($853+) Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX Movers
The cost to move from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX ranges from $1,164 to $8,683, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $853 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,436 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 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 McKinney, TX
Moving options from Santa Clarita to McKinney fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,164 - $8,683 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,350, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,436 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,436-mile route from Santa Clarita to McKinney, 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 $1,164 - $5,033 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,385 - $2,514), rental truck ($905 - $1,634), or freight trailer ($1,198 - $2,331). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,746 - $6,873 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,683.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX
For the 1,436-mile move from Santa Clarita, California, to McKinney, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,164 and $8,683. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $426 - $2,840 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Santa Clarita generally start around $291 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Clarita to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,164 - $5,033
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,746 - $6,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,974 - $8,683
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 McKinney.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Santa Clarita movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McKinney, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $710 - $7,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Best California Movers | $284 - $1,704/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $426 - $3,408 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,420 - $4,260 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,550 - $14,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,064 - $2,021 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Best California Movers | $1,420 - $3,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Best California Movers | $1,136 - $4,970 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $426 - $2,130 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $923 - $2,840 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $426 - $21,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $426 - $4,970+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Clarita to McKinney?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX
Moving containers from Santa Clarita, California, to McKinney, Texas, cost between $1,385 and $4,633. 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 McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,385 - $2,514
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,666 - $3,546
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,335 - $4,633
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $107 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $213 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 $994 in Santa Clarita, 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 McKinney, 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 $1,385. 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 $1,666 - $3,546.
What are the best moving containers Santa Clarita to McKinney?
- 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
- Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- Gentlemen's Moving Company (4.6/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX
Truck rentals from Santa Clarita, California, to McKinney, Texas, range from $905 - $2,519 for the 1,436-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $649 - $741
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- 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 McKinney based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $905 - $1,634
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $979 - $2,062
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,174 - $2,519
Pro tip: The base rate of $905 - $2,519 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Santa Clarita to McKinney. Fuel ($649 - $741), lodging at around $213/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $107 and $497.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $213.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $649 and $741 for the 1,436-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $994 for 2 movers in Santa Clarita, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Clarita to McKinney?
- 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 McKinney, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Santa Clarita, California, to McKinney, Texas, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,402 and $2,781.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Clarita to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,198 - $2,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,781
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,886 - $3,596
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Santa Clarita, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $994.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $107 and $213 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Clarita to McKinney?
- 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.
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: Santa Clarita, CA vs McKinney, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McKinney, side by side with Santa Clarita on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Clarita, CA | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 112 |
| Average rent | $3,295/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $722,430 | $438,120 |
| Average income | $119,926/yr | $120,273/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 27/100 |
| Safety index | 64.08/100 | 78.52/100 |
| 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 McKinney, TX to Santa Clarita, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Texas, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,436-mile move.
Our take
A move from Santa Clarita, CA, to McKinney, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,164 - $8,683 on the 1,436-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,385 - $4,633, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $905 - $2,519. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,746 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Globe Life and SRS Distribution.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Clarita, CA, to McKinney, 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 do local movers charge in Santa Clarita?
Local movers based in Santa Clarita typically start around $291 as a base rate, plus $125/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in McKinney run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $853 to $8,683, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,164 and $8,683, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Santa Clarita, CA to McKinney, 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 $979 - $2,062. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Santa Clarita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Santa Clarita handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.