Movers in Oakland, CA
Oakland (and Berkeley, Albany) is the East Bay's most dense moving market. Downtown/Lake Merritt revitalization adds COI rules; hill-home long-carry fees are common (Montclair, Hiller); Cal's August lease turn drives peak.
Average Oakland Moving Costs (2026)
- Studio: $550 – $1,100
- 1-bedroom: $900 – $1,800
- 2-bedroom: $1,500 – $3,000
- 3-bedroom: $2,400 – $4,800
See the full breakdown on our Oakland moving cost guide.
Oakland to SF, San Jose, or Sacramento: $800 – $2,000. To LA: $1,800 – $3,800. Cross-country: $6,500 – $11,000.
Neighborhoods we cover
- Downtown, Lake Merritt & Uptown: condos + lofts
- Rockridge, Piedmont Avenue & Temescal: bungalows + walkups
- Grand Lake & Adams Point: condos + duplexes
- Berkeley & Albany: family + university
- Hills: Montclair, Hiller Highlands, Skyline
Local quirks every Oakland mover knows
- Downtown/Lake Merritt condos require COI 48 hours in advance.
- Hill homes (Montclair, Hiller, Skyline) add long-carry fees due to steep driveways.
- Permit-parking zones across most flats — confirm your mover handles them.
- Cal lease turn (late August) is peak.
Best time to move in Oakland
Peak: May through September. Cheapest: November through February.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do movers cost in Oakland?
A typical 1-bedroom local move in Oakland, CA costs $900 – $1,800. 2-bedroom homes run $1,500 – $3,000, and 3-bedroom+ moves land between $2,400 – $4,800. What moves the number most here: downtown/Lake Merritt condos require COI 48 hours in advance. Bids on Scan To Move are built from your measured inventory, so they're binding.
When is the cheapest time to move in Oakland?
Peak: May through September. Cheapest: November through February. If your dates are flexible, scanning early and collecting bids across two or three candidate weeks is the single biggest lever on price in Oakland.
Which Oakland neighborhoods do your movers cover?
All of them, including Downtown, Lake Merritt & Uptown, Rockridge, Piedmont Avenue & Temescal, Grand Lake & Adams Point, plus Berkeley & Albany, Hills. Access notes from your scan (stairs, elevator reservations, long carries) go to every mover before they bid.
What should I know before moving out of Oakland?
Oakland to SF, San Jose, or Sacramento: $800 – $2,000. To LA: $1,800 – $3,800. Cross-country: $6,500 – $11,000. Long-haul crews serving Oakland need active USDOT/MC authority, which we verify before a mover can bid on an interstate job.
Are the Oakland movers on Scan To Move licensed?
Yes. Every mover bidding on a Oakland job is verified for active California licensing, USDOT/MC credentials for interstate work, and current insurance. We don't list lead-broker middlemen — only the company that will actually load your truck.
How fast can I get bids in Oakland?
Most Oakland customers see their first bid within 10–30 minutes of finishing the scan, and 3–6 competing offers within a few hours. Because the inventory is measured, the price you accept is the price you pay.