Amarillo to Houston Movers & Costs (2026)
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An Amarillo to Houston, TX move (~598 miles) runs $564–$10,159 across all service types.
moveBuddha recommends Safeway Moving as the top full-service pick for this route at 4.9 out of 5 stars. Bomb City Movers LLC leads local picks at 4.42 out of 5 stars across 254 verified customer reviews.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
July availability is going fast in Amarillo
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20–30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Amarillo to Houston?
Moving from Amarillo to Houston doesn't have to mean hiring a full-service crew and paying top dollar. Whether you want movers to handle the whole job or you're up for tackling parts of it yourself, there's an option that fits.
For full-service moves, we recommend Safeway Moving (4.9/5) and Bomb City Movers LLC (4.42/5) for smaller homes and apartment moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option for your 598-mile move:
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Potential downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,596–$6,612 | Movers handle loading, driving & unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,619–$3,083 (around 30% less than full-service) | Pack & load on your own schedule | You handle all loading & unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $626–$1,186 (around 60% less than full-service) | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load & unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Bomb City Movers LLC | $224/hr | Need a loading crew & already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 286+ Texas movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Amarillo to Houston?
A move from Amarillo to Houston runs $564 to $10,159, per moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Costs on this 598-mile route shift based on service type and home size, with the breakdown below:
- Full-service movers: $1,686–$10,159
- Moving containers: $1,274–$3,902
- Rental trucks: $564–$1,462
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves combine packing, loading, transport, and unloading in one quote. Professional packing alone runs $0.15–$0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower the cost by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles transport.
- Rental trucks land roughly 30% under full-service pricing, but you drive 598 miles and source your own labor.
- Movers using moveBuddha's cost calculator typically save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,686–$5,050 | $1,274–$2,186 | $564–$1,072 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,596–$6,612 | $1,619–$3,083 | $626–$1,186 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,968–$10,159 | $1,992–$3,902 | $729–$1,462 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 286+ Texas moving companies, and are updated as of Jul 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Amarillo, TX movers.
What extra fees should you expect on a Amarillo to Houston move?
Common extra fees on a Amarillo to Houston move include professional packing, shuttle and access fees, and optional comprehensive contents protection plans. None of these typically appear on initial quotes, but together they can add 10%–25% on top of the base price.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common added moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15–$0.21 per pound | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $224/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Fuel surcharge | $100–$400, or 8–15% of transport charges | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08–$0.12 per pound, $200 minimum | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75–$500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150–$400 per item | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50–$200 | Rental trucks |
| Added valuation coverage | 1–2% of declared value | All move types |
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Amarillo to Houston
Safeway Moving is moveBuddha's top-rated full-service mover from Amarillo to Houston, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars as our best overall value pick. Bomb City Movers LLC leads local picks for smaller moves at 4.42 out of 5 stars across 254 verified customer reviews. At 598 miles, both local and national movers can handle this route well. Your best fit depends on home size, timeline, and budget.
Best movers for larger homes & complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our best overall value pick for full-service moves from Amarillo to Houston. With 14 years in the moving industry, statewide service throughout Texas, and a 4.9 out of 5 stars moveBuddha rating, Safeway Moving handles intrastate moves of 598 miles with the logistics infrastructure most local operators can't match.
rating
moveBuddha's top 5 full-service movers, ranked:
- Safeway Moving (4.9 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best overall value pick.
- American Van Lines (4.9 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's most experienced pick.
- North American Van Lines (4.8 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best customized plans pick.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best coverage pick.
- Mayzlin Relocation (4.8 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best customer service pick.
Best local & regional movers for this route
For moves at 598 miles, a strong local or regional mover is often priced the same as a national operator and offers more scheduling flexibility. Local movers operating within Texas specialize in intrastate logistics, Texas regulations, and same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match.
- Bomb City Movers LLC at 4.42 out of 5 stars across 254 verified reviews. 97.2% of customers rate them positively.
- Rescue 1 Movers at 3.98 out of 5 stars across 79 verified reviews. 100.0% of customers rate them positively.
More popular routes from Amarillo, TX
Amarillo residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Texas moving resources
What to know about moving from Amarillo to Houston
Intrastate move: what that means for you
Because Amarillo and Houston are both in Texas, this is an intrastate move, regulated by Texas law, not federal DOT rules that govern interstate (state-to-state) moves. Texas movers handling intrastate jobs must hold a valid Texas intrastate operating authority in addition to any USDOT number. When comparing quotes, confirm each mover is licensed for intrastate work in Texas, not just for crossing state lines. A carrier with a USDOT number but no Texas intrastate authority cannot legally haul your belongings on this route.
