Moving from San Diego to Houston
San Diego to Houston is a high-volume Southern California-to-Gulf Coast corridor in 2026 — driven by military PCS orders, biotech and defense career transfers, and families trading California housing costs for Houston energy-sector wages, Texas Medical Center employment, and no state income tax. Typical shipments run ~1,550–1,620 miles along the I-10 corridor, with 3–8 day delivery windows and full-service costs from roughly $3,400–$8,200+ based on home size, coastal pickup access, and peak-season demand.
Whether you are leaving a La Jolla coastal condo for a Katy master-planned home, accepting an energy-sector transfer into downtown Houston, relocating from North Park to the Texas Medical Center corridor, or completing a military PCS from Naval Base San Diego to Sugar Land, the planning fundamentals are the same: build an accurate room-by-room inventory, verify every carrier on FMCSA.gov, and compare at least three quotes built on identical cubic footage before you sign a bill of lading.
Move Trust Hub is an independent informational directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a partner of the moving companies listed. Company names appear for identification and research only. San Diego to Houston moves combine Southern California origin logistics (coastal high-rises, military housing gate rules, narrow streets in older neighborhoods, patio and garage volume) with Houston destination complexity where HOA move-in windows in Katy, the Woodlands, and Sugar Land, Medical Center high-rise protocols, and Gulf Coast hurricane season (June–November) can widen delivery spreads. Those factors belong in writing on your estimate — not as surprises on load-out or delivery day.
This guide covers distance and pricing benchmarks for 2026–2027, why households leave San Diego for Houston, what to expect at pickup and delivery, seasonal booking strategy, car shipping coordination, and FAQ answers you can use to vet carriers confidently. Start with our free moving calculator, then browse licensed interstate movers or compare trusted movers in our directory.
Why people move from San Diego to Houston
Net outmigration from San Diego County into Houston has stayed elevated through 2026 as defense contractors, biotech professionals, military families, and dual-income households weigh California cost pressure against Texas job density and housing affordability. The corridor is not only retirees — though empty-nesters from coastal communities remain a steady segment — but also engineers, healthcare specialists, and energy-sector professionals who can preserve or increase earning power while reducing monthly housing and tax burden in Harris and Fort Bend counties.
The financial case is straightforward for many households. California state income tax tops out above 12% for high earners, while Texas levies no state income tax on wages. When you pair that with median home prices in Katy, Sugar Land, and the Woodlands that often run 40–55% below comparable San Diego coastal and inland inventory — and substantially below La Jolla, Del Mar, and Coronado premiums — the monthly savings can fund a larger home, private schools, or accelerated savings without changing employers.
Career drivers anchor much of the volume. San Diego's defense, biotech, and military ecosystem produces steady outbound transfers when contracts relocate to Houston energy headquarters, port-logistics employers, or Texas Medical Center hiring pipelines. Families cite yard space, newer construction, shorter commutes in suburban Houston rings, and school districts with room to grow. Climate is a trade-off: Houston's humidity and summer heat replace San Diego's mild coastal weather, but many transplants prefer Gulf Coast warmth and lower utility spikes in winter over California wildfire seasons and coastal insurance pressure.
If you are still deciding between Houston and other Texas metros, compare total landed cost — not just linehaul. San Diego to Houston runs shorter than San Diego to Dallas–Fort Worth for most origins but longer than San Diego to Austin. Houston's energy and medical employment diversity often wins for career movers in those sectors. Our Houston destination hub and California-to-Texas cluster help you model destination-specific accessorials before you commit.
Defense & biotech careers
San Diego's naval, defense-contractor, and life-sciences hiring pairs naturally with Houston energy, engineering, and medical-center employers — a skills-transfer corridor that sustains corporate relocation volume year-round.
Military PCS corridor
Naval Base San Diego, MCAS Miramar, and Camp Pendleton-area households frequently PCS to Houston-area assignments — peak May through August overlaps with civilian summer demand and tightens crew availability.
Affordability & housing
Lower purchase prices and more square footage in Katy, Sugar Land, and the Woodlands versus San Diego coastal and inland premiums — especially for families upsizing from condos to single-family homes.
No state income tax
Texas does not tax wage income at the state level in 2026, a meaningful swing for dual-income households leaving California's progressive brackets — confirm residency timing with a tax advisor when you split years between states.
Energy & medical jobs
Houston's energy capital hiring, Texas Medical Center roles, and port-logistics employment create diverse inbound paths beyond any single industry cycle — attractive when San Diego contract timelines shift.
San Diego origin and Houston destination overview
This corridor terminates in Houston — but pickup logistics vary widely across San Diego County neighborhoods. Document your exact address type at both ends when requesting quotes so coastal accessorials and suburban HOA rules appear on your estimate.
