($1,031+) Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX Movers
The cost to move from Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX ranges from $1,235 to $10,583, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,031 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,577 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 Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
Moving options from Santa Clarita to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,235 - $10,583 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, 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 1,577 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 1,577-mile route from Santa Clarita to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,235 - $5,625 | $1,420 - $2,918 | $952 - $1,904 | $1,357 - $2,426 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,235 - $7,222 | $1,814 - $4,040 | $1,041 - $2,175 | $1,482 - $3,263 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,452 - $10,583 | $2,706 - $5,352 | $1,312 - $2,713 | $2,164 - $4,032 |
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 Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Santa Clarita, California, to Houston, Texas, costs between $1,235 and $10,583. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,577-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $408 - $2,720, 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 Santa Clarita and Houston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Santa Clarita tend to start around $291 plus $125/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 Santa Clarita to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,235 - $5,625
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,235 - $7,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,452 - $10,583
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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Santa Clarita 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 | $680 - $6,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $272 - $1,632/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $408 - $3,264 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,360 - $4,080 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,400 - $13,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,019 - $1,935 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items66% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,360 - $3,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type82% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,088 - $4,760 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers | $408 - $2,040 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect37% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Affordable Quality Moving and Storage | $884 - $2,720 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $408 - $20,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $408 - $4,760+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Clarita to Houston?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Clarita, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Santa Clarita, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,420 and $5,352. 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 Santa Clarita typically runs around /month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Clarita to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,420 - $2,918
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,814 - $4,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,706 - $5,352
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $952 in Santa Clarita, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $102 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $204 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Houston, TX, destination before booking.
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 $1,420. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,814 - $4,040, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita:
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- US Pro Logistics (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Air 1 Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,577 miles from Santa Clarita, California, to Houston, Texas, running $952 - $2,713. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $682 - $780
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- Santa Clarita daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| 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 Santa Clarita to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $952 - $1,904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $2,175
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,713
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $952 - $2,713 does not include fuel ($682 - $780) , lodging ($204/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Santa Clarita 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 $204 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 Santa Clarita, California, usually costs about $952 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,577-mile drive falls between $682 and $780, 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 $68 and $408 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Santa Clarita, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Houston, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,482 and $3,263.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Clarita to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,357 - $2,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,482 - $3,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,164 - $4,032
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $102 and $204.
- 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 Santa Clarita, California, for roughly five hours typically average $952.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Clarita to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Stevens Trucking (4.54/5 stars): Stevens Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Santa Clarita to Houston. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Clarita, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 97 |
| Average rent | $3,295/mo | $1,549/mo |
| Median home value | $722,430 | $258,925 |
| Average income | $119,926/yr | $62,894/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 47/100 |
| Safety index | 64.08/100 | 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 Santa Clarita, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,577-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,577-mile move from Santa Clarita, CA, to Houston, TX, costs between $1,235 and $10,583 with full-service movers, $1,420 - $5,352 with a moving container, and $952 - $2,713 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,235 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 Santa Clarita, CA, to Houston, TX
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
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.
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.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 35 and 33 in Santa Clarita. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 64.08 and 35.92 in Santa Clarita. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Santa Clarita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 82% of movers in Santa Clarita handle piano moves, and 66% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
