($1,193+) Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,193 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,961 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,141 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,431, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,961 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,694 - $6,118, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,193 - $3,460.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,460 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Austin to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,460 - $7,437 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 64% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,141 miles, this route usually takes 6 to 17 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,141-mile route from Austin to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,431 - $5,141, container $1,694 - $3,134, rental truck $1,193 - $2,326, freight trailer $1,452 - $2,904.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,460 - $7,437, container $2,109 - $4,395, rental truck $1,253 - $2,879, freight trailer $1,603 - $3,377.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,361 - $10,961, container $2,748 - $6,118, rental truck $1,629 - $3,460, freight trailer $2,361 - $4,848.
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 Tacoma, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,141-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, with prices running from $2,431 - $10,961. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $380 - $2,532 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Austin and Tacoma are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Austin movers tend to run around $191 as a base rate plus $90/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,431 - $5,141
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,460 - $7,437
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,361 - $10,961
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 Tacoma.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $633 - $6,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Square Cow | $253 - $1,519/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $380 - $3,038 |
| 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 | $1,266 - $3,798 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,165 - $12,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $948 - $1,802 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items35% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,266 - $3,165 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,013 - $4,431 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $380 - $1,899 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $823 - $2,532 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $380 - $18,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $380 - $4,431+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Tacoma?
Look for Washington Movers Conference membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Washington beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Austin, TX. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,694 and $6,118. 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 Austin adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,694 - $3,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,109 - $4,395
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,748 - $6,118
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $886 in Austin, TX. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $95 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $190 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
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 $1,694. 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 $2,109 - $4,395.
What are the best moving containers Austin to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Plan on $1,193 - $3,460 for a rental moving truck on the 2,141-mile route from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $862 - $986
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,193 - $2,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,253 - $2,879
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,629 - $3,460
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,193 - $3,460 when pricing out a rental truck from Austin to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $862 - $986, and overnight lodging ($190/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $862 - $986 for the 2,141-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 $886.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,141-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $190 per night, adding $380 - $570 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $380.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
If you're moving a larger household from Austin, Texas, 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 Tacoma, Washington.
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 $1,603 and $3,377.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,452 - $2,904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,603 - $3,377
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,361 - $4,848
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $95 and $190.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $886.
What are the best freight companies from Austin to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tacoma 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: Austin, TX vs Tacoma, WA
Day-to-day costs in Tacoma are close to what you're used to in Austin: cost of living index of 123 versus 129, with average rent of $1,650/mo compared to $1,765/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 42/100 and 59.87/100 in Austin versus 54/100 and 44.45/100 in Tacoma.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Washington, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 2,141-mile move.
Our take
A move from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,431 - $10,961 on the 2,141-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,694 - $6,118, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,193 - $3,460. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,460 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA
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 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 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 is the cheapest way to move from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA?
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 $1,253 - $2,879. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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.