San Diego
Defense & biotech hub · military PCS origins · coastal & inland pickup variety
San Diego pickups range from Coronado and La Jolla coastal condos with freight elevators and tight parking to North Park and Hillcrest bungalows on narrow streets where shuttle trucks are routine. Military housing communities near Naval Base San Diego and MCAS Miramar add gate-access scheduling and weight-room or garage volume that phone estimates often miss.
Carlsbad, Encinitas, and South Bay suburban homes are generally more truck-friendly, but still include patio furniture, surf and outdoor gear, and garage storage that inflate cubic footage. Compare county-level local movers for packing and load-out help before interstate linehaul departs — browse our California local mover directory for San Diego County coverage.
Houston
Energy capital · Texas Medical Center · NASA/JSC · Katy & Woodlands suburbs
Houston captures the bulk of San Diego to Texas inbound volume when the destination is Gulf Coast–specific rather than Austin or DFW. Energy-sector transfers, medical-center hiring, and internationally diverse communities across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties drive consistent truck demand on the I-10 corridor.
Most San Diego households target Katy, Sugar Land, or the Woodlands for master-planned suburban inventory; Medical Center and downtown high-rise deliveries require COI filings and elevator reservations similar to coastal California buildings. Gulf Coast logistics matter: hurricane-season contingency planning (June–November), suburban shuttle requirements, and summer inbound volume are standard — not optional extras.
Cost breakdown: what San Diego to Houston moves cost in 2026–2027
Interstate pricing is volume-first: cubic feet and weight drive linehaul more than zip-code aesthetics. A studio leaving a La Jolla high-rise can still cost more than a suburban two-bedroom in Carlsbad if stairs, shuttles, and packing services stack on top of mileage. Use the same inventory list for every bidder — phone guesses are the leading cause of moving-day disputes on SD→Houston corridors.
Binding estimates after in-home or virtual survey are preferable when San Diego coastal access is complex. Non-binding estimates can rise on delivery if inventory exceeds the survey — legal within federal rules if disclosed properly, but painful if you did not expect it. Ask whether fuel, linehaul minimums, and full-value protection are included or itemized.
San Diego pickup accessorials frequently add $250–$1,200+ at origin: condo elevator fees, long carries from coastal parking, shuttle trucks when a 53-foot trailer cannot reach your block, and military-housing gate coordination. Houston destination fees for Katy, Woodlands, and Sugar Land HOAs, Medical Center high-rise protocols, and summer labor surcharges can add similar amounts. Specialty items — pianos, wine collections, gym equipment — need crating line items.
| Home size | Cubic ft. | Cost range | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1BR | 1,000–1,500 | $3,400 – $5,200 | 3–6 |
| 2BR | 3,000–4,000 | $4,800 – $6,800 | 4–7 |
| 3BR | 5,000–7,000 | $6,000 – $8,200 | 5–8 |
| 4BR+ | 8,000+ | $8,200 – $11,500+ | 6–8 |
Ranges reflect 2026–2027 quote patterns for full-service interstate moves from San Diego metro origins into Houston and Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery county destinations. Coastal condo pickup fees, military-housing access, Houston suburban shuttle trucks, peak summer demand (May–September), and packing tiers can shift totals $400–$1,800+ in either direction. Verify binding vs. non-binding terms after inventory survey.
Estimate your San Diego → Houston move
Accurate cubic footage is the #1 factor in interstate pricing on this corridor (~1,550–1,620 miles). Build a room-by-room inventory before comparing carrier quotes.
- Room-by-room inventory with industry-standard item volumes
- Weight estimate at 7 lbs/cu ft + recommended truck size
Moving timeline and seasonal considerations
Most San Diego to Houston household shipments need three to eight calendar days in transit once loaded, depending on truck type (dedicated vs. consolidated) and whether your carrier waits for a full load along the I-10 corridor through Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. Dedicated trucks can deliver faster; consolidated loads trade price for wider delivery spreads.
Book six to ten weeks ahead for summer moves and four to six weeks for spring or fall. Military PCS season peaks May through August when Houston inbound volume overlaps with school-calendar family moves and energy-sector relocation windows. Winter moves off-peak can offer better date flexibility, though holiday building restrictions at coastal condos can complicate pickup scheduling.
Align lease termination, closing dates, and travel plans with realistic delivery spreads — not guaranteed single days unless you pay for premium dedicated service. Keep essentials in a go-bag for multi-day spread windows, especially when consolidating.
Build room-by-room inventory in our calculator; shortlist FMCSA-licensed carriers; request virtual or in-home surveys; confirm Houston lease or closing date and HOA move-in rules in Katy, Woodlands, or Sugar Land.
Reserve condo freight elevators and coastal parking; compare binding estimates on equal inventory; book car shipping if needed; read our scam avoidance guide before paying deposits.
