($1,085+) Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,218 to $9,947, with an average cost of $3,650. Moves can be as low as $1,085 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,759 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 Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
Moving options from Sacramento to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,218 - $9,947 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,759 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 1,759-mile route from Sacramento to Austin, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,218 - $5,091 | $1,428 - $2,920 | $1,002 - $1,908 | $1,298 - $2,426 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,181 - $6,777 | $1,826 - $3,772 | $1,074 - $2,247 | $1,476 - $3,143 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,928 - $9,947 | $2,520 - $5,171 | $1,424 - $2,808 | $1,995 - $4,179 |
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 Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
For the 1,759-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Austin, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,218 and $9,947. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $383 - $2,556 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Sacramento generally start around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,218 - $5,091
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,181 - $6,777
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,928 - $9,947
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 Sacramento to Austin.
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 Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $639 - $6,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $256 - $1,534/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $383 - $3,067 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,278 - $3,834 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,195 - $12,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $957 - $1,819 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $1,278 - $3,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $1,022 - $4,473 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $383 - $1,917 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $831 - $2,556 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $383 - $19,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $383 - $4,473+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Austin?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Sacramento, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,428 and $5,171. 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 Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,428 - $2,920
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,826 - $3,772
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,520 - $5,171
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $895 in Sacramento, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $96 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $192 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Austin, TX, destination before booking.
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 $1,428. 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 $1,826 - $3,772.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
Plan on $1,002 - $2,808 for a rental moving truck on the 1,759-mile route from Sacramento, California, to Austin, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $715 - $817
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $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 Sacramento to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,002 - $1,908
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,074 - $2,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,808
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sacramento to Austin starts at $1,002 - $2,808, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($715 - $817), overnight lodging ($192/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $192 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 Sacramento, California, usually costs about $895 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,759-mile drive falls between $715 and $817, 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 $64 and $383 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Sacramento, California, to Austin, Texas. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,150 and $3,143.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,298 - $2,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,476 - $3,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,995 - $4,179
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $96 - $192 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 Sacramento, California, typically costs $895.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Sacramento 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: Sacramento, CA vs Austin, TX
Day-to-day costs in Austin are close to what you're used to in Sacramento: cost of living index of 129 versus 127, with average rent of $1,765/mo compared to $1,899/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 49/100 and 50.79/100 in Sacramento versus 42/100 and 59.87/100 in Austin.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin, TX to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,759-mile move.
Our take
The 1,759-mile move from Sacramento, CA, to Austin, TX, costs between $1,218 and $9,947 with full-service movers, $1,428 - $5,171 with a moving container, and $1,002 - $2,808 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 $3,181 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 Sacramento, CA, to Austin, TX
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 do local movers charge in Sacramento?
Local movers based in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate, plus $130/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.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,085 to $9,947, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,218 and $9,947, 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 Sacramento, CA to Austin, 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 $1,074 - $2,247. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.