San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from San Francisco to Austin typically costs $3,800–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,757 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from San Francisco to Austin
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX typically costs $3,800–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,757-mile move from San Francisco 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
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,248 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,669 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $997 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 06, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 06, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 29, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 19, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 19, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 05, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 23, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from San Francisco 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 $11,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in San Francisco.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,200–$3,300) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA guide.
Best San Francisco to Austin movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from San Francisco to Austin
For a stress-free interstate move from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Austin
Many movers find Austin easier on the wallet than San Francisco - roughly 12% less for singles and 10% less for families.
Monthly basics average $3,345 for one person in Austin versus $3,781 in San Francisco. For a family of four, it's $7,815 compared with $8,717.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| San Francisco | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $2,208 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $3,827 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $508,841 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $68,258 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $3,345 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $7,815 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.5% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 46% lower in Austin than in San Francisco, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 59% lower in Austin than in San Francisco.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 50% less in Austin than in San Francisco.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Austin, where the cost of living for a single person is 12% less than in San Francisco.
- Moving to Austin could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 10% less than in San Francisco.
- Austin experiences an unemployment rate that is about 35% lower than that of San Francisco. 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 San Francisco (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 San Francisco with Austin:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $181.48 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $61.16 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $4.35 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $3.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $62.38 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Francisco than in Austin.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Francisco than in Austin.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Austin.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Austin.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Austin.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Austin.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Austin.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Austin
| San Francisco | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 974,447 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 42 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 54 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 42.91 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 59.87 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Austin's population is about 20% greater than San Francisco.
- Austin's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco's score of 10.
- Austin is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 42 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Austin has a bike-friendliness score of 54 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99.
- Austin's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 42.91 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Austin neighborhoods are safer than 42.91% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Austin is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 59.87 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
- Air quality in Austin is Good, and in San Francisco it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Austin?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Francisco to Austin are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Francisco are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Austin?
Because spring and fall moves from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Austin take?
A move of 1,757 miles from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX generally takes five to 16 days. Movers in San Francisco sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Austin is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in San Francisco?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In San Francisco, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in San Francisco offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 70 movers in San Francisco have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 63 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.
