($667+) Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $616 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,635 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 922 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 $2,022, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,635 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,151 - $3,762, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $616 - $1,752.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,670 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 Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Houston to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,670 - $6,306 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 922 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 922-mile route from Houston to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,022 for a studio up to $8,635 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,151 - $3,762 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $616 - $1,752, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,110 - $3,073, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $2,022 and $8,635. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 922-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $285 - $1,900, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Houston and Knoxville. For a rough baseline, movers based in Houston tend to start around $175 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,022 - $5,004
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,670 - $6,306
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,161 - $8,635
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 Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 66% of Houston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Knoxville, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing96% of local movers | $475 - $4,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $190 - $1,140/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $285 - $2,280 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs66% of local movers | $950 - $2,850 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,375 - $9,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $712 - $1,352 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $950 - $2,375 |
| Piano | Any piano type54% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $760 - $3,325 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling22% of local movers | $285 - $1,425 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $618 - $1,900 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $285 - $14,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $285 - $3,325+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Houston, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,151 and $3,762. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Houston typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,239
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,020
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,930 - $3,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Houston, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $665, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $71 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $143 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Houston, TX, and Knoxville, TN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Tennessee 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 $1,151. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $3,020, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Houston to Knoxville?
- 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
- Summit Moving And Storage Houston (4.6/5), 5 years in business
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $616 - $1,752 for the 922-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $279 - $319
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $616 - $1,201
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $687 - $1,370
- 4+ bedrooms: $913 - $1,752
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $616 - $1,752 when pricing out a rental truck from Houston to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs ($279 - $319) , and overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Houston, Texas, usually costs about $665 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 922-mile drive falls between $279 and $319, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $285 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston to Knoxville?
- 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 Knoxville, TN
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 Houston, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,232 and $2,416.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $2,015
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,416
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,708 - $3,073
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $71 and $143.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Houston, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $665.
What are the best freight companies from Houston to Knoxville?
- 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.
- W W Rowland Trucking Company, LLC (4.58/5 stars): W W Rowland Trucking Company, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Knoxville fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Knoxville, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Houston and Knoxville to plan around. Cost of living index: 97 vs. 92. Average rent: $1,549/mo vs. $1,795/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 47 vs. 31. Safety index: 36.5 vs. 57.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 922-mile move.
Our take
The 922-mile move from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN, costs between $2,022 and $8,635 with full-service movers, $1,151 - $3,762 with a moving container, and $616 - $1,752 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,670 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Knoxville, TN
How much does it cost to move from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $2,022 to $8,635, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,022 and $8,635, 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.
How walkable is Knoxville?
Knoxville has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 30, compared to 47 and 49 in Houston. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($279 - $319), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 54% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
