($1,349+) McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

Moving from McAllen, TX, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,449 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,582 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,406 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 $2,706, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,582 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,926 - $6,825, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,449 - $4,010.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,667 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Tacoma: 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 $3,667 - $7,734. 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 7 to 18 days for this 2,406-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 2,406-mile route from McAllen to Tacoma, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,706 - $6,308 $1,926 - $3,686 $1,449 - $2,802 $1,583 - $3,318
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,667 - $7,734 $2,495 - $5,227 $1,599 - $3,238 $1,862 - $4,142
4+ bedrooms $7,177 - $12,582 $3,464 - $6,825 $1,981 - $4,010 $2,771 - $5,406

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 McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

Full-service movers for the 2,406-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,706 and $12,582. 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 $284 - $1,896, 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 McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,706 - $6,308
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,667 - $7,734
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,177 - $12,582

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 McAllen to Tacoma.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Washington. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tacoma, 97% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing71% of local movers$474 - $4,740
Storage in transitNew place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$190 - $1,138/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$284 - $2,275
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers$948 - $2,844
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,370 - $9,480
Car shippingSecond vehicle$710 - $1,349
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC$948 - $2,370
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$758 - $3,318
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers$284 - $1,422
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $616 - $1,896
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$284 - $14,220+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$284 - $3,318+

What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Tacoma?

Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 McAllen, 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 McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,926 and $6,825. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Tacoma. If you go over that window, storage in McAllen adds around $55/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Tacoma:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,926 - $3,686
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,495 - $5,227
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,464 - $6,825

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $142 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tacoma, WA, 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 $664 in McAllen, 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 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 $1,926. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,495 - $5,227, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers McAllen to Tacoma?

  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 McAllen 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 McAllen:

  • Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

Plan on $1,449 - $4,010 for a rental moving truck on the 2,406-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $726 - $829
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 McAllen to Tacoma based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,449 - $2,802
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,599 - $3,238
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,981 - $4,010

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,449 - $4,010 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs ($726 - $829) , and overnight lodging ($142/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $726 - $829 for the 2,406-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 McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $664.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 2,406-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $142 per night, adding $284 - $427 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $47 and $284.

What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Tacoma?

  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 McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

For larger DIY moves from McAllen, 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 Tacoma, Washington.

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 $1,862 and $4,142.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,583 - $3,318
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,862 - $4,142
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,771 - $5,406

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 $71 - $142 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $664.

What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Tacoma?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Tacoma. 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: McAllen, 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 McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure McAllen, TX Tacoma, WA
Cost of living index76123
Average rent$1,350/mo$1,650/mo
Median home value$173,919$454,577
Average income$60,165/yr$83,857/yr
Unemployment rate7.9%7.3%
State income taxNoneNone
Walkability score41/10054/100
Safety index63.74/10044.45/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 McAllen, TX guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

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Our take

The 2,406-mile move from McAllen, TX, to Tacoma, WA, costs between $2,706 and $12,582 with full-service movers, $1,926 - $6,825 with a moving container, and $1,449 - $4,010 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 $3,667 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 Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.

FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Tacoma, WA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, 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.

Is Tacoma a safe place to live?

Tacoma has a safety index of 44.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 55.55, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

How walkable is Tacoma?

Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?

For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?

Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.

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

About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.