($539+) St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $539 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,989 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 776 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,640, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,989 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,067 - $3,409, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $539 - $1,463.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,332 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Houston: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,332 - $5,316. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 74% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 776-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 776-mile route from St. Louis to Houston, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,640 - $4,377 with full-service movers, $1,067 - $2,022 with a container, $539 - $1,068 with a rental truck, or $912 - $1,697 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,332 - $5,316 full-service, $1,330 - $2,615 by container, $595 - $1,255 by rental truck, or $1,152 - $2,221 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,872 - $7,989 full-service, $1,876 - $3,409 by container, $744 - $1,463 by rental truck, or $1,515 - $2,727 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
For the 776-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,640 and $7,989. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $268 - $1,784 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in St. Louis generally start around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,640 - $4,377
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,332 - $5,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,872 - $7,989
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Louis to Houston.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $446 - $4,460 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $178 - $1,070/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $268 - $2,141 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $892 - $2,676 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,230 - $8,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $668 - $1,269 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $892 - $2,230 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $714 - $3,122 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $268 - $1,338 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $580 - $1,784 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $268 - $13,380+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $268 - $3,122+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Houston?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. Louis, MO, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,067 and $3,409. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Houston. If you go over that window, storage in St. Louis adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $2,022
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,330 - $2,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,876 - $3,409
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Louis, MO and Houston, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $624 in St. Louis, MO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $134 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Texas move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,067. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,330 - $2,615.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Houston?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Louis to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
Plan on $539 - $1,463 for a rental moving truck on the 776-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Houston, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $220 - $252
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Louis to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $539 - $1,068
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $595 - $1,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $744 - $1,463
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Louis to Houston starts at $539 - $1,463, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($220 - $252), overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $220 - $252 for the 776-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $624.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 776-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $134 per night, adding $268 - $401 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $45 and $268.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Houston?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Houston, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,152 and $2,221.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $912 - $1,697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,152 - $2,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,515 - $2,727
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $67 - $134 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about five hours typically runs $624.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Houston. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Houston, TX
Good news for your budget: Houston isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Louis. Cost of living index runs 97 there against 84 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 66/100 and 30.35/100 here versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 105 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 776-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Houston, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,640 for a studio to $7,989 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 776-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,067 - $3,409. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $539 - $1,463, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,332 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Houston, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in Houston?
For families, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, and Kingwood are worth a look in Houston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby, and Montrose tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Houston a safe place to live?
Houston has a safety index of 36.5 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.5, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.