($749+) Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $810 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,152 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,171 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 $2,199, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,152 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,352 - $4,524, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $810 - $2,129.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,670 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 Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Houston to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,670 - $6,752 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,171 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,171-mile route from Houston to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,199 for a studio up to $9,152 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,352 - $4,524 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $810 - $2,129, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,112 - $3,373, 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 Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,171-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, with prices running from $2,199 - $9,152. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $310 - $2,068 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Houston and Tempe are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Houston movers tend to run around $175 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,199 - $5,150
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,670 - $6,752
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,823 - $9,152
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 Houston to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 66% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tempe, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing96% of local movers | $517 - $5,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $207 - $1,241/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,482 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs66% of local movers | $1,034 - $3,102 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,585 - $10,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $774 - $1,471 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $1,034 - $2,585 |
| Piano | Any piano type54% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $827 - $3,619 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling22% of local movers | $310 - $1,551 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $672 - $2,068 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,619+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to Tempe?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Houston, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,352 and $4,524. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Houston typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,352 - $2,313
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,131 - $4,524
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $78 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $155 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 $724 in Houston, TX, 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 Tempe, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Arizona 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 $1,352. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,741 - $3,321, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Houston to Tempe?
- 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 Houston 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 Houston:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Summit Moving And Storage Houston (4.6/5), 5 years in business
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
Renting a moving truck for the 1,171-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $810 and $2,129, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $385 - $440
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Houston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Houston to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $810 - $1,454
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $826 - $1,677
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,079 - $2,129
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $810 - $2,129 when pricing out a rental truck from Houston to Tempe. Fuel alone runs ($385 - $440) , and overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $78 and $362.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $155.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $385 and $440 for the 1,171-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 $724 for 2 movers in Houston, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to Tempe?
- 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 Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Houston, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,366 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,112 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,885 - $3,373
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?
- 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 $78 - $155 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 Houston, Texas, typically costs $724.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Tempe?
- 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.
- W W Rowland Trucking Company, LLC (4.58/5 stars): W W Rowland Trucking Company, LLC 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Houston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 97 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,549/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $258,925 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $62,894/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 47/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 36.5/100 | 57.64/100 |
| 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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Arizona, 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,171-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,171-mile route from Houston, TX, to Tempe, AZ, run $2,199 - $9,152 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,352 - $4,524, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $810 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,670, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Tempe, AZ
Is Tempe a safe place to live?
Tempe has a safety index of 57.64 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.36, compared to 36.5 and 63.5 in Houston. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ?
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 $826 - $1,677. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tempe?
For families, Alta Mira, Dava-Lakeshore, and Meyer Park are worth a look in Tempe. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cyprus Southwest, Daley Park, and Kyrene-Superstition tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ 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 do local movers charge in Houston?
Local movers based in Houston typically start around $175 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Tempe run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 54% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
