Short answer: Moving to Houston will cost you between a couple hundred bucks, and about $12,000. An average 3-bedroom home, and a 1,000-mile distance? That’ll be somewhere in the middle, assuming you’re getting full packing.
As you can probably tell by this disastrous introduction, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” for long distance moving quotes. It always comes down to other factors, like distance, the size of your move, and extra services you require.
Fortunately, at Moving APT, we’ve got over 20 years of moving experience, and we’re ready to explain all the little details. Let’s check out what goes into the price of your move to Space City.
Use our moving cost calculator to get a quick, free estimate for your Houston movers cost.
How much does it cost to hire movers in Houston?
We’ve seen some as cheap as a couple hundred bucks, and some that are in the $12,000 neighborhood. It all comes down to how far you’re moving, what you’re taking with you, and what kind of services you need on the big day.
In the moving industry, there’s local moving, and long distance moving. Local movers charge per hour, per mover (and you’ll need about 2 movers per bedroom). Long distance movers charge per mile, and per pound (although we’ve seen some who charge by volume in cubic feet).
Every move is different, but generally, these are the major factors behind your final price:
Factors:
- Distance
- Physical dimensions (how much stuff you’re moving)
- Packing services
- Access fees
- Shuttle fees
Pro Tip
If you’re trying to save some cash, get rid of all your old, unwanted, and unused items. You can’t do anything about the distance, but you can do something about all the excess. If you don’t want it, don’t pay money to have it moved.
The Cost to Hire Local Movers in Houston
If you’re hiring movers in Houston, it’ll cost you at least $140 – but it may set you back in excess of $350, too. But before we explain what’s behind your price, we have to ask an important question: What counts as a local move in the first place?
In the moving industry, moves are typically divided between local moves and long distance moves (more on those later). A local move is less than 100 miles, and within the same state. Local moving companies are well-trained to handle in-town and in-county relocations, and they’ll know all the sneaky back routes to avoid traffic.
The downside? These guys charge per hour. It usually takes about two movers per bedroom, so the bigger your home, the more you’ll be paying. And since they’re on the clock, if there’s serious traffic or a lot of complicated furniture that needs disassembling first, that’s more money out of your wallet.
| Home Size | Average Total Cost | Cost per Hour | Number of Movers |
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $280 – $560 | $140/hr | 2 Movers |
| 2 Bedroom | $630 – $840 | $210/hr | 3 Movers |
| 3 Bedroom | $840 – $1,120 | $280/hr | 4 Movers |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,120 – $1,400 | $280/hr | 4 Movers |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $1,400+ | $350/hr | 5 Movers |
The Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers in Houston
If you’re going farther than 100 miles, or crossing state lines, you’ll need to work with a long distance moving company. Long distance moving companies charge per mile, and per pound – although we’ve seen some companies who prefer to use volume by cubic feet.
It can be tough to come up with examples for long distance moves, since there’s so many variables. But for a 1,000-mile relocation, a long distance move will cost you between $2,800 and $8,350.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,500
- 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,900
- 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,550
- 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,100–$8,350
Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs
- Storage fees: $150–$500/month
- Insurance: $100–$300
- Packing and unpacking services: $500–$1,000
- Shuttle fees: $200–$500
Long distance movers charge per pound and per mile. There’s not much you can do about the distance, aside from just… deciding to move to a closer location. But you can do plenty about how much stuff you’re transporting.
Before you shop for quotes, we recommend downsizing as much as possible. Get rid of your old and unwanted items, and don’t pay to have them moved!
| Item | Estimated Cost Range |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles) | $2,800 – $4,500 |
| 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles) | $3,100 – $6,900 |
| 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles) | $4,500 – $7,550 |
| 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles) | $5,100 – $8,350 |
| Storage Fees (Monthly) | $150 – $500 |
| Insurance | $100 – $300 |
| Packing & Unpacking Services | $500 – $1,000 |
| Shuttle Fees | $200 – $500 |
Your Cross Country Moving Cost
A coast to coast relocation will set you back between $3,000 and $12,000. Cross country moving takes a lot of coordination and prep – more so than your average long distance or local move. Your movers will have to organize a nationwide route, including whatever specialty services you may need (packing, storage, etc.).
