($787+) Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $772 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,064 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,167 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 $2,132, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,064 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,287 - $4,392, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $772 - $2,129.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,782 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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Moving options from Tempe to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,782 - $6,621 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,167 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,167-mile route from Tempe to Houston, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,132 - $5,407 with full-service movers, $1,287 - $2,409 with a container, $772 - $1,469 with a rental truck, or $1,170 - $2,188 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,782 - $6,621 full-service, $1,575 - $3,255 by container, $868 - $1,799 by rental truck, or $1,392 - $2,578 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,917 - $9,064 full-service, $2,288 - $4,392 by container, $1,068 - $2,129 by rental truck, or $1,831 - $3,444 by freight.
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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
For the 1,167-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,132 and $9,064. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $320 - $2,132 (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 Tempe generally start around $200 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,132 - $5,407
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,782 - $6,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,917 - $9,064
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 Tempe to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona 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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Tempe 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 packing98% of local movers | $533 - $5,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $213 - $1,279/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $320 - $2,558 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% 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 items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,066 - $2,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $853 - $3,731 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $320 - $1,599 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $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 Tempe to Houston?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Tempe, AZ, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,287 and $4,392. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Tempe typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,287 - $2,409
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,575 - $3,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,288 - $4,392
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 Tempe, AZ, 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 Tempe, AZ, and Houston, 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 Arizona 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 $1,287. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,575 - $3,255, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tempe 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 1,167-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas, costs between $772 and $2,129, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $396 - $452
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tempe daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Tempe to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $772 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $868 - $1,799
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,129
Pro tip: The base rate of $772 - $2,129 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tempe to Houston. Fuel ($396 - $452) , lodging at around $160/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $396 - $452 for the 1,167-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 Tempe, Arizona, for about 5 hours typically costs around $746.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,167-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $160 per night, adding $320 - $480 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $53 and $320.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ to Houston, TX
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tempe, Arizona, to Houston, Texas. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $959 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,170 - $2,188
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,831 - $3,444
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 $80 and $160.
- 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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $746.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Tempe, AZ 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 Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | None |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 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 Tempe, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 97 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 1,167-mile route.
Our take
A move from Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX, 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 $2,132 - $9,064 on the 1,167-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,287 - $4,392, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $772 - $2,129. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,782 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Tempe, AZ, to Houston, TX
What is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, AZ 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 $868 - $1,799. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 57.64 and 42.36 in Tempe. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ 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.
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 Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
