($1,205) Moving from San Francisco to Houston

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Houston costs $1,138 to $7,062 and takes five-sixteen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,927-mile move yourself.

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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Houston to San Francisco guide.

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The best San Francisco to Houston moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Houston is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Houston.

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  • Best overall value
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  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Houston?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,205 - $4,994 $1,098 - $2,800 $1,129 - $2,048
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,162 - $7,062 $1,957 - $4,060 $1,138 - $2,615
4+ bedrooms $6,189 - $11,201 $2,816 - $5,304 $1,511 - $3,077
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,927 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Houston

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Houston can be as low as $1,205 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,247.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,129 to $2,866. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Houston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Houston will cost between $1,205 to $4,994. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,162 to $7,062, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Houston will cost from $6,189 to $11,201.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Houston?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Houston will cost you $1,098 to $2,800 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,957 to $4,060. A larger home will cost $2,816 to $5,304.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Houston?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,129 to $2,048. A larger move will cost $1,138 to $2,615, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Houston costs from $1,511 to $3,077. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Houston

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Houston

San Francisco Houston
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,684
Average home value $1,234,246 $261,764
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $67,621
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $1,488
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $5,313
Unemployment rate 5.4% 4.1%
Sales Tax 8.63% 8.25%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Houston are 48% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Houston are 78.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Houston is 46.4% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Houston is 61.3% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Houston is 41.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Houston is 24.07% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Houston are 4.40% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Houston are 100.00% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,162.50 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Houston?

Houston San Francisco
Population 2,301,572 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 10
Walkability score 47 99
Bike friendliness score 49 99
Crime Index 63.21 54.33
Safety Index 36.79 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Houston's population is about 185% greater than San Francisco.
  • Houston's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Houston is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 47 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Houston is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 49 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Houston's crime rate is higher than San Francisco with a score of 63.21 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Houston neighborhoods are safer than 63.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Houston is considered to be less safe than San Francisco with a score of 36.79 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Houston is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Houston

  • Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late summer months may affect your move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Houston. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Luigy's Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
NorthStar Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
One Bush Plaza Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA, 94104
(415) 635-3844

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Houston

Now that you've decided to make the move to "HOU", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Houston.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Downtown
  • Greenway/Upper Kirby
  • Montrose
  • Museum District

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Clear Lake City
  • Friendswood
  • Kingwood
  • Memorial
  • Sugar Land

What to do in Houston

These are some of the best things to do in your new Texas home.

  • The Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Minute Maid Park
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  • Children's Museum Houston
  • Houston Zoo
  • Space Center Houston
  • The Galleria
  • Cockrell Butterfly Center
  • Toyota Center
  • Rodeo Houston or Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  • Water Wall
  • NRG Stadium
  • Discovery Green
  • National Museum of Funeral History

Get your sports on!

Houston is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Houston Texans (NFL)
  • Houston Astros (MLB
  • Houston Dash (NWSL)
  • Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
  • Houston Rockets (NBA)
  • Houston SaberCats (MLR)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Houston?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Houston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Houston?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Houston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from San Francisco to Houston take?

The 1,927-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Houston, TX, takes five-sixteen days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Houston.

Helpful moving resources