

Recommended
#1 Mover in Texas
Air Van northAmerican Van Lines
Of all the interstate movers we researched, Air Van northAmerican stood head and shoulders above the competition when it came to responsiveness, transparency with estimates, damage-free handling of possessions, and overall accountability. With over 1,800 trucks, 40,000 truck shipments per year, 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states, and a real focus on continuous improvement, this mover has the scale, resources and commitment to quality that enables them to provide an exceptionally smooth moving experience despite the complexities of long distance transportation.
Services include:
- Long distance moves
- Local moves
- Full-service moving
- Corporate relocation
- Vehicle transport
- Office moving
Contact: (877) 306-2585
How Much Does It Cost To Move To Texas?
You’ve probably heard that everything is bigger in Texas. Well, that seems to apply to the number of people moving there too! If you’re considering planting roots in the Lone Star State, you likely have questions about the cost. We’ll break it all down for you here.
If you still need guidance on moving company rates and fees, I have an informative blog post covering highly-rated moving companies.
What’s the Damage? Moving Company Costs
Alright, let’s cut to the chase – actual relocation costs. We’ll start with what the moving industry charges, then look at renting your own truck or taking a total DIY approach.
Long-Distance Movers
Hiring professionals to transport your life from A to B is the most expensive option, but it does buy you peace of mind, insurance protection, and hands-on help.
Weight, Distance and Services Impact Costs
Long-distance moving companies take a number of factors into account when quoting a price:
- Total weight – From packing materials to furniture, it all has to be hauled
- Mileage – More miles mean more time, labor and fuel costs
- Timing – Summer and holidays carry premium rates
- Access – Stairs, small doorways/elevators bump up labor fees
- Additional services – Packing/unpacking, crating valuables, vehicle transport, storage etc.
With all those variables, it’s hard to nail down an average cost. But we gathered available data to give you an idea of pricing:
One bedroom apartment – $1,300 to $3,900
Two-three bedroom house – $1,600 to $8,500
Four-five bedroom house – $3,200 to $14,200
As you can see, it really pays to pare down before a big interstate move! Eliminating non-essentials from your inventory saves money upfront and for years to come.
Reputable Companies Quotes Vary
Reputable moving companies interested in your long-term business will provide free estimates. Be sure to get quotes from at least three to compare. Keep in mind that cheapest isn’t necessarily best when it comes to protecting your belongings.
Pay attention to what past customers have to say and scrutinize policies, insurance coverage and exactly what your quoted rate includes…and excludes. Hidden fees or upcharges can balloon costs.
Renting Your Own Moving Truck
Renting a truck and wrangling your possessions yourself comes with substantial savings over hiring movers. But you also shoulder all the hard work and hazards.
One-Way Trips Cost More
Local equipment rental outlets like U-Haul, Penske or Budget offer cargo vans and trucks at affordable rates. But fees can ratchet up quickly for one-way rentals since they don’t get that vehicle back in their local fleet.
You also have to consider costs for padding and tie-down supplies to protect your stuff, fuel charges by the mile, and insurance in case of accidents or damage.
Size Matters When Calculating DIY Moving Costs
Just like with professional movers, the amount of stuff you have dictates the size truck needed. Prices fluctuate by season and location, but here’s a ballpark:
10-foot truck – $50-$125 per day + $0.79+ per mile
16-foot truck – $100-$175 per day + $0.95+ per mile
26-foot truck – $150-$250 per day + $1.85+ per mile
Don’t underestimate your load or you’ll end up making multiple trips…or leaving things behind!
Where Are Folks Flocking in Texas?
Before committing to a particular city or town, it pays to explore the lay of the land. Texas runs 800 miles wide and 790 miles long so conditions vary dramatically. Let’s look at some of the most popular destinations.
Houston
H-town tops the population charts as the fourth largest U.S. metro area and climbing. Nearly 3 million residents enjoy relative affordability compared to other major cities as well as plentiful jobs in sectors like health care, manufacturing and port operations.
Homes run just under $300,000 on average while trendy apartment rent comes in around $1,300 monthly. Summers promise hot and humid temperatures you might want to escape by catching a Astros game under the Minute Maid Park retractable roof!
Dallas
If cowboy hats, line dancing and steakhouses are your style, Dallas dazzles. The TV series made Southfork Ranch world famous and real cowboys still ride herd an hour west in Fort Worth.
This business-minded hub keeps costs of living reasonable—about $1,400 per month for a decent apartment and $440,000 median sticker price on single family homes. Of course temperatures can spike over 100 degrees midsummer before the Merciful drop back into the 90s. At least the winter lows hover in the comfy 50s.
Austin
Quirky Austin marches to its own drummer…make that guitar player! The capital city’s famous for barbecue, bat watching and being the “Live Music Capital of the World.” (Oh and keeping things weird!)
A hot job market in government, education and tech draws new residents in droves. Unsurprisingly housing goes for a premium—figure around $1,775 monthly rent for an apartment and median $625,000 to buy a house. But you might get to bump into Sandra Bullock or Matthew McConaughey on the hike and bike trails!
San Antonio
History buffs flock to San Antonio to explore the Alamo, stroll Riverwalk’s lively shops and restaurants, and visit other revered sites. The pleasant winter weather and affordable cost of living also entice transplants from pricier cities.
