($1,324+) Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Austin, TX, runs anywhere from $1,448 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $14,144 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,131 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $3,231, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $14,144 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,883 - $6,734, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,448 - $3,999.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Austin, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,332 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 Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
Moving options from Tacoma to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $4,332 - $9,598 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,131-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,131-mile route from Tacoma to Austin, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $3,231 - $6,844 with full-service movers, $1,883 - $3,729 with a container, $1,448 - $2,609 with a rental truck, or $1,695 - $3,100 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,332 - $9,598 full-service, $2,293 - $4,782 by container, $1,449 - $3,042 by rental truck, or $1,912 - $3,785 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,209 - $14,144 full-service, $3,344 - $6,734 by container, $1,827 - $3,999 by rental truck, or $2,703 - $5,441 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
Full-service movers for the 2,131-mile relocation from Tacoma, Washington, to Austin, Texas, cost between $3,231 and $14,144. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $376 - $2,508, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tacoma typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,231 - $6,844
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,332 - $9,598
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,209 - $14,144
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 Tacoma to Austin.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
Add-ons and specialty services from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Tacoma to Austin) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $627 - $6,270 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $251 - $1,505/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $376 - $3,010 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,254 - $3,762 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,135 - $12,540 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $939 - $1,784 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,254 - $3,135 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $1,003 - $4,389 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $376 - $1,881 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $815 - $2,508 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $376 - $18,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $376 - $4,389+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Austin | $181/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Austin | $66/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Austin | $61/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Austin?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,883 and $6,734. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Austin. If you go over that window, storage in Tacoma adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,883 - $3,729
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,293 - $4,782
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,344 - $6,734
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $94 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $188 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 $878 in Tacoma, WA, 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 Austin, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington to Texas 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 $1,883. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,293 - $4,782, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Austin?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 2,131-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Austin, Texas, costs between $1,448 and $3,999, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $850 - $972
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,448 - $2,609
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,449 - $3,042
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,827 - $3,999
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,448 - $3,999 does not include fuel ($850 - $972) , lodging ($188/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Tacoma to Austin typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $188 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 Tacoma, Washington, usually costs about $878 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,131-mile drive falls between $850 and $972, 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 $63 and $376 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Austin?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is the best value rental on this list. Budget undercuts most competitors on base rates and layers in discounts for online bookings, AAA membership, and military service.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable option here. Their newer fleet, unlimited mileage on one-way moves, and 24/7 roadside assistance make Penske the choice when breakdown risk is the bigger concern than cost.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental offers the best availability. U-Haul operates more than 23,000 locations and offers 7 truck sizes, giving it the largest pickup network and the broadest accommodation for last-minute or one-way moves.
Freight trailer costs from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tacoma, Washington, to Austin, Texas, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,912 and $3,785.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,695 - $3,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,912 - $3,785
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,703 - $5,441
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $94 and $188.
- 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 Tacoma, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $878.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Allstate Transport (4.62/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Tacoma to Austin, 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: Tacoma, WA vs Austin, TX
Day-to-day costs in Austin are close to what you're used to in Tacoma: cost of living index of 129 versus 123, with average rent of $1,765/mo compared to $1,650/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 54/100 and 44.45/100 in Tacoma versus 42/100 and 59.87/100 in Austin.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed over 582 real quotes from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX, 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 95 movers licensed in Washington, useful context for sizing up this 2,131-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,131-mile route from Tacoma, WA, to Austin, TX, run $3,231 - $14,144 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,883 - $6,734, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,448 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,332, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Austin, TX
What is the cheapest way to move from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX?
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 $1,449 - $3,042. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma, WA to Austin, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $3,231 to $14,144, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $3,231 and $14,144, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Tacoma?
Local movers based in Tacoma typically start around $316 as a base rate, plus $133/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 Austin run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
