Durham, NC to Houston, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Durham to Houston typically costs $3,000–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,176 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Durham to Houston
Moving from Durham, NC to Houston, TX typically costs $3,000–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,176-mile move from Durham to Houston, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- American Van Lines recently quoted $2,846 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $2,262 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a moving container.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,732 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 31, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 20, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 28, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 22, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Major factors affecting moving costs from Durham to Houston
Your total cost will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move depends on how much you’re bringing. A one-bedroom from Durham to Houston might be as low as $2,300, while a four-bedroom could reach $9,100.
- When you move: Moving in summer often costs more, since it’s the busiest season for movers in Durham.
- DIY moves vs. full-service help: Truck rentals cost less — around $800 to $2,200 — but you’ll handle all the labor vs. letting professionals do it.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Houston, TX to Durham, NC guide.
Best Durham to Houston movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Durham to Houston
When it comes to handling your interstate move from Durham to Houston, entrusting professionals with the details is often the best decision. Full-service movers are equipped to manage everything, allowing you to concentrate on settling into your new place.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best NC→TX movers
moveBuddha's expert team analyzed moving rates from 115 North Carolina movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The organization reliably provides services punctually, maintains clear communication, and stays within the anticipated budget.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Since mistakes are inevitable in moving, we value movers that accept responsibility and work hard to correct issues when they occur.
- Industry reputation (15%): The organization is recognized in the industry and takes part in professional gatherings and associations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company’s reputation online is supported by a well-maintained website and prompt, professional engagement with customer questions.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Durham to Houston
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Houston runs about -1% higher for singles and 20% higher for families than Durham.
Singles spend around $2,770 in Houston versus $2,803 in Durham; families pay $7,157 compared with $5,945.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Durham | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,875 | $1,658 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,573 | $3,195 |
| Average home value | $391,719 | $263,945 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,117 | $69,833 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,803 | $2,770 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,945 | $7,157 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 0.0% |
- Good news! When moving to Houston from Durham, you'll benefit from rent being an estimated 9% less, allowing for a more relaxed budget.
- With home prices being nearly 33% cheaper in Houston, your mortgage budget will remain the same without any significant changes.
- Luckily, the average income is within about 5% of the same in Houston and Durham, so no need to worry about big financial changes.
- With the cost of living for a single person differing by less than 5% between Houston and Durham, expect similar day-to-day expenses.
- As you plan your move to Houston, consider the possibility of increased living costs. The cost of living for a family there is 20% more than it is in Durham.
- There's little difference in the unemployment rates of Houston and Durham, within a margin of 5%, so job opportunities should be similar.
- Sales taxes in Houston exceed those in Durham by 10%, which can mean paying extra for usual purchases like clothes and electronics.
- Texas has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Durham and Houston, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
| Living Expense | Durham | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $148.21 | $200.52 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.67 | $60.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.53 | $4.11 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.66 | $3.05 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $70.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $40.00 | $38.29 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Durham than in Houston, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Durham than in Houston.
- Eggs cost more in Durham than in Houston.
- Bread is more expensive in Durham than in Houston.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Durham than in Houston.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Durham than in Houston.
- Gym memberships cost more in Durham than in Houston.
How life is different in Durham vs. Houston
| Durham | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 2,301,572 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 47 |
| Bike friendliness score | 38 | 49 |
| Crime index | 54.72 | 63.5 |
| Safety index | 45.28 | 36.5 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Houston's population is about 712% greater than Durham.
- Houston's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Durham's score of 4.
- Houston is more walkable than Durham with a score of 47 out of 100 vs Durham's 30 out of 100.
- With a score of 49 out of 100, Houston is more bike-friendly than Durham, which has a score of 38 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Houston's crime rate is higher than Durham with a score of 63.5 compared to Durham's 54.72. This means that Houston neighborhoods are safer than 63.5% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72%.
- Houston is considered to be less safe than Durham with a score of 36.5 vs Durham's 45.28.
- Air quality in Houston is Good, and in Durham it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Durham to Houston move
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: If there is an elevator in your building, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- State licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Texas moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Texas, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Houston without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Houston
Ready to relocate to HOU? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Houston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Greenway/Upper Kirby
- Montrose
- Museum District
Best neighborhoods for families
- Clear Lake City
- Friendswood
- Kingwood
- Memorial
- Sugar Land
Things to do in Houston
Now that you've made the move to Texas, it's the perfect time to explore Houston. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Houston include museums and art centers like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Children’s Museum of Houston, The Menil Collection, and Houston Museum of Natural Science.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Hermann Park, Terry Hershey Park, Lake Houston Park, and Memorial Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Houston Texans (NFL)Houston Astros (MLBHouston Dash (NWSL)Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)Houston Rockets (NBA)Houston SaberCats (MLR) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Durham to Houston?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Durham to Houston. You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Durham.
When is the cheapest time to move from Durham to Houston?
With many people choosing to move from Durham to Houston in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Durham to Houston take?
Covering 1,176 miles, the move from Durham, NC to Houston, TX typically takes two to eight days. Some Durham movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Houston can help bridge the gap.
How many movers in Durham can handle specialty items for my move to Houston?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Durham, 18 movers can handle pianos. 7 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of NC, there are 77 piano movers and 37 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.
