Texas has ranked first or second for net inbound migration every year since 2021. U-Haul ranked it first for net one-way inbound traffic from 2021 to 2023, before South Carolina took the top spot in 2024. United Van Lines’ 2025 study marked a shift: Texas moved into “balanced” status with roughly equal inbound and outbound flows, a sign that rising housing costs in Houston, Dallas, and Austin are beginning to offset the state’s traditional affordability advantage. Harris County (Houston), Travis County (Austin), Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Bexar County (San Antonio) absorb the largest shares of interstate arrivals.
The scale of the state creates moving dynamics found nowhere else in the country. Houston to Dallas is 240 miles on I-45; Dallas to San Antonio is 275 miles on I-35; Austin to El Paso spans 580 miles. These in-state corridors are priced as long-distance moves by weight and distance, not hourly rate – a distinction that surprises many Texas residents. I-10 is the east-west spine from El Paso to Houston; I-35 is the north-south corridor from DFW to San Antonio and the Mexican border.
All Texas intrastate movers must hold an active TxDMV Certificate under Texas Transportation Code Section 643. Certificate numbers must appear on both sides of trucks and on all advertising and contracts. Consumers can verify any mover’s license through TxDMV’s Truck Stop database at txdmv.gov. Movers must provide a written proposal before loading and cannot change the price once a contract is signed; standard liability is $0.60 per pound per article. Complaints can be filed through TxDMV’s Complaint Management System or by calling 1-888-368-4689. Texas movers average approximately $103 per hour, with local move totals typically ranging from $455 to $3,000.
Top-Rated Movers in Texas
3 Men Movers
Address: 6805 Sands Point Dr, Houston, TX 77074
Website: https://www.3menmovers.com
USDOT: #1914113
Founded in 1985 by John David Fischer in Houston, 3 Men Movers is a Texas-headquartered company with four offices statewide: Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. The company has been BBB accredited since 1997 and holds an A+ rating, and Forbes and Yahoo Local named it one of the Best Moving Companies in Texas in 2025. The distinguishing operational model is a standard three-person crew – rather than the two-person crews common elsewhere – which the company states reduces total move time by roughly 40% even at a higher hourly rate. Services include local residential moves, long-distance Texas interstate moves, apartment moves, commercial office moves, packing and unpacking, and portable storage. Booking is fully online with a $25 deposit; all crew members are background-checked and subject to annual physicals. The company handles over 30,000 Texas moves annually across its four offices.
Einstein Moving Company
Address: 9200 Brown Ln Ste A, Austin, TX 78754
Website: https://www.einsteinmoving.com
USDOT: #2193963
Einstein Moving Company was founded in Austin in 2012 and has expanded to nine Texas locations: North Austin, South Austin, Leander, Dallas, Fort Worth, McKinney, Garland, Houston, and San Antonio. The company holds TxDMV Certificate #006604158C and carries a 4.9-star rating from over 5,900 verified reviews. Einstein was named Best Movers of Austin by the Austin Chronicle nine consecutive years in a row, appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, and won Best of DFW and Best of San Antonio awards in 2025. Services include residential and apartment moves, office moves, packing services, portable storage moves, and statewide Texas moves. The company features an On-Time Guarantee with automatic discounts for late arrivals, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, and an advance crew introduction system that sends customers their movers’ profiles and photos before moving day.
Armstrong – Transfer & Storage Company (Dallas)
Address: 2140 Merritt Dr, Garland, TX 75041
Website: https://www.goarmstrong.com/locations/dallas/
USDOT: #1463768
Armstrong operates as a United Van Lines agent with three Texas locations – Dallas (Garland), Houston, and San Antonio – alongside a nationwide network of 33 markets. The Dallas location serves the DFW Metroplex and surrounding region for local, long-distance, and interstate residential moves, as well as office and laboratory moves, commercial relocations, supply chain and warehousing, employee relocation, senior relocation with estate management, and international moves. Armstrong’s affiliation with United Van Lines provides access to continental U.S. and international move capacity for Texas customers relocating out of state. The company has operated for over 68 years across its national network. (National chain with Texas operations)
Moving Companies in Texas: Common Questions
Is my moving company required to be licensed in Texas?
Yes. All household goods carriers operating within Texas must hold an active TxDMV Certificate issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. This requirement applies to both local intrastate movers and major van lines. Before booking, verify any mover’s license status using TxDMV’s Truck Stop database at txdmv.gov by searching the company name or certificate number – an active status means the mover has met insurance requirements and can legally operate. Certificate numbers must appear on all trucks and advertising. Unlicensed movers in Texas carry significant consumer risk, including potential loss of belongings and no legal recourse.
How much does a local move typically cost in Texas?
Based on 2025 industry data, Texas movers charge an average of approximately $103 per hour for a crew and truck. Total costs for a local move typically range from around $455 for a small one-bedroom move to $3,000 for a larger home. Houston and Austin rates can run higher, with some companies in Austin charging $139 to $149 per hour for a two-person crew. Long-distance in-state moves between Texas metro areas – such as Houston to Dallas or Austin to San Antonio – are priced by weight and distance rather than hourly rates, which can significantly increase the total cost compared to a local move of the same home size.
How does Texas’s geography affect moving costs and timing?
Texas is the second-largest state by area, and many “in-state” moves between major cities exceed 200 to 300 miles. A move from Houston to Dallas (240 miles), Austin to El Paso (580 miles), or San Antonio to Lubbock (350 miles) is priced as a long-distance move with flat-rate pricing based on weight and mileage rather than hourly billing. Residents moving between Texas metros should get a binding estimate from multiple movers and clarify whether the distance threshold for their specific route triggers long-distance pricing, which most companies set at 50 to 100 miles.
How do I verify a Texas mover is legitimate and avoid rogue movers?
Search any Texas mover through TxDMV’s Truck Stop database at txdmv.gov before signing anything. An active TxDMV certificate number confirms the company is licensed and has met insurance requirements. Licensed Texas movers must provide you with a written proposal and moving services contract before loading any items, and they are required by law to give you a copy of TxDMV’s “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas” brochure. If a mover refuses to provide their certificate number or cannot be found in the Truck Stop database, do not allow them to begin the move. To file a complaint against a mover, use TxDMV’s Complaint Management System online or call 1-888-368-4689.
When is peak moving season in Texas, and what affects pricing and availability?
Peak season runs from late May through early September, with demand concentrated in June and July. Texas’s summer heat presents real logistical challenges: Houston and San Antonio regularly exceed 95 degrees with high humidity, and Dallas summer highs frequently exceed 100 degrees. Most experienced Texas movers recommend booking 8 to 12 weeks in advance for moves during peak season, particularly in the rapidly growing Austin suburbs of Leander, Georgetown, and Round Rock, and the fast-growing DFW communities of McKinney, Collin County, and Frisco. October through March is the lowest-demand period, and midweek bookings typically cost less than weekend moves.