($829+) Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Santa Ana, CA, runs anywhere from $829 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,167 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,165, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,167 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,324 - $4,681, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $829 - $2,304.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Santa Ana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,847 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 Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA
Moving options from Austin to Santa Ana fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,847 - $6,674 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,379-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,379-mile route from Austin to Santa Ana, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,165 - $5,010 | $1,324 - $2,396 | $829 - $1,555 | $1,168 - $2,289 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,847 - $6,674 | $1,724 - $3,584 | $942 - $1,868 | $1,324 - $2,786 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,964 - $9,167 | $2,272 - $4,681 | $1,152 - $2,304 | $1,909 - $3,635 |
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 Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Austin, Texas, to Santa Ana, California, costs between $2,165 and $9,167. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,379-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $430 - $2,868, 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 Austin and Santa Ana. For a rough baseline, movers based in Austin tend to start around $191 plus $90/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 Austin to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,165 - $5,010
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,847 - $6,674
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,964 - $9,167
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 Santa Ana.
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 Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Santa Ana, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $717 - $7,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Square Cow | $287 - $1,721/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $430 - $3,442 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $1,434 - $4,302 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,585 - $14,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,074 - $2,041 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items35% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,434 - $3,585 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,147 - $5,019 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $430 - $2,151 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $932 - $2,868 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $430 - $21,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $430 - $5,019+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Santa Ana?
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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Austin, 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 Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Santa Ana, California, cost between $1,324 and $4,681. 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 Austin costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,324 - $2,396
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,724 - $3,584
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,272 - $4,681
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $108 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $215 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 $1,004 in Austin, TX, 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 Santa Ana, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,324. 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 $1,724 - $3,584.
What are the best moving containers Austin to Santa Ana?
- 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:
- Square Cow (4.8/5), 18 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA
A rental truck for this 1,379-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Santa Ana, California, costs between $829 and $2,304. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $629 - $719
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- 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 Santa Ana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $829 - $1,555
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $942 - $1,868
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,152 - $2,304
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Austin to Santa Ana starts at $829 - $2,304, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($629 - $719), overnight lodging ($215/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $215 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 Austin, Texas, usually costs about $1,004 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,379-mile drive falls between $629 and $719, 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 $72 and $430 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to Santa Ana?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA
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 Austin, Texas, to Santa Ana, California. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,324 and $2,786.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,168 - $2,289
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,324 - $2,786
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,909 - $3,635
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $108 - $215 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Austin, Texas, typically costs $1,004.
What are the best freight companies from Austin to Santa Ana?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Austin to Santa Ana. 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: Austin, TX vs Santa Ana, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Santa Ana, side by side with Austin on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Austin, TX | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 129 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,765/mo | $2,650/mo |
| Median home value | $512,969 | $657,015 |
| Average income | $91,461/yr | $88,354/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 67/100 |
| Safety index | 59.87/100 | 45.83/100 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA to Austin, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas to California, 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 843 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,379-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,379-mile route from Austin, TX, to Santa Ana, CA, run $2,165 - $9,167 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,324 - $4,681, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $829 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,847, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Allied Universal and First American Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to Santa Ana, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Austin, TX to Santa Ana, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Austin, TX to Santa Ana, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $829 to $9,167, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,165 and $9,167, 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.
How walkable is Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has a walkability score of 67 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 62, compared to 42 and 54 in Austin. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($629 - $719), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $215/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 percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 35% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.