($1,009+) San Jose, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,314 to $9,898, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,009 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,715 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 San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Moving options from San Jose to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,314 - $9,898 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,715 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 1,715-mile route from San Jose to Austin, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,314 - $4,964 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,495 - $2,681), rental truck ($958 - $1,881), or freight trailer ($1,267 - $2,413). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,168 - $7,132 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,898.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,715-mile move from San Jose, California, to Austin, Texas, with prices running from $1,314 - $9,898. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $571 - $3,804 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Jose and Austin are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Jose movers tend to run around $316 as a base rate plus $119/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,314 - $4,964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,168 - $7,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,528 - $9,898
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 San Jose to Austin.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $951 - $9,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $380 - $2,282/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $571 - $4,565 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,902 - $5,706 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,755 - $19,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,425 - $2,707 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $1,902 - $4,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Vector Moving and Storage | $1,522 - $6,657 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $571 - $2,853 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,236 - $3,804 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $571 - $28,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $571 - $6,657+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Austin?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Jose, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,495 and $4,927. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Jose typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,495 - $2,681
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,799 - $3,983
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,688 - $4,927
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $143 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $285 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 $1,331 in San Jose, 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 Austin, 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 $1,495. 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 $1,799 - $3,983.
What are the best moving containers San Jose to Austin?
- 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 San Jose 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 San Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Plan on $958 - $2,710 for a rental moving truck on the 1,715-mile route from San Jose, California, to Austin, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,038 - $1,186
- Daily insurance: $57/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 San Jose to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,881
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,092 - $2,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,362 - $2,710
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Jose to Austin looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $958 - $2,710. But once you factor in fuel ($1,038 - $1,186), overnight lodging ($285/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,038 - $1,186 for the 1,715-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 San Jose, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,331.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,715-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $285 per night, adding $571 - $856 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $95 and $571.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to Austin?
- 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 San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Jose, California, to Austin, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,515 and $3,248.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,413
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,515 - $3,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,089 - $4,190
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $143 and $285.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Jose, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,331.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Austin 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: San Jose, CA vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 129 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 59.87/100 |
| 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 Austin, TX to San Jose, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,715-mile route.
Our take
For a move from San Jose, CA, to Austin, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,314 for a studio to $9,898 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,715-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,495 - $4,927. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $958 - $2,710, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,168 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Austin, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in Austin?
For families, Rollingwood, West Lake, and Brushy Creek are worth a look in Austin. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cherrywood, North University, and Old West Austin tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Jose, CA to Austin, 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 $1,092 - $2,238. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Austin a safe place to live?
Austin has a safety index of 59.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.91, compared to 52.27 and 47.73 in San Jose. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from San Jose, CA to Austin, 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.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.