($886+) Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $886 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,998 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,555 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,322, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,998 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,315 - $5,002, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $886 - $2,627.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,881 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 Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Houston to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,881 - $6,979 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 65% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,555 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,555-mile route from Houston to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,322 - $4,990 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,315 - $2,704), rental truck ($886 - $1,718), or freight trailer ($1,297 - $2,223). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,881 - $6,979 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,998.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,555-mile relocation from Houston, Texas, to Long Beach, California, cost between $2,322 and $9,998. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $369 - $2,460, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Houston typically charge a base rate around $175 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,322 - $4,990
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,881 - $6,979
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,513 - $9,998
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 Long Beach.
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 Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $615 - $6,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $246 - $1,476/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $369 - $2,952 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,230 - $3,690 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,075 - $12,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $921 - $1,750 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $1,230 - $3,075 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $984 - $4,305 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $369 - $1,845 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $800 - $2,460 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $369 - $18,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $369 - $4,305+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to Long Beach?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage 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 Houston, TX. 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 Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,315 and $5,002. 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 Houston costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,315 - $2,704
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,669
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,361 - $5,002
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Houston, TX and Long Beach, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $861 in Houston, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $92 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $185 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to California 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 $1,315. 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 $1,698 - $3,669.
What are the best moving containers Houston to Long Beach?
- 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
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Square Cow (4.9/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,555-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Long Beach, California, costs between $886 and $2,627, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $609 - $696
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $886 - $1,718
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,008 - $2,086
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,271 - $2,627
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $886 - $2,627 when pricing out a rental truck from Houston to Long Beach. Fuel alone runs $609 - $696, and overnight lodging ($185/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $609 - $696 for the 1,555-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Houston, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $861.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,555-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $185 per night, adding $369 - $554 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $62 and $369.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Houston, Texas, to Long Beach, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,373 and $2,819.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,297 - $2,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,373 - $2,819
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,987 - $4,002
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 $92 and $185.
- 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 Houston, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $861.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Long Beach?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Houston to Long Beach. 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: Houston, TX vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Houston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 97 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,549/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $258,925 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $62,894/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 47/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 36.5/100 | 41.42/100 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA to Houston, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,555-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,555-mile move from Houston, TX, to Long Beach, CA, costs between $2,322 and $9,998 with full-service movers, $1,315 - $5,002 with a moving container, and $886 - $2,627 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 $2,881 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Long Beach, CA
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($609 - $696), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $185/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 47 and 49 in Houston. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $886 to $9,998, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,322 and $9,998, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Houston, TX to Long Beach, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.