Best San Francisco to Austin Movers and Practical Moving Guide
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Moving from the tech-forward hustle of San Francisco, CA to the vibrant live-music capital of Austin, TX, marks an adventure filled with new experiences and opportunities. Leaving behind the Golden Gate for the allure of Texan barbecues, eclectic neighborhoods, and a close-knit community can feel like an exciting leap into the unknown. It's crucial, however, that you ensure this transition is as smooth as possible by choosing trusted and reliable professional movers, like those we've meticulously ranked at Great Guys Moving, to handle your journey from coast to heart.
Best San Francisco to Austin Moving Companies
| Company Name | Rating  | BBB Rating | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCD Moving Services LLC | 9.66 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| MoverTron Moving | 9.45 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Bay - L.A. Express Moving | 9.33 | D | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Careful Movers | 9.31 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Heavenly Moving and Storage | 9.30 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Austin to San Francisco guide.
5 Best San Francisco to Austin Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About OCD Moving Services LLC
For over five years, OCD Moving Services LLC has been providing Oakland and the Bay Area with residential and commercial relocation services...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
About Bay - L.A. Express Moving
Bay-L.A. Express Moving is a professional moving company that serves Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the entire Bay Area. Specializing in mo...Read More >>
Services
- Long-distance moving
- Small relocation
- Full packing services
About Careful Movers
With almost two decades of expertise and experience in the moving industry, Menlo Park-based Careful Movers promises stress-free, on-time, a...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Office Moving
This listing has been claimed by Heavenly Moving and StorageAbout Heavenly Moving and Storage
Heavenly Moving and Storage has been one of Austin’s premier moving companies since 2005. This locally-owned moving company provides high-qu...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Full-service packing
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
San Francisco vs. Austin Neighborhood Comparison
Moving to a new city can be a daunting task, especially when you're not familiar with the local areas. To ease the transition, we're here to help you find your footing by comparing local neighborhoods between San Francisco, CA & Austin, TX . Using your current San Francisco neighborhood as a baseline, we'll match you with a similar neighborhood in Austin, capturing the essence and vibes of what you're accustomed to.
| San Francisco | Austin | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Marina District | South Congress | Vibrant shopping & dining |
| Hayes Valley | East Austin | Eclectic, artsy community |
| Mission District | East Cesar Chavez | Diverse, cultural hub |
| Pacific Heights | Tarrytown | Affluent with historic charm |
| Nob Hill | Clarksville | Classic charm, close to downtown |
| SoMa | Red River District | Energetic nightlife & music |
| Cow Hollow | Hyde Park | Young professionals, boutique shops |
| North Beach | Roseda | Eclectic, with a rich history |
| Sunset District | Travis Heights | Laid-back with nature vibes |
| Richmond District | Lakeway | Suburban, great for families |
If you're someone who enjoys the eclectic and vibrant atmosphere of the Marina District in San Francisco, with its bustling streets filled with diverse shopping and dining options like Marina Times, you'll find a similar vibe in South Congress, Austin. South Congress is known for its unique boutiques, iconic eateries such as Jo's Coffee, and vibrant street life that mirrors the Marina's charm. For those drawn to the artsy community and diverse cultural experiences of Hayes Valley, East Austin will feel like home with its creative murals, innovative food scene, and venues like the Contemporary Austin that showcase cutting-edge art. Those appreciating the historic charm and upscale residences of Pacific Heights might find their match in Tarrytown, Austin, where the allure of affluence meets the serenity of Lake Austin, offering both scenic beauty and architectural elegance.
Ready to start your move?
Pros and Cons of Moving from San Francisco to Austin
Considering a move from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX? This comparison helps weigh the options by honestly reflecting both the advantages and challenges of such a relocation. By examining the cons of living in San Francisco against the pros of moving to Austin and vice versa , you’ll have a clearer understanding of what to expect from this significant life change.
San Francisco, CA- High living costs
- Dense population
- Limited parking
- Frequent fog
- Stressful commute
Austin, TX- More affordable housing
- More space
- Easier parking
- Sunnier days
- Lighter traffic
Austin, TX- No beaches nearby
- Fewer tech opportunities
- Less diverse
- Fewer landmarks
- Lesser-known restaurants
San Francisco, CA- Coastal access
- Tech hub
- Cultural diversity
- Iconic landmarks
- World-class dining
While both cities have their unique charm, each offers a distinctive living experience. In San Francisco, neighborhoods like the SOMA District are known for their vibrant tech scene and bustling markets like the Ferry Building Marketplace, offering a unique blend of culinary delights and artisan goods. Austin, though lacking in coastal access and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, compensates with a lively music scene evident in areas like South Congress and an array of outdoor activities available at Zilker Park. While San Francisco's dining scene includes renowned establishments such as The Slanted Door, Austin boasts its own culinary gems, like Franklin Barbecue, known nationwide. The move from San Francisco to Austin means embracing a different pace of life, characterized by an emphasis on outdoor living, a burgeoning tech scene, and a vibrant cultural landscape that while different, is no less enriching.
