($625+) Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $625 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,242 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 $1,892, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,242 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,099 - $3,778, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $625 - $1,672.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,379 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 Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Houston to Knoxville: 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 $2,379 - $5,961. Moving containers run about 40% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 71% 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 Houston to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,892 - $4,544 | $1,099 - $2,116 | $625 - $1,216 | $958 - $1,942 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,379 - $5,961 | $1,427 - $2,968 | $695 - $1,335 | $1,142 - $2,283 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,093 - $8,242 | $1,901 - $3,778 | $855 - $1,672 | $1,506 - $2,843 |
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 Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 922-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $1,892 - $8,242. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $285 - $1,900. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Houston and Knoxville. Local movers in Houston typically start around $175 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,892 - $4,544
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,379 - $5,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,093 - $8,242
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 Houston to Knoxville.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $475 - $4,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $190 - $1,140/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $285 - $2,280 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $950 - $2,850 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,375 - $9,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $712 - $1,352 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $950 - $2,375 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $760 - $3,325 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $285 - $1,425 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $618 - $1,900 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $285 - $14,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $285 - $3,325+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to Knoxville?
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Houston, TX. 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 Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,099 and $3,778. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Houston costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $2,116
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,427 - $2,968
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,901 - $3,778
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Houston, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $665, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $71 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $143 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Houston, TX, and Knoxville, TN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Tennessee 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 $1,099. 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 $1,427 - $2,968.
What are the best moving containers Houston to Knoxville?
- 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 Houston 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 Houston:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Square Cow (4.9/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $625 - $1,672 for the 922-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $279 - $319
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Houston 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 Houston to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $625 - $1,216
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $695 - $1,335
- 4+ bedrooms: $855 - $1,672
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Houston to Knoxville starts at $625 - $1,672, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($279 - $319), overnight lodging ($143/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $143 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 $62 and $309 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $279 - $319 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 $665 in Houston, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to Knoxville?
- 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 Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
For larger DIY moves from Houston, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,142 and $2,283.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,942
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,142 - $2,283
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,506 - $2,843
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $71 - $143 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Houston, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $665.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Houston to Knoxville. 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: Houston, TX vs Knoxville, TN
Houston and Knoxville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 97 in Houston and 92 in Knoxville, and average rent is $1,549/mo vs. $1,795/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 47 vs 31 and safety scores are 36.5 vs 57.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 803 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 922-mile move.
Our take
A move from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN, 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 $1,892 - $8,242 on the 922-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,099 - $3,778, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $625 - $1,672. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,379 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN
What do local movers charge in Houston?
Local movers based in Houston typically start around $175 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Knoxville run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Knoxville?
For families, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Maryville are worth a look in Knoxville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN?
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 $695 - $1,335. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Knoxville a safe place to live?
Knoxville has a safety index of 57.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.54, compared to 36.5 and 63.5 in Houston. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.