How much does junk removal cost in San Diego?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Most San Diego half-truck junk removal jobs cost $295–$715 for half a truck of household junk, disposal included. The typical San Diego bill is $475, and one couch costs $85–$270.
How we get this data- Typical
- $475
- Low end
- $210
- High end
- $950
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Get my fair quote →The typical San Diego price is $475, 19% above the US typical of $400.
San Diego's price band
San Diego is pricier than 96% of the 195 US metros we price for junk removal work.
A half truckload of junk in San Diego costs $295–$715, typically $475. Smaller jobs cost less: $180–$400 for a quarter truck and $70–$190 for one bulky item. Bigger jobs, like a whole-house cleanout, run $1,150–$2,700.
Thumbtack's October 2026 data puts most San Diego junk jobs at $135–$450, one of the widest ranges of the big cities it lists. California's $18 mattress recycling fee is paid when you buy a new mattress and funds free drop-off of old ones at Bye Bye Mattress sites.
Junk haulers price by volume: how much of the truck your stuff fills. Some items cost extra to dump, like refrigerators (the refrigerant has to be drained), mattresses and tires. Ask for one all-in price that covers labor, the drive and disposal.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Junk removal cost in the USA.
$295–$715 for a half truckload of junk in San Diego, with $475 typical. One bulky item costs $70–$190, a full truck $640–$1,200, and a garage cleanout $290–$650. Verified November 2026. Get free San Diego quotes →
- Half truckload: $295–$715 ($475 typical)
- Eighth of a truck $110–$270, quarter $180–$400, full truck $640–$1,200
- One bulky item $70–$190; couch $85–$270; mattress $65–$160
- Two-car garage cleanout: $290–$650
- Whole-house or estate cleanout: $1,150–$2,700
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 53+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Crew, loading, the drive and normal disposal included unless the row says otherwise. San Diego metro, re-verified November 2026. Dumpster and bag rows are do-it-yourself prices.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth truckload (about 2 cubic yards)per load | $110per load | $150 | $270 |
| Quarter truckload (about 3–4 cubic yards)per load | $180per load | $260 | $400 |
| Half truckload of mixed junk (about 7–8 cubic yards)per load | $295per load | $475 | $715 |
| Three-quarter truckload (about 11–13 cubic yards)per load | $470per load | $670 | $890 |
| Full truckload (about 15–17 cubic yards)per load | $640per load | $880 | $1,200 |
| Single bulky item pickup (minimum charge)per item | $70per item | $130 | $190 |
| Couch or sofa removalper item | $85per item | $140 | $270 |
| Sectional sofa removalper item | $140per item | $280 | $400 |
| Mattress or box spring removalper item | $65per item | $110 | $160 |
| Refrigerator or freezer removal (refrigerant handled)per item | $85per item | $150 | $230 |
| Washer or dryer removalper item | $55per item | $110 | $190 |
| TV or computer (e-waste) removalper item | $50per item | $100 | $160 |
| Upright piano removalper item | $230per item | $490 | $650 |
| Hot tub removal (cut up and hauled away)per job | $230per job | $460 | $860 |
| Tire disposalper tire | $5per tire | $10 | $25 |
| Yard waste and brush haul-awayper load | $170per load | $320 | $540 |
| Construction or remodel debrisper truckload | $350per truckload | $630 | $970 |
| Garage cleanout (two-car garage)per job | $290per job | $500 | $650 |
| Whole-house or estate cleanout (3-bedroom home)per job | $1,150per job | $2,050 | $2,700 |
| Hoarder house cleanout (about 1,000–2,000 sq ft)per job | $1,150per job | $2,650 | $4,350 |
| Dumpster rental, 10–20 yard, one week (you load it)per week | $270per week | $460 | $730 |
| Dumpster bag, bag plus pickup (you load it)per bag | $160per bag | $250 | $300 |
| Labor-only loading help, per workerper hour | $30per hour | $50 | $60 |
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Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 53+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices are for the San Diego metro: the city and its close suburbs. Dense blocks in Downtown, North Park & Hillcrest run higher because of stairs and parking; areas with driveways, like North County & El Cajon, usually run lower.
Junk removal prices across San Diego
Where you live changes the job. Walk-ups, elevators and street parking in Downtown, North Park & Hillcrest add time; driveways and garages in areas like North County & El Cajon make loading quick.
Downtown, North Park & Hillcrest
- Half load
- $450–$760 per load
- Single item
- $70–$240 / single bulky item
The priciest part of the city to haul from. Crews may need a loading zone or a building's freight elevator, and some charge extra for each floor without one.
Southeast San Diego & National City
- Half load
- $430–$710 per load
- Single item
- $65–$220 / single bulky item
Prices run near or a little above the city typical. Older walk-up buildings mean more stair carries; houses with alley or driveway access load faster.
Kearny Mesa & Miramar
- Half load
- $400–$690 per load
- Single item
- $65–$210 / single bulky item
Close to the city typical. Check the city's own bulky pickup first if you only have one or two big pieces and can wait.
