Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Bakersfield to Austin typically costs $3,200–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,488 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Bakersfield to Austin
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX typically costs $3,200–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,488-mile move from Bakersfield to Austin, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- American Van Lines recently quoted $5,312 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,040 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $2,222 for a 2 bedroom using a moving container.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 12, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 09, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 05, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 27, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 25, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 18, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 08, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 04, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Bakersfield to Austin
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,600, but larger homes can run up to $10,500.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Bakersfield.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,000–$2,800) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Best Bakersfield to Austin movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Bakersfield to Austin
For a stress-free interstate move from Bakersfield to Austin, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→TX movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Austin
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Austin runs about 34% higher for singles and 13% higher for families than Bakersfield.
Singles spend around $3,345 in Austin versus $2,493 in Bakersfield; families pay $7,815 compared with $6,940.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Bakersfield | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,850 | $2,208 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | $3,827 |
| Average home value | $389,732 | $508,841 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $68,258 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,493 | $3,345 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,940 | $7,815 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.5% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Bakersfield to Austin, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 31% higher in Austin than in Bakersfield.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 8% less in Austin than in Bakersfield.
- Plan for higher expenses in Austin, since the cost of living for a single person is 34% more than in Bakersfield. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Austin, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Austin is 13% more than it is in Bakersfield.
- Austin experiences an unemployment rate that is about 41% lower than that of Bakersfield. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are similar in Austin and Bakersfield (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Texas has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Bakersfield with Austin:
| Living Expense | Bakersfield | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $340.00 | $181.48 |
| Cell phone plan | $53.67 | $61.16 |
| Dozen eggs | $2.95 | $4.35 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.81 | $3.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $67.50 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $36.50 | $62.38 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- Eggs are less expensive in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- Bread is more expensive in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Bakersfield than in Austin.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Bakersfield than in Austin.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Austin
| Bakersfield | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 909,235 | 974,447 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 37 | 42 |
| Bike friendliness score | 44 | 54 |
| Crime index | 58.49 | 42.91 |
| Safety index | 41.51 | 59.87 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Austin's population is about 7% greater than Bakersfield.
- Austin's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Bakersfield's score of 4.
- Austin is more walkable than Bakersfield with a score of 42 out of 100 vs Bakersfield's 37 out of 100.
- With a score of 54 out of 100, Austin is more bike-friendly than Bakersfield, which has a score of 44 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Austin's crime rate is lower than Bakersfield with a score of 42.91 compared to Bakersfield's 58.49. This means that Austin neighborhoods are safer than 42.91% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Bakersfield neighborhoods are safer than 58.49%.
- Austin is considered to be safer than Bakersfield with a safety index of 59.87 vs Bakersfield's 41.51.
- Air quality in Austin is Good, and in Bakersfield it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield to Austin move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Texas doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Austin smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Austin
Now that you've chosen ATX as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Austin to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cherrywood
- North University
- Old West Austin
- South Lamar
- Zilker
Best neighborhoods for families
- Rollingwood
- West Lake
- Brushy Creek
- Cedar Park
- Shady Hollow
Things to do in Austin
After getting comfortable in your new Texas home, it's time to see what Austin is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Austin offers cultural landmarks like the Texas Memorial Museum, George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Thinkery, and Blanton Museum of Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Pease Park, Butler Metro Park, Zilker Park, and Sculpture Falls — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Round Rock ExpressAustin SpursTexas StarsAustin OutlawsAustin HunsAustin GilgronisAustin Bold FCAustin FC game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Austin?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Bakersfield to Austin are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Bakersfield are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Bakersfield to Austin?
Because spring and fall moves from Bakersfield to Austin are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to Austin take?
A move of 1,488 miles from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX generally takes three to eight days. Movers in Bakersfield sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Austin is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Bakersfield offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 2 movers in Bakersfield have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 1 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
