($923+) Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $932 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,338 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,379 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,272, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,338 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,445 - $4,673, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $932 - $2,369.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,869 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Austin to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,869 - $7,008. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,379-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,379-mile route from Austin to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,272 - $5,364 | $1,445 - $2,618 | $932 - $1,631 | $1,225 - $2,427 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,869 - $7,008 | $1,863 - $3,583 | $998 - $2,082 | $1,447 - $3,012 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,263 - $9,338 | $2,360 - $4,673 | $1,209 - $2,369 | $2,005 - $4,047 |
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 Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
For the 1,379-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, full-service movers cost between $2,272 and $9,338. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $427 - $2,844 (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 Austin generally start around $191 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,272 - $5,364
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,869 - $7,008
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,263 - $9,338
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 Austin to Los Angeles.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Los Angeles, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $711 - $7,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Black Tie Moving | $284 - $1,706/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $427 - $3,413 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,422 - $4,266 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,555 - $14,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,065 - $2,024 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $1,422 - $3,555 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,138 - $4,977 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $427 - $2,133 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $924 - $2,844 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $427 - $21,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $427 - $4,977+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Los Angeles?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Austin, TX. 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 Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,445 and $4,673. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Austin typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,445 - $2,618
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,863 - $3,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,360 - $4,673
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $107 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $213 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Los Angeles, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $995 in Austin, TX. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,445. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,863 - $3,583, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Austin to Los Angeles?
- 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 7 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Truck rentals from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, range from $932 - $2,369 for the 1,379-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $624 - $713
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Austin 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 Austin to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $932 - $1,631
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $998 - $2,082
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,209 - $2,369
Pro tip: A rental truck from Austin to Los Angeles looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $932 - $2,369. But once you factor in fuel ($624 - $713) , overnight lodging ($213/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $624 - $713 for the 1,379-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 Austin, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $995.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,379-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $213 per night, adding $427 - $640 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $71 and $427.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to Los Angeles?
- 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 Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA
For larger DIY moves from Austin, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Los Angeles, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,447 and $3,012.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,225 - $2,427
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,447 - $3,012
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,005 - $4,047
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Austin, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $995.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $107 - $213 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 Austin to Los Angeles?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Molina Trucking (4.26/5 stars): Molina Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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 Los Angeles 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: Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Austin on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Austin, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 129 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,765/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $512,969 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $91,461/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 59.87/100 | 46.19/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California 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 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,379-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Austin, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,272 - $9,338 on the 1,379-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,445 - $4,673 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $932 - $2,369 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,869 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to Los Angeles, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($624 - $713), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $213/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Austin, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
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.
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.
Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?
Los Angeles has a safety index of 46.19 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.81, compared to 59.87 and 42.91 in Austin. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.