($544+) Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $544 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,739 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 780 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 $1,670, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,739 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,438, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $544 - $1,490.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,213 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 Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Houston to St. Louis: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,213 - $5,809. Moving containers run about 37% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 74% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 780-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 780-mile route from Houston to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,670 - $4,325 | $1,096 - $1,882 | $544 - $1,034 | $901 - $1,677 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,213 - $5,809 | $1,395 - $2,557 | $570 - $1,277 | $1,138 - $2,131 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,825 - $7,739 | $1,799 - $3,438 | $735 - $1,490 | $1,453 - $2,722 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 780-mile move from Houston, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, with prices running from $1,670 - $7,739. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $275 - $1,836 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Houston and St. Louis are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Houston movers tend to run around $175 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,670 - $4,325
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,213 - $5,809
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,825 - $7,739
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 Houston to St. Louis.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $459 - $4,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $184 - $1,102/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,203 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $918 - $2,754 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,295 - $9,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $688 - $1,306 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $918 - $2,295 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $734 - $3,213 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $275 - $1,377 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $597 - $1,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,213+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to St. Louis?
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Houston, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,096 and $3,438. 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 Houston typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $1,882
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,395 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,799 - $3,438
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $69 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $138 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 $643 in Houston, 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 St. Louis, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Missouri 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 $1,096. 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 $1,395 - $2,557.
What are the best moving containers Houston to St. Louis?
- 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 Houston 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 Houston:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Square Cow (4.9/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
Truck rentals from Houston, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, range from $544 - $1,490 for the 780-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $228 - $260
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Houston 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 Houston to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $544 - $1,034
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $570 - $1,277
- 4+ bedrooms: $735 - $1,490
Pro tip: A rental truck from Houston to St. Louis looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $544 - $1,490. But once you factor in fuel ($228 - $260), overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $138.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $228 and $260 for the 780-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 $643 for 2 movers in Houston, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to St. Louis?
- 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 Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO
For larger DIY moves from Houston, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to St. Louis, Missouri.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,138 and $2,131.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $901 - $1,677
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,131
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,453 - $2,722
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Houston, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $643.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $69 - $138 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Houston to St. Louis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Houston, TX vs St. Louis, MO
Houston and St. Louis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 97 in Houston and 84 in St. Louis, and average rent is $1,549/mo vs. $1,250/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 47 vs 66 and safety scores are 36.5 vs 30.35.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to Houston, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Missouri, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 780-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Houston, TX, to St. Louis, MO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,670 for a studio to $7,739 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 780-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,096 - $3,438. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $544 - $1,490, 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 $2,213 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 St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to St. Louis, MO
How much does it cost to move from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $544 to $7,739, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,670 and $7,739, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO?
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 do local movers charge in Houston?
Local movers based in Houston typically start around $175 as a base rate, plus $75/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 St. Louis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Houston, TX to St. Louis, MO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 are the best neighborhoods in St. Louis?
For families, Hi-Pointe, The Hill, and Lindenwood Park are worth a look in St. Louis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central West End, Downtown, and Lafayette Square tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.