($609+) Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $622 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,376 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 922 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,082, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,376 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $3,801, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $622 - $1,752.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,644 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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Moving options from Knoxville to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,644 - $6,301 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 922 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 922-mile route from Knoxville to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,082 - $5,201 | $1,163 - $2,152 | $622 - $1,177 | $1,046 - $1,977 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,644 - $6,301 | $1,510 - $2,990 | $721 - $1,500 | $1,208 - $2,440 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,152 - $8,376 | $2,093 - $3,801 | $826 - $1,752 | $1,643 - $3,104 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 922-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,082 - $8,376. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $282 - $1,880. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Knoxville and Houston. Local movers in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate plus $113/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,082 - $5,201
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,644 - $6,301
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,152 - $8,376
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 Knoxville to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $470 - $4,700 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $188 - $1,128/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $282 - $2,256 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $940 - $2,820 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,350 - $9,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $704 - $1,338 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $940 - $2,350 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $752 - $3,290 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $282 - $1,410 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $611 - $1,880 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $282 - $14,100+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $282 - $3,290+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Houston?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,163 and $3,801. 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 Knoxville runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,152
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $2,990
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,093 - $3,801
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 $658 in Knoxville, TN. 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 $71 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $141 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 Tennessee 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 $1,163. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $2,990, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 922 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, running $622 - $1,752. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $276 - $315
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Knoxville to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $622 - $1,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $721 - $1,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $826 - $1,752
Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to Houston looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $622 - $1,752. But once you factor in fuel ($276 - $315) , overnight lodging ($141/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $141 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $61 and $306 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $276 - $315 in fuel for the 922-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $658 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,208 and $2,440.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,977
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,208 - $2,440
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,104
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 Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $658.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $71 and $141 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville 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.
- Hittman Transport Services, Inc. (4.26/5 stars): Hittman Transport Services, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Knoxville, TN vs Houston, TX
Good news for your budget: Houston isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Knoxville. Cost of living index runs 97 there against 92 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 31/100 and 57.46/100 here versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 70 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 922-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,082 for a studio to $8,376 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 922-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,163 - $3,801. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $622 - $1,752, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,644 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Knoxville, TN, to Houston, TX
How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($276 - $315), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $141/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville, TN 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 $721 - $1,500. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $2,082 to $8,376, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,082 and $8,376, 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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
