Best Irvine to San Diego Movers

How Much Do Irvine to San Diego Movers Cost?

Moving 86 miles from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in San Diego that already have a booked job heading from San Diego to Irvine. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Diego from Irvine entirely empty. If you can find a San Diego moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Irvine to San Diego moving option

Hire local Irvine movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire San Diego movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Irvine to San Diego move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Irvine to San Diego movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Irvine to San Diego moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 152 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Irvine and San Diego areas.

From these 152 companies, we analyzed a total of 62,442 reviews dating all the way back to April 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 45 state and federal moving licenses from these 152 companies and 581 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~62,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 21,039 Irvine to San Diego moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like Little Guy Big Truck Moving) vs older more established companies (like Universal OC Moving).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Irvine to San Diego moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.77/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 44,789 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.61/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 17,324 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.10/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 10,480 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.10/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 16,762 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.94/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 6,202 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.88/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 22,924 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.16/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 24,891 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.61/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 44,844 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.70/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 24,875 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.80/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 4,580 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.48/10 avg (Irvine & San Diego combined) from 23,244 reviews

From Irvine to San Diego: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Woodbridge in Irvine & Scripps Ranch in San Diego are both known for their lakeside community with trail networks
• Irvine's Turtle Rock neighborhood & San Diego's Rancho Penasquitos both share a suburban hilly area with parks & trails
• If you're moving from Quail Hill, check out Carmel Valley in the San Diego area for the newer development with hiking trails
• Do you enjoy Northwood's established neighborhood with top-rated schools? You're sure to love University City
• Move from Oak Creek to Carmel Valley and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: resort-style pools & community centers
• Westpark & Rancho Penasquitos are both known for their family-oriented suburb with parks
• Irvine's Orchard Hills neighborhood & San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood both have an upscale locality with scenic hillside views
• If you're moving from Northpark, look into North Park for the trendy area with craft breweries & eateries
• Do you cherish living in University Park's campus-adjacent neighborhood with student amenities? Move into University City for something similar
• The similar vibes of Portola Springs & Scripps Ranch are both known for a master-planned community with parks & views

Pros and Cons of Moving from Irvine to San Diego

ConsIrvine, CA

• Higher living costs
• Less nightlife
• Smaller city vibe
• Fewer cultural attractions
• Less diverse dining

ProsSan Diego, CA

• More affordable
• Vibrant nightlife
• Larger city feel
• Rich cultural scene
• More diverse cuisine

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San Diego, CA

• Higher crime rates
• Fewer top-rated schools
• Noisier urban environment
• More urbanized
• Poorer air quality

Irvine, CA

• Safe neighborhoods
• Excellent schools
• Quiet suburban feel
• Proximity to nature
• Cleaner air

Pros of moving from Irvine to San Diego

• Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to more affordability
• Look forward to moving away from less nightlife and moving to San Diego with vibrant nightlife
• Swap the smaller city vibe of Irvine for a larger city feel in San Diego
• Get ready for a rich cultural scene in San Diego

Cons of moving from Irvine to San Diego

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from safe neighborhoods in Irvine to live with higher crime rates in San Diego
• You'll lose out on the pro of excellent schools and have to settle for the con of fewer top-rated schools
• Time to bid farewell to a quiet suburban feel and get used to a noisier urban environment in San Diego
• Swap proximity to nature for a more urbanized setting

Irvine vs. San Diego: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Irvine to San Diego, you will be trading the iconic Acai Bowl of Irvine for the equally delicious California Burrito of San Diego. And while the locals in Irvine rave about their flavorful Korean BBQ and sumptuous Taiwanese Boba, San Diego residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Ramen they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tacos of San Diego. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Irvine eateries like HiroNori Craft Ramen, Diamond Jamboree, and 85°C Bakery Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in San Diego, don't wait too long before making your way to San Diego's acclaimed eateries like Las Cuatro Milpas, Phil's BBQ, and Hodad's.

When comparing lifestyles, San Diego shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Irvine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in San Diego compared to what you are used to in Irvine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in San Diego.

Discover San Diego Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to San Diego is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Irvine favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved HiroNori Craft Ramen, North Italia, and Din Tai Fung in Irvine, we're sure you'll love Tajima Ramen, Bencotto Italian Kitchen, and Dumpling Inn in San Diego. See our San Diego restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Irvine hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Burntzilla, head to The Crack Shack on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Irvine and San Diego

• The Modern and Spanish architecture that Irvine is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Craftsman architecture typical of San Diego.
• Compared to Irvine's real estate listings that commonly reference community amenities and schools, San Diego real estate listings often highlight features like beach proximity and nightlife.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. San Diego is more walkable than Irvine.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. San Diego is less bike-friendly than Irvine.
• San Diego has more of an urban feel than Irvine.
• San Diego housing costs are 31% less expensive than they are in Irvine, with a median home price of $1,021,655 compared to Irvine's $1,489,822.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Diego have increased by 57% compared to a 61% increase in Irvine.
• Rent in San Diego is 6.43% more affordable than in Irvine.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Diego, CA

1. Ocean Beach : You'll love the dog-friendly atmosphere with a dedicated dog beach where your furry friend can splash and play off-leash.
2. North Park : This hip neighborhood offers many pet-welcoming cafes and parks, making it easy for you to enjoy outings with your pets.
3. Hillcrest : Known for its inclusive culture, you'll find numerous pet-friendly restaurants and bars, along with a welcoming community for your pets.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Irvine and San Diego

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Irvine to San Diego. San Diego gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Irvine.
• San Diego has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Irvine.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Irvine and be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in San Diego.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in San Diego is 7 degrees colder than in Irvine.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Irvine.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Diego. San Diego receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Irvine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Irvine and San Diego

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Diego tend to earn about 12% less than in Irvine
• The COLI in San Diego is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Irvine
• There's no change in state income tax between Irvine and San Diego
• The affluence in San Diego is high compared to very high in Irvine
• The poverty level is higher in San Diego compared to lower in Irvine
• In terms of homelessness, it is less visible in Irvine and more visible in San Diego

Political and Religious Climate in Irvine vs. San Diego

• Irvine tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
• San Diego, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
• San Diego's religious environment can be described as very diverse with a strong Christian, Jewish, and Islamic presence
• Irvine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with notable Christian and Jewish communities

Irvine vs. San Diego Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 13% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in San Diego compared to your Irvine commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in San Diego to be worse than it is in Irvine.
• Public transit is more readily available in San Diego.