($582+) Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $582 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,914 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 922 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 $2,067, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,914 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,121 - $3,666, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $582 - $1,589.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,524 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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville 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 $2,524 - $6,318. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 922-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 922-mile route from Knoxville to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,067 - $4,630 | $1,121 - $2,014 | $582 - $1,182 | $1,049 - $1,924 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,524 - $6,318 | $1,456 - $2,968 | $635 - $1,377 | $1,176 - $2,192 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,963 - $7,914 | $2,037 - $3,666 | $847 - $1,589 | $1,568 - $3,023 |
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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
For the 922-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,067 and $7,914. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $282 - $1,880 (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 Knoxville generally start around $170 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,067 - $4,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,524 - $6,318
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,963 - $7,914
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 Knoxville to Houston.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Knoxville 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 packing79% of local movers | $470 - $4,700 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $188 - $1,128/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $282 - $2,256 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs71% of local movers | $940 - $2,820 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,350 - $9,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $704 - $1,338 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $940 - $2,350 |
| Piano | Any piano type57% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $752 - $3,290 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $282 - $1,410 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $611 - $1,880 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $282 - $14,100+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $282 - $3,290+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Houston?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Knoxville, TN. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,121 and $3,666. 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 Knoxville adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,121 - $2,014
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,456 - $2,968
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,037 - $3,666
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $141 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $658 in Knoxville, TN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $1,121. 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 $1,456 - $2,968.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville:
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
A rental truck for this 922-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, costs between $582 and $1,589. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $276 - $315
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Knoxville to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $582 - $1,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $635 - $1,377
- 4+ bedrooms: $847 - $1,589
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $582 - $1,589 when pricing out a rental truck from Knoxville to Houston. Fuel alone runs $276 - $315, and overnight lodging ($141/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $141 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $61 and $306 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $276 - $315 in fuel for the 922-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $658 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Knoxville, Tennessee, 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 $1,176 and $2,192.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,049 - $1,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,176 - $2,192
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,023
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $71 and $141.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $658.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Houston quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Knoxville, TN vs Houston, TX
Knoxville and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Knoxville and 97 in Houston, and average rent is $1,795/mo vs. $1,549/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 31 vs 47 and safety scores are 57.46 vs 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 181 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 922-mile move.
Our take
A move from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,067 - $7,914 on the 922-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,121 - $3,666, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $582 - $1,589. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,524 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX
What is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $635 - $1,377. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $582 to $7,914, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,067 and $7,914, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Knoxville?
Local movers based in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate, plus $113/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 57% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.