($562+) Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $523 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,363 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 742 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,744, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,363 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,139 - $3,408, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $523 - $1,415.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,253 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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Kansas City 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 $2,253 - $5,552. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 742-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 742-mile route from Kansas City to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,744 - $4,301 | $1,139 - $2,089 | $523 - $1,045 | $966 - $1,791 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,253 - $5,552 | $1,364 - $2,648 | $571 - $1,192 | $1,068 - $2,294 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,095 - $8,363 | $1,809 - $3,408 | $706 - $1,415 | $1,568 - $2,984 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
For the 742-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,744 and $8,363. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $275 - $1,832 (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 Kansas City generally start around $251 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,744 - $4,301
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,253 - $5,552
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,095 - $8,363
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 Kansas City to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 72% of Kansas City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $458 - $4,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Bellhop Moving | $183 - $1,099/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,198 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $916 - $2,748 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,290 - $9,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $686 - $1,303 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $916 - $2,290 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $733 - $3,206 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling32% of local movers | $275 - $1,374 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $595 - $1,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,206+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City to Houston?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Kansas City, MO. 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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,139 and $3,408. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Kansas City typically runs around $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,139 - $2,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,809 - $3,408
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $69 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $137 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $641 in Kansas City, MO, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Houston, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,139. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,648, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Metro Wide Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 742 miles from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, running $523 - $1,415. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $216 - $247
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Kansas City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Kansas City to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $523 - $1,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $571 - $1,192
- 4+ bedrooms: $706 - $1,415
Pro tip: The base rate of $523 - $1,415 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Kansas City to Houston. Fuel ($216 - $247) , lodging at around $137/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $137 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 $60 and $298 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $216 - $247 in fuel for the 742-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $641 in Kansas City, Missouri, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Kansas City, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,068 and $2,294.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $966 - $1,791
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,294
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,568 - $2,984
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Kansas City, Missouri, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $641.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $69 - $137 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Material Transport Co (4.62/5 stars): Material Transport Co is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Kansas City 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: Kansas City, MO vs Houston, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Kansas City and Houston to plan around. Cost of living index: 88 vs. 97. Average rent: $1,300/mo vs. $1,549/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 35 vs. 47. Safety index: 42.6 vs. 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Kansas City, 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 54 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 742-mile move.
Our take
A move from Kansas City, MO, 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 $1,744 - $8,363 on the 742-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,139 - $3,408, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $523 - $1,415. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,253 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 Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX
How much does it cost to move from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,744 to $8,363, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,744 and $8,363, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Kansas City, 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 do local movers charge in Kansas City?
Local movers based in Kansas City typically start around $251 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 long does a move from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 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.
What percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