Delivery timing on this route
At 598 miles, most Amarillo-to-Houston moves complete in 1–6 days from pickup to drop-off. Full-service movers working this corridor frequently offer same-day delivery for smaller homes, and next-day delivery is standard for most 2–3 bedroom jobs. If you need a guaranteed delivery date, get it in writing before signing. Intrastate movers can commit to tighter windows than long-haul interstate carriers who work on spread delivery dates. Packing a 2–3 bedroom home takes 4–8 hours on top of transit time, so factor that into your move-day schedule.
Building and access requirements
High-rise apartments and managed communities in Amarillo and Houston commonly require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your moving company before granting elevator or loading dock access. Request the COI from your mover at least 1 week before moving day and forward it to your building manager. Confirm elevator reservation windows, parking permits for moving trucks, and any building-specific moving hours at both the origin and destination. Showing up without a COI or outside the permitted window can result in same-day delay fees of $150–$400 or rescheduling.
Texas summer heat and fragile items
Summer moves in Texas expose belongings to temperatures that can exceed 120°F inside a closed truck. Electronics, candles, vinyl records, wine, wood furniture, and musical instruments are all vulnerable. If your move falls between June and August, discuss heat-sensitive items with your mover before loading day. Request an early-morning start. Trucks loaded by 8 a.m. avoid peak afternoon heat during transit. Climate-controlled storage at the destination is worth the added cost for items that can't tolerate extreme heat during an overnight hold.
Pre-move checklist for a Amarillo to Houston move:
- Verify your mover holds Texas intrastate operating authority (not just a USDOT number).
- Request a COI from your mover at least 7 days before moving day for both buildings.
- Confirm elevator and loading dock reservations at origin and destination.
- Ask for a guaranteed delivery date in writing. Intrastate carriers can commit to same or next day.
- For summer moves, schedule an early-morning start and flag heat-sensitive items in advance.
- Compare at least 3 quotes using moveBuddha's cost calculator. Movers who use it save an average of 30% versus their first quote.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston to Amarillo guide.
How does Houston compare to Amarillo?
Cost of living: Amarillo vs. Houston
The cost of living in Amarillo vs. Houston goes beyond housing prices. This section breaks down the financial factors that shape your day-to-day budget, including rent, home values, income, daily expenses, and employment rates, so you can see how life in Houston stacks up against Amarillo.
Check out how the 2 cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Amarillo | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,200 | $1,549 |
| Average home cost | $185,247 | $258,925 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,469 | $62,894 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,911 | $2,770 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,721 | $7,157 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 4.1% |
| Average sales tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
Cost-of-living data for Amarillo and Houston comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated July 2026 across 286+ Texas cities and metros. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Houston are 29% higher than in Amarillo. Negotiate a cost-of-living adjustment or factor the gap into your relocation budget.
- Home prices in Houston are 40% higher than Amarillo. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Income levels in Amarillo and Houston are nearly identical. Local pay scales should not require an adjustment to your budget.
- Living expenses for one person in Houston run 45% higher than Amarillo. The gap typically lands on rent, groceries, and transportation.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 here runs 52% higher than Amarillo. The premium is significant enough to factor into salary negotiations or school selection.
- Unemployment in Houston is 16% lower than Amarillo. A relocating professional with a current role can expect strong inbound recruiter activity.
- Sales taxes are equal in Houston and Amarillo. Retail spending remains level through the move.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,350 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Amarillo.
How life is different in Amarillo vs. Houston
Life in Houston vs. Amarillo differs across weather, population, cost of living, politics, and safety. All of these factors shape your day-to-day experience. The side-by-side comparison below helps you decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Amarillo | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,297 | 2,301,572 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56-42 | Republican 56-42 |
| Summer high | 91ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 22ºF | 43ºF |
| Annual rain | 21" | 53" |
| Annual snow | 15" | 0" |
| Crime index | 25.31 | 63.5 |
- Houston is around 647% larger in size than Amarillo. Larger cities offer more career and cultural depth, but housing costs and density rise accordingly.
- In the last presidential election, both Amarillo and Houston voted Republican.
- Summer highs in Houston (94°F) match Amarillo (91°F). Plan for the same AC load and seasonal pace.