North County & El Cajon
- Half load
- $360–$620 per load
- Single item
- $60–$190 / single bulky item
Garage and basement cleanouts are the common jobs. Easy driveway access keeps labor time down.
Real-world junk removal costs in San Diego
Here's what common junk removal jobs cost in San Diego in 2026, crew, loading and disposal included.
One old couch or mattress
A single couch costs $85–$270 and a mattress $65–$160. Most haulers have a minimum charge of $70–$190, so adding a second small item often costs little more.
Clear out a two-car garage
Expect $290–$650 for a two-car garage, and closer to the top if it's packed or holds tires or a fridge, which cost extra to dump. Old paint and chemicals usually go to a county drop-off instead.
Kitchen or bathroom remodel debris
Drywall, cabinets and tile are heavy, so haulers price debris by the truckload at $350–$970. A dumpster at $270–$730 a week can be cheaper if you'll fill it over several days.
Old hot tub out of the backyard
The crew cuts the tub into pieces and hauls it away for $230–$860. Ask whether cutting the power and any deck or concrete work are in the price.
Whole-house or estate cleanout
Clearing a full 3-bedroom house usually takes several truckloads, at $1,150–$2,700 in all. Ask for donation drop-offs and a sweep-up to be in the price.
How much does junk removal cost in San Diego?
$295–$715 for a half truck of junk, and $475 is what most San Diego homeowners pay. Load size sets the price: a quarter truck runs $180–$400, three-quarters $470–$890 and a full truck $640–$1,200. That's about $65 a cubic yard at the typical half-load price.
Bigger jobs scale up: a full truck is $640–$1,200, a garage cleanout $290–$650, and clearing a whole 3-bedroom house $1,150–$2,700. If you'd rather load it yourself, a dumpster runs $270–$730 a week. Re-checked against 53 sources, November 2026.
Junk removal prices in San Diego (2026) by load and item
A half truckload runs $295–$715, a full truck $640–$1,200, and one bulky item $70–$190.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth truckload (about 2 cu yd) | $110 | $150 | $270 |
| Quarter truckload (3–4 cu yd) | $180 | $260 | $400 |
| Half truckload (7–8 cu yd) | $295 | $475 | $715 |
| Three-quarter truckload (11–13 cu yd) | $470 | $670 | $890 |
| Full truckload (15–17 cu yd) | $640 | $880 | $1,200 |
| Couch or sofa | $85 | $140 | $270 |
| Mattress or box spring | $65 | $110 | $160 |
| Refrigerator or freezer | $85 | $150 | $230 |
A full truck ($880 typical) costs less than two half loads ($950). If your pile is close to the line, ask for one trip, not two.
What moves a junk removal quote in San Diego:
- How much of the truck you fill: from $110–$270 for an eighth to $640–$1,200 for a full load.
- Weight: dirt, concrete, roofing and drywall cost more to dump than furniture, so heavy loads are priced higher.
- Special items: fridges, mattresses and tires carry disposal fees; a fridge alone runs $85–$230.
- Access: stairs, long carries and no elevator add labor time, and some haulers add a charge for each floor.
- Timing: same-day and after-hours jobs can cost more; booking a few days ahead is usually cheaper.
Ask every San Diego hauler for one all-in price that covers loading, the drive, disposal and any item fees. Compare that number, not the advertised minimum. Get a quote for your junk job →
Junk removal cost in San Diego by load size
An eighth of a truck is about $110–$270, a half truck $295–$715, and a full truck $640–$1,200 in San Diego, loading and disposal included.
Worked example: two quarter loads at $260 each come to $520. One half load holding the same junk is $475, so splitting a job into two trips costs you about $45 more.
The bigger the load, the less you pay per cubic yard. A full truck at $880 costs less than two half trucks at $475 each ($950), because the crew, the drive and the trip to the dump happen once.
Ways to get rid of junk in San Diego compared
| Way to get rid of it | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hauler, eighth of a truck (they load it) | $110–$270 per load | One or two bulky pieces, like a couch or a washer and dryer |
| Hauler, quarter truck | $180–$400 per load | A bedroom set or a corner of the garage |
| Hauler, half truck | $295–$715 per load | Several rooms, a crowded garage, or anything heavy you can't carry |
| Hauler, full truck | $640–$1,200 per load | Moves, big garage or basement cleanouts |
| Dumpster rental (you load it) | $270–$730 per week | Remodels and cleanouts that take several days |
| Dumpster bag (you load it) | $160–$300 per bag | Small projects with room on the driveway |
| Whole-house cleanout crew | $1,150–$2,700 per 3-bedroom home | Estates, move-outs and downsizing |
| City bulky item pickup | Often free for eligible homes | One or two big items you can carry to the curb and wait for |
Per-item price vs load price in San Diego
Per-item pricing works for one or two things. A couch at $140, a mattress at $110 and a fridge at $150 add up to $400. A quarter truck, which holds all three, is $260. Once you have three or more bulky pieces, ask for a load price.