Confirm spread delivery window; pack non-essentials; defrost appliances; document item condition with photos; verify COI filings for San Diego condos and Houston HOAs.
Supervise inventory against bill of lading; note existing damage on the condition report; track carrier contact and expected delivery spread; plan Houston utility activation and mail forwarding.
Seasonal considerations
- May–September (peak): Highest SD→Houston demand; tighter crews, wider delivery spreads, and modest price premiums. Book early; confirm hurricane contingency clauses for Houston-area deliveries June through November.
- October–April (moderate): Better scheduling flexibility in many cases; watch coastal condo holiday building blackout dates and occasional West Texas weather delays on I-10.
- Military PCS (May–Aug): Naval Base San Diego and Camp Pendleton-area PCS volume spikes overlap with civilian summer moves — confirm carrier capacity before accepting orders or start dates.
Tips for San Diego pickup challenges
San Diego origins — especially coastal condos in La Jolla, Coronado, and downtown high-rises — combine elevator reservations, limited street parking, and long carries from distant loading zones. Reputable carriers plan for shuttles and building COI filings; lowball brokers often discover these fees on load day and pass them through.
Military housing near Naval Base San Diego and MCAS Miramar requires gate-access coordination and advance notice for large trucks. Older neighborhoods in North Park, Hillcrest, Golden Hill, and University Heights feature narrow streets, street parking competition, and mature trees that can block 53-foot trailer access — shuttle vans are common, not exceptional.
- Reserve freight elevators and loading docks early for coastal condos; many buildings allow only half-day windows and charge elevator fees billed to you or the carrier.
- If a shuttle truck is likely in older neighborhoods or coastal communities, ask whether shuttle fees are flat-rate or weight-based — and whether the shuttle applies at origin, destination, or both.
- Document patio furniture, garage storage, surf and outdoor gear, and military weight-room equipment — San Diego inventories routinely exceed phone estimates.
- For military housing pickups, confirm gate procedures, truck size limits, and whether your TMO or PPM move affects carrier scheduling.
- Order temporary no-parking zones or reserve loading areas through building management — dense coastal blocks often cannot accommodate 53-foot trailers at the curb.
- Prohibited or restricted items (propane tanks, certain batteries, perishables) should be disposed of before load-out to avoid last-minute charges.
- Compare at least three FMCSA-licensed carriers using identical inventory — not just the lowest phone quote.
Tips for Houston delivery
Houston destinations are generally more truck-friendly than San Diego coastal pickups, but master-planned suburban growth creates its own constraints. Katy, the Woodlands, and Sugar Land communities often have HOA gate procedures, narrow interior loops, and move-in coordinators that require advance notice — delivery day turnaways at the gate are avoidable with planning.
Texas Medical Center and downtown Houston high-rises replicate coastal California discipline: COI filings, dock reservations, and freight elevator bookings. Gulf Coast hurricane season runs June through November; flexible delivery language in your contract protects you from weather holds beyond carrier control without penalty.
- Confirm HOA move-in windows, gate codes, and whether Katy, Woodlands, or Sugar Land communities require refundable deposits or move coordinators.
- Ask about shuttle trucks for cul-de-sacs, golf-cart paths, and interior loops where 53-foot trailers cannot turn.
- Schedule utility activation and internet installation before delivery when possible — Houston summer humidity makes cooled homes essential for crew efficiency.
- Inspect goods on delivery before signing; note concealed damage claims process and filing deadlines on your bill of lading.
- For Texas Medical Center and downtown high-rise deliveries, file COI with building management and reserve freight elevators two weeks ahead.
- Build hurricane-season flexibility into your contract (June–November) — confirm whether rescheduling fees apply for named-storm holds.
- If closing dates slip, negotiate storage-in-transit (SIT) rates upfront rather than accepting surprise warehouse fees.
Shipping your car from San Diego to Houston
Most households moving San Diego to Houston ship at least one vehicle — the drive is roughly 1,550–1,620 miles and 22+ hours, making professional auto transport practical when you are already coordinating an interstate household load. Auto transport is booked separately from household goods unless your carrier offers bundled logistics; either way, verify USDOT licensing for the car hauler independently.
Open carrier transport is standard and most affordable for everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects luxury, classic, or low-clearance vehicles from road debris and desert heat along I-10 — popular for high-value cars leaving coastal garages. Timing matters: align vehicle pickup with your household load so you are not stranded without transport in either state.
- Get auto quotes after your household inventory is firm — vehicle dimensions and operability (running vs. non-running) change pricing.
- Expect 4–8 days for open carrier San Diego to Houston transit, with wider windows during summer peak and military PCS season.
- Remove personal items from the vehicle; carriers typically prohibit packed cars for insurance reasons.
- Document exterior condition with photos at pickup and delivery; note mileage and existing scratches on the condition report.