San Francisco vs. Austin Food Guide
This is a comparison of the local cuisine between San Francisco & Austin, shining a light on the vibrant food scenes that await you. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply curious about your new city's culinary offerings, this guide will provide a sneak peek into what your taste buds can expect.
| San Francisco | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Brisket |
| Most popular meat dish | Cioppino | Brisket |
| Most popular street food item | Mission Burrito | Tacos |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Jackfruit BBQ |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
Exploring the food scene in Austin, you'll quickly come across the city's deep-rooted love for brisket, perfected in smokehouses across the area, with Franklin Barbecue being a cult favorite. The city's streets thrive with an eclectic mix of food trucks, offering everything from classic tacos found in East Austin to inventive vegan options like jackfruit BBQ. For those with a penchant for clean eating and fitness, Austin's bustling scene accommodates with a variety of health-conscious eateries and vegan-friendly menus, ensuring that your dietary preferences are well served. Furthermore, eateries like Uchi and La Matta showcase the culinary diversity that Austin proudly offers, making it a city where every meal can be an adventure.
San Francisco vs. Austin Restaurant Comparison
Food plays a crucial part in making any area feel like home. This comparison aims to ease your transition by matching top restaurants from San Francisco to their Austin equivalents, ensuring you find a new favorite spot in no time. Comparing top restaurants in San Francisco with the closest counterparts in Austin helps create a seamless culinary transition.
| San Francisco | Austin | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Zuni Café | Olamaie | Southern cuisine with an elegant twist |
| Tartine Bakery | Easy Tiger | Exceptional baked goods and a relaxed vibe |
| Nopa | Odd Duck | Farm-to-table dining with an innovative menu |
| La Taqueria | Veracruz All Natural | Authentic Mexican tacos |
| Swan Oyster Depot | Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar | Fresh seafood and a cozy atmosphere |
| Foreign Cinema | June's All Day | Chic dining with a diverse international menu |
| Bi-Rite Creamery | Lick Honest Ice Creams | Artisanal ice cream with local ingredients |
| The Slanted Door | Elizabeth Street Café | Modern Vietnamese cuisine and French bakery items |
| Tony’s Pizza Napoletana | Bufalina | Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven |
| Gary Danko | Jeffrey's | Fine dining with an emphasis on steak and elegant ambiance |
Are you seeking a seamless transition in dining experiences as you move from San Francisco to Austin? Then you're in luck. San Francisco's iconic Zuni Café, known for its roasted chicken and rustic charm, finds a soulmate in Austin's Olamaie, where Southern cuisine meets sophistication. Similarly, the move from the sourdough sensations of Tartine Bakery to the bustling baker's paradise of Easy Tiger in Austin ensures that your baked goods cravings are well catered to. And for those who relish the blend of ambiance and fresh seafood, swapping Swan Oyster Depot for Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar in Austin means you won't miss out on high-quality oysters and seafood dishes, set against a beautiful, relaxed backdrop. These carefully matched eateries offer a taste of familiarity blended with the local flavor of your new city, ensuring a delicious start to your Austin adventure.
Ready to start your move?
San Francisco vs. Austin Real Estate & Living Facts
Real estate is a crucial element when considering a move, making it essential to comprehend how housing in San Francisco, CA, and Austin, TX compares. This comparison aims to shed light on various housing aspects such as cost, architecture, and lifestyle, providing a clearer picture of what to expect in both locations.
| Comparison | San Francisco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Victorian and Modern | Modern and Craftsman |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Bay views, rooftop decks | Outdoor living spaces, proximity to nature |
While both San Francisco and Austin boast vibrant urban lifestyles, the contrast in living costs and architectural styles is significant. San Francisco's famed Victorian homes and modern condos often come with breathtaking bay views, justifying their steep prices. On the other hand, Austin offers a more affordable housing market, with Craftsman and modern homes that often highlight outdoor living spaces and proximity to nature trails, like those found at the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Additionally, Austin's growing bikeability score reflects the city's investment in bike lanes and trails, making it a welcoming environment for cyclists.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Austin, TX
1. Zilker: This neighborhood is a paradise for your pets, offering the sprawling Zilker Metropolitan Park and the leash-free Barkin Springs, where your furry friends can play and splash to their heart's content.
