Moving to Texas.
What it costs to arrive. State consumer protections. Scam patterns flagged by the AG.
The migration context.
Texas was the #1 US interstate migration destination from 2020-2023 per US Census, though net migration slowed by ~50% YoY in 2025 (Census ACS). Common origins: California (cost-of-living migration), New York (post-COVID relocation), Illinois (job + tax migration). Austin, DFW, Houston are the three biggest arrival markets.
What it costs to move here.
CA→TX 2BR cross-country averages $9,000-$13,000 (Allied 2026 cross-country band applied to CA-TX distances). NY→TX 2BR long-distance $5,500-$9,000. IL→TX 2BR regional or long-distance depending on metro: Chicago to DFW is 925 miles (long-distance pricing); Chicago to Austin is 1,100 miles. Peak-season pricing (May-September) adds 15-25% over off-season.
State-specific regulations and verification.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) regulates intrastate moves; FMCSA covers interstate. TxDMV requires household-goods movers to be licensed with a 'BB' permit and maintain liability insurance. Arrivals can verify intrastate moves via tx.dmv.gov licence search. For interstate moves arriving from out-of-state, FMCSA SAFER (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) is the verification tool.
What state AG complaints flag.
Texas AG has flagged the 'hostage load' pattern as a recurring complaint: low non-binding quote, then driver demands cash above the original estimate before unloading. FMCSA 110% rule applies — driver cannot lawfully demand more than 110% of the non-binding estimate at delivery. File complaint at FMCSA.dot.gov + Texas AG consumer protection. Most-targeted destination metros: Austin (rapid arrival volume), Houston (large port-area moves).