($341+) New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $341 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,704 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 347 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $992, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,704 or more.
- Moving containers run $838 - $2,594, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $341 - $864.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,684 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
Moving options from New Orleans to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,684 - $4,450 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 34% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 78% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 347 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 347-mile route from New Orleans 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 $992 - $3,854 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($838 - $1,515), rental truck ($341 - $609), or freight trailer ($809 - $1,447). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,684 - $4,450 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,704.
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 New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 347-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas, with costs ranging from $992 - $6,704. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $300 - $2,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between New Orleans and Houston. Local movers in New Orleans typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $992 - $3,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,684 - $4,450
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,587 - $6,704
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 New Orleans to Houston.
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 New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of New Orleans 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 packing83% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans 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.
How much do local movers cost in New Orleans, LA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from New Orleans to Houston with a local mover averages $1,734 - $4,583. A local mover in New Orleans, LA is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Atmosphere Movers (4.56/5 stars) is a local mover in New Orleans, based on our analysis of feedback from 130 customers, 93.8% of which is positive.
Address: 1840 LA-59, Mandeville, LA, 70448 | Founded: 1998
Moving container costs from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas, cost between $838 and $2,594. 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 New Orleans runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Orleans to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $838 - $1,515
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,105 - $2,041
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,505 - $2,594
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In New Orleans, LA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $700, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $75 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $150 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both New Orleans, LA, and Houston, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana 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 $838. 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 $1,105 - $2,041.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans:
- AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business
- Moving Nola (5.0/5)
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 347 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas, running $341 - $864. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $110 - $126
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- New Orleans daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 New Orleans to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $341 - $609
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $366 - $714
- 4+ bedrooms: $415 - $864
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $341 - $864 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to Houston. Fuel alone runs $110 - $126, and overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
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 $75 and $350.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $150.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $110 and $126 for the 347-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 $700 for 2 movers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Orleans 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 New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans, Louisiana, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $920 and $1,650.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $809 - $1,447
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $920 - $1,650
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,205 - $2,096
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 New Orleans, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $700.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $150 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Houston?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Houston quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: New Orleans, LA vs Houston, TX
Day-to-day costs in Houston are close to what you're used to in New Orleans: cost of living index of 97 versus 102, with average rent of $1,549/mo compared to $1,755/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 58/100 and 32.69/100 in New Orleans versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 in Houston.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana 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 63 movers based in Louisiana, handy for sizing up options on this 347-mile route.
Our take
The 347-mile move from New Orleans, LA, to Houston, TX, costs between $992 and $6,704 with full-service movers, $838 - $2,594 with a moving container, and $341 - $864 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 $1,684 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 New Orleans, LA, to Houston, TX
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 32.69 and 67.31 in New Orleans. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 58 and 66 in New Orleans. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 New Orleans?
Local movers based in New Orleans typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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.
What percentage of New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.