($1,085+) San Jose, CA to Houston, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Houston, TX ranges from $1,330 to $10,109, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $1,085 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,886 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.
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Compare moving options from San Jose, CA to Houston, TX
Moving options from San Jose to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,330 - $10,109 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, 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 1,886 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 1,886-mile route from San Jose to Houston, 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 $1,330 - $5,148 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,480 - $2,772), rental truck ($1,074 - $2,173), or freight trailer ($1,388 - $2,574). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,126 - $7,443 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,109.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Jose, CA to Houston, TX
Hiring full-service movers from San Jose, California, to Houston, Texas, costs between $1,330 and $10,109. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,886-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $532 - $3,548, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between San Jose and Houston. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Jose tend to start around $316 plus $119/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,330 - $5,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,126 - $7,443
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,969 - $10,109
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 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: 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 Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of San Jose 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 packing97% of local movers | $887 - $8,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $355 - $2,129/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $532 - $4,258 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage47% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,774 - $5,322 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,435 - $17,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,329 - $2,524 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $1,774 - $4,435 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers | $1,419 - $6,209 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $532 - $2,661 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: | $1,153 - $3,548 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $532 - $26,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $532 - $6,209+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Houston?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Jose, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Jose, CA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,480 and $5,392. 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 Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,480 - $2,772
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,973 - $3,883
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,862 - $5,392
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $133 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $266 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 $1,242 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 Houston, 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 $1,480. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,973 - $3,883, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Jose 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 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:
- Ninja Movers, Inc. (4.0/5), 9 years in business
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (4.7/5), 11 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Houston, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 1,886-mile move from San Jose, California, to Houston, Texas, costs between $1,074 and $3,012, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,065 - $1,217
- Daily insurance: $53/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $35
- 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 Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,074 - $2,173
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,186 - $2,461
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,450 - $3,012
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,074 - $3,012 does not include fuel ($1,065 - $1,217) , lodging ($266/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Jose to Houston typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $266 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Jose, California, usually costs about $1,242 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,886-mile drive falls between $1,065 and $1,217, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $89 and $532 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose 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 San Jose, CA to Houston, 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 Houston, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,657 and $3,368.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,388 - $2,574
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,657 - $3,368
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,290 - $4,402
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Jose, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,242.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $133 - $266 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: San Jose, 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 San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 97 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 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 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 377 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,886-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Jose, 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 $1,330 - $10,109 on the 1,886-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,480 - $5,392 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,074 - $3,012 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,126 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 San Jose, CA, to Houston, TX
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 San Jose, 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 $1,186 - $2,461. 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 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 3 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 Houston, 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 77% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
