($1,451+) Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $1,423 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $14,502 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,328 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,902, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $14,502 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,854 - $6,880, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,423 - $4,014.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,452 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Tacoma to Houston: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $4,452 - $9,200. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,328 miles, expect 7 to 18 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,328-mile route from Tacoma to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,902 - $6,652 | $1,854 - $3,406 | $1,423 - $2,804 | $1,587 - $3,253 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,452 - $9,200 | $2,401 - $5,025 | $1,510 - $3,115 | $1,864 - $3,942 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,283 - $14,502 | $3,106 - $6,880 | $1,983 - $4,014 | $2,718 - $5,346 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
For the 2,328-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,902 and $14,502. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $338 - $2,252 (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 Tacoma generally start around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,902 - $6,652
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,452 - $9,200
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,283 - $14,502
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 Tacoma to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $563 - $5,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $225 - $1,351/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $338 - $2,702 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage35% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs35% of local movers | $1,126 - $3,378 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,815 - $11,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $843 - $1,602 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $1,126 - $2,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $901 - $3,941 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $338 - $1,689 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $732 - $2,252 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $338 - $16,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $338 - $3,941+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Houston?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,854 and $6,880. 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 Tacoma runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,854 - $3,406
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,401 - $5,025
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,106 - $6,880
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 $788 in Tacoma, WA. 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 $84 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $169 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 Houston, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,854. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,401 - $5,025, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
Truck rentals from Tacoma, Washington, to Houston, Texas, range from $1,423 - $4,014 for the 2,328-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $834 - $953
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,423 - $2,804
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,115
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,983 - $4,014
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,423 - $4,014 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tacoma to Houston. Fuel ($834 - $953) , lodging at around $169/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $169 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 Tacoma, Washington, usually costs about $788 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,328-mile drive falls between $834 and $953, 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 $56 and $338 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Tacoma, Washington, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,864 and $3,942.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,587 - $3,253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,864 - $3,942
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,718 - $5,346
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Tacoma, Washington, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $788.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $169 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Houston?
- 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.
- Allstate Transport (4.76/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Tacoma to Houston, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Houston, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Houston, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 36.5/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Houston, TX to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington 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 95 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 2,328-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,328-mile route from Tacoma, WA, to Houston, TX, run $2,902 - $14,502 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,854 - $6,880, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,423 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,452, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 Tacoma, WA, to Houston, TX
How long does a move from Tacoma, WA to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from Tacoma, WA 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Tacoma, WA 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.
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 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.