Cross country moves are mathed out like their long distance counterparts: by distance and by the physical dimensions of all of your belongings. Except since you’re going coast to coast, the distance is maxed out by your movers ahead of time.
- Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000–$5,000
- 2-Bedroom Home: $5,500–$7,500
- 3-Bedroom Home: $7,000–$10,000
- 4-Bedroom Home: $9,000–$12,000
Key Cost Factors:
- Distance: The farther the move, the higher the transportation costs.
- Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800 depending on truck size.
- Specialty Services: Packing/unpacking, furniture assembly, and handling fragile items can add $500–$1,000 to your bill.
Aside from international moving, cross country moving is pretty much the most expensive relocation you can book. But just like smaller moves, you can cut costs by cutting the fat.
We also recommend trying to schedule your move during a low-demand season. Avoid any time kids are out of school, and try to shoot for mid-week if possible.
| Item | Estimated Cost Range |
| Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | $5,500 – $7,500 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $9,000 – $12,000 |
| Fuel Surcharges | $300 – $800 |
| Specialty Services (Packing, Assembly) | $500 – $1,000 |
How Much Does it Cost to Move if it’s DIY?
THEORETICALLY you can move solo for like… $20 to $30. But that’s just on paper. The problem with DIY moving is you’re locked in to multiple costs that are otherwise all-inclusive when you book with a professional moving company.
Truck Rental Costs
- Small truck: $20–$30/day
- Medium truck: $40–$70/day
- Large truck: $80–$120/day
Gas Expenses
- Local move: $30–$60
- Long-distance move: $200–$500 (depending on the mileage)
Packing Supplies
- Boxes, tape, and other materials: $100–$250
Labor Costs (if hiring helpers)
- $40–$60/hour per person
DIY moving is a cheap option, but only if you’re super disciplined with your expenses. Otherwise, all those extras will start stacking up – and once you factor in food and lodging for long distance or cross country expenses (not to mention all your missed paychecks), it may not be worth the extra effort.
We’re not saying this because we’re professional movers. If you think you can DIY it for less cash (and minimal effort), by all means, go for it. But if you think you’ve got better things to do with your time than to pack up all your stuff, load up a truck, and drive it all that distance… well, full service movers may not cost that much more.
How Long Does Moving Take?
Moving can take anywhere from 1 to 21 days – although that “21 days” figure is more of a CYA number that gets thrown around in case of worst-case scenarios. It’ll take a week or so to move a 3-bedroom home 1000 miles, but you can always pay for direct delivery if you’re in a rush.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has established some hard rules for drivers. These regulations determine how many hours a driver can log in one shift (it’s currently capped at 11 hours a day). If the FMCSA has seen that a driver has managed to travel a suspiciously high amount of miles in one shift, that driver may be investigated for safety violations.
Aside from the rules, most movers practice bundling to maximize efficiency. If your stuff doesn’t fill up an entire truck or trailer, your moving company will typically bundle multiple moves together to cut down on wasted space. After all, if they’re driving a route, they may as well make the most of the gas they’re burning!
Some people get freaked out about bundling, but it’s a standard practice, and movers will take extra precautions to keep your stuff safe and separate. If you’re weirded out about it, don’t worry – you can pay for direct delivery, but it costs a pretty penny.
Hire the Best with Moving APT
We don’t need to waste your time talking up the town. If you looked up “How much does it cost to move to Houston,” we figure you’ve already made up your mind.
If you’re ready to hit the road, you should do it with a team you can trust. Check out our moving cost calculator, and book your Houston movers today.
