Houston Movers Cost: Local and Long-Distance Prices

How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers in Houston

Hiring movers in Houston typically costs between $75–$150 per hour for local moves. Long-distance moves range from $2,800 to $8,350, while cross-country relocations can cost $3,000 to $12,000, depending on size and distance.

This guide breaks down Houston moving company prices for local, long-distance, and cross-country moves, plus the biggest factors that change your final quote.

Aside from distance and dimensions, there are a few other factors that can affect the cost of your professional movers:

Factors:

  • Access fees
  • Specialty item handling
  • Shuttle fees
  • Peak moving season (June through August)
  • Packing services

Houston Movers Cost Per Hour (Local Moves)

Local moving companies in Houston can cost you between $75 and $150 per hour. It’s important to remember that local moving is typically charged per mover, per hour - and each bedroom takes 1 or 2 movers, depending on how much stuff you own. There may also be additional fees for a truck rental, fuel surcharges, and loading and hauling equipment.

Local moves generally mean under 100 miles and within Texas.

One Houston-specific tip: if you can schedule around traffic (or choose a lower-traffic day/time), you can reduce paid hours and keep your total lower.

Typical hourly rates by move size

Choose Item

Average Total Cost

:

$225–$375

Cost Per Hour

:

$75

Number of Movers

:

2 movers

Average Total Cost

:

$225–$375

Cost Per Hour

:

$75

Number of Movers

:

2 movers

Average Total Cost

:

$336–$560

Cost Per Hour

:

$112

Number of Movers

:

3 movers

Average Total Cost

:

$600–$900

Cost Per Hour

:

$150

Number of Movers

:

4 movers

Average Total Cost

:

$600–$900

Cost Per Hour

:

$150

Number of Movers

:

4 movers

Average Total Cost

:

$750–$1,125

Cost Per Hour

:

$225

Number of Movers

:

5 movers

Extra local moving fees to budget for

Even with hourly rates, your quote can change depending on:

  • truck fees and fuel surcharges
  • stairs/elevators and long carries
  • specialty items (pianos, safes, oversized furniture)
  • packing services

Cost to Hire Long Distance Movers in Houston

Long-distance moves from Houston will cost you between $2,800 and $8,350 - sometimes more and sometimes less. Unlike local moves, moving out of state means paying per mile, and per pound.

Long-distance moves count as anything over 100 miles or across state lines, even if the state line is just a few blocks away. For sanity’s sake, here are some prices mapped out with a 1,000-mile move. (If you’re moving less than 1,000 miles, you’re in luck - your prices may be a good deal cheaper!)

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment (1,000 miles): $2,800–$4,500
  • 2-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $3,100–$6,900
  • 3-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $4,500–$7,550
  • 4-Bedroom Home (1,000 miles): $5,100–$8,350

Choose Item

Estimated Cost Range

:

$2,800 – $4,500

Estimated Cost Range

:

$3,100 – $6,900

Estimated Cost Range

:

$4,500 – $7,550

Estimated Cost Range

:

$5,100 – $8,350

Additional Long-Distance Moving Costs

  • Storage fees: $150–$500/month
  • Insurance: $100–$300
  • Packing and unpacking services: $500–$1,000

Cost to Hire Cross Country Movers in Houston

If you’re going even further, you’ll need to book cross country movers - and they’ll cost you between $3,000 and $12,000. Cross country moving comes with its own challenges, and each of these challenges (fuel surcharges, distance, and coordination with nationwide agents, to name a few) can tack on extra fees.

  • Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,000–$5,000
  • 2-Bedroom Home: $5,500–$7,500
  • 3-Bedroom Home: $7,000–$10,000
  • 4-Bedroom Home: $9,000–$12,000

Choose Item

Estimated Cost Range

:

$3,000 – $5,000

Estimated Cost Range

:

$5,500 – $7,500

Estimated Cost Range

:

$7,000 – $10,000

Estimated Cost Range

:

$9,000 – $12,000

Key Cost Factors:

  • Distance: The farther the move, the higher the transportation costs.
  • Fuel Surcharges: An additional $300–$800 depending on truck size.
  • Specialty Services: Packing/unpacking, furniture assembly, and handling fragile items can add $500–$1,000 to your bill.

How Much Does it Cost to Move if it’s DIY?

DIY moving is pretty attractive for those on a tight budget, but you’re still looking at $20 a day for a truck rental and a $30 minimum for gas. It’s possible to DIY a move and save a ton of money, but you’ll have to be extra disciplined about a few of these expenses:

Truck Rental Costs:

  • Small truck: $20–$30/day
  • Medium truck: $40–$70/day
  • Large truck: $80–$120/day

Gas Expenses:

  • Local move: $30–$60
  • Long-distance move: $200–$500 (depending on the mileage)

Packing Supplies:

  • Boxes, tape, and other materials: $100–$250

Labor Costs (if hiring helpers):

  • $40–$60/hour per person

Even in a best-case scenario, a DIY move can still run $200+ before long-distance lodging, meals, and missed work time.

How Long Does Moving Take?

Moving can take anywhere from 1 to 21 days. Moving companies need to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, which means an 11-hour driving limit, and investigations if a move gets completed suspiciously quickly.

Nationwide movers also bundle smaller moves together in the same truck for maximum efficiency. It’s good for your wallet, but it does mean there’ll be delays for other dropoffs and deliveries along the way.

FAQ: Houston Movers Cost and Pricing

Most Houston movers cost $75 to $150 per hour for local moves. Your total depends on how many movers you need, how long the job takes, and add-ons like packing, stairs, or heavy items.

A 2-bedroom local move often runs around $112/hour with 3 movers, with total costs commonly landing in the $336–$560 range depending on hours, access, and how much you’re moving.

Houston mover pricing can change based on:

  • number of movers + hours needed
  • stairs/elevators/long carry
  • packing services
  • heavy or specialty items (pianos, safes)
  • truck/fuel fees and timing (weekends/peak season)

Most standard moving quotes include labor, basic equipment, and transportation. Packing materials, full packing, storage, and extra handling (stairs, long carry, bulky items) may cost extra, depending on the mover.

To reduce costs:

  • declutter before moving day
  • book earlier (especially weekends/peak season)
  • choose a lower-traffic time window if possible
  • have everything packed and ready (or limit packing services)
  • share accurate details upfront to avoid day-of price changes

Hire the Best with iMoving

If you’re ready to hire movers in Houston, iMoving is here to help. With over 1000 vetted and verified movers, we’re a one-stop shop for professional moving companies. Just tell us more about your move, and we’ll get you on the road.

Author of the article

Harrison Gough

Harrison has been writing for real estate and moving companies for the past three years, but his knowledge isn't just from behind a desk. Having moved over a dozen times himself, sometimes with professional help and sometimes on his own, he's learned firsthand what makes moving smooth and what makes it stressful. When he's not writing, he's looking into ways to make his next move simpler.

Get all moving services you need in one place

Shop Our Services