Doing it yourself? A 10–20 yard dumpster costs $270–$730 a week and a dumpster bag $160–$300, but you do all the lifting. A half truckload with a crew is $475, loaded and gone the same day.
What's included in a San Diego junk removal quote (and what costs extra)
A standard quote covers the crew, loading from anywhere on the property, the truck, the drive, and dump or recycling fees for normal household junk. It usually leaves out:
- Refrigerant removal for fridges, freezers and AC units, part of why a fridge runs $85–$230
- Tire and mattress fees: tires $5–$25 each at many haulers, mattresses $65–$160
- Stairs and long carries: some haulers add a charge per floor without an elevator
- Tear-down work: hot tubs ($230–$860) are priced as their own job, and so are sheds
Hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, propane tanks and asbestos is usually not taken; ask your county about drop-off days.
How much of the truck you fill
Volume is the main price driver. An eighth of a truck costs $110–$270 in San Diego, a half $295–$715 and a full truck $640–$1,200.
Weight and material
Heavy loads cost more to dump. Remodel debris runs $350–$970 a truckload, and some haulers cap how much dirt, concrete or roofing they'll take in one load.
Items with disposal fees
Refrigerators and freezers need their refrigerant removed ($85–$230 each), mattresses and tires cost extra at many dumps, and TVs and computers often go to an electronics recycler ($50–$160).
Stairs and carrying distance
Crews price the work, not just the junk. Upper floors without an elevator, long hallways and tight basements add labor time, and some haulers charge per floor.
Local dump fees
Landfill fees vary a lot by region: about $84 a ton on average in the Northeast against $43 in the Southeast (EREF, 2023 data). Haulers pass those costs on.
Timing
Same-day and after-hours jobs can cost more. Spring and early summer are busy, so prices can run a little higher then. Booking a few days ahead is usually cheaper.
Local labor
San Diego laborers and movers earn a median of about $20.83 an hour (BLS, May 2025), against $19.35 nationally. Junk removal is mostly labor and truck time, so the typical San Diego half load is $475, above the $400 national typical.
- Check the city's bulky pickup first.Many cities pick up couches, mattresses and other big items at the curb for free or a small fee. You carry it out and wait, but it can cost nothing.
- Fill one load instead of two.A full truck ($880 typical) costs less than two half loads ($950). Save it up and do it in one trip.
- Get a load price for three or more items.Item-by-item prices add up fast: three bulky pieces can cost $400 one by one, against $260 for a quarter truck.
- Donate or sell what still works.Charities and resale groups often pick up good furniture for free. Every piece they take is one you don't pay to haul.
- Move it to the curb or garage.Some haulers knock a little off for curbside pickup because the crew doesn't have to carry it out. Ask when you book.
- Book ahead, not same-day.Same-day jobs can cost more. If it can wait a few days, book ahead and compare two or three quotes.
Get these answers from any San Diego hauler before the crew starts loading:
- One all-in price, not just the minimum or a per-yard rate
- How much of the truck the price covers, and what happens if it's more
- Disposal, dump and recycling fees for everything on the list
- Extra fees for fridges, mattresses, tires or electronics
- Stairs, long carries or tear-down work, and what they cost
- What they donate or recycle, and what goes to the landfill
- The arrival window and how long the job will take
- Proof of insurance in case something in the house gets damaged
How much does junk removal cost in San Diego?
$295–$715 for a half truckload, with $475 typical. One bulky item costs $70–$190, and a full truck $640–$1,200.
How much does a full truckload of junk removal cost in San Diego?
$640–$1,200, typically $880. That's about 15–17 cubic yards, enough for a big garage or the leftovers of a whole-house move.
How much does it cost to get rid of a couch in San Diego?
$85–$270 for a regular couch and $140–$400 for a sectional. Check whether the city's bulky item pickup takes it for free first.
How much is mattress removal in San Diego?
$65–$160 per mattress or box spring. Some haulers add a disposal fee, because many dumps charge extra for mattresses.
How much does it cost to haul away a refrigerator in San Diego?
$85–$230. Federal rules say the refrigerant has to be removed before a fridge is scrapped, which is part of the cost.
How much does a garage cleanout cost in San Diego?
$290–$650 for a two-car garage. Expect the top of the range if it's packed to the ceiling or holds heavy items.
How much does an estate cleanout cost in San Diego?
$1,150–$2,700 for a 3-bedroom home. A hoarder house runs $1,150–$4,350 because the work is slower and may need protective gear.
Is it cheaper to rent a dumpster than hire junk removal in San Diego?
Sometimes. A dumpster costs $270–$730 a week but you load it. For a few rooms of furniture, a $475 half load with a crew is often the better deal.
How do junk removal companies in San Diego price a job?
Mostly by volume: how much of the truck your stuff fills, in eighths. Heavy materials, stairs and items with disposal fees can add to that.
Should I tip junk removal workers in San Diego?
It's not required. For a hard or heavy job, many people give $20–$50, or 15–20% of the bill.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 53+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the San Diego metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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