Houston to San Antonio Movers & Costs (2026)
The cost to move from Houston to San Antonio, TX (~196 miles) typically ranges from $220 to $5,174.
Local movers such as 3 Men Movers, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.76 out of 5 stars across 4,913 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $75/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in Houston
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from Houston to San Antonio?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Houston to San Antonio are regulated by Texas law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Texas intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Texas companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend 3 Men Movers (4.76/5) as the top local pick, followed by A Better Tripp Moving & Storage (4.62/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Houston to San Antonio moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 843+ Texas movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Houston to San Antonio?
The cost to move from Houston to San Antonio ranges from $220 to $5,174*, according to moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
Here's what to expect depending on which moving service you pick and how much you're hauling:
- Full-service movers: $782 - $5,174
- Moving containers: $743 - $2,177
- Rental trucks: $220 - $527
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves cover packing, loading, transport, and unloading end-to-end. Professional packing on its own adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower your costs because you handle the loading and unloading while the company handles the drive.
- Rental trucks come in roughly 30% cheaper than full-service, but you have to drive the truck yourself and find or hire moving labor.
- Running quotes through moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% versus their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $782 - $3,224 | $743 - $1,343 | $220 - $376 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,357 - $3,764 | $957 - $1,875 | $222 - $454 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,811 - $5,174 | $1,279 - $2,177 | $271 - $527 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 843+ Texas moving companies, and are updated as of November 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Houston, TX movers.
How Houston to San Antonio moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $75 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $900.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Houston to San Antonio
Moving from Houston to San Antonio is a job for local and regional Texas movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. 3 Men Movers leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.76 out of 5 stars across 4,913 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Houston to San Antonio
Local movers operating within Texas know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.76 / 5
- Years in Business: 41
- 95% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 30
- 92% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.72 / 5
- Years in Business: 18
- 93% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
Our top local picks:
- 3 Men Movers (4.76/5 stars): 94.8% positive customer ratings.
- A Better Tripp Moving & Storage (4.62/5 stars): 91.9% positive customer ratings.
- Square Cow (4.72/5 stars): 93.1% positive customer ratings.
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.52/5 stars): 88.7% positive customer ratings.
- Student Movers Inc. (4.5/5 stars): 83.2% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 172 movers in Houston, drawing on 53,974 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Houston to San Antonio
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Houston, TX
Houston residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Texas moving resources
How does San Antonio compare to Houston?
Cost of living: Houston vs. San Antonio
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Houston | San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,549 | $1,496 |
| Average home cost | $258,925 | $216,453 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,894 | $62,917 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,770 | $2,194 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,157 | $4,931 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.8% |
| Average sales tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
Cost-of-living data for Houston and San Antonio comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 843+ Texas moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in San Antonio match Houston. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in San Antonio are 16% lower than Houston. Buyers can stretch existing budget into a larger home, better neighborhood, or earlier purchase timeline.
- Average income in San Antonio matches Houston. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in San Antonio is 21% lower than Houston. The savings typically free up 21% of monthly take-home for savings or discretionary spending.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in San Antonio is 31% lower than Houston. Most households convert the savings into housing upgrades, college savings, or retirement contributions.
- Unemployment in San Antonio runs 7% lower than Houston. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in San Antonio and Houston match. Day-to-day taxable purchases cost the same in both cities.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,370 in San Antonio to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Houston.
How life is different in Houston vs. San Antonio
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in San Antonio might look different from Houston in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Houston | San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,301,572 | 1,434,625 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56-42 | republican 68-42 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 43ºF | 41ºF |
| Annual rain | 53" | 33" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 63.5 | 48.06 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Texas can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 18% of movers in Texas, vs 23% nationally).
- San Antonio is 38% smaller in size than Houston. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
- In the last presidential election, San Antonio voted republican and Houston voted Republican.
- Summer highs in San Antonio (94°F) match Houston (94°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Houston (43°F) and San Antonio (41°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Houston is 53 inches, vs. 33 inches in San Antonio. The drier climate in San Antonio typically supports more outdoor lifestyle and less wet-weather gear.
- Annual snowfall in Houston and San Antonio is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime index in San Antonio (48.06) is lower than Houston (63.5). Lower property crime typically translates to lower home insurance premiums and broader housing options.
Things to do in San Antonio
Adventure, cultural attractions, live sports, and college campuses define San Antonio's lifestyle profile. The categories below highlight where to start.
Museums in San Antonio
- The Alamo
- Witte Museum
- The DoSeum - San Antonio's Museum for Kids
- Briscoe Western Art Museum
- McNay Art Museum
Parks in San Antonio
- Brackenridge Park
- Phil Hardberger park
- Japanese Tea Garden
- Mercado O'liva
- McAllister Park
Sports teams in San Antonio
- UTSA Roadrunners American football
- San Antonio Spurs Basketball
- San Antonio Missions
- San Antonio FC
Universities in San Antonio
- UT Health San Antonio
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- Texas A&M University–San Antonio
- Alamo Community College District
- Trinity University
Final verdict: Houston to San Antonio movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Texas service. For smaller moves, 3 Men Movers (4.76/5) is the top local choice, with 94.8% positive reviews across 4,913 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $220 - $5,174, based on our analysis of 843+ Texas movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Houston to San Antonio
How many movers in Houston offer labor-only help?
34% of movers in Houston offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.
Do movers in Texas offer storage?
57% of movers in Texas offer storage, including storage-in-transit for when your new place isn't ready when the truck arrives, compared to 60% nationally.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Houston to San Antonio?
A full-service move from Houston to San Antonio costs $708 - $2,564 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,357 - $3,764, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $1,811 - $5,174.
How much are moving container companies from Houston to San Antonio?
Moving containers from Houston to San Antonio cost $552 - $1,333 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $957 - $1,875, and a larger home costs $1,279 - $2,177.
How much is a moving truck from Houston to San Antonio?
A rental truck from Houston to San Antonio costs $215 - $369 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $222 - $454 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $271 - $527 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.