3 Best Moving Companies | How We Chose | Best Overall | Best for Moving on a Budget | Best for Range of Services | Cost of Movers | Avoiding Scams
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With over 461 moving companies, Austin has almost as many movers as it does live music venues, making it difficult to choose the right one for you.
Fortunately, we've narrowed the field down to the three best moving services. Our team spent 100 hours researching and comparing the top options based on key criteria like price point, reliability, and customer experience.
Read on to see the moving companies in Austin we've chosen as best overall, best on a budget, and best range of services.
3 Best Moving Companies in Austin (at a Glance)
| Company | What We Like | Avg. Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Einstein Moving Company - North Austin | Best Overall | 5.0 (1896 reviews) |
| Webster & Co. Moving Services | Best for Moving on a Budget | 4.9 (297 reviews) |
| JACKson of All Trades | Best for Range of Services | 4.7 (501 reviews) |
How We Chose the Companies on This List
Our team spent over 100 hours researching moving companies across the United States. We started with a list of more than 25,000 moving companies, then narrowed it down by eliminating companies that:
- Were not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)
- Had fewer than 10 customer reviews
- Didn’t have a website
- Had a relatively high number of safety and service violations according to the FMCSA
The remaining companies were ranked based on the following metrics:
- 5x: Average customer rating across all platforms (Yelp, Google, Angi, etc.)
- 4x: Total number of customer reviews (more reviews indicates a more reliable average rating)
- 3x: Total count of out-of-service violations (as indicated by the FMCSA)
- 2x: How many drivers a company has on staff per vehicles it has registered
- 1x: Whether a company is full-service or only offers labor services
Each metric was normalized and then graded on a 100-point scale. The combined weighted average of the scores determined the final ranking score.
We also mystery-shopped to gather quotes from more than 150 moving companies and surveyed our team members — who have moved more than 300 times collectively — on what was most important to them when choosing a moving company.
Who Should Use a Full-Service Mover?
We recommend full-service movers for people who can budget at least $300 for a one-bedroom apartment and at least $1,600 for a three-bedroom home.
Full-service is helpful if you have large, complicated things to move, can’t carry heavy stuff, or have a busy schedule (which may include closing on your new home). Likewise, if you don’t have friends and family available to help, hiring experts can make your move much quicker.
Full-service moving typically includes:
- Packing your items
- Disassembling furniture
- Loading the truck with your items
- Delivery to your new home
- Reassembling furniture
If you feel comfortable doing some of the heavy lifting and driving yourself, consider DIY moving or using labor-only movers who help you load your rented truck. DIY will certainly save you money (but maybe not your back).
3 Best Moving Companies in Austin
1. Einstein Moving Company - North Austin: Best Overall
Einstein Moving Company earned its spot as the best overall mover in Austin by having great ratings (5 out of 5 stars, based on over 700 reviews), a wide selection of moving services, and a huge fleet of moving vehicles.
Looking at company reviews of Einstein, satisfied customers touched on the fast-working movers and great communication. Many reviewers were repeat customers.
Einstein Moving Company offers residential and commercial moves, along with packing services. If you need an out-of-state mover, though, take note — Einstein only operates within Texas.
Finally, this company got a high reliability rating from us. It maintains a fleet of 60 moving vehicles and an average of nearly two registered drivers per vehicle, so scheduling should be a breeze.
However, we should note that Einstein Moving’s prices are a bit high. The estimate Einstein provided us — $2,906 for a three-bedroom move within Austin — is almost double the area average of $1,673.
2. Webster & Co. Moving Services: Best for Moving on a Budget
If you’re sticking to a tight moving budget, Webster & Co. might be the mover you’re looking for. Its estimate of $479 for a three-bedroom move within Austin is a fraction of the area average of $1,673.
This company has excellent reviews, too. Satisfied reviewers mentioned Webster’s responsiveness and skilled movers, while the occasional negative reviewers talked about a refusal to take COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask and a lack of punctuality.
Webster & Co. performs both local and long-distance moves, as well as loading, storage, and packing services. We gave Webster a high reliability rating because it has two registered drivers for its company vehicle, which opens up a lot of scheduling options.
3. JACKson of All Trades: Best for Range of Services
JACKson of All Trades offers a wide selection of moving and labor services, from residential and commercial moves to furniture assembly, Craigslist and IKEA deliveries, and donation pickups.