- Winter lows in Amarillo hit 22°F, vs. 43°F in Houston. Heating bills typically drop, and outdoor winter activity becomes more accessible.
- Annual rainfall in Houston is 53 inches, vs. 21 inches in Amarillo. Plan for more wet days and higher home-maintenance demands.
- Annual snowfall in Houston is zero, while Amarillo averages 15 inches. Snow tires, plowing services, and winter gear become unnecessary expenses.
- Crime index in Houston (63.5) is higher than Amarillo (25.31). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.
Things to do in Houston
Houston balances outdoor access, cultural depth, sports culture, and academic presence. The categories below cover the best of each.
Museums in Houston
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Children’s Museum of Houston
- The Menil Collection
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Holocaust Museum Houston
Parks in Houston
- Hermann Park
- Terry Hershey Park
- Lake Houston Park
- Memorial Park
- Tranquility Park
Sports teams in Houston
- Houston Texans (NFL)
- Houston Astros (MLB
- Houston Dash (NWSL)
- Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
- Houston Rockets (NBA)
Universities in Houston
- Houston Community College
- San Jacinto College
- University of Houston
- University of Houston - Downtown
- Texas Southern University
Final verdict: best movers from Amarillo to Houston
Safeway Moving is moveBuddha's top recommendation for full-service moves from Amarillo to Houston, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars as our best overall value pick. With 14 years in business and statewide Texas service, it's the strongest choice for larger homes, complex logistics, or moves that benefit from full packing and loading service. For smaller homes and apartment moves, Bomb City Movers LLC (4.42 out of 5 stars) is the top local pick, with 97.2% positive reviews across 254 verified customer reviews.
For shoppers prioritizing cost, a moving container or rental truck cuts the price by roughly 30% versus a full-service move. Total costs on this route range from $564–$10,159 depending on service type and home size. All recommendations reflect moveBuddha's analysis of 286+ Texas movers, our monthly pricing dataset of 1,000+ live price points, and 12 years of moving industry research.
FAQs about moving from Amarillo to Houston
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Amarillo to Houston?
A professional moving company from Amarillo to Houston charges $1,493–$4,392 for a few items or a small bedroom. For a 2–3 bedroom home, prices run $2,596–$6,612. For a home with 4 or more bedrooms, expect to pay $4,968–$10,159.
How much are moving container companies from Amarillo to Houston?
Moving containers from Amarillo to Houston typically cost $889 to $2,206 for a studio or 1-bedroom. For a 2–3 bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,619 and $3,083. For 4–5 bedroom homes, expect $1,992–$3,902.
How much is a moving truck from Amarillo to Houston?
A rental moving truck from Amarillo to Houston costs $569–$1,051 for a studio or 1-bedroom move. A 2–3 bedroom move runs $626–$1,186, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $729–$1,462.
Rental trucks are usually the cheapest option, but require you to handle the driving and labor. The estimates above include estimated fuel cost.
How far in advance should I book Amarillo-to-Houston movers?
Book your move from Amarillo to Houston at least 2 months before your moving date for the smoothest experience. For a summer move, aim for at least 3 months in advance, since that's the busiest season. Locking in your movers early helps you snag your preferred date and the best prices. Some moving companies sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts on advance bookings. Intrastate movers within Texas can typically commit to same-day or next-day delivery at this distance once booked.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Houston?
The cheapest time to move to Houston is between early October and late April. A move outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
Is moving from Amarillo to Houston considered a long-distance move?
A move from Amarillo to Houston is classified as an intrastate move. Both cities are in Texas, so Texas law governs the job rather than federal DOT rules that apply to interstate (state-to-state) moves. Whether a mover labels it "long-distance" depends on their internal pricing structure. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles based on weight and mileage rather than hourly rates, similar to how interstate pricing works. At 598 miles, expect distance-based pricing from most full-service movers on this route. Confirm your mover holds a valid Texas intrastate operating authority (not just a USDOT number) before signing a contract.
How long does a move from Amarillo to Houston take?
Most moves from Amarillo to Houston take 1–6 days from pickup to delivery, based on moveBuddha's route data. The driving distance is 598 miles. For intrastate moves at this distance, same-day or next-day delivery is common when the mover has confirmed availability. Add 4–8 hours for professional packing of a 2–3 bedroom home before the truck departs, and factor in any elevator reservation windows or building access restrictions at the destination. Getting your delivery date in writing before signing gives you a binding commitment. Intrastate movers can offer tighter guarantees than long-haul interstate carriers.
