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Moving from Houston, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Houston to Austin covers about 173 miles by road, a long-distance move that a professional van line typically completes in 2-3 business days. Based on a typical 2-bedroom household, the non-binding cost range for this route is $765–$1,035. Below you'll find the real distance, a transparent cost breakdown, a side-by-side cost-of-living and tax comparison, the best time to make the move, and licensed carriers that serve this lane.
- Distance
- 173 mi
- Est. volume
- 900 cu ft
- Move type
- long-distance
This is a free, non-binding estimate range based on the details you provided — it is not a binding or "not-to-exceed" quote under FMCSA rules. Your final price is confirmed by a licensed moving consultant after a full inventory review.
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Free, no-obligation quotes from licensed movers who serve this route.
Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 103 | +7% |
| Typical 2BR rent | $1,600 | $1,950 | +22% |
| Avg summer high | 80°F | 81°F | — |
| Top income tax rate | 0% | 0% | 0.00 pts |
| Avg sales tax | 8.2% | 8.2% | — |
How much does it cost to move from Houston to Austin?
The estimated cost to move a typical 2-bedroom home from Houston to Austin is $765–$1,035 (midpoint $900). That figure is driven by the 173-mile distance, an estimated 900 cubic feet of household goods, and current long-distance van-line rates. Smaller homes and off-peak dates land toward the low end; larger homes, stairs, specialty items, and summer dates push toward the high end. This is a non-binding estimate — your final price is confirmed after a full inventory review.
Houston vs Austin: cost of living and taxes
The cost of living in Austin runs at an index of 103 versus 96 in Houston (100 is the national average), and a typical two-bedroom rents for about $1,950/month compared with $1,600 where you are now. Factor those changes into your first-year budget alongside the move itself.
Best time to move to Austin
Late September through April — outside the May-September peak season, when van-line capacity is tighter and rates run roughly 15-18% higher. Weather is moderate most of the year; any off-peak month works well.
How to read this corridor estimate
The range on this page is a non-binding model, not a carrier quote. A real interstate estimate is a document. It names the route, the estimate type, how weight or cubes were derived, the valuation level, the delivery window, and the legal carrier’s USDOT and MC. A phone number is not an estimate.
| Must be on the estimate | Why |
|---|---|
| Origin + destination | Confirms you are comparing the same job |
| Estimate type (binding / non-binding / not-to-exceed) | Controls whether the total can move |
| Estimated weight or cubic feet + how it was derived | Survey vs a room-count guess |
| Valuation level included + cost to raise it | Released value vs full-value protection |
| Legal carrier name + USDOT + MC | Who is on the hook — verify on SAFER |
| Delivery window (first–last date) | Long-haul reality is a window, not one day |
Licensed movers serving TX and TX
Our licensed-carrier database is still populating for this lane. Request a free quote and we'll match you with verified, FMCSA-licensed movers.
8 Top Movers · the eight
Advertising disclosure
Compare the 8 top-rated long-distance movers
8 Top Movers ranks the long-distance moving companies we think are worth your shortlist, with a plain explanation of who each one suits.
- Rank 1 of 8.Global Elegance Moving and LogisticsLong-distance & cross-country movesUSDOT 4355323MC-1703504Boca Raton, FL
- Rank 2 of 8.TapMoveLicensed modern long-distance movesUSDOT 4445013MC-1750835Sacramento, CA
- Rank 3 of 8.LoadRansWest-origin long-distance movesUSDOT 3729978MC-1348724Vernon, CA
- Rank 4 of 8.Bristol Moving and StorageRegional & NJ-origin movesUSDOT 4149046MC-1592376Spotswood, NJ
- Rank 5 of 8.Hudson Van LinesMid-Atlantic origin long-haulsUSDOT 4564691MC-1814851Randolph, NJ
- Rank 6 of 8.Royal Van LinesLicensed long-distance movesUSDOT 4179767MC-1673925West Milford, NJ
- Rank 7 of 8.Pacific Moving and StorageWest Coast departuresUSDOT 3933678MC-1458755Ladera Ranch, CA
- Rank 8 of 8.Apex Van LinesPacific Northwest originsUSDOT 4479645MC-1769076Kirkland, WA
8 Top Movers is an advertising-supported comparison service. Its ranking reflects editorial judgment, not a measured rating, and featured or network partners may compensate it when you request quotes, which can influence placement. We operate both this site and that one. Carrier records and cost data published here are independent of those commercial relationships.
Related research on this route
Each site in this network answers one job. These are the matching pages for this route — not copies of this one.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to move from Houston to Austin?
- A typical 2-bedroom move from Houston to Austin runs $765–$1,035 as a non-binding estimate, based on roughly 173 miles and 900 cubic feet.
- How long does a move from Houston to Austin take?
- Transit is usually 2-3 business days for this 173-mile route, depending on the carrier's schedule and whether your shipment shares a truck.
- When is the cheapest time to move to Austin?
- Late September through April — outside the May-September peak season, when van-line capacity is tighter and rates run roughly 15-18% higher.
- Do I need long-distance movers for Houston to Austin?
- Yes — at 173 miles this is a long-distance move, best handled by a licensed interstate carrier with proper FMCSA authority and valuation coverage.
- Is the cost range on this page a written estimate?
- No. It is a non-binding model from distance and a typical household size. A carrier estimate follows a survey and names estimate type, valuation, the delivery window, and the legal USDOT / MC.
Sources
- MERIC / BestPlaces metro cost index, 2025 — retrieved 2026-01-15
- NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals — retrieved 2026-01-15
- Tax Foundation, 2025 State Tax Data — retrieved 2026-01-15
- OLYRON moving cost model (moving-estimate-v2) — non-binding estimate methodology
- FMCSA — Protect Your Move — retrieved 2026-09-13