You can land an apartment for approximately $1,300 per month or buy into a $375,000 median-priced house. And locals urge newcomers to pace picante sauce consumption until their taste buds acclimate to incendiary Tex-Mex cuisine.
Making Yourself at Home
Once you reach your new Texas address, a few steps remain to fully plant those Lone Star roots. Let’s look at vehicle registration, finding the right digs and adjusting to Texas-style utilities and weather.
Register Your Ride
You’ll need car insurance first, then get set for vehicle registration and your new Texas driver’s license. Don’t leave home without insurance proof and title documents to simplify the bureaucracy!
Lock In Housing
Whether renting or buying, take time to negotiate the best deal and read all paperwork carefully before signing. Realtors project home prices and demand will continue rising in 2023 so shop aggressively for hidden gems.
If buying, brace for higher property taxes—over 2% of assessed value in some Texas counties. Plus new enrollments in utility plans, cable/internet and possibly home insurance if not required by lender.
Renters should clarify which bills fall on their shoulders and if parking, storage or laundry room access carries added fees. Purchase renters insurance too!
Get Ready For Wild Weather
Texas spans nearly 800 miles wide and 790 miles long so regional weather varies dramatically. But statewide you can expect hot and humid summers in the 90s (or way above!), moderate falls and springs…and unpredictable winters.
Frigid Arctic cold fronts might plague the panhandle while south Texas enjoys 70 degrees. Snow and ice storms paralyze Dallas but leave coastal Corpus Christi unfazed.
Just when you get acclimated, throw in potential autumn tornadoes, spring flooding, thunderstorms with lightning shows impressive enough to make Zeus envious and the occasional hurricane. At least you’ll never get bored!
Job Seekers Wanted
So what about career opportunities? Will your skill set sync with Texas’ employment needs or leave you shouting “Houston, we have a problem!”?
Low Unemployment Across Industries
You’ll breathe a little easier knowing Texas’ unemployment stubbornly sticks around 4% — landing well under the national average. Service, government and trade jobs lead the pack while skilled labor positions largely dodge layoffs.
Jobs In Healthcare Heat Up
Nursing shortages might benefit those with medical training, especially nurse practitioners and assistants. While doctors top Texas’ salary charts, home health aides and pharmacy techs squeak into the latest top 30 careers list too.
With eldercare demands growing, expansion continues for assisted living centers, retirement communities and hospice networks as well as traditional hospitals and private practices.
Oil, Gas and Energy Still Fuel Texas
Fossil fuel brands like ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 and Valero keep pipeline construction, refinery operations and oil drilling humming.
But Texas also pushes hard into wind, solar and other sustainable energy sources. Major providers include Tribal Energy, Engie, Lincoln Clean Energy, Buckeye Partners and Vistra. Think tanks even predict Texas could approach California in renewable generation by 2050.
Lone Star Lifestyle Perks
Texas wows visitors with impressive landscapes from Big Bend National Park to journals through lush pine forests. And what fuels all those outdoor adventurers? Finger-licking cuisine of course!
Tex-Mex Fusion
Fusion finds its epitome in Tex-Mex cuisine where flavors from ancestral Mexican cooking collide with regional spin. Families pass treasured recipes down generations while innovators like chef Ford Fry put new twists on classics.
From fajitas sizzling hot from the skillet to cool creamy bowls of queso dripping with chorizo, your taste buds will tingle with joy. And don’t get us started on the margaritas, paletas and sweet empanadas. Let’s just say meals race right past calories to pure fun!
Sports Fever Outbreaks
Football remains a Texas obsession professional and college teams stir fierce pride and legendary grudge matches. But baseball, basketball and even rodeo heroes spur locals to become vocal sports connoisseurs.
Don’t be surprised if new buddies invite you to their weekend game watch parties on mega big screen TVs. Just bring the snacks and settle into another celebrated Texas tradition.
Crank Up The Music
What concert experiences top your bucket list? Global superstars like Beyonce, Post Malone and George Strait call Texas their home turf. Emerging groups and indie talent pour into Austin which proudly dub itself “The Live Music Capital of the World.”
The state even has its own brand of tunes like outlaw country music and western swing. Two-stepping to classic and current Lone Star hits might become your favorite pastime!
The Good and the Bad
What are the best — and worst — parts of planting roots in Texas soil? Here’s a quick peek at pros followed by a few cautions or “cons” as the locals say.
Pros
- No Income Tax – Fatten your wallet by keeping more earnings
- Job Opportunities – Low unemployment across diverse industries
- Housing Deals – Prices still below many other states, especially coastal ones
- Big City Options – World class culture, dining and attractions
- Small Town Charm – Quaint communities with way slower pace
- Outdoor Adventure – Hiking, fishing, skiing, you name it!
Cons
- Property Taxes – Some of America’s highest but offsets no income tax
- Sales Taxes – Better grab coupons to offset that 6.25% at checkout
- Climate Extremes – Remember air conditioning bills come summer!
- Hurricane Risks – Peak season August/September with floods possible too
- Tornadoes – Watch for Spring severe storms, especially in North Texas
The list of pros seems longer doesn’t it? That matches the enthusiasm so many folks show for pursuing their Texas dreams. Hopefully we’ve equipped you to estimate costs accurately as you seek your ideal home in the Lone Star State. Just watch out for sticker shock…unless it comes from that once-in-a-lifetime barbecue sauce! Safe travels and happy trails.
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