How much does it cost to move to Texas?

A full-service interstate move into Texas for a three-bedroom household typically runs $4,500 to $8,000, with the wide range driven primarily by origin distance and time of year. Coast-to-coast moves (e.g., California or the Northeast) sit at the higher end. A local Texas move (under 100 miles, in-state) more often falls in the $1,200 to $2,400 range. DIY truck rental cuts costs by 40-60% but adds fuel, lodging, and labor risk.

When is the best time of year to move to Texas?

Late September through April is the most comfortable window. Texas summers (June through early September) regularly exceed 95°F across most of the state, which strains both the move-day labor and any temperature-sensitive belongings. Hurricane season runs June through November and primarily affects the Gulf Coast (Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston). Spring and fall also see lower demand for movers, which means better rates and more flexibility on dates than the peak May-August window.

How long do I have to register my vehicle after moving to Texas?

New Texas residents have 30 days from the date of establishing residency to title and register a vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The process requires a Texas vehicle inspection, proof of insurance meeting Texas minimums, the original title (or current registration), and proof of identity. Registration fees and county add-ons vary by vehicle weight and county.

When must I register to vote in Texas?

Voter registration applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the election in which you wish to vote. You can register at the Texas Secretary of State website, at your county elections office, or in person at the Texas Department of Public Safety when you obtain a Texas driver license. There is no online voter registration in Texas — paper application is required, although you can fill the form out online and mail it in.

Does Texas have a state income tax?

No. Texas is one of nine U.S. states with no state income tax, which makes the post-move tax filing notably simpler — no state return required for the year you move (unless you have income from a state that does tax it during the partial-year residency). Texas funds its government instead through above-average property taxes (effective rate ~1.6%, among the highest in the nation per the Tax Foundation) and a 6.25% state sales tax with local additions up to 8.25%.

Are there any Texas-specific moving regulations I should know about?

Texas requires household goods carriers operating within the state to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV); interstate carriers must hold an active U.S. DOT number issued by the FMCSA. Always verify your moving company against both registries before signing a contract — Texas has had a long history of unlicensed moving operators, particularly in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metros, and an unlicensed mover has limited legal recourse if something goes wrong.

Moving to Texas

Moving to Texas.

Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. by both area and population, with roughly 30.5 million residents spread across a geography that ranges from the Gulf Coast to the high plains of the Panhandle. The U.S. Census Bureau ranks it among the fastest-growing states in absolute terms, with most of the inbound migration concentrated in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metros. Moving to Texas isn't a single experience. A move from California to Austin involves different cost drivers (long-haul interstate freight, vehicle inspection, the August heat) than a move from Louisiana to Houston (shorter haul, hurricane-season timing risk, and a major port economy on the receiving end). Average interstate move costs into Texas typically run $4,500 to $8,000 for a three-bedroom household, depending on origin distance and time of year, per industry estimates from the American Moving and Storage Association. Texas has no state income tax, which simplifies the post-move tax setup, but it makes up for it with above-average property tax rates and a 6.25% state sales tax (with local additions up to 8.25%). New residents get 30 days to title and register a vehicle with the Texas DMV, and voter registration must be completed at least 30 days before any election in which you intend to vote.

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The editor's picks

Three movers we'd actually call first if we were moving in Texas, with reasoning. Drawn from the top 10 by data score.

Other top-rated movers

The remaining seven from the data shortlist. All scored well; the editor just had to pick three.

FAQs about moving to Texas

How much does it cost to move to Texas?: A full-service interstate move into Texas for a three-bedroom household typically runs $4,500 to $8,000, with the wide range driven primarily by origin distance and time of year. Coast-to-coast moves (e.g., California or the Northeast) sit at the higher end. A local Texas move (under 100 miles, in-state) more often falls in the $1,200 to $2,400 range. DIY truck rental cuts costs by 40-60% but adds fuel, lodging, and labor risk.
When is the best time of year to move to Texas?: Late September through April is the most comfortable window. Texas summers (June through early September) regularly exceed 95°F across most of the state, which strains both the move-day labor and any temperature-sensitive belongings. Hurricane season runs June through November and primarily affects the Gulf Coast (Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston). Spring and fall also see lower demand for movers, which means better rates and more flexibility on dates than the peak May-August window.
How long do I have to register my vehicle after moving to Texas?: New Texas residents have 30 days from the date of establishing residency to title and register a vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The process requires a Texas vehicle inspection, proof of insurance meeting Texas minimums, the original title (or current registration), and proof of identity. Registration fees and county add-ons vary by vehicle weight and county.
When must I register to vote in Texas?: Voter registration applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the election in which you wish to vote. You can register at the Texas Secretary of State website, at your county elections office, or in person at the Texas Department of Public Safety when you obtain a Texas driver license. There is no online voter registration in Texas — paper application is required, although you can fill the form out online and mail it in.
Does Texas have a state income tax?: No. Texas is one of nine U.S. states with no state income tax, which makes the post-move tax filing notably simpler — no state return required for the year you move (unless you have income from a state that does tax it during the partial-year residency). Texas funds its government instead through above-average property taxes (effective rate ~1.6%, among the highest in the nation per the Tax Foundation) and a 6.25% state sales tax with local additions up to 8.25%.
Are there any Texas-specific moving regulations I should know about?: Texas requires household goods carriers operating within the state to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV); interstate carriers must hold an active U.S. DOT number issued by the FMCSA. Always verify your moving company against both registries before signing a contract — Texas has had a long history of unlicensed moving operators, particularly in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metros, and an unlicensed mover has limited legal recourse if something goes wrong.