Moving a 4-bedroom apartment in the San Francisco Bay Area is a major project, both logistically and financially. Whether you’re relocating within the city, moving from San Francisco to Oakland, or shifting from Palo Alto to another Bay Area city, one thing is clear—this is not a small move. To make this process smoother and financially predictable, it’s important to understand the true cost behind it.
In this article, we’ll break down the average costs of moving a 4-bedroom apartment, based on the size of the crew you hire, the time required, and additional fees you might encounter. We’ll also cover tips to minimize costs and real-life examples to help you plan better.
What Affects the Cost of Moving a 4-Bedroom Apartment?
Let’s start by understanding what contributes to the final moving bill.
1. Volume of Items
A 4-bedroom apartment typically includes large furniture pieces such as beds, dressers, wardrobes, sofas, dining tables, and a good amount of personal belongings—especially if you have kids or a home office. Packing and moving these items takes time, especially when stairs or elevators are involved.
2. Distance of the Move
If you’re moving within the same city or metro area, costs are usually calculated on an hourly basis. For moves outside of the Bay Area, some companies may switch to a flat rate based on distance, time, and weight.
3. Number of Movers
The more movers you hire, the faster the job gets done. However, the hourly rate also increases. This is a balancing act. More workers can complete the move quicker, potentially saving you money compared to fewer workers who need more hours.
4. Complexity and Accessibility
Narrow hallways, multiple flights of stairs, no elevator access, or long walking distances from the truck to the door—all of these will increase the time it takes to move, and thus, the cost.
5. Additional Services
Packing, unpacking, furniture assembly, or storage services can be added to your move, and each comes with an additional charge.
Recommended Crew Size for a 4-Bedroom Apartment
Most moving companies recommend 4 movers and 1 truck for a 4-bedroom apartment. This setup allows for efficient loading and unloading of items and minimizes time spent on-site. While it’s possible to get the job done with 2 or 3 movers, the overall moving time will increase, which might end up costing you more.
Average Time Required to Move a 4-Bedroom Apartment
Here’s a general breakdown of how long it might take:
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2 Movers: 14–18 hours
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3 Movers: 10–14 hours
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4 Movers: 8–10 hours
This includes loading, transport, unloading, and setup. Of course, this is just an average. If you’re moving out of a fourth-floor walk-up with no elevator, expect things to take longer. Similarly, if everything is packed and ready by the front door, things will go faster.
Calculating the Average Cost
Let’s now calculate the total cost of moving based on the number of movers and the hourly rates provided.
Option 1: 2 Movers & 1 Truck ($159/hour)
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Estimated time: 16 hours
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Total cost: 16 × $159 = $2,544
While this might seem like a cheaper rate per hour, the total hours needed are significantly higher due to the smaller team. You’ll also be more exhausted by the end of the day, and the movers may be too.
Option 2: 3 Movers & 1 Truck ($199/hour)
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Estimated time: 12 hours
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Total cost: 12 × $199 = $2,388
This is a middle-ground option. You save a few hundred dollars and potentially reduce the overall stress compared to just two movers. Still, it may be less time-efficient than hiring four movers.
Option 3: 4 Movers & 1 Truck ($249/hour)
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Estimated time: 9 hours
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Total cost: 9 × $249 = $2,241
Despite being the most expensive hourly rate, this is actually the most cost-efficient and time-efficient option. With more hands on deck, the job is completed quickly and with less risk of delay or overtime charges.
Additional Costs You Should Prepare For
Even though the hourly rate forms the bulk of your moving bill, there are often additional costs that sneak up on people during a move. Here’s what to look out for:
1. Packing Services
If you don’t want to pack your belongings yourself, moving companies offer packing services. For a 4-bedroom apartment, full packing can range from $500 to $1,200, depending on how much needs to be packed and how fragile or bulky the items are.
2. Supplies
Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, wardrobe boxes, mattress covers—all of these cost money. Some companies offer these as part of the package, others charge extra. Expect to spend an extra $100 to $300 on supplies if you handle it yourself.
3. Disassembly and Reassembly
Beds, tables, or gym equipment often need to be taken apart before the move. If movers are doing this for you, this can add another 1–2 hours of labor, depending on how complex the furniture is.
4. Storage
If you can’t move into your new apartment right away, you’ll need short-term storage. Storage can cost anywhere from $150 to $400 per month, plus the labor time to move in and out of storage.
5. Long Carry or Stair Fees
If movers can’t park right in front of your building or there’s no elevator, many companies will charge for the extra effort. This can add $50 to $200 to your bill, depending on the specifics.
Realistic Moving Scenarios in the Bay Area
Example 1: Moving from a 4th-Floor Walk-Up in San Francisco
Let’s say you’re moving out of a 4-bedroom apartment in the Mission District, with no elevator, tight stairs, and a long walk from the truck to the front door. You hire 4 movers to make the process as quick as possible.
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Estimated time: 10 hours
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Total cost: 10 × $249 = $2,490
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Add $200 for stair fees
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Add $600 for packing services
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Final estimated total: $3,290
Example 2: Relocating from Oakland to San Jose (Local but Long Drive)
This move involves travel across cities, which adds drive time but doesn’t increase the rate per hour.
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4 movers: 9 hours total (including drive)
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Cost: 9 × $249 = $2,241
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Supplies: $150
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Disassembly: $100
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Total: $2,491
Example 3: Budget Move with 2 Movers
You’re trying to save as much money as possible and hire only two movers.
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Estimated time: 16 hours
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Cost: 16 × $159 = $2,544
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Movers may be tired toward the end of the day, increasing the risk of damages
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Still, it’s a possible option if you’re helping too
Tips to Save Money on Your Move
Here are a few practical tips to help you reduce moving costs without cutting corners:
1. Declutter Before You Move
The fewer things you have, the cheaper and faster the move will be. Go through your home room by room and donate, sell, or recycle items you no longer need.
2. Pack Yourself
Packing is labor-intensive, and you can save hundreds by handling it yourself. Start early—pack books, clothes, kitchen gadgets, and non-essentials in stages.
3. Schedule Mid-Month or Off-Season
Avoid moving at the beginning or end of the month, which is peak moving time. Similarly, spring and summer months are more expensive. Moving in fall or winter may give you better rates.
4. Be Ready When the Movers Arrive
If the movers show up and you’re still stuffing things into boxes or deciding what to take, you’re wasting paid time. Have everything packed, labeled, and disassembled in advance.
5. Label Everything Clearly
Clear labeling makes unloading and unpacking more efficient. Movers will know where to place each box, which speeds up the process and saves money.
Final Thoughts
Moving a 4-bedroom apartment in the Bay Area or San Francisco is a significant but manageable task if you know what to expect. On average, most people will spend between $2,200 and $3,000, depending on the crew size, the complexity of the move, and optional services like packing and storage.
For the best balance of efficiency and cost, 4 movers and 1 truck at $249/hour for 9–10 hours is often the smart choice. It minimizes the time your life is in boxes and reduces stress on moving day.
That said, if you’re willing to help, start early, and prepare thoroughly, even a smaller crew can get the job done at a reasonable cost.
No matter which route you choose, the key is planning ahead, budgeting smartly, and hiring movers with strong local experience. The Bay Area isn’t an easy place to navigate with a full truck, so hiring pros who know the terrain can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.
