($1,221+) Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX ranges from $1,331 to $10,970, with an average cost of $4,000. Moves can be as low as $1,221 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,930 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
Moving options from Sacramento to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,331 - $10,970 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,930 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,930-mile route from Sacramento to Houston, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,331 - $5,250, container $1,686 - $3,073, rental truck $1,162 - $2,375, freight trailer $1,399 - $2,710.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,423 - $7,411, container $2,011 - $4,565, rental truck $1,244 - $2,557, freight trailer $1,609 - $3,340.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,562 - $10,970, container $2,812 - $6,151, rental truck $1,635 - $3,263, freight trailer $2,341 - $4,827.
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 Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,930-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,331 and $10,970. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $345 - $2,300, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,331 - $5,250
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,423 - $7,411
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,562 - $10,970
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 Sacramento to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Sacramento 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 packing100% of local movers | $575 - $5,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $230 - $1,380/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $345 - $2,760 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,150 - $3,450 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,875 - $11,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $861 - $1,636 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. | $1,150 - $2,875 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $920 - $4,025 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling48% of local movers | $345 - $1,725 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $748 - $2,300 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $345 - $17,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $345 - $4,025+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA, 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 Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,686 and $6,151. 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 Sacramento typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,686 - $3,073
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,011 - $4,565
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,812 - $6,151
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $86 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $173 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $805 in Sacramento, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,686. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,011 - $4,565, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,930 miles from Sacramento, California, to Houston, Texas, running $1,162 - $3,263. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $706 - $807
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $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 Sacramento to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,375
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,244 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,635 - $3,263
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,162 - $3,263 when pricing out a rental truck from Sacramento to Houston. Fuel alone runs ($706 - $807) , and overnight lodging ($173/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $86 and $403.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $173.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $706 and $807 for the 1,930-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $805 for 2 movers in Sacramento, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX
For larger DIY moves from Sacramento, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Houston, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,609 and $3,340.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,399 - $2,710
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,609 - $3,340
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,341 - $4,827
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $805.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $86 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento 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.
- Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: Sacramento, 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sacramento, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 127 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,899/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $483,739 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $83,753/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 49/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 50.79/100 | 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 Sacramento, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,930-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Sacramento, CA, to Houston, TX, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,331 - $10,970 on the 1,930-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,686 - $6,151 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,162 - $3,263 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,423 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 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 Sacramento, CA, to Houston, TX
What do local movers charge in Sacramento?
Local movers based in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate, plus $130/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Sacramento, CA to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Houston?
For families, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, and Kingwood are worth a look in Houston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby, and Montrose tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Sacramento, CA 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 $1,244 - $2,557. 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 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.