Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Houston to Buffalo costs $1,249–$7,953 and takes three to eight days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,481-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Buffalo to Houston guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best Professional Movers from Houston to Buffalo
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Houston to Buffalo can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
|
Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your TX to NY move
Local moving companies in Houston
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Flex Moving & Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Square Cow: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- A Better Tripp Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- 3 Men Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 007018347C
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 2
DOT #: 3610638
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 006362543C
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1748594
Alternate Names: Square Cow Movers, Square Cow Moovers LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
Company Info
State license #: 005972633C
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 679167
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 000534796B
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 1914113
Alternate Names: 3 Men Movers LTD
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
How much does it cost to move from Houston to Buffalo?
Houston movers charge $75 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,463 - $5,857 | $1,249 - $3,040 | $1,101 - $2,151 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,712 - $7,953 | $2,209 - $4,302 | $1,249 - $2,483 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,434 - $11,644 | $2,856 - $6,095 | $1,468 - $3,249 |
Cost to hire movers from Texas to New York
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Texas to New York will cost between $1,463 and $5,857. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from TX to NY will range from $3,712 to $7,953, and a large move from Texas to New York will cost from $6,434 to $11,644.
Cost of moving containers from Texas to New York
When you’re heading from Texas to New York, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,249 and $3,040. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $2,209 and $4,302. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,856 to $6,095. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Texas easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Texas to New York
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,101 to $2,151. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,249 to $2,483, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Texas to New York costs around $1,468 to $3,249.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Houston to Buffalo move
What to know before moving from Houston to Buffalo
Moving from Houston to Buffalo means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Houston than in Buffalo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Houston compares to Buffalo so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Houston | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,549 | $1,200 |
| Average home value | $263,945 | $213,418 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,833 | $63,443 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,770 | $2,589 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,157 | $5,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 9.5% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Buffalo are 23% lower than in Houston, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
Home prices in Buffalo are 19.1% lower than in Houston. - Income in Buffalo is 9.2% lower than in Houston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo — including UBS, Delaware North, and Human — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Buffalo. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 6.5% lower than in Houston.
- A move to Buffalo can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 20.1% less than what it costs in Houston.
- The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 131.71% higher than in Houston.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Buffalo, since its sales taxes are 6.06% higher than what you are paying in Houston.
- State income taxes in Buffalo are 10.90% higher than in Houston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,803.97 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Houston.
How life is different in Houston vs. Buffalo
| Buffalo | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,349 | 2,301,572 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 67 | 47 |
| Bike friendliness score | 63 | 49 |
| Crime Index | 8.0 | 63.5 |
| Safety Index | 53.55 | 36.5 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Buffalo might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 88% less than Houston.
- Buffalo offers better access to buses and trains than Houston, based on public transportation ratings. Buffalo has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 5 in Houston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Buffalo means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Houston. Buffalo is considered more walkable than Houston, with a score of 67 out of 100 versus 47 out of 100 in Houston. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Buffalo is considered more bike-friendly than Houston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 out of 100, while Houston is rated as 49 out of 100.
- Buffalo has a lower crime rate than Houston based on scores of 8.0 and Houston's 63.5, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Buffalo than in Houston, based on Buffalo's safety index of 53.55 versus 36.5 for Houston. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Buffalo isn't as good as it is in Houston, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Buffalo has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Houston is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Houston vs. Buffalo move
- Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
- 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: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in New York, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Buffalo Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Buffalo
Now that you've chosen Queen City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Buffalo to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allentown
- Lower West Side
- Downtown
- North Park
- First Ward
Best neighborhoods for families
- Harris Hill
- East Aurora
- Kenmore
- Grandyle Village
- Billington Heights
Things to do in Buffalo
After getting comfortable in your new New York home, it's time to see what Buffalo is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Buffalo, such as the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, Pierce-Arrow Museum, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Burchfield Penney Art Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, The Buffalo Zoo, Delaware Park, and Erie Basin Marina — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Beauts, Buffalo Bills (AAFC), or Buffalo Bisons (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Houston to Buffalo?
The best time to move from Houston to Buffalo is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Houston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Houston to Buffalo?
With many people choosing to move from Houston to Buffalo 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 Houston to Buffalo take?
The 1,481-mile move from Houston, TX, to Buffalo, NY, takes three to eight days. Some Houston movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Buffalo.
