Moving from Tampa, FL to Houston, TX
About 922 miles across a state line, from Florida into Texas, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Tampa, FL to Houston, TX covers about 922 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,149 – $5,532 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 476 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 922 miles between Florida and Texas, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $4,149 – $5,532 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Tampa to Houston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,112 – $4,149 | $2,240 – $2,987 | $1,494 – $1,992 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,734 – $4,979 | $2,689 – $3,585 | $1,792 – $2,390 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,149 – $5,532 | $2,987 – $3,983 | $1,992 – $2,655 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,771 – $6,362 | $3,435 – $4,580 | $2,290 – $3,054 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,394 – $7,192 | $3,883 – $5,178 | $2,589 – $3,452 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,224 – $8,298 | $4,481 – $5,975 | $2,987 – $3,983 |
Transport only, for an estimated 922 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Tampa to Houston
922 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,610. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,149 to $5,532, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Tampa to Houston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 476 people a year (±266) moved from Hillsborough County, FL, home to Tampa, to Harris County, TX, home to Houston. Going the other way: about 518 people a year (±242). Movers from Hillsborough County make up 0.3% of the 161,852 people a year who moved into Harris County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 52,219 people a year (±8,571) moving from Florida to Texas and about 45,259 people a year (±12,219) from Texas to Florida — a net gain for Texas of about 6,960 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Pasco County, FL | 10,775 ±1,529 |
| Pinellas County, FL | 7,793 ±909 |
| Polk County, FL | 5,869 ±1,177 |
| Orange County, FL | 2,309 ±576 |
| Manatee County, FL | 2,072 ±585 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Fort Bend County, TX | 18,579 ±2,596 |
| Montgomery County, TX | 10,582 ±1,455 |
| Galveston County, TX | 8,597 ±1,326 |
| Brazoria County, TX | 8,258 ±1,347 |
| Bexar County, TX | 4,773 ±970 |
Licensed movers at each end
40 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Tampa (180 counting those licensed only inside Florida). 22 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 22.4% of their 49 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Moving Systems IncUSDOT 944759 | Tampa · 5 mi | 50 trucks | 5 | 100.0% of 2 |
| Good Greek Moving and StorageUSDOT 3754336 | Plant City · 22 mi | 34 trucks | 33 | 0.0% of 10 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 2113690 | Oldsmar · 15 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | — |
| 2 College Brothers IncUSDOT 2787568 | Tampa · 2 mi | 8 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Big Man's Moving CompanyUSDOT 2951960 | Bellaire Beach · 23 mi | 8 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Hello Movers LLCUSDOT 3338540 | Land O' Lakes · 23 mi | 7 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Houston end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Houston: 3 Men Movers (Houston, 95 trucks), G and S Moving & Storage (Houston, 35 trucks), Max Movers Inc (Houston, 32 trucks), K C Salley Relocation (Houston, 23 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Florida into Texas, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Tampa to Houston
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 922 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Houston
A local move inside Houston later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $445 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $741 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Houston are Austin (about 171 mi), Corpus Christi (about 216 mi), San Antonio (about 221 mi).
Other routes from Tampa
All routes from Tampa, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa to Saint Petersburg, FL | ~20 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Tampa to Orlando, FL | ~90 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Tampa to Cape Coral, FL | ~110 mi | $495 – $660 |
| Tampa to Gainesville, FL | ~140 mi | $630 – $840 |
| Tampa to Jacksonville, FL | ~200 mi | $900 – $1,200 |
| Tampa to Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~222 mi | $999 – $1,332 |
| Tampa to Tallahassee, FL | ~238 mi | $1,071 – $1,428 |
| Tampa to Miami, FL | 280 mi | $1,260 – $1,680 |
Also moving to Houston: from Austin, TX, from San Antonio, TX, from Corpus Christi, TX, from Lafayette, LA.
Tampa to Houston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tampa to Houston?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 922 miles cost about $3,112 – $4,149 for a studio, $4,149 – $5,532 for a two-bedroom home and $4,771 – $6,362 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Tampa to Houston take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tampa to Houston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,992 – $2,655 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,149 – $5,532 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,987 – $3,983.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Tampa to Houston?
Yes. Tampa is in Florida and Houston is in Texas, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 40 listed movers within 30 miles of Tampa hold it.
How many people move from Tampa to Houston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 476 people a year (margin of error ±266) moved from Hillsborough County, which contains Tampa, to Harris County, which contains Houston.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.