Best Raleigh to San Francisco Movers

How Much Do Raleigh to San Francisco Movers Cost?

Moving 2,871 miles from Raleigh, NC to San Francisco, CA will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 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 Raleigh. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Francisco from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to San Francisco moving option

Hire local Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to San Francisco, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 28 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Raleigh and San Francisco areas.

From these 28 companies, we analyzed a total of 9,514 reviews dating all the way back to August 2005.

We also reviewed a total of 17 state and federal moving licenses from these 28 companies and 139 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~9,000 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 3,022 Raleigh 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(like Athens Moving Experts) vs older more established companies (like OCD Moving Services LLC).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Raleigh 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.

8.68/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 6,268 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.48/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 2,330 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.87/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 1,166 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.07/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 2,453 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.04/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 919 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.96/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 2,554 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.24/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 3,717 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.47/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 6,308 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.69/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 4,025 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.18/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 606 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.53/10 avg (Raleigh & San Francisco combined) from 3,487 reviews

From Raleigh to San Francisco: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Raleigh in Raleigh & SoMa in San Francisco are both known for their urban core with tech hubs & high-rises
• Raleigh's North Hills neighborhood & San Francisco's Hayes Valley both share open-air retail & walkable streets
• If you're moving from Cameron Village, check out Cole Valley in the San Francisco area for the small-scale shops & historic neighborhood feel
• Do you enjoy Five Points' eclectic eateries & vintage boutiques? You're sure to love Haight-Ashbury
• Move from Glenwood South to Mission District and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: lively bars & diverse nightlife
• Mordecai & Pacific Heights are both known for their tree-lined streets & historic homes
• Raleigh's Oakwood neighborhood & San Francisco's Alamo Square neighborhood both have Victorian architecture & a cozy atmosphere
• If you're moving from Brier Creek, look into Mission Bay for the new development & corporate campuses
• Do you cherish living in Warehouse District's industrial-chic lofts & artist studios? Move into Dogpatch for something similar
• The similar vibes of Hayes Barton & Sea Cliff are both known for upscale residential & quiet avenues

Pros and Cons of Moving from Raleigh to San Francisco

ConsRaleigh, NC

• Lower job opportunities
• Mild winters
• Affordable living costs
• Less traffic
• Smaller tech scene

ProsSan Francisco, CA

• Robust job market
• Milder climate overall
• Diverse culture
• Comprehensive public transport
• Booming tech industry

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San Francisco, CA

• Higher cost of living
• Expensive housing market
• Smaller living spaces
• Less personal space
• Faster pace of life

Raleigh, NC

• Family-friendly neighborhoods
• Lower housing costs
• Spacious living areas
• More green space
• Slower pace of life

Pros of moving from Raleigh to San Francisco

• Say goodbye to lower job opportunities and hello to a robust job market
• Look forward to moving away from mild winters and moving to San Francisco with a milder climate overall
• Swap the affordable living costs of Raleigh for a diverse culture in San Francisco
• Get ready for comprehensive public transport in San Francisco

Cons of moving from Raleigh to San Francisco

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from family-friendly neighborhoods in Raleigh to live with a higher cost of living in San Francisco
• You'll lose out on the pro of lower housing costs and have to settle for the con of an expensive housing market
• Time to bid farewell to spacious living areas and get used to smaller living spaces in San Francisco
• Swap more green space for less personal space

Raleigh vs. San Francisco: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Raleigh to San Francisco, you will be trading the iconic North Carolina BBQ of Raleigh for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of San Francisco. And while the locals in Raleigh rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Hot Dogs, San Francisco residents know they have tasty Cioppino and Mission Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of San Francisco. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Raleigh eateries like Poole's Diner, Brewery Bhavana, and The Angus Barn. After the boxes are unpacked in San Francisco, don't wait too long before making your way to San Francisco's acclaimed eateries like Tartine Bakery, Saison, and Zuni Café.

When comparing lifestyles, San Francisco shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Raleigh. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in San Francisco compared to what you are used to in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Brewery Bhavana, Garland, and Pool's Diner in Raleigh, we're sure you'll love State Bird Provisions, The Slanted Door, and Mo's Grill in San Francisco. See our San Francisco restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Raleigh hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Bida Manda, head to Hawker Fare on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Raleigh and San Francisco

• The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Raleigh is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Modern architecture typical of San Francisco.
• Compared to Raleigh's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, San Francisco real estate listings often highlight features like city views and proximity to tech hubs.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. San Francisco is more walkable than Raleigh.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Raleigh.
• San Francisco has more of an urban feel than Raleigh.
• San Francisco housing costs are 191% more expensive than they are in Raleigh, with a median home price of $1,290,678 compared to Raleigh’s $442,852.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Francisco have decreased by 4% compared to a 56% increase in Raleigh.
• Rent in San Francisco is 97% more expensive than in Raleigh.

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 Raleigh and San Francisco

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Raleigh to San Francisco. San Francisco gets 22% more sunshine days than Raleigh.
• San Francisco has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Raleigh.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Raleigh and 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 19 degrees colder than in Raleigh.
• The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Raleigh.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Francisco. San Francisco receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Raleigh.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Raleigh and San Francisco

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Francisco tend to earn about 63% more than those in Raleigh
• The COLI in San Francisco will be 67% higher than what you are used to living in Raleigh
• The state income tax in CA is 13.3 compared to 5.25 in NC
• The affluence in San Francisco is highly affluent compared to reasonably affluent in Raleigh
• The poverty level is low to moderate in San Francisco compared to moderate in Raleigh
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Raleigh and significantly high in San Francisco

Political and Religious Climate in Raleigh vs. San Francisco

• Raleigh tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• San Francisco, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• San Francisco's religious environment can be described as diverse with lower levels of religious affiliation
• Raleigh's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Christian population

Raleigh 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 Raleigh commute. That's 4680 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in San Francisco to be worse than it is in Raleigh.
• Public transit is more readily available in San Francisco.