($1,358+) Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,358 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,927 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,339 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,557, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,927 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,649 - $6,631, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,358 - $3,572.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,554 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Houston to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,554 - $7,789 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,339-mile route typically takes 7 to 18 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,339-mile route from Houston to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,557 - $5,632 with full-service movers, $1,649 - $3,450 with a container, $1,358 - $2,600 with a rental truck, or $1,562 - $2,896 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,554 - $7,789 full-service, $2,337 - $4,843 by container, $1,427 - $2,943 by rental truck, or $1,870 - $3,912 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,080 - $11,927 full-service, $3,089 - $6,631 by container, $1,767 - $3,572 by rental truck, or $2,372 - $4,800 by freight.
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 Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers for the 2,339-mile relocation from Houston, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,557 and $11,927. 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 $322 - $2,148, 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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,557 - $5,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,554 - $7,789
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,080 - $11,927
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 Tacoma.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $537 - $5,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $215 - $1,289/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $322 - $2,578 |
| 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 | $1,074 - $3,222 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,685 - $10,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $804 - $1,528 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $1,074 - $2,685 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $859 - $3,759 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $322 - $1,611 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $698 - $2,148 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $322 - $16,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $322 - $3,759+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to Tacoma?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Washington Movers Conference 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,649 and $6,631. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Houston runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,649 - $3,450
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,337 - $4,843
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,089 - $6,631
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 $752 in Houston, TX. 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 $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $161 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 Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Washington 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 $1,649. 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 $2,337 - $4,843.
What are the best moving containers Houston to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 2,339-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $1,358 and $3,572. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $799 - $913
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,358 - $2,600
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,427 - $2,943
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,767 - $3,572
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Houston to Tacoma starts at $1,358 - $3,572, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($799 - $913), overnight lodging ($161/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $161 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $70 and $349 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $799 - $913 in fuel for the 2,339-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $752 in Houston, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Houston, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, 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 $1,870 and $3,912.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,562 - $2,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,870 - $3,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,372 - $4,800
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Houston, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $752.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $161 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Tacoma?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Tacoma quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Houston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 97 | 123 |
| Average rent | $1,549/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $258,925 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $62,894/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 47/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 36.5/100 | 44.45/100 |
| 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 Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Washington in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 803 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 2,339-mile route.
Our take
A move from Houston, TX, to Tacoma, WA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,557 - $11,927 on the 2,339-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,649 - $6,631, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,358 - $3,572. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,554 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Tacoma, WA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA?
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 is the best time of year to move from Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 18 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($799 - $913), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $161/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA?
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 $1,427 - $2,943. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 40% and 26% nationally.