- Confirm door-to-door service vs. terminal drop — coastal San Diego pickup may require a suburban meet point away from condo garages.
- Browse our auto transport directory for FMCSA-verified car haulers and compare enclosed vs. open options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Houston?
In 2026–2027, most full-service interstate moves from San Diego to Houston range from about $3,400 for a small apartment to $8,200+ for a three-bedroom home, with large four-bedroom households exceeding $11,500 when packing, shuttles, and specialty items are included. Coastal condo pickup access and peak summer demand are the biggest swing factors beyond volume.
How long does a San Diego to Houston move take?
Transit typically runs 3–8 days after pickup once your shipment is loaded, depending on dedicated vs. consolidated trucking and your exact origin and destination. Condo elevator scheduling and military-housing gate coordination can add days before load-out even when linehaul along I-10 is fast.
How many miles is it from San Diego to Houston?
Most household moves on this corridor cover roughly 1,550–1,620 miles via I-10 through Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. South Bay and Chula Vista origins add modest distance; North County coastal routing through Los Angeles basin connectors can vary slightly by carrier lane.
Is moving from San Diego to Houston worth it for taxes?
Many households see meaningful savings from Texas's lack of state income tax and lower housing costs relative to San Diego coastal and inland markets, but total benefit depends on salary, property tax in your Harris or Fort Bend county, commuting choices, and whether you maintain ties to California. Consult a tax professional for residency rules when you split the year.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego to Houston?
Spring and fall often balance moderate pricing with easier scheduling. Summer is busiest and most expensive, overlapping with military PCS season. Avoid assuming tight delivery windows during Houston hurricane season (June–November) without flexible contract language. Book six to ten weeks ahead for May–September moves.
Do San Diego coastal condos require special mover planning?
Yes. La Jolla, Coronado, and downtown high-rises frequently require freight elevator reservations, Certificate of Insurance filings, and shuttle trucks when 53-foot trailers cannot reach loading zones. Reputable movers include these accessorials on surveyed estimates; confirm them before booking.
Should I choose binding or non-binding estimates?
Binding estimates after inventory survey lock price unless you add items on moving day. Non-binding estimates can increase if actual weight or volume exceeds the survey. For San Diego coastal pickups with complex access, binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimates reduce surprise risk.
Can one company move my furniture and my car?
Some interstate carriers broker auto transport or partner with car haulers, but household goods and vehicles usually travel on separate trucks with separate bills of lading. Compare specialized auto transport providers and verify both companies on FMCSA.gov.
How do I avoid moving scams on the San Diego to Houston corridor?
Verify USDOT and MC numbers, refuse large upfront wire payments, prefer written inventory surveys, and compare multiple licensed carriers. Read our scam avoidance guide and check complaint ratios on FMCSA before booking.
Which Houston suburbs are most popular for San Diego transplants?
Katy, Sugar Land, and the Woodlands lead inbound volume from Southern California — master-planned communities with strong schools and energy-sector commuter access. Texas Medical Center professionals often target Inner Loop and Medical Center-area high-rises. Browse our Houston city hub for suburb comparisons.
What items cannot be moved interstate to Houston?
Carriers prohibit hazardous materials, perishable food, plants in many cases, and certain flammables. Propane tanks, aerosols, and open alcohol bottles should be used up or disposed of before load-out. Ask your carrier for a written prohibited-items list.
Do Houston HOAs require notice for delivery trucks?
Many master-planned communities in Katy, the Woodlands, and Sugar Land require advance notice, gate codes, refundable deposits, or designated delivery hours. Provide your HOA move-in packet to your carrier early so delivery day is not turned away at the gate.
Plan your San Diego → Houston move
Build your inventory in our moving calculator, then compare FMCSA-licensed interstate carriers in our directory.
Related guides & destinations
Planning Tips for This Route
- Build room-by-room inventory before comparing quotes — SD coastal homes often include patio and garage volume phone estimates miss.
- Confirm whether your carrier routes via I-10 direct or consolidates through Southwest hubs; ask about transit time in writing.
- For Houston delivery, verify HOA move-in rules in Katy, Sugar Land, or the Woodlands and hurricane-season flexible date clauses.
- Book car shipping alongside household goods — the drive is 22+ hours and impractical during a coordinated relocation.
- Browse our Houston destination hub for Harris County movers and 2026–2027 inbound cost tables.
What Affects Your Price
- Cubic footage and weight
- San Diego condo and coastal-community access
- Houston Medical Center high-rise or suburban shuttle fees
- Summer and energy-sector peak demand
- Packing and crating for humidity-sensitive items
- Storage if Texas closing dates slip
Popular City Pairs on This Corridor
- La Jolla → Katy
- North Park / Downtown SD → Medical Center
- Carlsbad → Sugar Land
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