($1,136) Movers From San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Austin costs $1,034–$6,589 and takes five to sixteen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,757-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Austin to San Francisco guide.

The best San Francisco to Austin full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in San Francisco to go to Austin can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Austin.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Austin?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Austin will cost between $1,136 to $4,429. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,939 to $6,589, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Austin will cost from $5,646 to $9,766.

The best moving containers for your San Francisco to Austin move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from San Francisco to Austin. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Austin?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Austin will cost you $996 to $2,458 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,794 to $3,593. A larger home will cost $2,425 to $5,276.

The best moving truck rentals for your San Francisco to Austin move

If you want to save even more money on your San Francisco to Austin move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

Best Availability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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Check prices (800) 468-4285
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Austin?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $964 to $1,817. A larger move will cost $1,034 to $2,140, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Austin costs from $1,357 to $2,702. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your San Francisco to Austin move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from San Francisco to Austin:

Best Labor Only
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
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Best customer experience
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
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(866) 774-5063

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Austin?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,136 - $4,429 $996 - $2,458 $964 - $1,817
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,939 - $6,589 $1,794 - $3,593 $1,034 - $2,140
4+ bedrooms $5,646 - $9,766 $2,425 - $5,276 $1,357 - $2,702
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,757 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Austin

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Austin can be as low as $1,136 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,707.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $964 to $2,517. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Austin

San Francisco Austin
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,850
Average home value $1,234,246 $530,990
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $65,602
Cost of living (single person) $3,840 $1,195
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,998 $4,235
Unemployment rate 5.4% 3.5%
Sales tax 8.63% 8.25%
State income tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Austin are 43% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Austin are 57.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Austin is 48.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Austin is 68.9% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Austin is 52.9% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Austin is 35.19% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Austin are 4.40% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Austin are 100.00% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $933.59 in Austin to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Austin

Austin San Francisco
Population 974,447 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 10
Walkability score 42 99
Bike friendliness score 54 99
Crime Index 42.91 54.33
Safety Index 59.87 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Austin's population is about 21% greater than San Francisco.
  • Austin's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower 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 is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 54 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Austin's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 42.91 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Austin neighborhoods are safer than 42.91% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Austin is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 59.87 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Austin is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Francisco vs. Austin move

  • Weather: Austin has mild winters and hot summers, the rainiest months are typically May, June, and October so your move may be affected in these months.
  • 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 forwarded to Austin. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Austin

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

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 settling into your new Texas home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Austin has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Austin is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Texas Memorial Museum, George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Thinkery, Blanton Museum of Art, and Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
  • 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: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Round Rock Express, Austin Spurs, Texas Stars, or Austin Outlaws game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Austin?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Austin is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Austin?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Austin in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from San Francisco to Austin take?

The 1,757-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Austin, TX, takes five to sixteen days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Austin.

Helpful moving resources