It’s got good company reviews, too — satisfied customers especially liked the fast booking and competitive prices. The rare negative reviews mentioned damage to items and spotty communication. We should note that JACKson of All Trades operates in and around Austin, so if you’re looking for a long-distance mover, you may need to look elsewhere.
The company offers very affordable pricing. Its estimate of $1,130 for a 3-bedroom move within Austin was quite a bit below the area average of $1,673.
And finally, we gave JACKson of All Trades a medium reliability rating because it employs just one registered driver for its two company vehicles. That might make scheduling your move a bit trickier during peak seasons.
How Much Do Movers Cost in Austin?
Hiring a full-service mover in Austin will cost you about $317 for a studio apartment and $1,673 for a 3-bedroom home. Movers for a 5-bedroom home will run you about $2,959. Long-distance and interstate moves will cost even more.
Full-service moving rates can vary widely depending on the specifics of your move, so reach out to a moving company for an accurate quote.
⚠️ Avoid parking tickets with a permit: If your Austin mover needs to double park to unload, you should ask them about getting a parking permit. Permits for large vehicles can be expensive — up to $1,200 for 2 hours. Find out more.
Typical Cost Breakdown
The cost of your full-service move depends primarily on four key factors:
- Size of your home
- Number of movers and hours you’ll need them
- Driving distance from door to door
- Charge for use of truck (if not included in hourly rate)
At base, most companies charge an hourly rate per mover, then tack on additional fees for other factors.
| Don’t forget to tip 💸It’s common courtesy to tip your movers 10–20% of the total cost. For a three-bedroom home, that could be upwards of $300. |
Other Things That Could Increase Your Cost
Circumstances and challenges specific to your move could cost you more money.
| 🕰️ Timing |
Companies often charge higher rates for weekends, holidays, and jobs that require movers to work overtime. |
| 🎹 Specialty items |
Moving pianos or other heavy and awkward pieces might require additional time and movers. |
| 🧳 Packing supplies |
Extra bubble wrap for fragile items, large wardrobe boxes for clothes, and other packing supplies can add up. Save by providing your own. |
| 📦 Unpacking service |
Some companies offer unpacking as part of full-service moving. You can save money by doing this yourself. |
| 🏢 Difficult circumstances |
Stairs, narrow hallways, elevators, and distant parking can incur additional time and fees. |
| 🗝️ Storage |
If your new home isn’t ready, you’ll need to store your items until you can move in. |
| 🛡️ Insurance |
If your renters or homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover transport of your possessions, you can buy insurance from your moving company or a third party. |
How to Get a Quote
You can get a quote from most movers by calling or filling out an online form to provide details about your home.
For the most accurate estimate, ask the mover to stop by your home in person or virtually to take a look at your belongings. This will allow the mover to take note of more complicated items, such as antique furniture or extra heavy items.
Alternatively, a moving broker can do the work for you, providing a quote from a carrier in your area.
How to Avoid Moving Company Scams
Check your mover’s Federal registration. You can check the company’s registration, violations, and complaint history by searching on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
Look for complaints on the Better Business Bureau website. Searching the company’s BBB profile can give you an idea of what kinds of complaints have been filed against the company and how the business resolved them.
Understand your rights and responsibilities. By law, every interstate mover must provide documentation about your rights as a consumer and the mover’s responsibilities. Make sure you read it carefully!
Know about your insurance options. If you’re moving within the same state, your mover may offer you coverage, or you can purchase a moving insurance policy independently. According to Federal law, interstate movers must offer two different types of valuation coverage: full value protection and released value.
If you notice one or more of these red flags when researching a moving company, it's probably best to avoid it.
How Far in Advance Should I Reach Out to a Mover in Austin?
If you're moving locally within Austin, look for a moving company about one month before your move — or two months ahead of time if you plan to move during the peak season of May through August. For interstate moves, start looking two to three months out, depending on the season.Sources
We drew from the following sources to write this article:
- “What is the Cost to Move in Austin,” moveBuddha
- “Here’s How to Determine How Many Movers You Need for Your Next Move,” Angi
- “How Many Movers Do I Need?” moveBuddha
- “Liability and Protection,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- “Spot the Red Flags,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
