($761+) Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Austin, TX, runs anywhere from $792 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,602 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,196 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 $2,386, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,602 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,259 - $4,218, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $792 - $2,188.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Austin, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,716 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Moving options from Milwaukee to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,716 - $6,988 on this route, with movers handling 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 1,196-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,196-mile route from Milwaukee to Austin, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,386 - $5,316 $1,259 - $2,432 $792 - $1,524 $1,227 - $2,058
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,716 - $6,988 $1,589 - $3,454 $822 - $1,724 $1,298 - $2,577
4+ bedrooms $4,593 - $8,602 $2,196 - $4,218 $1,066 - $2,188 $1,811 - $3,516

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Hiring full-service movers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Austin, Texas, costs between $2,386 and $8,602. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,196-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $313 - $2,088, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Milwaukee and Austin. For a rough baseline, movers based in Milwaukee tend to start around $349 plus $105/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Austin:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,386 - $5,316
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,716 - $6,988
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,593 - $8,602

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 Milwaukee to Austin.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Texas. 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 Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Milwaukee 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 packingFull crew packing92% of local movers$522 - $5,220
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$209 - $1,253/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$313 - $2,506
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers$1,044 - $3,132
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,610 - $10,440
Car shippingSecond vehicle$782 - $1,486
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.$1,044 - $2,610
PianoAny piano type42% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage Co$835 - $3,654
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers$313 - $1,566
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.$679 - $2,088
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$313 - $15,660+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$313 - $3,654+

What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Austin?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Milwaukee, WI. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,259 and $4,218. 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 Milwaukee typically costs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Austin:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,259 - $2,432
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,454
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,196 - $4,218

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 $157 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 $731 in Milwaukee, WI, 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 Austin, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin 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 $1,259. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,589 - $3,454, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Milwaukee to Austin?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
  • Eagle Moving & Storage Co (4.1/5), 96 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 33 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

Renting a moving truck for the 1,196-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Austin, Texas, costs between $792 and $2,188, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $397 - $454
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee to Austin based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $792 - $1,524
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $822 - $1,724
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,066 - $2,188

Pro tip: The base rate of $792 - $2,188 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Milwaukee to Austin. Fuel ($397 - $454) , lodging at around $157/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $157 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, usually costs about $731 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,196-mile drive falls between $397 and $454, 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 $52 and $313 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee to Austin?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX

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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Austin, Texas. 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 $1,298 and $2,577.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Austin:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,227 - $2,058
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,298 - $2,577
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,811 - $3,516

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?

  • Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
  • More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $78 - $157 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $731.

What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Austin?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Star Line Trucking Or Star Line (4.46/5 stars): Star Line Trucking Or Star Line is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Milwaukee to Austin, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.

Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Milwaukee, WI Austin, TX
Cost of living index88129
Average rent$1,250/mo$1,765/mo
Median home value$171,025$512,969
Average income$51,888/yr$91,461/yr
Unemployment rate7.4%3.5%
State income taxUp to 7.65%None
Walkability score62/10042/100
Safety index33.24/10059.87/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Milwaukee, WI guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Wisconsin 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 40 movers in Wisconsin, so you have real options to compare for this 1,196-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Austin, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,386 for a studio to $8,602 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,196-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,259 - $4,218. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $792 - $2,188, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,716 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Milwaukee, WI, 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 is the best time of year to move from Milwaukee, WI to Austin, TX?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($397 - $454), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Austin?

Austin has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 54, compared to 62 and 58 in Milwaukee. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What percentage of Milwaukee movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 42% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.