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10 Best Moving Companies in Monterey, CA

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Written By Bradford Cuthrell

Last Updated April 2024

You probably won't be surprised to learn that people often cite moving as one of the most stressful times in their lives. Even if you live in a smaller town (like Monterey) with fewer crowds, you may have some concerns about navigating around a big truck and all of your possessions. Any move has a lot of moving parts, and it's normal to find yourself worrying frequently.

Use our guide to Monterey's best movers to cut down on the headaches of moving by getting everything taken care of quickly and smoothly.

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Top 10 Best Moving Companies in Monterey

Mod Movers

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1110 Airport Rd, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 480-0381 mod-movers.com

Transparent pricing

Free quotes

Good customer service

Reliable service

Helps educate customers

Services Offered

Long distance
Residential moving
Storage
Packing
International
Boats
Pianos
Art and antiques
Interstate

American Movers Inc

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501 Reservation Rd, Marina, CA 93933 (831) 384-4139 americanmoversca.com

Services Offered

Storage
Packing
Residential moving
Art and antiques
Long distance
Pianos

A New Beginning Monterey

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5100 Coe Ave, Seaside, CA 93955 (831) 747-2246 anewbeginningmonterey.business.site

Short-notice moves

Free quotes

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Residential moving

Southbay Moving Systems

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220 Griffin St, Salinas, CA 93901 (866) 687-3130 sbmoving.com

Punctual service

Free quotes

Reliable service

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Services Offered

Interstate
International
Packing
Pianos
Long distance
Storage
Residential moving

Cardinale Moving & Storage

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11360 Commercial Pkwy, Castroville, CA 95012 (831) 632-4100 cardinalemoving.com

Good customer service

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Long distance
Storage
Interstate
International
Residential moving
Packing

Scarr Moving and Storage

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1353 Dayton St, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 424-2784 scarrmoving.com

Reliable service

Transparent pricing

Punctual service

Good customer service

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Services Offered

Storage
Long distance
Residential moving
Tracking
Packing
Interstate
International

North American Van Lines

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1353 Dayton St suite a, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 225-0719 northamerican.com

Free quotes

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Services Offered

Tracking
Packing
International
Interstate
Long distance
Residential moving
Storage

Monterey Transfer & Storage, Inc.

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414 W Market St, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 422-6683 montereytransfer.com

Good customer service

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Services Offered

Residential moving
Storage

Tavares Packing & Loading

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1321 Burton Ave, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 402-8949 tavarespackingandloading.com

Reliable service

Punctual service

Good customer service

Free quotes

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Residential moving
Long distance
Storage
Packing

J & M Moving & Storage Inc

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11305 Commercial Pkwy, Castroville, CA 95012 (831) 633-5903 jmmoving.com

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Storage
Art and antiques
Residential moving
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on moving companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

Choosing a Monterey Moving Company

Different types of movers are better for different types of moves. The first step in selecting a moving company is figuring out whether a national or local company will work best for your needs. You'll also have to choose between a self-service or full-service mover. Self-service movers provide trucks and drivers, but you're expected to have everything packed and ready when they get to you. Full-service movers offer packing services, which can be great if you dread packing boxes.

Once you know what you need, find which moving companies meet California's licensing requirements for movers. Other easy ways to research a mover's credibility include reading online reviews and checking its reputation via the BBB. All of the companies on our list of Monterey's best movers are well-reviewed and selected by our experts.

Once you've narrowed it down to a few companies, you can start reaching out to them. We suggest reaching out to two or more of the moving companies from our list above. Be sure to review all the services you need when you ask for an estimate. Also, confirm that you've gotten a "binding estimate" – otherwise, the actual cost may be subject to change.

How Much Do Movers in Monterey Cost?

Something that most people worry about as they prepare to move is the price tag. In Monterey, the typical hourly cost for movers is:

  • Average: $220 an hour for two movers and a truck
  • Range: $181 to $260 an hour for two movers and a truck
The size of your home will also affect the cost of your move. In Monterey, the typical moving costs for various sized homes are:
  • One bedroom: Between $3,049 and $4,210
  • Two bedrooms: Between $3,475 and $5,393
  • Three bedrooms: Between $4,013 and $6,240

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Monterey, CA

The best mover in Monterey, according to Today's Homeowner, are Mod Movers.

To figure out which movers in Monterey are the best, our team asks a lot of questions, including:

  • Does the mover have a wide operating area? Can they handle moves between states or countries?
  • What additional services does the company offer, like electronics setup or packing assistance?
  • What is the quality of the mover's insurance options?
  • Does the mover have BBB accreditation, excellent user reviews, and a good reputation among peers in the industry?
  • Consider both cost and convenience when planning your move. The majority of people move from May to August, which could be busier and more expensive for you. With about 12,991 students attending college within 15 miles of Monterey, you may want to avoid moving when semesters start in August and end in May.

    Also consider the weather conditions in the area. Monterey tends to have hot temperatures. Therefore weather may not affect what time of year you move as much as it would in some other places. Still, you may not want to move in mid-summer, when extreme heat or humidity could rob you of energy.

    To check a mover's reputation, you can:

    • investigate ratings from past customers and the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
    • ask for references from friends and family who have used a particular mover in the past
    • visit the mover's website to get an idea of their customer service philosophy
    • ask the mover for their licensing and insurance information

    A few signs that you shouldn't use a specific mover include:

    • The company avoids questions about its credentials and insurance coverage.
    • The company offers discounts, quotes, or promotions that sound too good to be true.
    • The mover can't provide you with references.
    • The company demands that you pay upfront.
    • The mover has complaints against them at the Better Business Bureau or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Agency.

    Compared to a national average of 100.0, the cost of living index for Monterey is 189.7. This index considers housing payments, childcare, food, transportation, and other crucial expenses.

    The median home price in Monterey is 1140551, while the average monthly rent is about $2,482.