Houston, TX to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Houston to Arlington typically costs $3,400–$7,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,403 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Houston to Arlington
Moving from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA typically costs $3,400–$7,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,403-mile move from Houston to Arlington, 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
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $5,798 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,662 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $4,154 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 06, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 05, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 02, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 11, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 26, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 22, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Houston to Arlington
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,500, but larger homes can run up to $10,400.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Houston.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,000–$2,600) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Arlington, VA to Houston, TX guide.
Best Houston to Arlington movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Houston to Arlington
For a stress-free interstate move from Houston to Arlington, 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 TX→VA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 291 Texas 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 Houston to Arlington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 148% higher for singles and 67% higher for families than Houston.
Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $2,770 in Houston; families pay $11,970 compared with $7,157.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Houston | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,658 | $2,475 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,195 | $4,350 |
| Average home value | $263,945 | $810,670 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,833 | $128,145 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,770 | $6,867 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,157 | $11,970 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 5.75% |
- As you consider relocating to Arlington, note that rent can be roughly 75% more expensive than it is in Houston; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 207% higher in Arlington than in Houston.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 84% higher in Arlington compared to Houston, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Arlington, since the cost of living for a single person is 148% more than in Houston. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Arlington, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 67% more than it is in Houston.
- Both Arlington and Houston present nearly identical unemployment rates, within a 5% range, signifying stability in employment conditions.
- Sales taxes are 27% lower in Arlington than in Houston. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Arlington can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Virginia has a state income tax, while Texas does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Houston with Arlington:
| Living Expense | Houston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.52 | $208.70 |
| Cell phone plan | $60.77 | $59.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.11 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.05 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $24.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $38.29 | $77.25 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Houston than in Arlington, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Houston than in Arlington.
- Eggs are less expensive in Houston than in Arlington.
- Bread costs less in Houston than in Arlington.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Houston than in Arlington.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Houston than in Arlington.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Houston than in Arlington.
How life is different in Houston vs. Arlington
| Houston | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,301,572 | 238,643 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 47 | 71 |
| Bike friendliness score | 49 | 72 |
| Crime index | 63.5 | 15.67 |
| Safety index | 36.5 | 79.15 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Arlington's population is about 90% less than Houston.
- Arlington's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Houston's score of 5.
- Arlington is more walkable than Houston with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Houston's 47 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Arlington is more bike-friendly than Houston, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Arlington's crime rate is lower than Houston with a score of 15.67 compared to Houston's 63.5. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Houston neighborhoods are safer than 63.5%.
- Arlington is considered to be safer than Houston with a safety index of 79.15 vs Houston's 36.5.
- Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in Houston it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Houston to Arlington 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 addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Virginia 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 Arlington smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Arlington
Now that you've chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Arlington to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Aurora Highlands
- Ballston-Virginia Square
- Bluemont
- Clarendon-Courthouse
- Radnor-Ft Myer Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Arlington Ridge
- Barcroft
- Chain Bridge Forest
- Cherrydale
- Dominion Hills
- Forest Glen
- Lyon Village
- Penrose
- Westover Village
Things to do in Arlington
After getting comfortable in your new Virginia home, it's time to see what Arlington 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, Arlington offers cultural landmarks like the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional 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 Arlington Youth Football Club game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Houston to Arlington?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Houston to Arlington are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Houston are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Houston to Arlington?
Because spring and fall moves from Houston to Arlington 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 Houston to Arlington take?
A move of 1,403 miles from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA generally takes three to eight days. Movers in Houston sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Arlington is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Houston?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 2 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 2 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 Houston offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 27 movers in Houston have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 15 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across TX, there are 176 piano movers and 120 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.
