($958+) Austin, TX to San Jose, CA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to San Jose, CA, runs anywhere from $958 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,797 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,718 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,411, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,797 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,495 - $5,134, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $958 - $2,907.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to San Jose, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,011 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
Moving options from Austin to San Jose fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,011 - $6,643 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 63% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,718 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,718-mile route from Austin to San Jose, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,411 for a studio up to $9,797 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,495 - $5,134 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $958 - $2,907, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,359 - $4,066, 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 Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,718-mile move from Austin, Texas, to San Jose, California, with prices running from $2,411 - $9,797. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $509 - $3,396 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Austin and San Jose are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Austin movers tend to run around $191 as a base rate plus $90/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,411 - $5,119
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,011 - $6,643
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,813 - $9,797
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 Austin to San Jose.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Jose, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $849 - $8,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Square Cow | $340 - $2,038/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $509 - $4,075 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $1,698 - $5,094 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,245 - $16,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,272 - $2,416 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items35% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $1,698 - $4,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,358 - $5,943 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $509 - $2,547 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $1,104 - $3,396 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $509 - $25,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $509 - $5,943+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to San Jose?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Austin, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to San Jose, California, cost between $1,495 and $5,134. 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 Austin typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,495 - $2,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,931 - $3,905
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,714 - $5,134
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $127 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $255 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,189 in Austin, TX, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your San Jose, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to California 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 $1,495. 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 $1,931 - $3,905.
What are the best moving containers Austin to San Jose?
- 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- Square Cow (4.8/5), 18 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
A rental truck for this 1,718-mile move from Austin, Texas, to San Jose, California, costs between $958 and $2,907. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $928 - $1,061
- Daily insurance: $51/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $34
- Austin daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Austin to San Jose based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $2,017
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,400
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,907
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $958 - $2,907 when pricing out a rental truck from Austin to San Jose. Fuel alone runs $928 - $1,061, and overnight lodging ($255/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,189.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $928 - $1,061 for the 1,718-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $102 and $552, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $255 per night for hotel stops on the 1,718-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $509 - $764.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to San Jose?
- 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 Austin, TX to San Jose, CA
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 Austin, Texas, to San Jose, California. 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 $1,561 and $3,186.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,359 - $2,437
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,561 - $3,186
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,171 - $4,066
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?
- 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 $127 - $255 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 Austin, Texas, typically costs $1,189.
What are the best freight companies from Austin to San Jose?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Austin to San Jose, 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: Austin, TX vs San Jose, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Jose, side by side with Austin on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Austin, TX | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 129 | 231 |
| Average rent | $1,765/mo | $3,095/mo |
| Median home value | $512,969 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income | $91,461/yr | $141,565/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 59.87/100 | 52.27/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Jose, CA to Austin, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, 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 803 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,718-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Austin, TX, to San Jose, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,411 for a studio to $9,797 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,718-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,495 - $5,134. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $958 - $2,907, 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 $3,011 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Cisco Systems and Western Digital.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to San Jose, CA
Is San Jose a safe place to live?
San Jose has a safety index of 52.27 out of 100 and a crime index of 47.73, compared to 59.87 and 42.91 in Austin. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA?
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 $1,103 - $2,400. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Jose?
For families, Berryessa, Cambrian Park, and Evergreen are worth a look in San Jose. If you're moving solo or without kids, Burbank, Downtown, and Evergreen tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Austin?
Local movers based in Austin typically start around $191 as a base rate, plus $90/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 San Jose run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 35% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.