($701+) Madison, WI to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $701 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,721 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,135 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 $2,045, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,721 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,167 - $4,139, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $701 - $2,071.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,652 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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX
Moving options from Madison to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,652 - $6,270 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,135-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,135-mile route from Madison to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,045 - $5,088 | $1,167 - $2,160 | $701 - $1,308 | $1,040 - $1,904 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,652 - $6,270 | $1,503 - $3,256 | $757 - $1,603 | $1,277 - $2,481 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,582 - $8,721 | $2,180 - $4,139 | $961 - $2,071 | $1,643 - $3,180 |
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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX
For the 1,135-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,045 and $8,721. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $302 - $2,012 (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 Madison generally start around $371 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,045 - $5,088
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,652 - $6,270
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,582 - $8,721
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 Madison to Houston.
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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison 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 packing79% of local movers | $503 - $5,030 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $201 - $1,207/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,414 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,006 - $3,018 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,515 - $10,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $753 - $1,432 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,006 - $2,515 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $805 - $3,521 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $302 - $1,509 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $654 - $2,012 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,090+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,521+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison 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 Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,167 and $4,139. 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 Madison adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,160
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,503 - $3,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,180 - $4,139
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $75 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $151 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, 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 $704 in Madison, WI. 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 Wisconsin 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 $1,167. 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 $1,503 - $3,256.
What are the best moving containers Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison:
- Above Average Moving LLC (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- Top Notch Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to Houston, TX
Plan on $701 - $2,071 for a rental moving truck on the 1,135-mile route from Madison, Wisconsin, to Houston, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $363 - $415
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Madison daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Madison to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $701 - $1,308
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $757 - $1,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $961 - $2,071
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $701 - $2,071 does not include fuel ($363 - $415), lodging ($151/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Madison 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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $151 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 Madison, Wisconsin, usually costs about $704 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,135-mile drive falls between $363 and $415, 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 $50 and $302 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison 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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX
For larger DIY moves from Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Houston, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,277 and $2,481.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,277 - $2,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,180
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 $75 - $151 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 Madison, Wisconsin, typically costs $704.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Houston?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Houston, TX
Madison and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 103 in Madison and 97 in Houston, and average rent is $1,600/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 50 vs 47 and safety scores are 65.43 vs 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Wisconsin to Texas, 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 145 movers in Wisconsin, so you have real options to compare for this 1,135-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Madison, WI, to Houston, TX, 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 $2,045 - $8,721 on the 1,135-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,167 - $4,139 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $701 - $2,071 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,652 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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 Madison, WI, to Houston, TX
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Madison, WI to Houston, TX?
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 Madison, WI to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $701 to $8,721, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,045 and $8,721, 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 Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 50 and 66 in Madison. 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 ($363 - $415), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $151/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.