San Antonio to Houston Movers & Costs (2026)
The cost to move from San Antonio to Houston, TX (~196 miles) typically ranges from $207 to $4,873.
Local movers such as 3 Men Movers, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.7 out of 5 stars across 1,056 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $96/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in San Antonio
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from San Antonio to Houston?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like San Antonio to Houston are regulated by Texas law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Texas intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Texas companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend 3 Men Movers (4.7/5) as the top local pick, followed by Move Logistics Inc. (4.62/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most San Antonio to Houston moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 843+ Texas movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio to Houston?
The cost to move from San Antonio to Houston ranges from $207 to $4,873*, according to moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
Here's what to expect depending on which moving service you pick and how much you're hauling:
- Full-service movers: $829 - $4,873
- Moving containers: $797 - $2,381
- Rental trucks: $207 - $533
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves cover packing, loading, transport, and unloading end-to-end. Professional packing on its own adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers lower your costs because you handle the loading and unloading while the company handles the drive.
- Rental trucks come in roughly 30% cheaper than full-service, but you have to drive the truck yourself and find or hire moving labor.
- Running quotes through moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% versus their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $829 - $3,256 | $797 - $1,356 | $207 - $391 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,370 - $3,958 | $1,006 - $1,857 | $224 - $445 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,793 - $4,873 | $1,305 - $2,381 | $274 - $533 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 843+ Texas moving companies, and are updated as of November 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 San Antonio, TX movers.
How San Antonio to Houston moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $96 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,152.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
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 San Antonio to Houston
Moving from San Antonio to Houston is a job for local and regional Texas movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. 3 Men Movers leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.7 out of 5 stars across 1,056 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from San Antonio to Houston
Local movers operating within Texas know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.7 / 5
- Years in Business: 41
- 93% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 14
- 96% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.56 / 5
- Years in Business: 26
- 88% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
Our top local picks:
- 3 Men Movers (4.7/5 stars): 93.3% positive customer ratings.
- Move Logistics Inc. (4.62/5 stars): 95.6% positive customer ratings.
- AB Moving (4.56/5 stars): 88.3% positive customer ratings.
- All Pro Moving (4.48/5 stars): 86.9% positive customer ratings.
- Swift Movers LLC (4.42/5 stars): 95.9% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 73 movers in San Antonio, drawing on 28,865 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from San Antonio to Houston
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from San Antonio, TX
San Antonio residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Texas moving resources
How does Houston compare to San Antonio?
Cost of living: San Antonio vs. Houston
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| San Antonio | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,496 | $1,549 |
| Average home cost | $216,453 | $258,925 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,917 | $62,894 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,194 | $2,770 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,931 | $7,157 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 4.1% |
| Average sales tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
Cost-of-living data for San Antonio and Houston comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 843+ Texas moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Houston match San Antonio. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Houston are 20% higher than San Antonio. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Houston matches San Antonio. Salary expectations and earning potential carry over from your current market.
- Cost of living for one person in Houston is 26% higher than San Antonio. Plan to add roughly 26% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Houston is 45% higher than San Antonio. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
- Unemployment in Houston runs 8% higher than San Antonio. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in Houston and San Antonio match. Day-to-day taxable purchases cost the same in both cities.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,780 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in San Antonio.
How life is different in San Antonio vs. Houston
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Houston might look different from San Antonio in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| San Antonio | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,434,625 | 2,301,572 |
| Political leaning | republican 68-42 | Republican 56-42 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 41ºF | 43ºF |
| Annual rain | 33" | 53" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 48.06 | 63.5 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Texas can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 18% of movers in Texas, vs 23% nationally).
- Houston is 60% larger in size than San Antonio. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, Houston voted Republican and San Antonio voted republican.
- Summer highs in Houston (94°F) match San Antonio (94°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in San Antonio (41°F) and Houston (43°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Houston is 53 inches, vs. 33 inches in San Antonio. Expect more wet days and budget for rain-resistant gear and home maintenance.
- Annual snowfall in San Antonio and Houston is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime index in Houston (63.5) is higher than San Antonio (48.06). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.
Things to do in Houston
Adventure, cultural attractions, live sports, and college campuses define Houston's lifestyle profile. The categories below highlight where to start.
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: San Antonio to Houston movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Texas service. For smaller moves, 3 Men Movers (4.7/5) is the top local choice, with 93.3% positive reviews across 1,056 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $207 - $4,873, based on our analysis of 843+ Texas movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from San Antonio to Houston
How many movers in San Antonio offer labor-only help?
40% of movers in San Antonio offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.
Do movers in Texas offer storage?
57% of movers in Texas offer storage, including storage-in-transit for when your new place isn't ready when the truck arrives, compared to 60% nationally.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from San Antonio to Houston?
A full-service move from San Antonio to Houston costs $723 - $2,564 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,370 - $3,958, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $1,793 - $4,873.
How much are moving container companies from San Antonio to Houston?
Moving containers from San Antonio to Houston cost $547 - $1,219 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $1,006 - $1,857, and a larger home costs $1,305 - $2,381.
How much is a moving truck from San Antonio to Houston?
A rental truck from San Antonio to Houston costs $211 - $358 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $224 - $445 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $274 - $533 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.