($707+) Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $707 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,484 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,167 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,035, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,484 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,229 - $4,109, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $707 - $2,093.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,708 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Moving options from Tempe to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,708 - $6,132 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 70% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,167 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,167-mile route from Tempe to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,035 - $4,719 | $1,229 - $2,276 | $707 - $1,458 | $1,150 - $1,986 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,708 - $6,132 | $1,551 - $3,043 | $804 - $1,684 | $1,203 - $2,461 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,515 - $8,484 | $2,120 - $4,109 | $950 - $2,093 | $1,714 - $3,488 |
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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, costs between $2,035 and $8,484. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,167-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $320 - $2,132, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Tempe and Houston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Tempe tend to start around $200 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,035 - $4,719
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,708 - $6,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,515 - $8,484
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 Tempe to Houston.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe 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 | $533 - $5,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $213 - $1,279/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $320 - $2,558 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,066 - $3,198 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,665 - $10,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $798 - $1,517 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Budget Movers | $1,066 - $2,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $853 - $3,731 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $320 - $1,599 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $693 - $2,132 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $320 - $15,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $320 - $3,731+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Houston?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tempe, AZ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,229 and $4,109. 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 Tempe typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,229 - $2,276
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,551 - $3,043
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,120 - $4,109
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $80 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $160 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 $746 in Tempe, AZ. 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 Arizona 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 $1,229. 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 $1,551 - $3,043.
What are the best moving containers Tempe 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
A rental truck for this 1,167-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, costs between $707 and $2,093. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $396 - $452
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tempe daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Tempe to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $707 - $1,458
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $804 - $1,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $950 - $2,093
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tempe to Houston starts at $707 - $2,093, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($396 - $452), overnight lodging ($160/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $80 and $373.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $396 and $452 for the 1,167-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $746 for 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
For larger DIY moves from Tempe, Arizona, 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 Houston, Texas.
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 $1,203 and $2,461.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,150 - $1,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,203 - $2,461
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,714 - $3,488
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $80 - $160 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Tempe, Arizona, typically costs $746.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Houston?
- 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 Tempe 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: Tempe, AZ vs Houston, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Houston, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | None |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 36.5/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 228 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 1,167-mile route.
Our take
The 1,167-mile move from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX, costs between $2,035 and $8,484 with full-service movers, $1,229 - $4,109 with a moving container, and $707 - $2,093 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,708 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX
How much does it cost to move from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $707 to $8,484, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,035 and $8,484, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, AZ 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 $804 - $1,684. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($396 - $452), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $160/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ 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 Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.