're moving yourself, you don't need a particular license to do so in San Jose. However, your moving company has to be licensed through California's Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) . That's all a company needs if it only performs moves within California, but interstate movers must also be authorized through the U.S. DoT. You can check whether a company is licensed in California with the BHGS license lookup tool . The U.S. DoT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a similar tool to verify whether a mover is authorized for interstate moves.

Want to learn more? Read our complete guide to California moving company licensing and regulations for full details.

How much should you tip movers in San Jose?

You're never required to tip your moving crew, but it's a good gesture if you're impressed with their service. Typically, moving tips land somewhere between 10% and 20% of the overall move cost. Whether you decide to split a cash tip between movers or give it to the crew chief is up to you. Some companies may also allow you to add it to your final bill.

For more, check out our guide to tipping movers .

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