($864+) Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $864 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,831 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,515 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,169, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,831 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,338 - $4,680, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $864 - $2,484.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,841 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Wilmington to Houston: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,841 - $6,076. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 64% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,515 miles, expect 4 to 15 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,515-mile route from Wilmington to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,169 - $4,541 | $1,338 - $2,638 | $864 - $1,657 | $1,291 - $2,374 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,841 - $6,076 | $1,763 - $3,433 | $1,014 - $2,054 | $1,425 - $2,775 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,844 - $8,831 | $2,351 - $4,680 | $1,214 - $2,484 | $1,881 - $3,705 |
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 Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,515-mile relocation from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, cost between $2,169 and $8,831. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $304 - $2,024, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Wilmington typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,169 - $4,541
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,841 - $6,076
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,844 - $8,831
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 Wilmington to Houston.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $506 - $5,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $202 - $1,214/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $304 - $2,429 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,012 - $3,036 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,530 - $10,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $758 - $1,440 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $1,012 - $2,530 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $810 - $3,542 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $304 - $1,518 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $658 - $2,024 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $304 - $15,180+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $304 - $3,542+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Wilmington, DE. 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 Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,338 and $4,680. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Wilmington runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,338 - $2,638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,763 - $3,433
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,351 - $4,680
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 $708 in Wilmington, DE. 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 $76 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $152 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 Delaware 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 $1,338. 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 $1,763 - $3,433.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- All Around Moverz (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Forward Moving LLC (4.9/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
Plan on $864 - $2,484 for a rental moving truck on the 1,515-mile route from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $488 - $558
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Wilmington to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $864 - $1,657
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,014 - $2,054
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,214 - $2,484
Pro tip: The base rate of $864 - $2,484 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Wilmington to Houston. Fuel ($488 - $558), lodging at around $152/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $708.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $488 - $558 for the 1,515-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $61 and $329, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 per night for hotel stops on the 1,515-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $304 - $455.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington 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 Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Wilmington, Delaware, to Houston, 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 $1,425 and $2,775.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,291 - $2,374
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,425 - $2,775
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,881 - $3,705
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Wilmington, Delaware, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $708.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $76 - $152 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 Wilmington to Houston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Wilmington to Houston, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Wilmington, DE vs Houston, TX
Wilmington and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Wilmington and 97 in Houston, and average rent is $1,812/mo vs. $1,549/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 74 vs 47 and safety scores are 32.68 vs 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Delaware 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 14 movers in Delaware, so you have real options to compare for this 1,515-mile move.
Our take
The 1,515-mile move from Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX, costs between $2,169 and $8,831 with full-service movers, $1,338 - $4,680 with a moving container, and $864 - $2,484 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 $2,841 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 Wilmington, DE, to Houston, TX
What do local movers charge in Wilmington?
Local movers based in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Wilmington, DE to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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 Wilmington, DE 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 $1,014 - $2,054. 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 32.68 and 67.32 in Wilmington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.