Moving Out of Texas in 2026: Costs & Destinations

Texas added more than 391,000 residents in 2025, yet the state simultaneously recorded its highest outmigration numbers in decades, according to U.S. Census data. Property taxes, soaring homeowners insurance premiums, and housing prices that have risen roughly 50% since 2019 are pushing a growing share of longtime residents toward the exit. The most popular landing spots are Oklahoma, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. A full-service interstate move out of Texas typically runs between $1,400 and $9,700, depending on destination distance and household size.

The narrative around Texas migration has long centered on arrivals. For most of the last two decades, the state was a destination, not a departure point. That framing is now incomplete.

**Housing costs have erased the affordability edge.** Austin's median home price reached roughly $525,000 in 2026 — up approximately 50% from 2019 levels — while Dallas sits near $415,000 and Houston near $335,000 (Texas Today, 2026). Residents who bought early saw equity gains but face a different calculation when buying again in the same market.

**Property taxes hit hard.** Texas has no state income tax, which attracts new residents, but property tax rates are among the highest in the country. Combined with sharply higher homeowners insurance premiums driven by increased storm and hail risk, the monthly cost of carrying a Texas home has climbed steeply even without a mortgage rate increase.

**Infrastructure pressure.** The state's rapid growth has strained roads, water systems, and power grid reliability in ways that are increasingly part of the everyday conversation in major metros. Some longtime residents, particularly those with remote-work flexibility, have concluded that smaller markets elsewhere offer a better quality-of-life tradeoff.

**Population growth is slowing but not reversing.** Texas still grew by 1.2% in 2025 — its slowest pace since 2021 — but net domestic in-migration has become less dominant as the counterflow of departures grows (Texas Tribune, 2026). The state remains a net gainer overall; the shift is one of degree, not direction.

Census and moving-industry data consistently point to the same cluster of states absorbing Texans who leave. None of these choices is accidental — each offers something specific that Texas has become less competitive on.

**Oklahoma** is the closest major destination and the most common first move for cost-sensitive Texans. Oklahoma City and Tulsa offer substantially lower housing costs and property taxes. The cultural overlap with North Texas is high, which reduces the friction of relocation.

**Colorado** draws Texans who want outdoor access and a different climate. Denver's Front Range has absorbed a steady stream of Austin and Dallas residents seeking cooler summers and proximity to the mountains. Remote-work adoption made this move viable for a much larger segment of the workforce than it was five years ago.

**Georgia** — primarily the Atlanta metro — offers a major job market, lower housing costs than comparable Texas cities, and a more moderate climate. Texans relocating for employment frequently land here.

**Florida** draws retirees and remote workers from Texas for its own lack of income tax, lower overall insurance costs in some counties, and coastal lifestyle. The Texas-to-Florida route is one of the most active interstate corridors in the country.

**Tennessee**, particularly the Nashville metro, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for domestic migrants broadly. No income tax, a strong job market, and lower cost of living relative to Texas metros make it a recurring choice.

Full-service moving costs depend primarily on distance (which drives fuel and labor hours) and shipment weight (the volume of your household). The figures below reflect 2026 pricing from multiple moving-cost data sources for a typical 2-3 bedroom home with professional movers.

Sources: moveBuddha (2026), MyGoodMovers (2026), North American Van Lines (2026)

A few variables shift these numbers significantly:

• **Timing.** Moving companies charge 20-30% more during summer peak (May through August), on weekends, and at the end of the month. Booking a mid-week, mid-month move in October through April yields the lowest rates.
• **Move size.** Studio and one-bedroom moves come in well below the ranges above; four- and five-bedroom homes can exceed the top end.
• **Service level.** Full-service pricing (pack, load, transport, unload) is the most expensive option. Renting a container or truck and handling labor yourself lowers total cost substantially.
• **Fuel surcharges.** Moving company pricing has risen approximately 21% as of mid-2026, driven in part by fuel cost increases.

If you are comparing quotes, make sure each one reflects the same service scope and the same estimated weight. Quotes based on visual estimates rather than cubic feet or weight tend to produce the most variance at final billing.

A long-distance move involves more moving parts than a local one. These steps reduce surprises.

**Start researching at least 60 to 90 days out.** Full-service moving company availability narrows quickly in spring and early summer. Getting booked with enough lead time also gives you leverage on pricing and preferred dates.

**Collect at least three written binding estimates.** A binding estimate locks the price regardless of actual weight, protecting you from last-minute cost increases. Non-binding estimates can be adjusted up if the actual shipment is heavier than estimated.

**Understand your destination's true cost of living before committing.** Housing costs are the most visible variable, but property tax rates, state income tax structures, homeowners insurance premiums, and utility costs all affect your monthly budget. Oklahoma and Tennessee have no state income tax; Colorado and Georgia do. Research all of them.

**Time your lease or home sale carefully.** Coordinating a sale or lease end with a moving date and a destination closing or lease start is the most common source of timing stress. Build buffer time on both ends — at least a week of overlap if you can manage it.

**Use MovingRated's cost calculator to model what your specific move size and distance will cost** across different service levels before you call a moving company. Having a baseline number makes it easier to evaluate whether a quote is reasonable.

**Declutter before you pack.** Long-distance moving costs are weight-based. Every 1,000 pounds you remove from the shipment reduces the final bill. A pre-move sale, donation run, or dumpster rental pays for itself on any move over 500 miles.

For more on what to expect when moving to the states Texans favor most, see our newsroom guides covering relocation costs and planning across the country.

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**Is Texas experiencing a population decline?** No. Texas still grew by 391,000+ residents in 2025 and remains one of the fastest-growing states in the country. What has changed is that domestic out-migration is rising, with more longtime Texas residents leaving than in previous years, partially offsetting strong in-migration from other states and from abroad.

**What is the most common reason people are leaving Texas?** Housing affordability is the most frequently cited factor. Median home prices in major Texas metros have risen roughly 50% since 2019, and property taxes and homeowners insurance have added further pressure on monthly housing costs. Some residents also cite concerns about infrastructure reliability and summer heat.

**How much does it cost to move out of Texas on a budget?** If you rent a moving truck and handle all loading yourself, a long-distance move out of Texas can run as low as $330 to $5,600 depending on the distance and truck size. Using a portable moving container falls in between, typically $740 to $7,300 for interstate distances.

**Which Texas cities have the highest outmigration?** Austin leads as the metro where affordability pressure is most acute, given its 50% home price appreciation since 2019. Dallas and Houston also show significant out-movement, particularly among residents relocating for remote-work flexibility.

**Are moving costs higher in summer?** Yes. Moving companies charge 20-30% more during summer peak season (May through August), on weekends, and at month-end. Booking an off-peak move — October through April, mid-week, mid-month — consistently yields the lowest rates.

**What should I compare when getting moving quotes?** Compare binding estimates rather than non-binding ones. Verify that each quote covers the same service scope (packing, loading, transport, unloading) and is based on an actual or estimated weight, not a visual approximation. Also check whether fuel surcharges, stair fees, and long-carry fees are included or itemized separately. See our guide on hidden costs of moving before signing anything.