How Much Does It Cost to Move From Texas to California?
The cost to move from Texas to California ranges from $1,372 to $10,685, with an average cost of $3,900. The average cost of a rental truck is $1,100 and moving containers is $2,150.
Texas to California Moving Cost Breakdown
Moving costs on the Texas to California route are driven by shipment weight, the 1,406-mile haul, packing, and the date you book, which is why two households moving the same distance can be quoted thousands apart. Across every home size, quotes here span $1,372 to $10,685, and a $9,313 range tells you very little about your own move. The averages below are the more useful number, because they reflect what a typical shipment on this route actually pays. Our moving cost calculator is the fastest way to turn that average into a figure for your household.
| Move Option | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Full-Service Movers | $3,900 |
| Rental Trucks | $1,100 |
| Moving Containers | $2,150 |
Recent Texas to California Moving Quotes
These are actual quotes from the GoodMigrations partner network on the Texas to California route, not modelled estimates. Each row is a real shipment with a real price.
| From | To | Home Size | Quoted Cost | Carrier | Move Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale, TX | Rohnert Park, CA | Studio apartment | $3,681 | Colonial Van Lines | May 2026 |
| Eugenio Saenz, TX | Calimesa, CA | Five bedrooms | $7,944 | American Van Lines | Jun 2026 |
| Cross Plains, TX | Orinda, CA | Studio apartment | $4,529 | North American Van Lines | Jun 2026 |
| Colorado City, TX | Mountain View, CA | Four bedrooms | $7,516 | Joyce Van Lines | Jun 2026 |
| Amarillo, TX | Fairfax, CA | One large bedroom | $4,762 | Allied Van Lines | Jun 2026 |
| Tool, TX | Seaside, CA | Four bedrooms | $10,820 | Mayflower Transit | Jun 2026 |
| Runaway Bay, TX | Artesia, CA | One large bedroom | $4,581 | Safeway Moving | Jun 2026 |
| Anderson, TX | McClenney Tract, CA | Studio apartment | $1,365 | Budget Truck Rental | Jul 2026 |
Quotes collected through the GoodMigrations partner network. Individual pricing depends on shipment weight, access, and date.
Best Moving Companies From Texas to California
These Texas moving companies hold interstate operating authority, which is required to move household goods from Texas to California. Scores are the GoodMigrations mover score out of 5, calculated from the criteria in the methodology below.
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Square Cow
Best moving experience ever. Everyone from the first phone call was, knowledgeable, professional, and efficient. The only movers I’d recommend. , Benjamin Toland, Google
Verified customer review via Google -
3 Men Movers
Great crew! Each mover was mindful to take care with furniture and helped me with placement. I had a huge number of heavy boxes that they moved quickly and without a hint of complaint.
Verified customer review via Google -
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
Christian and John B were amazing. They were very professional, efficient, and kind. They made the move seamless and we are forever grateful. We will never use anyone else!
Verified customer review via Google -
Berger Allied Moving & Storage
Would recommend - the overall experience was fantastic. They arrived and delivered in promised timeframe, communicated well throughout, were priced competitively and nothing was damaged.
Verified customer review via Google -
Fantastic Moves
Fantastic Moves is simply the best. They care greatly about you and your home as well as being friendly and fun! Moving can be a drag but these guys made my day and were so fast too!
Verified customer review via Google
Moving From Texas to California
Cost of Living Comparison
| Measure | TX | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,251 | $1,856 |
| Median Home Value | $300,267 | $771,057 |
| Average Income | $73,035 | $91,905 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 (U.S. average = 100) | 134 (U.S. average = 100) |
| State Income Tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.19% | 8.68% |
Living Conditions
| Measure | TX | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,503,301 | 39,029,342 |
| Summer High | 94°F | 87°F |
| Winter Low | 36°F | 59°F |
| Annual Rain | 36 in | 22 in |
| Annual Snow | 2 in | 7 in |
| Crime Index | 27.32 | 28.43 |
A comparable home costs about $470,790 more in California than in Texas, so the move is a trade of housing cost for whatever is drawing you to California. Rent runs about $605 a month higher in California, or $7,260 a year. State income tax is 0.0% in Texas and 13.3% in California, which changes take-home pay independently of what you earn.
State-level figures compiled by GoodMigrations from public data as of August 2026.
Texas to California Moving FAQs
How Much Do Full-Service Movers Cost for a 3 Bedroom Home?
Full-service movers charge $4,647 to $7,529 to move a 3 bedroom home from Texas to California, a 1,406-mile route. That covers loading, transport, and unloading, with packing and valuation coverage billed on top. Your final figure moves with shipment weight and the date you book.
How Much Does a Rental Truck Cost From Texas to California?
A rental truck is the cheapest way to move from Texas to California, averaging $1,100 for a 2 to 3 bedroom load against $3,900 for full-service movers. Budget fuel separately: at 10 miles per gallon, the 1,406-mile drive burns about 140 gallons, or roughly $510 at the $3.60 average pump price across Texas and California. You also do all the loading and unloading yourself.
How Much Do Packing Services Cost for a Long Distance Move?
Packing is billed on top of the transport line on a Texas to California move, and it is charged as labor rather than a flat fee. Packing labor in Texas runs $60 to $80 an hour, and a full pack of a 3 bedroom home is typically two packers for most of a day. 96.2% of the Texas movers GoodMigrations tracks offer packing and 43.3% sell the boxes and materials, so ask for packing quoted as its own line item and decide whether a partial pack of fragile items only is enough.
Can I Ship My Car With My Household Goods on This Route?
Your car ships on the Texas to California route as separate freight rather than inside the moving truck. Over this distance it is usually cheaper than driving the car yourself once you price fuel, lodging, and the days it takes. Most interstate movers either operate auto transport or broker it, and it is worth quoting separately because a dedicated carrier is often cheaper than the mover's add-on rate.
How Long Does a Texas to California Move Take?
A Texas to California move takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery over 1,406 miles. That is a window rather than a date, because your shipment is usually consolidated with other households heading the same way.
Do I Need an FMCSA-Licensed Mover for a Texas to California Move?
Yes. Any company moving household goods from Texas to California crosses a state line, which makes it interstate commerce and requires FMCSA operating authority plus an active USDOT number. 74.7% of the Texas movers GoodMigrations tracks hold that authority. Verify any carrier on the FMCSA company snapshot before you pay a deposit.