1-bedroom local in Austin
South Congress 1BR to a Mueller duplex, 6.1 mi. Two movers + truck, mid-month Wednesday in March.
Texas Moving Cost Calculator (2026)
Texas is one of the cheapest large states to move within, but the geography is deceiving — even an in-state move from Houston to El Paso is an 11-hour drive, and the tariff reflects it.
Researched and written by Matthew Collins · Reviewed by Amanda Brooks · Last reviewed August 2026
Estimate your Texas move
Pick a home size and a move type. Every figure shown is read from the published pricing model, so the calculator and the cost tables cannot disagree.
800–1,200 sq ft, ~5,500 lb
Billed hourly for a two-mover crew and a truck.
Estimated price range
$570–$1,305
- Estimated total for a 2 bedroom local move (under 50 miles), two movers and a truck billed hourly. Packing materials, stairs, and long carries are extra.
- Scope: Statewide estimate for Texas.
- Editorial estimate, not a measured transaction price. Reviewed May 2026.
Working range only. Confirm with a binding-not-to-exceed written estimate after a video survey.
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Why Texas is different
What drives pricing in this market
- TX has no state-level intrastate carrier registration like California's BHGS Household Movers permit; TxDMV regulation is light, so verifying USDOT through FMCSA SAFER matters even more here.
- Long in-state distances (Houston to El Paso is 745 mi) mean some "local" interstate-style jobs are billed against full FMCSA tariffs even when both addresses are in Texas.
Pricing
Cost by home size
Local rates assume two movers and ground-floor access. Ask how stairs and long carries are billed.
| Home size | Local move | Interstate move |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $285–$725 | $1,540–$4,020 |
| 1 Bedroom | $380–$870 | $2,100–$5,226 |
| 2 Bedroom | $570–$1,305 | $2,800–$6,700 |
| 3 Bedroom | $760–$1,740 | $4,060–$10,385 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,045–$2,320 | $5,460–$14,405 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $1,330–$2,900 | $6,720–$18,090 |
Real moves
Recent Texas examples
3-bedroom Houston to Denver interstate
Family of four, ~8,400 lb, 1,030 mi. Off-peak Tuesday pickup.
2-bedroom Dallas to Houston
Both addresses in Texas but 240 mi apart: bills as long-distance not local.
Deep dive
The Texas pricing playbook
Texas is the size of France, and that single fact controls almost every pricing conversation in the state. A move from Houston to El Paso is the same time and distance as Paris to Berlin — eleven hours of windshield time, two days of crew labor, and a tariff that follows the FMCSA interstate playbook even though both addresses share the Lone Star State.
Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth carry the largest mover supply, which keeps three-quote competition healthy. Austin's tech-relocation surcharge is the one outlier worth flagging: any quote that arrives with a "corporate package" line should be cross-checked against a residential rate sheet.
On long-haul lanes, Texas benefits from a structural backhaul advantage. If you're moving out of state, lean into that — request quotes from carriers with a confirmed hub in your destination state.
Heat is the one variable Texas movers price for that nobody else does. From late June through early September, OSHA-compliant crews take mandatory breaks every two hours of heat-index exposure, which extends a normal 7-hour 2BR local move to roughly 9 hours. The hourly rate doesn't change, but the bill does.
Verify USDOT through FMCSA SAFER on every quote, intrastate or interstate. Texas doesn't operate a separate state-level carrier registry the way California (BHGS) or Florida (FDACS) does, so the federal record is your only line of defense against rogue movers.
By metro
Texas city pricing notes
Houston
Largest mover supply in the state; flood-season storage demand spikes June through October.
Dallas–Fort Worth
DFW corporate relocation volume keeps full-service pricing competitive year-round.
El Paso
Far-west location means most interstate jobs route through Phoenix or Albuquerque hubs — confirm routing.
How to lower your Texas moving cost
- Move in March or October if you can.
- Outbound long-haul is cheaper than inbound. If you're moving out of state, you have leverage; if you're moving in, get four quotes instead of three.
- Houston, Dallas, and Austin all have strong regional carrier supply. Always include at least one regional in your three-quote process.
- Container service (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-Pack-Rat) is unusually well-priced on TX intra-state lanes thanks to the I-35 / I-10 backhaul.
By city
Texas city cost calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much do movers cost in Texas?
Local moves in Texas are estimated at $315–$2,480 depending on home size, while an interstate move out of Texas is estimated at $3,000–$7,000 for a two-bedroom household. Distance, packing services, and the time of year all shift those numbers.
When is the cheapest time to move in Texas?
October through April is generally the cheapest window in Texas — most movers cut rates 15–25% outside the May-to-September peak. Mid-month, mid-week pickups give the biggest discounts.
Are moving companies in Texas licensed and insured?
All interstate moving companies must register with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number. Texas also requires intrastate movers to register with the state — verify any quote against the FMCSA SAFER tool before signing.
Should I tip movers in Texas?
Tipping is customary but not required. A typical tip in Texas is $20–$40 per mover for a half-day local job, or $50–$100 per mover for a full day or long-distance move.
How far in advance should I book a mover in Texas?
Book 4–6 weeks ahead for moves between May and September. For off-peak fall and winter moves in Texas, two weeks is usually enough notice.
What's the difference between binding and non-binding estimates?
A binding estimate locks in your price based on the inventory at the time of the survey — the mover can't charge more on move day for the same items. Non-binding estimates can change based on actual weight or volume. For TX interstate moves, request binding-not-to-exceed quotes whenever possible.
Keep planning your Texas move
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Get matched with licensed movers based on your route and move details.
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