Moving From NYC to Austin: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

Moving from NYC to Austin means trading pizza and street food for barbecue, brew, and considerably less crazy people. It also means uprooting your whole life and replanting it down in Texas. At iMoving, we’re all about making sure that the transition goes smoothly.

There are two popular options for long-distance moving. One, you can pack up all your stuff and haul it yourself. And two, you can pay professional movers to do the heavy lifting and hauling.

A DIY move may be cheaper, but once you’ve paid for gas, food, and lodging (and missed out on all those paychecks during moving) it may be worth the extra expense to just call the pros.

iMoving is an easy-to-use marketplace that puts all those professional movers within easy reach. We maintain a tight network of long-distance carriers, and we made it super simple to shop around and pick the best team for the job. Let’s take a look at our favorites for the Austin-NYC route.

Your NYC to Austin move will take anywhere from 5 - 21 days. But why?

While you’re out there trying to pawn off that old toaster you were totally gonna use, you should keep in mind that a smaller amount of stuff may actually take longer to transport.

Movers don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the place, so they’ll actually bundle multiple moves together in the same trailer.

This is great for efficiency, but not so great if you’re in a hurry. Your movers may have to make multiple pickups and dropoffs along the way unless you somehow managed to fill up an entire trailer with just your stuff.

You’ve got an idea of the price of your move $2,010 - $8,515 in case you forgot during all the excitement), but what really goes into the cost of an NYC - Austin move? Here’s a breakdown of all the major price points:

1. Distance

The miles between point A and point B make all the difference. Unfortunately, it’s a long hike from New York to Austin, and if you’re already locked into a house, you can’t do much to change the distance of your move. Fortunately, you can take some steps to lighten the load.

2. Weight/Volume

Aside from the distance you have to travel, the size of your move is probably the biggest factor behind your cost. Most movers will assign a cubic-foot or pound value to your move, usually after reviewing an inventory list or sending an agent to inspect your stuff. (But if you use a service like iMoving to book your move, you can skip those steps.)

3. Packing

Not only is packing one of the most time-consuming parts of your move, it’s also one of the more expensive add-on services you can choose.

It may cost you an extra couple hundred bucks, but the convenience of having someone else do the boxing, packing, taping, and crating is pretty hard to put a price on.

4. Access Fees

Your movers are doing hard work, and anything that makes their lives harder is probably going to be added to your quote.

Long carries (anything over 75 feet) are a common access fee, as are additional staircases, elevators, and restrictive parking situations. Talk with your movers ahead of time so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises for their teams - or yourself.

5. Shuttle Service

You’re moving from New York City, so you may want to pay extra attention to this one. Most major cities don’t take kindly to giant semi trucks parking on the street and blocking traffic.

Instead, your movers will have to park the big truck outside of town and use a smaller box truck - a “shuttle” - to get your stuff between your place and the semi.

6. Moving Date

Want to save some cash when you book your move? Here’s some free advice: Any time the kids are out of school, you’ll end up paying extra.

Summer moves are the priciest by far. Next up, moves during holidays and long weekends. The first and last days of each month may cause a spike in prices, as well. Shoot for mid-month, mid-week, and far from major holidays.

7. Storage

Storage can really come in handy if you’re not sure if your stuff will fit in your new place, but it’s also a nice bonus in terms of flexibility.

If you rent a storage unit near your destination, you can really take your time unpacking and getting situated, and some movers even throw in a free month as a seasonal promotion.

8. Insurance

It’s rare for stuff to break in transit, but it’s nice to be prepared in any case. Especially since the federally required minimum insurance for movers only covers $0.60 per pound of items that are lost, damaged, or otherwise DOA.

A busted MacBook should get you more money than $2.40. Shell out for full-value coverage.

If you’re on the fence about moving to Austin, take a look at why some New Yorkers are getting out of town:

• Cheaper: Yeah, this is pretty much the #1 reason people are looking to leave New York. The fine folks at Blackrock have made sure that NYC rent is at an all-time high. If you’re tired of flushing like… 80% of your income down the toilet, it’s time to head out west.

• More room: In NYC, you get to pay top dollar to live like sardines. In Austin, there’s a little more room to stretch out. You’ll have to learn how to drive, but at least you won’t be face-to-face with weirdos on the train anymore.

• Better climate: Unlike New York, Austin is pretty liveable all year round. Like the rest of Texas, it’s hot and dry and way sunnier than NYC. Sure there may be some freak storms once every couple of years, but you’re from New York. You can handle it.

• Blue city: If you’re moving from New York, chances are you’re well-acquainted with a certain side of the great American political divide. In Austin, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much it matches up with your lofty New York ideals and ambitions.

• Red state: If you’re moving from New York, chances are you’re well-acquainted with a certain side of the great American political divide. In Texas, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much it matches up with your gritty New York pragmatism and toughness.

Coming from New York City to Austin may seem like a major step down in terms of entertainment, but that’s a common misconception. Here’s some cool stuff you can do once you’ve made your move:

• Zilker Park: Fans of Central Park will be happy to know that Austin has its own slice of green in the heart of the city. Zilker Park is an Austin establishment, with plenty of spots for picnicking, catching some sun, and even…

• Barton Springs Pool: Inside of Zilker Park, you’ll find a gigantic outdoor pool fed directly by local springs. It’s actually so big, it looks more like a lake than a pool. When those hot summer days hit, this is the place to be.

• 6th Street: You may be used to nightlife in NYC, but Austin does it differently. 6th Street is the city’s hub for bars, brews, and clubs. Since Austin lays claim to being the home of live music, you’re more likely to find bands tearing it up on stage instead of a tired DJ set.

• Congress Avenue Bridge: This may seem like a “one and done” sight to check out, but it never gets old. Hundreds of thousands of bats take flight every evening from the eves of the Congress Avenue Bridge: It’s great wildlife watching if you’re not too queasy.

• Blanton Museum of Art: Your snobby New York friends may think they’ve got the art-and-culture scene locked away from the rest of the country, but Austin’s Blanton Museum of Art may surprise them. There are over 21,000 pieces to see, from all genres.

Austin has a lot to see and a lot to do, and even if you’ve been spoiled for choice from your time in NYC, you’ll still find plenty of entertainment. It’s also a lot more affordable!

You made it to the end, and now you’ve seen it all - or at least, as much as a quick guide on the internet can tell you. With a head full of knowledge about what to expect on moving day, it’s time to put your new know-how to good use.

At iMoving, we’re all about making your move easier and more efficient. That includes the shopping and booking. Tell us more about your NYC to Austin relocation, and let’s connect you with the best movers in our marketplace.