($1,115+) San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,381 to $11,065, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,115 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,757 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
Moving options from San Francisco to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,381 - $11,065 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,757 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,757-mile route from San Francisco to Austin, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,381 for a studio up to $11,065 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,543 - $5,638 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,082 - $3,154, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,430 - $4,378, billed by the space you actually use.
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 San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,757-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, with prices running from $1,381 - $11,065. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $596 - $3,972 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Francisco and Austin are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Francisco movers tend to run around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,381 - $5,333
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,199 - $7,469
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,845 - $11,065
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 San Francisco to Austin.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Austin, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $993 - $9,930 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $397 - $2,383/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $596 - $4,766 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,986 - $5,958 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,965 - $19,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,488 - $2,826 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,986 - $4,965 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,589 - $6,951 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $596 - $2,979 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,291 - $3,972 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $596 - $29,790+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $596 - $6,951+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Austin?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,543 and $5,638. 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 San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,543 - $3,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,973 - $4,281
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,778 - $5,638
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $149 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $298 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Austin, 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 $1,390 in San Francisco, CA. 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 California 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 $1,543. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,973 - $4,281, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Austin?
- 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 1,757-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, costs between $1,082 and $3,154, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,110 - $1,269
- Daily insurance: $60/day
- Equipment rentals: $14 - $40
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,082 - $2,061
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,137 - $2,354
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,537 - $3,154
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Austin looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,082 - $3,154. But once you factor in fuel ($1,110 - $1,269) , overnight lodging ($298/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $298 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Francisco, California, usually costs about $1,390 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,757-mile drive falls between $1,110 and $1,269, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $99 and $596 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Austin?
- 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 San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX
For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, 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 Austin, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,610 and $3,293.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,430 - $2,647
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,610 - $3,293
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,378
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $149 and $298.
- 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 San Francisco, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,390.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Austin?
- 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 Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Francisco to Austin. 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: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 129 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 59.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Texas, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,757-mile move.
Our take
The 1,757-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Austin, TX, costs between $1,381 and $11,065 with full-service movers, $1,543 - $5,638 with a moving container, and $1,082 - $3,154 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 $3,199 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Austin, TX
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 3 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 San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Austin 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 are the best neighborhoods in Austin?
For families, Rollingwood, West Lake, and Brushy Creek are worth a look in Austin. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cherrywood, North University, and Old West Austin tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Austin?
Austin has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 54, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
