$1,472 Movers from Oakland to Houston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Houston, TX averages from $1,391 to $8,421 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Houston, TX. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

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

Moving From Oakland to Houston

Moving 1,917 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The Best Oakland to Houston Moving Companies

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 long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
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(855) 929-4120

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
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(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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

How much does it cost to move from Oakland to Houston?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,472 - $5,690 $1,307 - $3,231 $1,285 - $2,476
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,842 - $8,421 $2,328 - $4,779 $1,391 - $2,946
4+ bedrooms $7,130 - $12,433 $3,185 - $6,434 $1,755 - $3,607
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,917 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 Oakland to Houston will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Oakland to Houston?

To ship furniture from Oakland to Houston with a mover will cost between $1,472 to $5,690. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $3,842 to $8,421, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Oakland to Houston will cost from $7,130 to $12,433.

How much are moving container companies from Oakland to Houston?

Moving containers from Oakland to Houston will cost you $1,307 to $3,231 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,328 to $4,779. A larger home will cost $3,185 to $6,434.

How much is a moving truck from Oakland to Houston?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $1,285 to $2,476. A larger move will cost $1,391 to $2,946, and a 4+ bedroom move from Oakland to Houston costs from $1,755 to $3,607.

Pros and Cons of Moving from Oakland, CA to Houston, TX

Cost of Living: Oakland vs Houston

Oakland Houston
Average rent cost $2,050 $1,242
Average home value $1,006,090 $243,875
Average income (per capita) $82,018 $62,076
Cost of Living (single person) $1,318 $838
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,657 $2,976
Unemployment rate 8.0% 4.8%
Sales Tax 10.25% 8.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent Prices in Houston, TX are 39% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Home Prices in Houston, TX are 75.8% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Income in Houston, TX is 24.3% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Houston, TX is 36.4% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Houston, TX is 36.1% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Unemployment rate in Houston, TX is 40.00% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • Sales Taxes in Houston, TX are 19.51% lower than in Oakland, CA.
  • State Income Taxes in Houston, TX are 100.00% lower than in Oakland, CA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,907.4 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How is life different in Oakland, CA to Houston, TX?

Houston Oakland
Population 2,304,580 440,646
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 8
Walkability score 47 75
Bike friendliness score 49 65
Crime Index 55.87 65.06
Safety Index 36.23 33.51
Air Quality Good Good
  • Houston’s population is about 423% greater than Oakland.
  • Houston’s public transportation is better than Oakland with a score of 5 vs 8.
  • Houston is less walkable than Oakland with a score of 47 vs 75.
  • Houston is less bike-friendly than Oakland with a score of 49 vs 65.
  • Houston's crime rate is lower than Oakland with a score of 55.87 compared to 65.06.
  • Houston is considered to be safer than Oakland with a safety index of 36.23 vs 33.51.
  • Air Quality in Houston is Good, and in Oakland it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Houston, TX

  • Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late 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: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. 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 Houston. Get started here.
  • Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Oakland Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Good Green Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
1355 Market Street Suite 488, San Francisco, CA, 94103
(855) 613-4663
West Coast Moving Systems, Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
745 85th Ave, Oakland, CA, 94621
(510) 430-2667

Visit our Best Movers in Oakland page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Houston, TX

Now that you've decided to make the move to "HOU", these are the best neighborhoods in Houston to move to.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Downtown
  • Greenway/Upper Kirby
  • Montrose
  • Museum District

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Clear Lake City
  • Friendswood
  • Kingwood
  • Memorial
  • Sugar Land

What to do in Houston

Moving to The “HOU”? These are some of the best things to do in your new Texas home.

  • The Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Minute Maid Park
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  • Children's Museum Houston
  • Houston Zoo
  • Space Center Houston
  • The Galleria
  • Cockrell Butterfly Center
  • Toyota Center
  • Rodeo Houston or Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  • Water Wall
  • NRG Stadium
  • Discovery Green
  • National Museum of Funeral History

Get your sports on!

Houston is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Houston Texans (NFL)
  • Houston Astros (MLB
  • Houston Dash (NWSL)
  • Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
  • Houston Rockets (NBA)
  • Houston SaberCats (MLR)

FAQs about moving from Oakland to Houston

When is the best time to move from Oakland to Houston?

The best time to move from Oakland to Houston is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 94ºF and the winter lows of 43ºF in Houston.

When is the cheapest time to move from Oakland to Houston?

Because most people are moving from Oakland to Houston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on getting discounts on moving services to learn more.

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