($920+) Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX ranges from $1,246 to $9,918, with an average cost of $3,450. Moves can be as low as $920 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,547 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
Moving options from Los Angeles to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,246 - $9,918 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,450, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,547 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,547-mile route from Los Angeles to Houston, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,246 for a studio up to $9,918 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,361 - $5,004 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $957 - $2,515, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,286 - $4,042, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
For the 1,547-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,246 and $9,918. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $408 - $2,720 (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 Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,246 - $5,030
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,977 - $6,611
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,455 - $9,918
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 Los Angeles to Houston.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $680 - $6,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $272 - $1,632/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $408 - $3,264 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,360 - $4,080 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,400 - $13,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,019 - $1,935 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,360 - $3,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,088 - $4,760 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $408 - $2,040 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $884 - $2,720 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $408 - $20,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $408 - $4,760+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,361 and $5,004. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Houston. If you go over that window, storage in Los Angeles adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,361 - $2,629
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,684 - $3,457
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,342 - $5,004
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $102 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $204 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $952 in Los Angeles, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Houston, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,361. 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 $1,684 - $3,457.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
A rental truck for this 1,547-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Houston, Texas, costs between $957 and $2,515. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $669 - $765
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Los Angeles to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $957 - $1,782
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $976 - $2,017
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,279 - $2,515
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Los Angeles to Houston starts at $957 - $2,515, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($669 - $765), overnight lodging ($204/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $669 - $765 for the 1,547-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 Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $952.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,547-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $204 per night, adding $408 - $612 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $68 and $408.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Los Angeles, 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 Houston, 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 $1,390 and $2,823.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,286 - $2,273
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,390 - $2,823
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,009 - $4,042
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $102 - $204 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about five hours typically runs $952.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Houston 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: Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 97 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 36.5/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Los Angeles, 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 1,547-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Los Angeles, CA, 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 $1,246 - $9,918 on the 1,547-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,361 - $5,004, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $957 - $2,515. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,977 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 Los Angeles, CA, to Houston, TX
What is the best time of year to move from Los Angeles, CA 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($669 - $765), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $204/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $920 to $9,918, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,246 and $9,918, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.