Moving from California to Texas: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The average cost to move from California to Texas ranges from $966 to $6,707. Moving costs will vary based on the size of your move, the time of year, and whether you hire a company or move yourself. To get a more accurate estimate of what your move will cost, use our moving cost calculator.

Moving out of state can feel overwhelming. We know! Every month we help thousands of people move and after nine years in business, we’ve seen it all.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for your move to Texas. If you’re short on time, here are a few quick resources to get immediate answers.

Moving Cost Calculator: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
Best California to Texas movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company, you won't regret checking out our list of the top movers from California to Texas.
Best Car Shipping Companies: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.

How much does it cost to move from California to Texas?

The table below lays out average cost ranges for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,247 - $4,957	$1,001 - $2,458	$893 - $1,709
2 - 3 bedrooms	$2,924 - $6,707	$1,789 - $3,618	$966 - $2,032
4+ bedrooms	$5,117 - $9,333	$2,432 - $4,820	$1,216 - $2,482

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,407 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to Texas will depend on:

Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
Time of year: The peak moving season is in the summer, this makes prices higher.
Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: You may save money with a DIY move, but you also will have to do all the work.

Who Are The Best California to Texas Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal. We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best California to Texas moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Texas to California guide.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Texas?

To ship furniture from California to Texas with a mover will cost between $1,247 to $4,957. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from CA to TX will range from $2,924 to $6,707, and a large move from California to Texas will cost from $5,117 to $9,333.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Texas?

Moving pods from California to Texas will cost you $1,001 to $2,458 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,789 to $3,618. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,432 to $4,820.

How much is a moving truck from California to Texas?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $893 to $1,709. A larger move will cost $966 to $2,032, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Texas costs from $1,216 to $2,482.

How to ship a car from California to Texas

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car safely arrives in Texas.

Here's our list of the best California to Texas car shipping companies.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Is moving from California to Texas a good idea?

If you’re moving to Texas from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: California vs Texas

	California	Texas
Average rent cost	$1,503	$1,045
Average home cost	$758,360	$276,048
Average income (per capita)	$78,672	$61,874
Cost of Living Index	100	91
Unemployment rate	5.8%	5.0%
Average Sales Tax	8.68%	8.19%
State Income Tax	13.3%	0.0%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Rent is about 31% less expensive in Texas than in California.
Home prices are about 63.6% lower in Texas than in California.
The average income is about 21.4% lower in Texas than in California.
Cost of living is 9.0% lower in Texas than in California.
Texas has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 13.8%.
Sales taxes are 5.65% lower in Texas than in California.
Income taxes are 100.00% lower in Texas than in California.

How is life different in Texas from California?

	Texas	California
Population	29,145,505	39,237,836
Political leaning	Republican 52-46	Democratic 63-34
Summer High	94ºF	87ºF
Winter Low	36ºF	59ºF
Annual Rain	36"	22"
Annual Snow	2"	7"
Crime Index	27.11	25.7

source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces

The population of Texas is approximately 26% lower than the population of California.
In the last presidential election, Texas voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in Texas is 94ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, Texas reaches the temperature of 36ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Texas vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
In Texas, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
Texas has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.11 vs 25.7.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Texas:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Texas side-by-side.

Pros of living in California	Pros of living in Texas
Ample economic opportunity	Ample economic opportunity
Pleasant weather	Favorable climate
Abundant recreational options	Delicious barbecue
High quality of life	Low taxes
Fresh and healthy foods	Privacy and freedom

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Texas:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Texas.

Cons of living in California	Cons of living in Texas
High cost of living	Severe weather
Heavy tax burdens	Limited healthcare access
Natural disasters	High crime rate
Terrible traffic	Traffic issues
Strange laws	Politics

Considerations for moving to Texas

Weather: Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
State Licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
State Regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
Moving Permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Texas. Get started here.
Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Meathead Movers	Get A Quote	4.96 overall rating	3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328
Courtesy Movers	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	3515 North Sabre Drive, Fresno, CA, 93727 (559) 402-3800
Gentle Giant Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000