Moving From Guide

Moving From Austin, TX

Everything you need to know about leaving Austin — from top destinations and moving tips to your farewell checklist.

Population: 978,908COL Index: 112Median Home: $450,000Avg Winter: 40°F

Why People Leave Austin

Every city has its trade-offs. Here are the most common reasons residents decide it's time to move on from Austin.

1

Career opportunities elsewhere attract ambitious professionals looking for growth in emerging job markets.

2

Many residents seek a change of pace — whether it's a smaller community, different climate, or closer proximity to family.

3

Rising housing costs and increasing population density lead some long-time residents to look for more space and quieter surroundings.

Top Destinations From Austin

Explore the most popular places people move to when leaving Austin, with distance, drive time, and cost comparisons.

New York, NY

1,750 miles
25 hour drive
via I-81 South / I-40 West

Los Angeles, CA

1,380 miles
20 hour drive
via I-10 East

Chicago, IL

1,090 miles
16 hour drive
via I-55 South / I-44 West

Houston, TX

165 miles
2.5 hour drive
via US-290 West

Dallas, TX

195 miles
3 hour drive
via I-35 South

San Francisco, CA

1,750 miles
25 hour drive
via I-5 South / I-10 East

Denver, CO

930 miles
14 hour drive
via I-25 South / US-287 South

Atlanta, GA

920 miles
14 hour drive
via I-20 West

Seattle, WA

2,100 miles
30 hour drive
via I-5 South / I-10 East

Phoenix, AZ

870 miles
13 hour drive
via I-10 East

Nashville, TN

860 miles
13 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West

Portland, OR

1,930 miles
28 hour drive
via I-5 South / I-10 East

Washington, DC

1,530 miles
22 hour drive
via I-81 South / I-40 West

Minneapolis, MN

1,100 miles
16 hour drive
via I-35 South

Boston, MA

1,960 miles
28 hour drive
via I-90 West / I-81 South

Charlotte, NC

1,200 miles
17 hour drive
via I-85 South / I-20 West

Las Vegas, NV

1,220 miles
18 hour drive
via I-15 South / I-40 East / I-25 South

San Diego, CA

1,300 miles
19 hour drive
via I-8 East / I-10 East

St. Louis, MO

860 miles
13 hour drive
via I-44 West / I-35 South

Columbus, OH

1,200 miles
18 hour drive
via I-70 West / I-44 West

Pittsburgh, PA

1,380 miles
20 hour drive
via I-79 South / I-64 West

Kansas City, MO

720 miles
10 hour drive
via I-35 South

Indianapolis, IN

1,000 miles
15 hour drive
via I-70 West / I-44 West

Memphis, TN

640 miles
9 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West / I-35 South

New Orleans, LA

510 miles
7.5 hour drive
via I-10 West

Philadelphia, PA

1,866 miles
33.9 hour drive
via I-20 East

San Antonio, TX

96 miles
1.7 hour drive
via I-5 South / I-10 West

San Jose, CA

1,904 miles
34.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Jacksonville, FL

1,247 miles
22.7 hour drive
via I-20 East

Fort Worth, TX

226 miles
4.1 hour drive
via I-35 North

Oklahoma City, OK

467 miles
8.5 hour drive
via I-35 North

El Paso, TX

686 miles
12.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Louisville, KY

1,141 miles
20.7 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Baltimore, MD

1,751 miles
31.8 hour drive
via I-20 East

Milwaukee, WI

1,346 miles
24.5 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Albuquerque, NM

800 miles
14.5 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Tucson, AZ

1,031 miles
18.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Fresno, CA

1,746 miles
31.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Sacramento, CA

1,905 miles
34.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Mesa, AZ

1,111 miles
20.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Omaha, NE

996 miles
18.1 hour drive
via I-35 North

Colorado Springs, CO

930 miles
16.9 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Raleigh, NC

1,519 miles
27.6 hour drive
via I-20 East

Miami, FL

1,448 miles
26.3 hour drive
via I-20 East

Tampa, FL

1,217 miles
22.1 hour drive
via I-20 East

Orlando, FL

1,289 miles
23.4 hour drive
via I-20 East

Cincinnati, OH

1,257 miles
22.9 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Boise, ID

1,780 miles
32.4 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Richmond, VA

