Moving from McKinney to Austin, TX
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Quick answer: Moving from McKinney to Austin costs between $304 to $6,825 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 228-mile route within Texas take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from McKinney to Austin
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from McKinney to Austin are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in McKinney to driving and unloading in Austin, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 228 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,660 - $5,273 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,302 - $2,375 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $311 - $629 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | AB Moving | $89/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from McKinney to Austin?
It costs between $304 to $6,825 to move from McKinney to Austin. The prices below break down your 228-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,039 - $6,825
- Moving containers: $972 - $2,981
- Rental trucks: $304 - $736
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,039 - $3,950 | $972 - $1,664 | $304 - $532 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,660 - $5,273 | $1,302 - $2,375 | $311 - $629 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,460 - $6,825 | $1,564 - $2,981 | $422 - $736 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $336 - $2,800+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $89/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $80/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $224 - $896 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $56 - $224 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from McKinney to Austin
At 228 miles, your McKinney to Austin move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from McKinney to Austin. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Texas, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 228 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from McKinney to Austin. They've been in business since 2024 (2 years of experience) and 92.1% of their 189 verified reviews are positive.
More Texas moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin to McKinney guide.
Considerations when moving from McKinney to Austin
Cost of living: McKinney vs. Austin
When comparing the cost of living between McKinney and Austin, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Austin stacks up against McKinney.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| McKinney | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,300 | $1,765 |
| Average home cost | $438,120 | $512,969 |
| Average income (per capita) | $120,273 | $91,461 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,232 | $3,345 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,876 | $7,815 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 3.5% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
- Rent in Austin is about 23% cheaper than in McKinney, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Austin are 17% higher than in McKinney, which could make buying a home more challenging. It might require a larger upfront investment and could increase your monthly mortgage payments.
- Income in Austin is 24% lower than in McKinney. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Living expenses for one person in Austin are 50% higher than in McKinney, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 60% higher than in McKinney. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Austin one of the more expensive cities for families.
- Unemployment in Austin is 42% lower than in McKinney. That means you’ll enjoy a stronger job market, more opportunities, and greater economic stability in your new city.
- Since sales taxes are the same in Austin and McKinney, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,500 in Austin to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in McKinney.
How life is different in McKinney vs. Austin
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Austin vs. McKinney. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| McKinney | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,308 | 974,447 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-47 | Democrat 71-26 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 96ºF |
| Winter low | 32ºF | 38ºF |
| Annual rain | 41" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 0" |
| Crime index | 21.48 | 42.91 |
Austin sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Austin is around 399% bigger than McKinney. A move to a larger city brings more people, fresh opportunities, and richer cultural experiences, but also comes with higher living costs and a busier lifestyle. Whether that sounds thrilling or daunting really depends on what you’re looking for in your next home.
- In the last presidential election, Austin leaned Democrat, while McKinney went Republican.
- Both Austin and McKinney average summer highs close to 96°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- In the coldest months, McKinney gets chillier than Austin, with lows dipping to 32°F while Austin only drops to 38°F.
- McKinney tends to be wetter than Austin, averaging 41 inches of annual rainfall compared to Austin’s 35 inches.
- Austin has no annual snowfall, while McKinney averages about 2 inches per year. A move here means saying goodbye to snowy winters.
- Austin has a higher crime rate than McKinney, with a crime index of 42.91 vs 21.48.
Things to do in Austin
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Austin has you covered.
Museums in Austin
- Texas Memorial Museum
- George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
- Thinkery
- Blanton Museum of Art
- Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Parks in Austin
- Pease Park
- Butler Metro Park
- Zilker Park
- Sculpture Falls
- Onion Creek Metropolitan Park
Sports teams in Austin
- Round Rock Express
- Austin Spurs
- Texas Stars
- Austin Outlaws
- Austin Huns
Universities in Austin
- Acton School of Business
- Austin Community College District
- Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
- Concordia University Texas
- Huston–Tillotson University
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from McKinney to Austin?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from McKinney to Austin, expect to pay between $901 and $3,287 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,660 and $5,273. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $2,460 up to $6,825 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from McKinney to Austin?
If you’re moving from McKinney to Austin and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $676 and go up to $1,539. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,302 and $2,375. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,564 and $2,981.
How much is a moving truck from McKinney to Austin?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $310 to $569. A larger move will cost $311 to $629, and a four-bedroom or larger move from McKinney to Austin costs from $422 to $736.
How far in advance should I book McKinney-to-Austin movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from McKinney to Austin at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your McKinney-to-Austin movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Austin?
To save money on your move to Austin, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
