($762+) St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $762 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,531 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,180 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 $2,316, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,531 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $4,145, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $762 - $2,146.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,748 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
Moving options from St. Paul to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,748 - $6,653 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 72% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,180 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,180-mile route from St. Paul to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,316 - $4,857 | $1,163 - $2,157 | $762 - $1,452 | $1,080 - $1,962 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,748 - $6,653 | $1,641 - $3,321 | $783 - $1,593 | $1,275 - $2,506 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,416 - $8,531 | $2,050 - $4,145 | $975 - $2,146 | $1,725 - $3,350 |
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 St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,180-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Houston, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,316 - $8,531. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $300 - $2,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Houston. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,316 - $4,857
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,748 - $6,653
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,416 - $8,531
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 St. Paul to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
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 St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Houston?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers 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 St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,163 and $4,145. 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 Houston. If you go over that window, storage in St. Paul adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,157
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,050 - $4,145
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Paul, MN and Houston, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $700 in St. Paul, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota 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 $1,163. 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 $1,641 - $3,321.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Houston?
- 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
A rental truck for this 1,180-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Houston, Texas, costs between $762 and $2,146. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $375 - $429
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $762 - $1,452
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $783 - $1,593
- 4+ bedrooms: $975 - $2,146
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $762 - $2,146 does not include fuel ($375 - $429), lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Paul to Houston typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $150 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 $65 and $325 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $375 - $429 in fuel for the 1,180-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $700 in St. Paul, Minnesota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Houston?
- 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 St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from St. Paul, Minnesota, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Houston, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,275 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,080 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,350
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $700.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $150 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Houston?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Houston fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Houston, TX
St. Paul and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in St. Paul and 97 in Houston, and average rent is $1,350/mo vs. $1,549/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 60 vs 47 and safety scores are 49.14 vs 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Texas 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 151 movers in our Minnesota network to compare for this 1,180-mile move.
Our take
The 1,180-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to Houston, TX, costs between $2,316 and $8,531 with full-service movers, $1,163 - $4,145 with a moving container, and $762 - $2,146 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 $2,748 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Houston, TX
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 is the best time of year to move from St. Paul, MN to Houston, 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.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Houston a safe place to live?
Houston has a safety index of 36.5 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.5, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Paul, MN to Houston, TX?
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 $783 - $1,593. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.