($1,131+) Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX ranges from $1,260 to $10,495, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,131 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,975 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving options from Sacramento to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,260 - $10,495 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,975 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,975-mile route from Sacramento to McAllen, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,260 - $4,974 | $1,612 - $3,089 | $1,131 - $2,160 | $1,465 - $2,700 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,171 - $7,054 | $1,943 - $4,163 | $1,163 - $2,570 | $1,539 - $3,264 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,176 - $10,495 | $2,828 - $5,672 | $1,529 - $3,307 | $2,262 - $4,312 |
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 Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Sacramento, California, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $1,260 and $10,495. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,975-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $320 - $2,132, 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 Sacramento and McAllen. For a rough baseline, movers based in Sacramento tend to start around $287 plus $130/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 Sacramento to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,260 - $4,974
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,171 - $7,054
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,176 - $10,495
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 Sacramento to McAllen.
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 Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $533 - $5,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $213 - $1,279/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $320 - $2,558 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,066 - $3,198 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,665 - $10,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $798 - $1,517 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Fuller Moving Services | $1,066 - $2,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $853 - $3,731 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $320 - $1,599 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $693 - $2,132 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $320 - $15,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $320 - $3,731+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to McAllen?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Sacramento, CA. 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 Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,612 and $5,672. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Sacramento runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,612 - $3,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,943 - $4,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,828 - $5,672
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Sacramento, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $746, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $80 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $160 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Sacramento, CA, and McAllen, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,612. 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 $1,943 - $4,163.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to McAllen?
- 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,975 miles from Sacramento, California, to McAllen, Texas, running $1,131 - $3,307. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $670 - $766
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| 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 Sacramento to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,131 - $2,160
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,163 - $2,570
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,529 - $3,307
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,131 - $3,307 does not include fuel ($670 - $766), lodging ($160/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Sacramento to McAllen 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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $80 and $373.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $670 and $766 for the 1,975-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $746 for 2 movers in Sacramento, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to McAllen?
- 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 Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Sacramento, California, 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 McAllen, 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 $1,539 and $3,264.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,465 - $2,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,539 - $3,264
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,262 - $4,312
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?
- 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 $80 - $160 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $746.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to McAllen?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in McAllen 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: Sacramento, CA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 76 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 McAllen, TX to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,975-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Sacramento, CA, to McAllen, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,260 for a studio to $10,495 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,975-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,612 - $5,672. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,131 - $3,307, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,171 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to McAllen, TX
How walkable is McAllen?
McAllen has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 49 and 67 in Sacramento. 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 McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Sacramento?
Local movers based in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate, plus $130/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.