($510+) Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $510 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,363 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 742 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,538, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,363 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,066 - $3,321, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $510 - $1,450.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,217 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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Kansas City 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 $2,217 - $5,355. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 742 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 742-mile route from Kansas City to Houston, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,538 for a studio up to $7,363 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,066 - $3,321 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $510 - $1,450, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $950 - $2,767, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 742-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, with costs ranging from $1,538 - $7,363. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $275 - $1,832. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Kansas City and Houston. Local movers in Kansas City typically start around $251 as a base rate plus $113/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,538 - $4,231
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,217 - $5,355
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,870 - $7,363
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 Kansas City to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Kansas City 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 packing71% of local movers | $458 - $4,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $183 - $1,099/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,198 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $916 - $2,748 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,290 - $9,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $686 - $1,303 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $916 - $2,290 |
| Piano | Any piano type46% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $733 - $3,206 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $275 - $1,374 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $595 - $1,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,206+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City to Houston?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Kansas City, MO. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,066 and $3,321. 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 Kansas City typically costs about $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,066 - $1,842
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,315 - $2,633
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,321
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $137 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $641 in Kansas City, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri 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 $1,066. 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 $1,315 - $2,633.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- The Dudes Moving Company LLC (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
Truck rentals from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, range from $510 - $1,450 for the 742-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $216 - $247
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Kansas City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Kansas City to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $510 - $1,027
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $545 - $1,149
- 4+ bedrooms: $731 - $1,450
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $510 - $1,450 does not include fuel ($216 - $247), lodging ($137/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Kansas City to Houston typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $69 and $321.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $137.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $216 and $247 for the 742-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 $641 for 2 movers in Kansas City, Missouri, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO to Houston, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Kansas City, Missouri, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,020 and $2,190.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $950 - $1,761
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,020 - $2,190
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,468 - $2,767
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $69 - $137 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Kansas City, Missouri, typically costs $641.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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: Kansas City, MO vs Houston, TX
Kansas City and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 88 in Kansas City and 97 in Houston, and average rent is $1,300/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 35 vs 47 and safety scores are 42.6 vs 36.5.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Kansas City, MO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Texas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 105 movers in our Missouri network to compare for this 742-mile move.
Our take
The 742-mile move from Kansas City, MO, to Houston, TX, costs between $1,538 and $7,363 with full-service movers, $1,066 - $3,321 with a moving container, and $510 - $1,450 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 $2,217 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 Kansas City, MO, 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 35 in Kansas City. 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 42.6 and 58.4 in Kansas City. 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 Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 46% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.