1,644 miles
29.9 hour drive
via I-20 East

Salt Lake City, UT

1,396 miles
25.4 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Honolulu, HI

4,874 miles
88.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

Charleston, SC

1,381 miles
25.1 hour drive
via I-20 East

Savannah, GA

1,289 miles
23.4 hour drive
via I-20 East

Knoxville, TN

1,157 miles
21 hour drive
via I-20 East

Fort Lauderdale, FL

1,441 miles
26.2 hour drive
via I-20 East

Chattanooga, TN

1,033 miles
18.8 hour drive
via I-20 East

Madison, WI

1,296 miles
23.6 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Grand Rapids, MI

1,432 miles
26 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Huntsville, AL

935 miles
17 hour drive
via I-20 East

Greenville, SC

1,231 miles
22.4 hour drive
via I-20 East

Asheville, NC

1,240 miles
22.5 hour drive
via I-20 East

Des Moines, IA

1,060 miles
19.3 hour drive
via I-35 North

Spokane, WA

2,069 miles
37.6 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Birmingham, AL

884 miles
16.1 hour drive
via I-20 East

Sioux Falls, SD

1,195 miles
21.7 hour drive
via I-35 North

Fargo, ND

1,493 miles
27.1 hour drive
via I-35 North

Scottsdale, AZ

1,119 miles
20.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Arlington, TX

227 miles
4.1 hour drive
via I-35 North

Aurora, CO

996 miles
18.1 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 West

Bakersfield, CA

1,666 miles
30.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Anaheim, CA

1,566 miles
28.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Santa Ana, CA

1,562 miles
28.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Long Beach, CA

1,586 miles
28.8 hour drive
via I-20 West

Virginia Beach, VA

1,728 miles
31.4 hour drive
via I-20 East

Rochester, NY

1,847 miles
33.6 hour drive
via I-5 North / I-10 East

Finding Movers in Austin

Navigating the moving company landscape can be overwhelming. Here's what to keep in mind when hiring movers in Austin.

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get at least 3 in-home or virtual estimates. Prices in Austin can vary by 30-50% between companies for the same move.

Verify Licenses

Check USDOT numbers for interstate moves and state licensing for local moves. Avoid movers who only accept cash or won't provide written estimates.

Time It Right

Moving during off-peak months (October–April) can save 20-30%. Midweek moves are also typically cheaper than weekend slots in Austin.

Packing Up in Austin

Packing up a house in Austin? These tips will save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.

Start with the Garage

Homes in Austin often accumulate years of garage clutter. Start there — you'll free up staging space and reduce your load.

Protect Your Floors

Use furniture sliders on hardwood and carpet protectors on stairs. Moving heavy furniture can cause costly damage to your home.

Label by Room and Priority

Color-code boxes by destination room and mark 'open first' essentials. You'll thank yourself on unpacking day.

Handle Yard Equipment Early

Drain fuel from mowers, blowers, and trimmers. These items need special handling and should be prepped days before the move.

Photograph Your Setup

Take photos of how electronics, shelving, and wall art are arranged. It makes recreating your space in your new home much easier.

Your Austin Farewell Checklist

Don't leave anything behind (except the memories). Complete these 10 essential tasks before your last day in Austin.

Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
Forward your mail through USPS (set up at least 2 weeks early)
Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
Transfer or obtain new vehicle registration and driver's license
Notify your employer and update payroll records
Say goodbye to neighbors, friends, and colleagues
Get copies of medical and dental records
Close or transfer local gym memberships and services
Return library books, rented equipment, and borrowed items
Do a final walkthrough and document the condition of your home

Ready to Leave Austin?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with Austin relocations.