Best San Diego to Los Angeles Movers

How Much Do San Diego to Los Angeles Movers Cost?

Moving 121 miles from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles that already have a booked job heading from Los Angeles to San Diego. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Los Angeles from San Diego entirely empty. If you can find a Los Angeles moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper San Diego to Los Angeles moving option

Hire local San Diego 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 Los Angeles movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this San Diego to Los Angeles 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 San Diego to Los Angeles 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 San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 200 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.

From these 200 companies, we analyzed a total of 85,631 reviews dating all the way back to August 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 63 state and federal moving licenses from these 200 companies and 723 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~85,000 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 39,716 San Diego to Los Angeles 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 24/7 Moving and Storage).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.80/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 61,208 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.62/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 22,364 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.12/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 14,121 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.15/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 21,888 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.97/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 8,395 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.90/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 32,086 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.17/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 33,304 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.62/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 60,748 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.68/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 33,020 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.90/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 5,906 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.49/10 avg (San Diego & Los Angeles combined) from 31,841 reviews

From San Diego to Los Angeles: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• La Jolla in San Diego & Brentwood in Los Angeles are both known for their: upscale coastal community, high-end shopping & dining
• San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood & Los Angeles' Venice both share: beachfront boardwalk with lively nightlife
• If you're moving from Mission Beach, check out Marina del Rey in the Los Angeles area for the: waterfront living, water sports & laid-back vibe
• Do you enjoy Ocean Beach's bohemian atmosphere, local shops & live music? You're sure to love Silver Lake
• Move from North Park to Echo Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: artsy scene, craft breweries & hip cafes
• Hillcrest & West Hollywood are both known for their: LGBTQ+ friendly, vibrant nightlife & festivals
• San Diego's Downtown neighborhood & Los Angeles' Downtown LA neighborhood both have: urban core, high-rises & cultural destinations
• If you're moving from Point Loma, look into Mar Vista for the: coastal peninsula with quiet residential streets
• Do you cherish living in University Heights' historic homes, hillside views & local eateries? Move into Los Feliz for something similar
• The similar vibes of Carmel Valley & Encino are both known for: suburban family-friendly, good schools & parks

Pros and Cons of Moving from San Diego to Los Angeles

ConsSan Diego, CA

• Higher living costs
• Less beach access
• Quieter nightlife

ProsLos Angeles, CA

• More job opportunities
• Greater cultural diversity
• Vibrant music scene

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Los Angeles, CA

• Heavier traffic
• Higher pollution
• More expensive housing

San Diego, CA

• Milder climate
• Relaxed lifestyle
• Better surf spots

Pros of moving from San Diego to Los Angeles

• Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to more job opportunities
• Look forward to moving away from less beach access and moving to Los Angeles with greater cultural diversity
• Swap the quieter nightlife of San Diego for a vibrant music scene in Los Angeles

Cons of moving from San Diego to Los Angeles

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a milder climate in San Diego to live with heavier traffic in Los Angeles
• You'll lose out on the pro of a relaxed lifestyle and have to settle for the con of higher pollution
• Time to bid farewell to better surf spots and get used to more expensive housing in Los Angeles

San Diego vs. Los Angeles: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, you will be trading the iconic Fish Tacos of San Diego for the equally delicious Sushi of Los Angeles. And while the locals in San Diego rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous California Burrito, Los Angeles residents know they have tasty Korean BBQ and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ramen of Los Angeles. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic San Diego eateries like George's at the Cove, Hodad's, and Phil's BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Los Angeles, don't wait too long before making your way to Los Angeles' acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Mozza, Bestia, and Spago.

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

Discover Los Angeles Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Los Angeles is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old San Diego favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved George's at the Cove, Ironside Fish & Oyster, and Born & Raised in San Diego, we're sure you'll love Perch, Connie and Ted's, and Bestia in Los Angeles. See our Los Angeles restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all your cherished San Diego hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Phil's BBQ, head to Bludso's Bar & Que on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between San Diego and Los Angeles

• The Spanish Colonial architecture that San Diego is known for will be replaced with the Modernist architecture typical of Los Angeles.
• Compared to San Diego's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and outdoor spaces, Los Angeles real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to entertainment and luxury finishes.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Los Angeles is more walkable than San Diego.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Los Angeles is more bike-friendly than San Diego.
• Los Angeles has more of an urban feel than San Diego.
• Los Angeles housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in San Diego, with a median home price of $974,105 compared to San Diego’s $1,021,655.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Los Angeles have increased by 37% compared to a 57% increase in San Diego.
• Rent in Los Angeles is 6.57% more affordable than in San Diego.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA

1. Silver Lake: You and your pet will love Silver Lake's many dog-friendly cafes and the vast green spaces of the Silver Lake Reservoir.
2. West Hollywood: Your furry friend can roam freely in this neighborhood's dog parks and join you in pet-welcoming shops and restaurants.
3. Santa Monica: Enjoy the ocean breeze with your pet as you explore pedestrian-friendly streets and beach paths where dogs are welcome.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from San Diego to Los Angeles. Los Angeles gets 7% more sunshine days than San Diego.
• Los Angeles has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to San Diego.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in San Diego, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes, wildfires, and mudslides in Los Angeles.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Los Angeles is 8 degrees warmer than in San Diego.
• The average winter lows in Los Angeles are 2 degrees colder than they are in San Diego.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Los Angeles. Los Angeles receives 4.4 more inches of rain compared to San Diego.

Financial & Community Snapshot: San Diego and Los Angeles

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Los Angeles tend to earn about 24% less than in San Diego
• The COLI in Los Angeles is 3% higher than what you are used to living in San Diego
• There's no change in state income tax between San Diego and Los Angeles
• The affluence in Los Angeles is high compared to moderate affluence in San Diego
• The poverty level is higher in Los Angeles compared to lower poverty in San Diego
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in San Diego and severe in Los Angeles

Political and Religious Climate in San Diego vs. Los Angeles

• San Diego tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
• Los Angeles, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
• Los Angeles' religious environment can be described as highly diverse with a larger percentage of non-religious residents
• San Diego's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with Christianity being predominant

San Diego vs. Los Angeles Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 20% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Los Angeles compared to your San Diego commute. That's 2,600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Los Angeles to be worse than it is in San Diego.
• Public transit is more readily available in Los Angeles.