Best Detroit to San Francisco Movers

How Much Do Detroit to San Francisco Movers Cost?

Moving 2,498 miles from Detroit, MI to San Francisco, CA will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 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 Francisco that already have a booked job heading from San Francisco to Detroit. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Francisco from Detroit entirely empty. If you can find a San Francisco moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Detroit to San Francisco moving option

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 20 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Detroit and San Francisco areas.

From these 20 companies, we analyzed a total of 5,104 reviews dating all the way back to August 2005.

We also reviewed a total of 5 state and federal moving licenses from these 20 companies and 98 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~5,000 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 1,626 Detroit to San Francisco 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.

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.52/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 3,379 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.27/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 1,360 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.73/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 755 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.56/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 1,381 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.21/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 586 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.75/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 1,470 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.04/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 1,971 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.26/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 3,407 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.47/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 2,039 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.67/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 408 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.19/10 avg (Detroit & San Francisco combined) from 1,784 reviews

From Detroit to San Francisco: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown in Detroit & SoMa in San Francisco are both known for their urban core with tech offices & nightlife
• Detroit's Midtown neighborhood & San Francisco's Mission District both share an arts & culture hub with eateries & bars
• If you're moving from Corktown, check out Dogpatch in the San Francisco area for revitalizing industrial roots & craft breweries
• Do you enjoy Eastern Market's weekly markets & local boutiques? You're sure to love Hayes Valley
• Move from Indian Village to Pacific Heights and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic mansions & an affluent atmosphere
• Palmer Woods & Noe Valley are both known for their tree-lined streets & family-friendly homes
• Detroit's Rosedale Park neighborhood & San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood both have a residential hillside with a community vibe
• If you're moving from Woodbridge, look into Richmond District for quiet single-family homes near parks
• Do you cherish living in West Village's historic charm with cafes & walkability? Move into North Beach for something similar
• The similar vibes of Boston Edison & Nob Hill are both known for grand historic architecture & hilltop views

Pros and Cons of Moving from Detroit to San Francisco

ConsDetroit, MI

• Harsh winters
• Lower job market
• Less diverse cuisine
• Smaller cultural scene
• Higher crime rates

ProsSan Francisco, CA

• Milder climate
• Thriving tech industry
• World-class dining
• Vibrant arts community
• Safer neighborhoods

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San Francisco, CA

• High cost of living
• Smaller spaces
• Less personal
• Heavy traffic
• Less musical diversity

Detroit, MI

• Affordable housing
• Spacious living
• Strong community
• Easy road trips
• Rich musical heritage

Pros of moving from Detroit to San Francisco

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
• Look forward to moving away from a lower job market and moving to San Francisco with a thriving tech industry
• Swap the less diverse cuisine of Detroit for world-class dining in San Francisco
• Get ready for a vibrant arts community in San Francisco

Cons of moving from Detroit to San Francisco

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Detroit to live with a high cost of living in San Francisco
• You'll lose out on the pro of spacious living and have to settle for the con of smaller spaces
• Time to bid farewell to a strong community and get used to less personal interaction in San Francisco
• Swap easy road trips for heavy traffic

Detroit vs. San Francisco: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Detroit to San Francisco, you will be trading the iconic Coney Dog of Detroit for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of San Francisco. And while the locals in Detroit rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Detroit-style Pizza, San Francisco residents know they have tasty Cioppino and Mission Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Coney they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ramen of San Francisco. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Detroit eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Buddy's Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in San Francisco, don't wait too long before making your way to San Francisco's acclaimed eateries like Boudin Bakery, Tadich Grill, and La Taqueria.

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

Discover San Francisco Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to San Francisco is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Detroit favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Selden Standard, Lafayette Coney Island, and Slows Bar BQ in Detroit, we're sure you'll love State Bird Provisions, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, and 4505 Burgers & BBQ in San Francisco. See our San Francisco restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Detroit hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Iridescence, head to Gary Danko on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Detroit and San Francisco

• The Historic Homes and Brick Houses architecture that Detroit is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Modern architecture typical of San Francisco.
• Compared to Detroit's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage parking, San Francisco real estate listings often highlight features like bay views and eco-friendly amenities.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. San Francisco is more walkable than Detroit.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Detroit.
• San Francisco has more of an urban feel than Detroit.
• San Francisco housing costs are 1,704% more expensive than they are in Detroit, with a median home price of $1,290,678 compared to Detroit’s $71,547.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Francisco have decreased by 4%, compared to a 60% increase in Detroit.
• Rent in San Francisco is 158.29% more expensive than in Detroit.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Francisco, CA

1. Pacific Heights : You'll love Pacific Heights for its abundance of parks and scenic walking trails perfect for you and your furry friend.
2. Noe Valley : Enjoy Noe Valley's welcoming community vibe and the pet-friendly stores and cafes that cater to every pet need.
3. The Mission District : Known for its vibrant and lively atmosphere, The Mission District offers numerous dog parks and pet-friendly patios for you and your pet to explore.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Detroit and San Francisco

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Detroit to San Francisco. San Francisco gets 42% more sunshine days than Detroit.
• San Francisco has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Detroit.
• Say goodbye to possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Detroit, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in San Francisco.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in San Francisco is 13 degrees colder than in Detroit.
• The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Detroit.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Francisco. San Francisco receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Detroit.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Detroit and San Francisco

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Francisco tend to earn about 237% more than in Detroit
• The COLI in San Francisco is 65% higher than what you are used to living in Detroit
• The state income tax in CA is 9.3 compared to 4.25 in MI
• The affluence in San Francisco is higher compared to that lower in Detroit
• The poverty level is lower in San Francisco compared to that high in Detroit
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Detroit and critical in San Francisco

Political and Religious Climate in Detroit vs. San Francisco

• Detroit tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• San Francisco, on the other hand, is often described as heavily Democratic
• San Francisco's religious environment can be described as largely secular with a strong presence of Buddhist and other Eastern religious communities
• Detroit's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities present

Detroit vs. San Francisco Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 36% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in San Francisco compared to your Detroit commute. That's 4,680 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in San Francisco to be worse than it is in Detroit.
• Public transit is more readily available in San Francisco.