Arlington, VA to Houston, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Arlington to Houston typically costs $3,000–$7,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,405 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Arlington to Houston
Moving from Arlington, VA to Houston, TX typically costs $3,000–$7,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,405-mile move from Arlington to Houston, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,649 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $4,144 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $6,181 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 03, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 24, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 19, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 13, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 27, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 05, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Nov 29, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Arlington to Houston
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,300, but larger homes can run up to $9,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Arlington.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($900–$2,600) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA guide.
Best Arlington to Houston movers by type
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Arlington to Houston
For a stress-free interstate move from Arlington to Houston, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best VA→TX movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 103 Virginia moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Arlington to Houston
Many movers find Houston easier on the wallet than Arlington - roughly 60% less for singles and 40% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,770 for one person in Houston versus $6,867 in Arlington. For a family of four, it's $7,157 compared with $11,970.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Arlington | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,475 | $1,658 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,350 | $3,195 |
| Average home value | $810,670 | $263,945 |
| Average income (per capita) | $128,145 | $69,833 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,867 | $2,770 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,970 | $7,157 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 0.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 43% lower in Houston than in Arlington, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 67% lower in Houston than in Arlington.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 46% less in Houston than in Arlington.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Houston, where the cost of living for a single person is 60% less than in Arlington.
- Moving to Houston could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 40% less than in Arlington.
- Both Houston and Arlington present nearly identical unemployment rates, within a 5% range, signifying stability in employment conditions.
- Sales taxes are 38% higher in Houston than in Arlington. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Texas has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Arlington with Houston:
| Living Expense | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $208.70 | $200.52 |
| Cell phone plan | $59.67 | $60.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $4.11 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $3.05 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $24.50 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $90.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $77.25 | $38.29 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Arlington than in Houston.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Arlington than in Houston.
- Eggs cost more in Arlington than in Houston.
- Bread is more expensive in Arlington than in Houston.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Arlington than in Houston.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Arlington than in Houston.
- Gym memberships cost more in Arlington than in Houston.
How life is different in Arlington vs. Houston
| Arlington | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,643 | 2,301,572 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 71 | 47 |
| Bike friendliness score | 72 | 49 |
| Crime index | 15.67 | 63.5 |
| Safety index | 79.15 | 36.5 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Houston's population is about 864% greater than Arlington.
- Houston's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Arlington's score of 9.
- Houston is less walkable than Arlington with a score of 47 out of 100 vs Arlington's 71 out of 100.
- Houston has a bike-friendliness score of 49 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Arlington, which has a score of 72.
- Houston's crime rate is higher than Arlington with a score of 63.5 compared to Arlington's 15.67. This means that Houston neighborhoods are safer than 63.5% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67%.
- Houston is considered to be less safe than Arlington with a score of 36.5 vs Arlington's 79.15.
- Air quality in Houston is Good, and in Arlington it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Arlington to Houston move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Texas doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Houston smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Houston
Now that you've chosen HOU as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Houston to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Greenway/Upper Kirby
- Montrose
- Museum District
Best neighborhoods for families
- Clear Lake City
- Friendswood
- Kingwood
- Memorial
- Sugar Land
Things to do in Houston
After getting comfortable in your new Texas home, it's time to see what Houston is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Houston offers cultural landmarks like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Children’s Museum of Houston, The Menil Collection, and Houston Museum of Natural Science.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Hermann Park, Terry Hershey Park, Lake Houston Park, and Memorial Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Houston Texans (NFL)Houston Astros (MLBHouston Dash (NWSL)Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)Houston Rockets (NBA)Houston SaberCats (MLR) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Houston?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Arlington to Houston are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Arlington are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Arlington to Houston?
Because spring and fall moves from Arlington to Houston are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Arlington to Houston take?
A move of 1,405 miles from Arlington, VA to Houston, TX generally takes three to eight days. Movers in Arlington sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Houston is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Arlington?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 7 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 14 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Arlington offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 57 movers in Arlington have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 44 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across VA, there are 79 piano movers and 49 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