2. South Congress: Known for its vibrant atmosphere, South Congress is pet-friendly with numerous cafes and shops like Jo's Coffee that welcome pets, making it the perfect neighborhood for pet owners who love to dine and shop with their furry companions.
3. Travis Heights: With its close proximity to the Stacy Parks and off-leash areas, this neighborhood is ideal for pet owners seeking a community that values outdoor activities and has access to pet-friendly spaces.
San Francisco vs. Austin Weather Considerations
When considering a move from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX, it's essential to understand how the weather differs in these cities. This comparison aims to highlight the key differences in climate and weather patterns between San Francisco and Austin, providing you with a clear picture of what to expect in your new home.
San Francisco, CA
Austin, TX
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
San Francisco, CA
Austin, TX
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
San Francisco, CA
Austin, TX
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
San Francisco, CA
Austin, TX
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | San Francisco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes | Flash floods, Tornadoes |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Moving from the mild, moderate climate of San Francisco to Austin's significantly warmer and more humid environment represents a substantial change. In Austin, the summer months bring high temperatures that can reach the mid-90s, coupled with higher UV index levels than you're accustomed to in San Francisco. This necessitates a more diligent approach to sun protection. Furthermore, Austin's propensity for flash floods and tornadoes marks a notable shift from the earthquake-prone San Francisco, demanding new forms of disaster preparedness. Understanding these differences will help you make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and expectations as you settle into your new home.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from San Francisco to Austin
When planning your move from San Francisco to Austin, it’s crucial to unpack how the financial landscape will shift. Understanding the differences in cost of living, taxes, and the economic environment will help you make an informed decision and prepare for your new life.
| Comparison | San Francisco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $121,826 | $79,542 |
| Cost of Living Index | 164 | 95.5 |
| State Income Tax | 13.3 | 0 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.6 | 1.9 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 8.5 | 8.25 |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Finance, Tourism | Technology, Education, Health Services |
| Affluence | Very High | Moderate to High |
| Poverty | Low | Moderate |
| Homelessness | High | Moderate to High |
The gap in average household income between San Francisco and Austin is notable, with San Francisco households earning significantly more. This difference is evened out somewhat by San Francisco's substantially higher cost of living and state income tax. While Austin benefits from a zero percent state income tax, its property taxes are notably higher. These financial factors are crucial when considering employment markets and housing. Each city's unique economic environment—from San Francisco's tech and finance sectors to Austin's tech-driven and diverse economy—reflects its character and the opportunities it offers.
San Francisco vs. Austin Political & Religious Comparison
In this quick guide, we aim to provide a glimpse into the social fabric of your current and future homes. This is a comparison of the politics between San Francisco & Austin, giving you an at-a-glance snapshot of the political and religious makeup of the residents in both cities.
| San Francisco | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Liberal/Democratic |
| Local Politics | Highly progressive policies | Progressive, with a libertarian streak |
| Religion | Less religious overall | More diverse religious landscape |
When moving from San Francisco to Austin, you'll find that both cities share a liberal political leaning, although Austin displays a unique mix of progressive values with a libertarian streak not as pronounced in San Francisco. San Francisco's local politics have long been known for their very progressive policies, reflecting the city's liberal base. In contrast, Austin's political scene is also progressive but tends to be more open to libertarian concepts, possibly due to Texas's overall political climate. Regarding religion, San Francisco is known for being less religious, with many residents identifying as spiritual but not religious or not practicing any religion. Austin, however, offers a more diverse religious landscape, reflecting a broader spectrum of faiths and practices. This diversity in Austin can be a refreshing change, offering more opportunities for community and cultural engagement.
San Francisco vs. Austin Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Austin, TX, introduces a shift in your daily commute and an opportunity to adapt to new traffic patterns and transportation options. This comparison of the traffic and transportation options between San Francisco & Austin will help you navigate these changes smoothly.
| Comparison | San Francisco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 34 | 26 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | Yes | No |
In San Francisco, the high public transit rating reflects a robust system comprising buses, metro, and ferries, making it feasible to live without a car. The MUNI and BART systems offer extensive coverage, connecting various neighborhoods efficiently. In contrast, Austin's lower public transit score means a car is almost essential for day-to-day travel, despite initiatives like Capital Metro. However, Austin's average commute time is shorter, partly due to less severe traffic congestion compared to the dense urban environment of San Francisco. Understanding these differences can significantly smooth your transition between these vibrant cities.
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